TV Review: Parks and Recreation 5.15, "Correspondents' Lunch"
rating: 3
Well, they cant all be winners. Correspondents Lunch was by no means an awful episode of television, but it wasnt among the most compelling or even entertaining episodes of Parks either. Basically the main issues I had were the lack of anything being at stake and solid laughs. A lot of this episode just felt routine. Leslie had a genuine problem in having her email hacked by a local tabloid, however, this problem wasnt really made apparent until late in the episode and then it was immediately resolved in a fairly predictable, albeit logical, way. Anns dilemma of not knowing how to approach Chris about asking him to donate his ficuses sperm to her just made her look unflatteringly immature. And of course Jerry made Britta look like Batman. The funniest parts of the episode came from Ron (shocker) stepping in and illustrating how flawed these situations were. When Ann complained to Ron about Chris and Shauna flirting, his remark that, Thats called a conversation, killed me, as did his reaction when Ann admitted what her very personal situation actually was, Its been nice talking to you, followed by a brisk exit. Then when Ann came to chat with Ron about how right he was after he fixed her non-problem of not knowing how to talk to a man with whom she had a long-term intimate relationship, I know. Stop talking and get out, was the best part of the whole plot. Also, Rons comment on Leslies plot may have also been its best feature, You cant hack into a typewriter. Thats all I have to say. Its not that I dont love me some Ron Swanson stealing scenes, but if it werent for him this episode would have hardly any laughs for me. The best plot followed Andys depression coinciding with Bens ineptitude. Its really refreshing to see these two characters so out of their element and finding solace in each others genuinely kind natures. Now I have to excuse myself because Im feeling sad and sweaty.