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Review: The Parks and Recreation Finale

Erika Rasso
Mar 2, 2015
3 min read

Last Tuesday, we all lost something great. One of the greatest modern comedies of our generation, Parks and Recreation, had its final episode. Let me just say right now, I loved it. I pretty much have no critiques. Some may say it was "too perfect" or "wrapped up in a bow," but I say they're wrong! Every one on that show deserved the ending they got, and it was so rewarding to see everything end exactly how it should have. Without going through each ending, I will simply highlight my top three favorite parts of the hour-long finale.

3. Ron Swanson Running a National Park

Though ultimately ironic that Ron Swanson ended up back on the federal government payroll, he was being payed to walk around nature and protect it. I'd certainly say that's the dream job, and we all know he's not as against government as he says he is. As he thanked Leslie and walked off into the woods, I started to cry. Ron has always been one of my favorite characters, he has one of the biggest hearts on that show, and in that moment I knew he was truly happy. That's all someone wants for a favorite: Happiness.

2. Jean-Ralphio's Fake Death

This was the funniest part of the entire finale. Jean-Ralphio has always been a ridiculous character, with aspirations of success without the desire to put in the work, with weird pick up lines, and with awful singing at the end of sentences. So, when he showed up in the finale, I was interested to see how it would end for him. Before he left the "present day" scene, Leslie said something like "I'm sure he will live a long and healthy life" and the show immediately cuts to his funeral in what I would describe as the perfect punch line. However, when the camera pans up, we catch Jean-Ralphio and his sister in the background, discussing collecting the insurance money. Later on, in an easter egg, it is revealed that Jean-Ralphio somehow gets his own line of champagne. I almost would have prefered it if Jean-Ralphio had really died, but maybe that's too macabre for the show.

1. Leslie's (or Ben's) Implied Presidental Status

Though not confirmed, when the show focuses its attention on Gary's full and happy life, we are given a hint that makes everything on the show worth it. At Gary's funeral, a much older Leslie and Ben pay their respects surrounded by the Secret Service. They do, indeed, look very presidential. Is it possible that governors get that much protection? Yes. Was it confirmed later in the episode that Leslie served at least two terms as governor of Indiana? Yes. But those two terms were served when Leslie was still relatively young, leaving plenty of time for political ascension. When she is honored with a library named after her (a marvelous joke for long-time watchers of the show), she mentions an exciting new journey in her life. We can only assume she means running for president, and we can only assume she won. Knope as President? The perfect end to a perfect series.

If you haven't watched Parks and Recreation already, seasons 1-6 are on Netflix. Watching this show changed me for the better, and it will change you too. Though I'm sorry that it's over, the finale represented an amazing end to an amazing era.