[6.8/10] Another weaker entry in the season, though only by P&R’s usually sterling standards. The main story, about Leslie overextending herself by trying to both deputorily direct the parks department and campaign for city council at the same time is a solid enough if somewhat generic premise. It fits Leslie’s “do it all” character, and I like that Ron is a patient but insistent counterweight encouraging her to focus.
The wacky hijinks of Leslie trying to keep all the plates spinning are amusing enough, particularly her and Ron barging on Jerry in the bath and her exchange with the guy from the sign store who put a URL rather than a picture on the campaign poster. Her stepping across the threshold to the office, Homer in Australia-style in the cold open is pretty funny too. But the best part is her heart-to-heart with Ron in the gorgeous setting of Donna’s lakehouse. His “don’t half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing” speech works as a nice resolution, and Leslie agreeing to cut down to 10 hours a week is a nice save that’s true to her character.
The thing that drags this one down is the other major story, centering on Ann and Tom having a big fight over how little they have in common. I like that April is trapped in the middle of it (though her refuge in champagne is a little odd), but otherwise it’s a lot to take. The show just drives home the point that Tom and Ann don’t really work together, in personality or in interests, and then doesn’t really resolve it or give a good reason why they would stay together. Their clashes also aren’t particularly funny, and the jokes are repetitive. I’ve already harped on “Tann” enough, but suffice it to say it’s the continuing element in this episode that just doesn’t work.
That said, I like the C-story well enough, which features Andy and Chris clashing a bit after Chris gets attached to Champion. The thrust of the story is a little odd, but the two make for a funny pairing, and the ending -- that Chris uses his dog whistle to convince Andy his song made Champion come back, is a nice one. There’s a lot of humor in the goofus and gallant dog trainer routine between the two of them, and capper, with Andy realizing how happy Champion makes the previously downtrodden Chris and saying he can play with him whenever he wants, is a nice touch too.
Overall, nothing in this one is so bad, but it’s all just a bit below the show’s usual great standard, which lowers the score for it.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-03-24T21:28:15Z
[6.8/10] Another weaker entry in the season, though only by P&R’s usually sterling standards. The main story, about Leslie overextending herself by trying to both deputorily direct the parks department and campaign for city council at the same time is a solid enough if somewhat generic premise. It fits Leslie’s “do it all” character, and I like that Ron is a patient but insistent counterweight encouraging her to focus.
The wacky hijinks of Leslie trying to keep all the plates spinning are amusing enough, particularly her and Ron barging on Jerry in the bath and her exchange with the guy from the sign store who put a URL rather than a picture on the campaign poster. Her stepping across the threshold to the office, Homer in Australia-style in the cold open is pretty funny too. But the best part is her heart-to-heart with Ron in the gorgeous setting of Donna’s lakehouse. His “don’t half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing” speech works as a nice resolution, and Leslie agreeing to cut down to 10 hours a week is a nice save that’s true to her character.
The thing that drags this one down is the other major story, centering on Ann and Tom having a big fight over how little they have in common. I like that April is trapped in the middle of it (though her refuge in champagne is a little odd), but otherwise it’s a lot to take. The show just drives home the point that Tom and Ann don’t really work together, in personality or in interests, and then doesn’t really resolve it or give a good reason why they would stay together. Their clashes also aren’t particularly funny, and the jokes are repetitive. I’ve already harped on “Tann” enough, but suffice it to say it’s the continuing element in this episode that just doesn’t work.
That said, I like the C-story well enough, which features Andy and Chris clashing a bit after Chris gets attached to Champion. The thrust of the story is a little odd, but the two make for a funny pairing, and the ending -- that Chris uses his dog whistle to convince Andy his song made Champion come back, is a nice one. There’s a lot of humor in the goofus and gallant dog trainer routine between the two of them, and capper, with Andy realizing how happy Champion makes the previously downtrodden Chris and saying he can play with him whenever he wants, is a nice touch too.
Overall, nothing in this one is so bad, but it’s all just a bit below the show’s usual great standard, which lowers the score for it.