Parks and Recreation – Episode 3-4 Review

Reviews, Shows

Who says sequels always suck? If you ask me, Parks and Recreation‘s “Ron and Tammy, Part Two” was even better than their first ill-fated reunion. I mean, Ron rubbed off part of his mustache! He got cornrows!! He CARRIED TOM LIKE A LITTLE BABY!

Sorry for the use of all caps, but that deserved it. It was epically hilarious. I need it as my screensaver. Megan Mullally was absolutely hilarious too, and her role is exponentially funnier since she’s actually married to Nick Offerman.

Ron and Tammy’s reunion was sparked by Wendy returning to Canada, despite the fact that Ron had just taught her to whittle and everyone on American sitcoms know that Canada totally sucks. Just as Ron was mourning the end of his relationship with Tom’s ex-wife, Tom showed up with Tammy on his arm to get back at Ron. And, presto! A perfect storm was created. Ron and Tammy got married, got cornrows, and got arrested.

The whole Ron and Tammy debacle also gave Ben the chance to learn a little more about just how amazing and beloved little annoying Leslie Knope is. This is a testament to just how different Parks and Rec is from The Office. No one wants to do Michael Scott favors.

As hilarious as the Ron and Tammy Part 2 storyline was, I also really loved the stuff with Chris (Rob Lowe) and April. Since we started watching Parks and Rec, my boyfriend has been telling me how much April reminds him of me, and as much as I denied it at first, he’s kind of right. April’s reaction to working with Chris felt very familiar – people like Chris can drive me a little up the wall. If I had cameras follow me around all day to film a mockumentary (and oh, how I wish I did) I’d roll my eyes and hold up post-its saying “Save me!” too.

I loved Andy’s attempt to save April from the chipper hell that is working as Chris’s assistant, and also seeing Ann get so into Chris (and the vitamins he has her taking) that she’d actually move to Indianapolis. Unfortunately, he only made that offer to April. To come work for him, obviously, not as his girlfriend.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who wants to see some romance between Leslie and Ben, and I can’t live without Rob Lowe’s comedy anymore. So how will they keep these two in Pawnee?

What did you think of “Ron and Tammy Part Two”? Better than part one? Are Ron and Tom even now that Ron rescued Tom from Tammy kicking the crap out of him? And on a scale from 1 to 10, how much to calzones suck? Now, check out these totally hilarious quotes and moments:

  • Jack Cooper: “It appears you have an overdue book.”
    Ron: “Oh, do I?”
    Jack Cooper: “It’s Not the Size of the Boat: Embracing Life with a Micropenis.”
    Ron: “Tammy…”
  • “Sausage, onions and peppers. Scientifically proven to be the best toppings.” – Andy
  • Ben: “Should we throw in some salads for a healthy option?”
    Tom: “Wow, don’t be such a Jerry, Ben.”
    Leslie: “Yeah, Ben. These guys are cops, not ballerinas.”
  • “Calzones are like pizzas but they’re harder to eat. They’re dumb. And so was that idea.” – Leslie
  • “I predialed 911 so all you have to do is press send.” – Leslie, preparing for Ron to confront Tammy
  • “Whale tail! Whale tail! She’s flashing a whale tale! Abort! Abort!” – Leslie
  • Chris’s post-it obsession. 
  • “It’s too bad. I just taught her how to whittle.” – Ron
  • Ann ordering the same way Chris does.
  • “April! Way to come in! Great initiative!” – Chris
  • Jerry attending Ron and Tammy’s wedding shower. (Jerry was great this week.) 
  • “I know Tammy seems scary, but really she’s just a manipulative, psychotic, library book pedaling, sex crazed She Demon.” – Leslie
  • “I love you like a brother. But right now, I hate you like my actual brother, Lavondrius. Who I hate.” – Donna, at Ron’s intervention
  • Ron’s video to himself, in case he hooked back up with Tammy
  • “Beating a dead horse boulevard.”
  • “Tom, women like scars. It shows you survived an attack. And they’ll assume it was by a man.” – Ron


You can follow Jill at her blog, couchtimewithjill.com, or on Twitter @jillemader Jill has been an avid fan of TV since the age of two, when she was so obsessed with Zoobilee Zoo that her mother lied and told her it had been canceled. Despite that setback, she grew up to be a television aficionado and pop culture addict.