Tomorrow, we say goodbye to a wonderfully fantastic show. The Parks and Recreation series finale snuck up on us too fast, but thankfully the show has imparted some gems that will forever be with us.
There is so much Parks and Recreation introduced into the pop culture lexicon over the past seven years. From certain phrases and ways of life, to the future Star-Lord, we’re grateful for this kooky little show about a governmental body in Pawnee, Indiana.
Alec Bojalad and Kristina Lintz have teamed up in the past to remember How I Met Your Mother and another beloved NBC comedy, 30 Rock, and mutually agreed that saying goodbye to Parks and Recreation will be the hardest of the bunch.
Waffles at J.J.’s
Who knew a show could revolutionize the way we feel about the most underrated breakfast food, waffles? Parks and Rec frequently placed their characters not in a bar at the end of the day for a beer (though that did happen a fair number of times) but in true Knope fashion, people gathered at JJ’s Diner. Whether it be for a morning meeting or afternoon drown-our-sorrows-in-syrup meal, we love the show’s dedication to food.
‘Treat Yo Self’
We don’t think we can overstate the importance of this phrase’s presence in today’s culture. First of all, it’s a beacon to find other Parks and Rec fans in a misty haze of commoners who haven’t watched the show yet, and secondly, it’s a truly fantastic way to live life (within reason). Had a rough day at work/school? Treat yo self by watching half a season of your favorite show. Had your eye on a pair of shoes? Treat yo self and get them. Always wanted to dress up as your favorite superhero? Treat yo self, Batman. The episode is season 4, episode 4, “Pawnee Rangers,” and it’s available on Netflix – go on, treat yo self.
Bonus: Thanks to Parks and Recreation season 7, we know that Treat Yo Self day is still going strong in 2017. There is hope for the future!
Cones of Dunshire
Who doesn’t have a soft spot in their heart for Ben Wyatt? The man is like the human embodiment of a sad teddy bear you just want to keep hugging. In-between jobs, the man creates a game that’s more complicated than Risk, Monopoly. Scrabble and Connect Four combined. We’ll let him explain. We’ll be over here, standing behind Leslie in the clip, looking mildly shocked and horrified.
Drunk/Medicated/Food-Poisoned Ben Wyatt
Ben Wyatt was introduced late in season two alongside Chris Traeger. At first very little was known about Ben, he was just a stickler-bureaucrat who descended upon Pawnee from the State’s office to slash the town’s budgets. But as time passed and the viewers got to know Ben more and more, his character quirks became increasingly charming. Things like his calzone obsession and general nerdiness were endearing but it was always when Ben was off his game that actor Adam Scott was at his best. A drunk, hungover, food-poisoned or loopy from medication Ben Wyatt is the best Ben Wyatt. Through four seasons Ben has had his stomach betrayed by calzones, his mind rattled by anesthesia for appendicitis and his teeth turned blue by powerful blueberry wine. No one on television slurs or stumbles around better than Adam Scott.
The musical stylings of Mouse Rat
If Pawnee is a microcosm of the United States then Mouse Rat is its Elvis Presley/Bruce Springsteen/The Doors rolled up into one. Andy’s band feels like it was introduced way back in season one’s “Rock Show,” just so Chris Pratt could rattle off a list of hilarious names (my favorite is “Three-Skin”). Thankfully, Parks and Rec stuck with the goofy band for much longer so we could have enduring classics such as “The Pit” and “5,000 Candles in the Wind.”
Jerry/Garry/Larry/Terry Gergich
How does one even begin to describe dedicated Parks and Recreation employee Jerry Gergich? He’s an important…*accidentally knocks water onto computer, everything explodes*.
Leslie Knope
What can we say about Leslie Knope that hasn’t already been said? The show wasn’t sure what to do with her the first season, but quickly found their footing with her quirky-yet-intense work ethic, but her incredibly huge heart that always finds the best in people.
She helped Ron Swanson become a helpful member of society rather than sit at his desk and swivel away from people, she helped Andy and April – and Tom and Donna and Ben and Ann and Chris – become better people than before she met them. She never had to be mean or cruel to get ahead (and even when she tried with say, Jamm, his demise was his own fault). She’s a little bit cunning, but also brave, and friendly, and whip-smart. So she basically embodies the qualities of all four Hogwarts houses.
As we move on in our lives, in a post-Parks and Rec world, let’s always stop and think “WWLKD?” What would Leslie Knope do? It’ll help us in the long-run.
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