Parks And Recreation: 5 Reasons Why "Moving Up" Would Have Been A Perfect Ending For The Show

5. Happy Ending

Parks and Recreation has never exactly been the gloomiest show on television. The general sunniness of certain characters has served to instill a sense of inherent optimism in the series, and even the dour April has a heart of gold underneath all of the sarcasm. Of course, that's not to say that there haven't been some serious downbeats over the years, and no prior season finale had a wholly happy conclusion. Season 2 saw Leslie and Co. put on a children's concert against all odds...but the Parks Department might be downsized and cost them their jobs. Season 3 saw Leslie approached to run for city council...but she'd have to give up Ben to do so. Season 5 saw Leslie making a stand for what she believes in...but she might be recalled from office. Each season has ended with at least something to trouble viewers over the hiatus. But not so with "Moving Up." As jarring as was the three year time jump in the last few minutes, we were left with a sense of promise without the usual tinge of dread. Leslie took her dream job without needing to leave her beloved Pawnee. She and Ben are raising three healthy and undoubtedly library-hating calzone-loving children without sacrificing their careers. Auntie April and Uncle Andy are still married (or remarried) and trusted with care of the Knope-Wyatt brood. With the help of Donna and Craig, Tom has successfully opened a restaurant. Jerry...well, Jerry's dog might not die. Yay, Jerry! What mysteries remain--why Ben is in a tuxedo, how many of the triplets have been named after Ann, why Andy's arm is in a sling, how Gary/Jerry/Larry became Terry--do nothing to detract from the overall sense of closure, and the time-jump tag is enough to reassure us that life will go on as crazily as ever in Pawnee, even if we wouldn't be there to see it. Except we will be there to see it, and we can only hope that the show can pull off what basically amounts to a reboot in its seventh season.