Parks And Recreation – Recap & Review – Rock Show

photo: nbc

Parks and Recreation
Rock Show

Original Air Date: May 14, 2009

JD – Associate Staff Writer
JD@thetwocentscorp.com

Andy is getting his casts off. Thankfully, Leslie’s boobs are alive to see it… and see Andy fall flat on his face as soon as he tries to stand. Muscular atrophy for the win! This was an interesting departure for the season finale, as it’s the only episode that has taken place mostly outside of the government setting. It was nice to see the group just out for a night of fun. Of course things don’t always go as planned.

The committee holds a little party for Andy, and Ann thanks them all for their support in getting the pit fixed. She announces that Andy has a concert coming up now that he’s able to play with his band again, and she wants them all to go. Problem is, Leslie’s mother has set up a very important meeting for her to attend with a big wig that could help them build the park. She agrees to join them after the meeting, and Ann sets off to invite more people to the concert.

When Ann asks Andy’s doctor to come, however, she discovers something Andy had conveniently forgotten to mention before: Andy was supposed to have his casts off two weeks ago, but rescheduled and never explained why. Color Ann Very Unhappy, given that she’s been waiting on him like a servant for two months.

The concert gets underway as Leslie goes off for her meeting, but things quickly become apparent that this is not what she signed on for at all. Leslie’s mother apparently set Leslie up for a date, not a business meeting… with a man who has kids that are Leslie’s age. He seems pretty enthused about it. Leslie, not so much.

Mark finds his way around the club and meets up with everyone’s significant others. And when I say significant others, I mean Ron’s ex-wife’s sister who he’s now dating, Tom’s gorgeous surgeon wife, and the gay guy April claims she likes to make out with when she’s drunk. Mark finds himself the odd man out.

Ann gets put off by Andy when she tries to talk to him about what the doctor said, and proceeds to sulk and glare through the entire show, leaving when Andy starts playing a song written about her. So Mark tries and fails (spectacularly) to hit on her, and winds up being walked away from by the only one of his friends who’s on their own tonight. He winds up being odd man out again… Or at least he is until Leslie convinces her date to let her go to the show. Unfortunately, her date wants to come too, but Leslie doesn’t let that deter her. Leslie never lets anything deter her.

Of course, we all expected the cliffhanger ending for the season finale, I’m sure, and there have been hints thrown around about Mark and Leslie for a while now. I would say there’s no surprise there at what happened with that. I was surprised, however, with Mark’s fate at the very end of the episode. I didn’t see it coming at all, and what a great twist to end on, bringing the story full circle from the beginning of the season.

So what did you guys think of the episode? What about the season? Six episodes is hard to judge any show on, so next season we’ll get a better feel for it, but did you love it? Hate it? Can’t wait for the new season to start already? Give me your two cents!