TV Review: Parks & Recreation 5.2, "Soda Tax"
Thankfully though, Parks is much more than a series that knows how to color inside the lines very well; it also fills in the margins with top-notch comedy to the point where the details shine just as bright as its major elements.
rating: 4
As I explained in my review of the last episode of Parks, the show isnt shy about its formula: basically theres the set-up, the climax, and the resolution. This may sound too by the numbers to translate to good story-telling but theres a good reason to use this tried and true structure it works. In fact, unless youre a master of your craft, deviating from this formula will often land a show in some pretty murky waters. Thankfully though, Parks is much more than a series that knows how to color inside the lines very well; it also fills in the margins with top-notch comedy to the point where the details shine just as bright as its major elements. The primary plot of Leslies dilemma over her proposed soda tax parodied all too real concerns of obesity and capitalisms influence over the common good but again these issues never come across as preachy because they find levity throughout the clever jokes and one-liners such as the child-sized 512 ounce soft drink cup offered by a popular local fast food chain. What at first seems like a no-brainer is quickly contrasted by the threat of lay-offs should Leslies proposal get passed by the Pawnee city council. Ultimately, after another in a line of consistently hysterical town hall meetings (there should really be a super-cut of all the Pawnee town hall meetings online), Leslies dilemma is fully defined. The resolution comes from another patented pep talk, this time from Ron Swanson. Ron reminds Leslie that despite her new circumstances, youre still you, the same woman whom Ron, during Leslies first year, tried to fire four times due to her unwavering convictions. Leslies ethics, however, were what ultimately swayed Ron to redact his termination proposals because hed rather work with an annoying, bubbly woman of integrity than a cooperative kiss-ass and so she finds the courage to do what she feels is right. Regardless of what side of the issue you might fall on in any given episode of Parks, the politics ultimately are beside the point; what matters is the human element of living with character as opposed to convenience. Kissing ass was a theme shared by the secondary plot of Bens insolent interns in DC. Its quickly established that the slightly nerdy, no-nonsense Ben is a strict stickler for professionalism in his office and naturally none of the young interns are big fans. Though it was painfully obvious that Bens daughter April was the true culprit of the focus of impudence in the form of humorous caricatures of Ben, I didnt mind watching him suspect pretty boy Ellis (although watching Ben suck up to the very well-connected interns was actually painful). Whats best is that once Ben realizes April is the person behind much of the interns lack of respect for their boss, Bens genuine hurt moves her to give that 15% (Ugh), though not necessarily in the way he expects. Even better, she very intimidatingly (and awesomely) bullies the slacker Ellis into finishing his work, thus delivering the results Ben was looking for without him having to risk his standing with the various big-wigs to whom the interns are all related. Seeing April do this isnt depicted as selling out her youthful convictions, but rather maturing and owning up to her responsibilities as a professional and as a friend. Plus, the real issue of destructive nepotism in politics again doesnt come off as preachy but is in fact very seamlessly integrated. Though Im eager to see April and Ben return to Pawnee so as to avoid as much as possible the inevitable feeling that these separate plots almost feel like different shows altogether due to their lack of direct connectivity, the thematic unity is enough to keep these stories distance from being distracting. The final story was one that included plot points I was very happy to see brought to the forefront early in this season as doing otherwise would be wasteful and inefficient, two things Parks generally does an excellent job of avoiding. Im happy to see Andy beginning to train for his police officer examination, especially the real heart of the story the fact that Andy has very real motivation to succeed (his love for April and the desire to be a good provider for her) whereas Chris perceives he has no one and nothing in his life to motivate him except for a crippling fear that the auto-immune disease he was born with may one day get the better of him should he exude even the slightest physical detriment. Chris has been a lovable and welcomed character since his introduction at the end of the second season; however, his character has consistently exhibited an extremely fragile mental stability that is shaken at even the most minor of setbacks. Whereas a weaker show wouldnt know what to do with this character flaw, I love Parks because it confronts this issue head-on (instead of avoiding it in an endless narrative loop) and resolves it with a very real, very human, and very logical next step Chris decides to start seeing a therapist. This turn of events is also structurally strong because of the narrative irony of a character who at the episodes start was depicted as the strong one yet by the episodes end is helped by those he thought he was helping. And now because Im entirely devoid of sleep, I will simply list my five favorite observations from the episode: a) the fact that Water Zeros name refers to the amount of water in the product (if you want a healthier option, look into Diet Water Zero Light); b) we should totally tax racism; maybe not vaginas; c) I love that Bens Saturday Night Live reference of Rob Schneiders Drinkin coffee! character was something that I used to love and that fell on deaf ears among the young interns Im so old; d) Andy is so discouraged by his initial run time he feels compelled to strip down and lie on the tracks gravel while lamenting that hell never be a cop therefore hell have to be a robber; and e) Toms custom exercise motor cart is modeled after a car from the Fast and Furious franchise, but no ones noticed. Thank you and goodnight.