“Our lives are like one big unexpected stuffed zebra emergency.” - Ben
THE CHILDRENNNN! We finally see the Knope-Wyatt kids in this episode. It’s all that I’ve been waiting for. Turns out, they are total monsters. They drive their babysitter, the infallible Rachel Dratch, up a wall. “I’ll leave them bonded to each other, then just rope up everything you own,” she says. This episode is basically the point where we can predict where the rest of the season is going — April is going to get a new job, Ben is going to run for Congress, and Tom and Lucy are going to get together because Tatiana Maslany was too busy to come back I guess.
Leslie & BenB & B
“What is that horrible sound?” - Jen“Children.” - Ben“Ugh, your life is gross.” - Jen
Yay, new conflict that doesn’t involve nonsensical antagonists! Yay, a goal for Assertive Ben! Jen Barkley, acclaimed campaign manager and professional clenched-jaw-smiler, wants Ben to run for Congress. Surprisingly, Leslie is in no way jealous of him. The whole world is her park, she says. She legitimately loves her job and loves him — something truly refreshing for a sitcom. Leslie is at her best when she is fighting for someone besides herself. Ben gives a great speech at Donna’s rehearsal dinner, declares how “condifant” he feels and dances away to drunkenly announce his (really good?) campaign platform and call 867-5309 more than 100 times.
Ron & Tom B & C
“I have never lied…well, I suppose you could call camouflage a lie.” - Ron
Ron openly says “I always liked that Lucy.” Why, Ron? Name one thing you remember about Lucy from before. Yeah, I can’t do it either. It’s almost like the writers are begging us, "Guys, please like Lucy! She was available and we needed a love interest for Tom! Roll with it!" Tom has been such a powerhouse this season, swooping in to save everyone who needs help and getting the girl even though it doesn’t make sense.
The writers tried to introduce some conflict into the Surprise Lucy Relationship, but it seemed so forced and out of character for Ron to be so awkward and sniveling. Outlandish and sniveling would have been fine, but the guy’s a mogul. Let’s show some character development! At one point, Ron slaps a piece of meat on the table and giggles. That’s really all you need for it to be a great episode for Ron.
April & Andy
"Don’t cry, Ginuwine.” - April
These two weren’t very active in this episode. I’m pretty sure the entire point of their presence was to emphasize that April is growing up, and they stuck Andy in there so he could misunderstand directions.
DonnaB
“Knope, you’re a softie, but on the inside you’re a straight up boss. April, you’re the exact opposite." - Donna
Hey, thanks for doing my job for me, Donna! I almost feel like she’s reading the writers’ character descriptions aloud right there. (Parks writers — there’s your DVD bonus feature idea. You can thank me later. I only accept payment in waffles.)
What I anticipated would be Donna’s episode was really anything but. However, we did find out some important things about her. She had a Pearl Jam album written about her. Her brother is Questlove and they were estranged from each other because of some sort of microwave incident. Luckily, he brought the microwave to her wedding to make amends. Unluckily, he smashed it. Weirdly, it was just the amount of drama Donna needed at her wedding.
It was eerie seeing Donna so well-behaved, but I guess that’s what weddings do to people. Still, I would have liked to have seen more of a diva moment.
"Donna & Joe "B-
This is definitely the low point of the season — it was an episode for introducing conflict for sure. Oh well, with so many excellent episodes preceding it, this was bound to happen. The whole point of the episode was tragically diverted from Donna’s wedding, which I anticipated would be a little bit more “Treat Yo Self” and less straight up about other people. But cool, Ben is running for national office. I wonder if we are supposed to realize that a win for him would mean leaving Pawnee? I learned that the families of congressmen have to live in Washington D.C. from a particularly emotional episode of Even Stevens.
Extra Credit
- Jen Barkley hating kids and saying “What was that? That was huge.” when a small member of the Ben-Wyatt clan ran through the room.
- Whoa, they finally got Garry’s name right! And I remembered his name is actually Garry! What solved mysteries are left to be solved in the remainder of the season?
- "You have an opinion on everything, even pockets.” - Ben“Yes! I think they should all be bigger.” - Leslie
- Craig upstaging Ginuwine as the surprise celebrity singer at the ceremony.
Demerits
- More April and Andy! Please! I know April was kind of in charge of this shindig, but I would have felt more personally comfortable if something went at least a little awry.
- Not enough Donna being Donna. It’s her special day, but, come on. It’s her special day.
Episode Grade Points:
0.266667