[8.6/10] I don’t know why the Ron-Leslie relationship always warms the cockles of my heart. There’s just something about these two people who disagree sharply with one another finding common ground and still respecting each other that is so heartening, particularly today, seven years after this episode originally aired, when our country seems more divided than ever.
What makes this one works is that it let’s both Ron and Leslie have their cake and eat it too. The best sitcoms stories are the ones where the characters have understandable but conflicting motivations. Leslie’s right to feel miffed, because she did the work and Ron is getting the credit, which is a problem exacerbated by its roots in all sorts of larger issues about women working for men. Ron is, as would become a core part of his character, someone who appreciates strong women and how hard Leslie works, but also things awards are dumb and enjoys using being declared “Woman of the Year” to rib Leslie a bit.
The results are great comedically, with Ron knowing exactly how to push Leslie’s buttons and Leslie knowing how to push his right back. But what really makes the A-story click is how things turn once the Pawnee IOW chapter rep confirms that the award was no mistake, rejects Ron’s recommendation to give it to Leslie, and declares that they’re giving it to a man in order to get attention. Leslie’s ensuing talking head where she offers recriminations that the IOW should “get back in the kitchen where they belong” and take their cues from “real feminists like Ron Swanson” and then has a “what is happening” shock of what she said is just great.
The clincher is the moment of truth where Ron tries to give the award to Leslie and Leslie tries to give the award back to Ron, and they have their little mutual admiration society. It’s a nice balance of sweet and comedic, and Ron’s line, “I still think awards are stupid. But they'd be less stupid if they went to the right people,” is an all-timer.
I like the B-story too. Tom trying to find investors to get him an ownership share in The Snakehole Lounge is a decent story engine, and him pitching the idea to Mark, Jerry, and Donna gives Tom the outsized swagger shtick that his character runs on. But what really makes it work for me is Andy being willing to give up $1,000 and the chance to have his own place to help Tom realize his dream. It’s part of the transition for Andy from jerk to sweetheart, and it’s another brick in the wall for why April’s nursing a crush on him.
All-in-all, one of those great episodes of Parks that digs into the well-drawn Leslie-Ron relationship, and finds interesting ways for the other characters to find common ground as well.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-07-20T01:33:55Z
[8.6/10] I don’t know why the Ron-Leslie relationship always warms the cockles of my heart. There’s just something about these two people who disagree sharply with one another finding common ground and still respecting each other that is so heartening, particularly today, seven years after this episode originally aired, when our country seems more divided than ever.
What makes this one works is that it let’s both Ron and Leslie have their cake and eat it too. The best sitcoms stories are the ones where the characters have understandable but conflicting motivations. Leslie’s right to feel miffed, because she did the work and Ron is getting the credit, which is a problem exacerbated by its roots in all sorts of larger issues about women working for men. Ron is, as would become a core part of his character, someone who appreciates strong women and how hard Leslie works, but also things awards are dumb and enjoys using being declared “Woman of the Year” to rib Leslie a bit.
The results are great comedically, with Ron knowing exactly how to push Leslie’s buttons and Leslie knowing how to push his right back. But what really makes the A-story click is how things turn once the Pawnee IOW chapter rep confirms that the award was no mistake, rejects Ron’s recommendation to give it to Leslie, and declares that they’re giving it to a man in order to get attention. Leslie’s ensuing talking head where she offers recriminations that the IOW should “get back in the kitchen where they belong” and take their cues from “real feminists like Ron Swanson” and then has a “what is happening” shock of what she said is just great.
The clincher is the moment of truth where Ron tries to give the award to Leslie and Leslie tries to give the award back to Ron, and they have their little mutual admiration society. It’s a nice balance of sweet and comedic, and Ron’s line, “I still think awards are stupid. But they'd be less stupid if they went to the right people,” is an all-timer.
I like the B-story too. Tom trying to find investors to get him an ownership share in The Snakehole Lounge is a decent story engine, and him pitching the idea to Mark, Jerry, and Donna gives Tom the outsized swagger shtick that his character runs on. But what really makes it work for me is Andy being willing to give up $1,000 and the chance to have his own place to help Tom realize his dream. It’s part of the transition for Andy from jerk to sweetheart, and it’s another brick in the wall for why April’s nursing a crush on him.
All-in-all, one of those great episodes of Parks that digs into the well-drawn Leslie-Ron relationship, and finds interesting ways for the other characters to find common ground as well.