Yup, still only want to talk about Parks & Rec
Show, you hold my heart in your hands like a small bird.
Also, I wish they hadn't shown these episodes back-to-back. Partly it made the time frame seem wicked compressed in a weird way, and partly it was sort of a weird turnaround in emotions and themes and plot in far too short a span of time.
Basically, I wanted this part to last WAY longer. I don't think one episode would've been quite enough anyway - though totally believable, because Leslie and Ben are the worst at sneaking EVER - but at least if it were a stand-alone it would've felt like 2 weeks, rather than, like, 2 days.
However, I did want it to be more of the walk-and-talks and "Here's an update on what we're doing, meeting's at 2, and also let's go make out at some point"-s, and less of the sexy memos and mix CDs with ONLY 5 Sarah Mclachlan songs on them. God, the two most earnestly dorky people on television and they're in a relationship together, and yet, I had hoped it would be more like what they've been doing for the last few episodes, only with kissing. What was I thinking?
However, one thing I really enjoyed here was the return of take-charge Ben. We got a bit of a glimpse of that in the last episode, and I'm guessing the success of his last attempt inspired him, because he pretty firmly took command of the situation here just as it was about to spiral wildly out of control, and it was nice to see. Leslie's generally been quite good for him: she brings out his goofy side quite well, makes him playful and fun, and it's a pretty sharp change from the Ben who first arrived in Pawnee. It suits him. But, as shown in his first interaction with her mother, it can also transfer some of the crazy, and nothing brings out Leslie's crazy like her mother. (Though "At one point, I took off my shoes and held them in my hand" will never stop making me laugh.) It was great to see him - with her encouragement, particularly, even if it wasn't entirely helpful - stop that in its tracks and return to form. One of the things I love about these two is that yes, they're both huge dorks, but they're also frighteningly competent at their jobs, and it's great to get a reminder of that.
The B-plot was mostly interesting because Ron is hilarious and Andy's enthusiasm is adorable. Even April got into it! I do love, though, when we get to see that Ron loves his coworkers, however much that might be against his will. Basically I love when this show points out that people are good at their jobs.
And this was not one of those times. Ok, sure, Leslie pulled it off pretty spectacularly considering, but that was only after she majorly screwed it up.
I'm mostly with Ben on this one: seriously? What is the obsession with the miniature horse? Although it pains me to say that, because 1. I rarely agree with Ben, actually, and 2. there was like a total of a minute and a half in this episode where Ben & Leslie weren't making me wildly uncomfortable, and those mostly consisted of scenes when they weren't in the room together (plus that one scene towards the end where Leslie's all, "No seriously this time," and Ben tries to kiss her out of "force of habit". Habit of like ONE WEEK, which I actually think is totally adorable). Also that accidental phone call made me want to die.
On the other hand, if they have to break up, I will still be really sad. They're just too happy and healthy and adorable, and TV doesn't really allow that. That look Ben gave her at the end, when he noticed she seemed down? Super adorable and exactly what I wanted from them. Also, the lyrics of the song playing over that shot are, "There's so little time/And things I really want to do." AAAHHHH.
Speaking of which, I'm always surprised at how good Mouse Rat actually is. Not that they're great, but I always expect them to suck, and then they don't. The chorus of "5000 Candles in the Wind" was kind of great.
I am SO CURIOUS about Tammy 1. Seriously, who is more sexy/powerful/frightening than Megan Mullally, and more importantly, ENOUGH so as to make her gasp, "Oh shit!" and run away? Any ideas?
Well, I pre-ordered this season on DVD, which is something I have never ever done before. I've never even bought a season of a TV show on DVD. There was just absolutely no filler in this season: every episode was freaking HILARIOUS, every character was great, and I'm in love with Leslie and Ben. I'm also definitely going to spend the summer rewatching the whole series, because fall is really far away!
Also, I wish they hadn't shown these episodes back-to-back. Partly it made the time frame seem wicked compressed in a weird way, and partly it was sort of a weird turnaround in emotions and themes and plot in far too short a span of time.
Basically, I wanted this part to last WAY longer. I don't think one episode would've been quite enough anyway - though totally believable, because Leslie and Ben are the worst at sneaking EVER - but at least if it were a stand-alone it would've felt like 2 weeks, rather than, like, 2 days.
However, I did want it to be more of the walk-and-talks and "Here's an update on what we're doing, meeting's at 2, and also let's go make out at some point"-s, and less of the sexy memos and mix CDs with ONLY 5 Sarah Mclachlan songs on them. God, the two most earnestly dorky people on television and they're in a relationship together, and yet, I had hoped it would be more like what they've been doing for the last few episodes, only with kissing. What was I thinking?
However, one thing I really enjoyed here was the return of take-charge Ben. We got a bit of a glimpse of that in the last episode, and I'm guessing the success of his last attempt inspired him, because he pretty firmly took command of the situation here just as it was about to spiral wildly out of control, and it was nice to see. Leslie's generally been quite good for him: she brings out his goofy side quite well, makes him playful and fun, and it's a pretty sharp change from the Ben who first arrived in Pawnee. It suits him. But, as shown in his first interaction with her mother, it can also transfer some of the crazy, and nothing brings out Leslie's crazy like her mother. (Though "At one point, I took off my shoes and held them in my hand" will never stop making me laugh.) It was great to see him - with her encouragement, particularly, even if it wasn't entirely helpful - stop that in its tracks and return to form. One of the things I love about these two is that yes, they're both huge dorks, but they're also frighteningly competent at their jobs, and it's great to get a reminder of that.
The B-plot was mostly interesting because Ron is hilarious and Andy's enthusiasm is adorable. Even April got into it! I do love, though, when we get to see that Ron loves his coworkers, however much that might be against his will. Basically I love when this show points out that people are good at their jobs.
And this was not one of those times. Ok, sure, Leslie pulled it off pretty spectacularly considering, but that was only after she majorly screwed it up.
I'm mostly with Ben on this one: seriously? What is the obsession with the miniature horse? Although it pains me to say that, because 1. I rarely agree with Ben, actually, and 2. there was like a total of a minute and a half in this episode where Ben & Leslie weren't making me wildly uncomfortable, and those mostly consisted of scenes when they weren't in the room together (plus that one scene towards the end where Leslie's all, "No seriously this time," and Ben tries to kiss her out of "force of habit". Habit of like ONE WEEK, which I actually think is totally adorable). Also that accidental phone call made me want to die.
On the other hand, if they have to break up, I will still be really sad. They're just too happy and healthy and adorable, and TV doesn't really allow that. That look Ben gave her at the end, when he noticed she seemed down? Super adorable and exactly what I wanted from them. Also, the lyrics of the song playing over that shot are, "There's so little time/And things I really want to do." AAAHHHH.
Speaking of which, I'm always surprised at how good Mouse Rat actually is. Not that they're great, but I always expect them to suck, and then they don't. The chorus of "5000 Candles in the Wind" was kind of great.
I am SO CURIOUS about Tammy 1. Seriously, who is more sexy/powerful/frightening than Megan Mullally, and more importantly, ENOUGH so as to make her gasp, "Oh shit!" and run away? Any ideas?
Well, I pre-ordered this season on DVD, which is something I have never ever done before. I've never even bought a season of a TV show on DVD. There was just absolutely no filler in this season: every episode was freaking HILARIOUS, every character was great, and I'm in love with Leslie and Ben. I'm also definitely going to spend the summer rewatching the whole series, because fall is really far away!