Mona-Lisa is awful, and nothing about that part of the episode was good. It doesn't even make sense - the "problem" would've been completely solved by Ann simply leaving the bar. Come to think of it, why was Ann even at the bar? They were celebrating Ben and Andy's charity thing - that has nothing to do with Ann. Everything about that portion of the episode was basically just a way to fill time; it was pointless otherwise.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-04-19T01:48:17Z
[6.6/10] Pretty middling stuff all around, only saved by the show leaning into its most foundational relationship – the begrudging but heartfelt friendship between Ron and Leslie. Jeremy Jamm is a dud of a character and having him pit Ron and Leslie against one another over potential budget cuts to the local mini-golf range is pretty silly stuff. But there’s the core of some good things there. Ron being principled, and Leslie telling him that she believes they’re the wrong principles is an important thing for their relationship. Leslie appreciating Ron’s honorableness even if she disagrees with his positions is a good look, especially after she tries to do the right thing in an ethically questionable way. (Jamm saying they’re peas in a pod is a thuddingly obvious but nevertheless effective epiphany moments.) And the two sharing a drink and reflecting on what it all means is nice.
It’s just a weak path to get to that point. Look, I love the idea of Leslie saying she imagined City Council would be like working with Ron – passionate if occasionally disagreeing people striving for good, and Ron telling her that there’s a lot Jamms in politics and she needs to think about whether that’s the path she wants. It’s really good stuff and great moments with the characters. But they lay on the honor thing really thick in the lead up, and the mini-golf issue seems cooked up and exaggerated when it comes down to a golf game to win Jamm’s vote. Great finish, middling-to-bad setup.
The other stories aren’t great either. I kind of hate the Mona Lisa character. She is super annoying and not in a particularly funny or well-written way. There’s some comedy juice from Tom and Ann both trying to be rid of her, but her presence just brings down the whole thing immediately.
And the last story, featuring Andy feeling kicked out of Mouserat, was fairly weak too. The silver lining is the sweetness of April encouraging Andy not to retire from music, even though she’s not into his particular style, because she knows it’s important to him. But as much as I normally love the Andy character, his characteristically over the top reaction to feeling spurned by his own bandmates just didn’t do it for me.
Overall, a lot of good idea and themes, but weak execution.