[7.6/10] This is another episode where I’m not crazy about the A-story, but both of the B-stories is so good that the episode still comes off pretty shining.
The A-story combines two elements that have never been my favorite things on P&R: 1. The show not knowing what to do with Ann and 2. Leslie trying to control her friends’ lives and overstepping her bounds. The whole hunt for a sperm-donor has some good comedy moments in it (Sewage Joe and Pistol Pete have great little moments), but it seems like a sort of strange place to go with Ann’s “I’m dating myself” story this season, and knowing where it leads makes it feel sort of convenient.
On top of that, The Douche has never been my favorite side-character on the show, and using him as the fulcrum for Leslie to try to prevent this and then make up for hurting Ann lowered the overall comedy quotient. It’s the kind of well the show’s gone back to a few times before, and it’s just never my favorite story.
But both of the B-stories are fantastic. For one thing, the physical comedy of Ben, Ron, and Chris trying to get to the phone and call Tom while suffering from food poisoning is just out of this world. Everything from Ron’s halting walk to Ben rolling over and dialing with his nose is just great. There’s some nice character moments between Tom’s foody reviews and Ron’s disdain for “food my food eats” and having the wedding catered by J.J.’s Diner is a nicely Knope-ian solution to the problem.
The other B-story, which sees April having to lead a public forum is another absolute winner. For one thing, April trying to be Leslie is just hilarious, as the contrast between her dour demeanor squeezed into Leslie’s cheeriness is outstanding. Second, the forums themselves are always great comedy, from people asking twenty stupid questions, to demanding topless parks, to trying to start chant. Never a bad public forum scene. And last but not least, I love the choice that Andy intentionally “loses” the pantsuit to get April to stop imitating Leslie and just be herself up there and it works! It’s a nice moment for the both of them as a couple.
Overall, the A-story sags quite a bit, but both of the supporting stories are so fun that the whole thing works.
Food poisoning scene is fantastic, as are quips "this is the food my food eats". Also, Aubrey really shines this season. Andy making her being herself in a clever way is touching and unexpected (for him).
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-04-13T01:48:55Z
[7.6/10] This is another episode where I’m not crazy about the A-story, but both of the B-stories is so good that the episode still comes off pretty shining.
The A-story combines two elements that have never been my favorite things on P&R: 1. The show not knowing what to do with Ann and 2. Leslie trying to control her friends’ lives and overstepping her bounds. The whole hunt for a sperm-donor has some good comedy moments in it (Sewage Joe and Pistol Pete have great little moments), but it seems like a sort of strange place to go with Ann’s “I’m dating myself” story this season, and knowing where it leads makes it feel sort of convenient.
On top of that, The Douche has never been my favorite side-character on the show, and using him as the fulcrum for Leslie to try to prevent this and then make up for hurting Ann lowered the overall comedy quotient. It’s the kind of well the show’s gone back to a few times before, and it’s just never my favorite story.
But both of the B-stories are fantastic. For one thing, the physical comedy of Ben, Ron, and Chris trying to get to the phone and call Tom while suffering from food poisoning is just out of this world. Everything from Ron’s halting walk to Ben rolling over and dialing with his nose is just great. There’s some nice character moments between Tom’s foody reviews and Ron’s disdain for “food my food eats” and having the wedding catered by J.J.’s Diner is a nicely Knope-ian solution to the problem.
The other B-story, which sees April having to lead a public forum is another absolute winner. For one thing, April trying to be Leslie is just hilarious, as the contrast between her dour demeanor squeezed into Leslie’s cheeriness is outstanding. Second, the forums themselves are always great comedy, from people asking twenty stupid questions, to demanding topless parks, to trying to start chant. Never a bad public forum scene. And last but not least, I love the choice that Andy intentionally “loses” the pantsuit to get April to stop imitating Leslie and just be herself up there and it works! It’s a nice moment for the both of them as a couple.
Overall, the A-story sags quite a bit, but both of the supporting stories are so fun that the whole thing works.