TV Review: Parks and Recreation 5.16, "Bailout"
rating: 4
So. Not only were there two Bored to Death alumni in Parks triumphant return to our screens (alright, Jenny Slate was only in a few episodes, whatever), but Leslie Knope referenced Kubricks Paths of Glory, Guiseppe Tornatores Cinema Paradiso, and Kurosawas Rashomon, as well as a Michael Bay burn how I havent given this episode five stars based on that alone is madness. And the swagger-rific whipped cream on this already classic Leslie Knope sundae? A double dose of Jean-Ralphio and his twin sister, Mona Lisa Sapperstein. The siblings singing and swinging stylings were enough to make my night, but on top of that there were truly great lines from just about every character, even Jerry. There was Anns awkward phone message and Jerry impersonation, Aprils comment that Annes nursing career is equivalent to that of a janitor, Chris paralyzing fear of negatively affecting any living thing, and of course, Rons correction of the waiter who tried to warn him about his food order, I know what Im about, son. Plus, seeing April, Ann, and Donna belt out any amount of Time After Time is an instant classic. In addition to being the most cinephile-centered episode of Parks and Recreation in nearly five seasons, I really enjoyed Bailout for the excellent use of nearly all the aforementioned guest stars and regular characters as well as its ability to efficiently discuss the politics of government bailouts and the media shifts which have come to define the last decade with equal parts intelligence and humor (well maybe not equal) without coming off as obnoxiously preachy no easy feat. We finally got some progress between Ann and Chris non-love child, although Im curious to see how the two find a balance between donor and actual father in terms of Chris role. It was also nice to see April and Ann have time together as these characters not only hold some pretty healthy animosity toward each other, but its a pairing rarely seen yet works well. The characters on Parks are great because theyre consistent without necessarily being predictable and although Bailout was low on stakes and emotional resonance, it more than made up for it in laughs.