Ann and Chris.

Ron: "Come on. There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food."
Leslie: "That’s fair."

Alright, I’m hoping by now that we’ve all surfaced from our own personal ocean of tears (thanks, Tom Petty) long enough to talk about this week’s episode. “Ann and Chris” was an experiment in how many different ways the writers could rip our still-beating hearts out of our chest and pass them around like the world’s saddest hockey pucks. AKA, Chris and Ann were saying their goodbyes to Pawnee.

Ann & Leslie

A & A

“Oh Ann Perkins, you perfect sunflower.”–Leslie Knope

Ann and Leslie’s dynamic on the show has always been one of the most endearing aspects of Parks and Rec. A strong, loving, respectful friendship between two women is rare in TV, and it always made sense to me that Leslie Knope would be the one woman to have it.  Leslie and Ann are all about building each other up, be it through giving adorable nicknames (like beautiful tropical fish) or making the perfect wedding dress in one night for your impatient best friend.

This episode did justice to the unconditional support they give each other. It’s also worth mentioning that in any other instance, the two women chasing around politicians and making deals in the middle of the night would have an urgent, stressful quality, but this episode savored it. This was Ann and Leslie’s last adventure together, and they loved it.

Side note, I was so glad they brought the KickAss hats back (albeit, an improved version). I can’t be the only one who was hoping for that.

Chris & Ben

A & A

“I told him ‘One Headlight’ by The Wallflowers isn’t dancing music, and he said ‘Not with that attitude!’” –Ann Perkins

That quote perfectly encapsulates what I will miss the most about Chris: his puppy-dog enthusiasm. It is LITERALLY contagious. Chris and Ben’s friendship has never been as prominently showcased as Leslie and Ann’s, but it’s always been just as powerful. It makes complete sense that Ben would want to give Chris a meaningful going-away present, and just as much sense that Chris would know it was his idea.  

April

BI totally get that not conventionally showing love is April’s thing, and yes it’s hilarious that the bag she packed for Ann is full of bras, knives and loose onions, but she was such a jerk for two-thirds of the episode. She absolutely redeemed herself by spending a portion of the night trying to help Leslie open the park grounds, and with her goodbye to Ann, but I’m still a bit raw about it. So she gets a B.

Donna

A+Donna, you are perfect. Keep grabbin’ ass and don’t change.

Ron, Tom, Andy

A, B & B

Oh boys. You would be terrible at gift giving; I’m not even a little shocked. Ron at least gets an ‘A’ for building the buddy box at the end. The rest of you get ‘B’s, because you’re adorable and your hearts were in the right place. I still love you.

Larry

FExcept for you, Larry. You can’t even put your own initials on a box correctly? ‘F’ for you, moron. Get it together.

“Ann and Chris”

A-

This episode was a gorgeously done send-off to a pair of beloved characters. It was smart not to have Ann and Chris in many scenes together; they’re spending the rest of their lives with each other, their last few days should be spent saying goodbye to what they’re leaving behind. And ending the episode with Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” was beautiful. Here’s a taste of some of the lyrics:

You belong among the wildflowers,
You belong in a boat out at sea.
You belong with your love on your arm,
You belong somewhere you feel free.

Parks and Recreation hasn’t used non-diegetic music before, so it’s all the more meaningful that they chose a song that reads like a love note from Leslie to Ann. “Among the wildflowers”, like Leslie’s favorite spot: the wildflower mural on the second floor. With her “love on her arm”: because she’s leaving with Chris. And letting her go “somewhere she feels free”: near her family, far away from Pawnee, in a healthy environment for her unborn baby. If you have time, the rest of the lyrics are worth looking up. It’s a perfect song for their exit and an excellent choice by the creators.

Extra Credit

• A taste of some of Leslie’s 103 scrapbooks for Ann:
  Ross and Rachel
  Kelly Clarkson Concerts
  First Text
  Thoughts on Sam Waterston
• Scrapbooks Leslie probably made for Ann:
  An Illustrated Guide to Joe Biden
  Alphabetized Compilation of Adorable Nicknames
  Our First State of the Union Together
• “I wish you guys were Donna!” I wish this all the time!
• I have no idea why I love Orin so much. His cameo made my day.
• I’m still trying to decide if I’d like a Leslie Knope party over a Liz Lemon party. Though a Liz Lemon party is mandatory, so I may not have a choice in the matter.
• “Okay, I didn’t plan what we were all going to say, let’s go.”
• Leslie can’t watch Julie Andrews before bed, and Chris has to have chia-stuffed figs when he gets cranky. “Wow, we really picked some intense people to be with.”
• “I am going to kiss you now, by putting my mouth on your mouth.” That is exactly how I’ve always imagined a date with Perd would go.
•  “Unfettered Power”: Another great band name.

Demerits

• I get that April loves (to hate) Ann, but she was such an asshat at the beginning of the episode.
• I need me some more Donna. With Ann and Chris gone, can we please give her more screen time?!

Best Jerry/Gary/Larry Dig

• “And look! You can almost see my head!”
• His initials are now GJLGG. So sad.

And that’s all the Parks there is… until Feb 27^th! What did you guys think was the best Ann/Chris goodbye?