[6.4/10] It’s always strange when a show comes back from a would-be finale. You never know where the show is going or how it’s going to reposition itself going forward. Thankfully, Parks delivers a fairly normal episode, but unfortunately it’s just OK.
The A-story about Leslie getting hacked by a reporter from the Pawnee Sun is fine but unspectacular. I want to say this is a reference to the Rupert Murdoch newscorp hacking scandal, but I’m sketchy on the timing. Leslie’s frustrations when her enemies from the Sun steals her speech at the correspondents’ lunch doesn’t get as much comic mileage as it could. I do like that it’s Donna who saves the day (using midichlorians no less!) and she’s stealthily become one of my favorite characters on the show during this rewatch. She always has funny lines and a unique presence, and it’s nice to see her used more.
The B-story about Ann getting up the courage to ask Chris to be her sperm donor is also a little meh. Again, this whole thing is kind of a weird storyline. Its heart’s in the right place, and it’s nice to see Ron as the wise “just do it” sort of Yoda character here, but the episode does a weak job at making it compelling.
The C-story, with Ben having to pick a charity for Sweetums to support is also a mixed bag. I like that it focuses on Andy feeling depressed after failing to become a cop, and Ben recognizing that he has a talent for charitable work. But the comedy in the segments are pretty lackluster aside from Chris Pratt’s physical humor.
Overall, not a bad episode, but one that made me wonder how much gas the show had left in the tank after its semi-finale in the prior episode.
Shout by sisdogBlockedParent2017-08-08T22:17:03Z
Ron's giggle was all I needed from this episode.