6x01 London

Note: this review contains spoilers for the second part of this two-part episode so don't read it if you've only seen the first part!

[7.9/10] I have to admit, I don’t remember Season 6 being my favorite season of the show. If anything, I remember it falling off a bit, as shows almost inevitably do when they reach a certain point in their runs. But rewatching this super-sized season premiere, I appreciate, if nothing else, what it’s trying to do.

Parks & Rec is too optimistic of a show to do a flat out deconstruction, but the idea that Leslie, who has been a committed public servant for her whole life, is growing disillusioned about how little she is appreciated by the town she does so much for, is a really nice way to go with things. The eternally sunny and committed Councilwoman Knope sees the way that her counterparts in Denmark and Mongolia are treated at this International Women’s Awards presentation in London, and cannot help but feel upset at the community she loves so much for not returning that love.

But one of the themes of the episode, to the extent this hour-long extravaganza of different stories has a unifying theme, is learning to find the thing you love within the difficult situation you’ve been put in. That speaks to Ron’s story, where he goes off to (shudder) Europe, and makes fun of all the sights of London, only to be sent on a trip to the Lagavulin distillery by Leslie, and discover that, while sipping fine whiskey and surrounded by bucolic beauty, there is, in fact, a part of this continent he likes.

Oh yeah! And he gets married! It’s a great set piece, between Ron and Diane’s direct and to the point response to the news that Diane’s pregnant, Leslie’s frantic and enthused response to the news that they’re getting married right now, and superb lines like “I am tired of not being married to this woman.” It’s a brilliant and succinct way to deal with the semi-cheesy cliffhanger from the end of S5.

Speaking of cheesy cliffhangers, the weakest story of the Season 6 premiere is easily Tom’s run-in with Dr. Sapperstein (Jean Ralphio’s and Mona Lisa’s dad), the previously mysterious competitor to Rent-A-Swag. I’m all for having more Henry Winkler in pretty much any comedy, but the Sapperstein kids are at their most annoying here, and the entire story isn’t particularly compelling. I do like the idea that Tom is emboldened to stay in the fight and trust in himself, sticking with that theme, but it just doesn’t bring the laughs or the intrigue out of the gate.

Still, the episode also sets up Chris and Ann’s story, which isn’t always my favorite part of the show, but which gets off to a nice start here. The notion of the two of them as parents, freaking out a little bit over how they thought this would be a bigger deal and realizing some of the challenges and intrusive qualities of the journey is a strong one. Plus it gives the rest of the cast something to do, from Donna’s amusing perceptiveness, to Ethel Beavers not caring, to Jerry’s gross descriptions of what happens next. And the sweet “this baby will always be our little thing” ending is a perfect capper.

There’s also a nice excuse for Chris Pratt to go off and film Guardians of the Galaxy. Peter Serafinowicz as English millionaire version of Andy is a great touch, and having the two of them act like overgrown kids while Ben, as he is wont to do, play the amusingly beleaguered straight man, leads to so much great comic material. Even better is April encouraging Andy, seeing that this will be good for him and believing in him.

That ties into the kicker for this episode – that Leslie may feel underappreciated in Pawnee, but she is not doing it for the appreciation, she’s doing because it’s who she is. As April’s letter and nomination for the award says, Leslie is the kind of person who’s found a calling in helping others, and that is a reward in and of itself. And more than that, she’s inspired people like April to be better, do better, and as hard as it is for her to admit it at times, take a page out of Leslie’s book. It’s a lesson Tom reminded April herself of not that long ago, using Leslie as the example and inspiration, and it’s nice to see April returning the favor in a sense. Leslie may not get a fair shake in Pawnee, and that really sucks, but there are people who believe in her and more than that, people who admire her. That’s worth a whole hell of a lot.