Parks & Recreation: “The Comeback Kid” Recap

Most good shows like to mirror the episode’s theme in several different storylines. This particular episode was a special kind of ironic convergence. “The Comeback Kid” could be describing Leslie Knope, who started her campaign by hiring Ann as her new manager; or Ben, as Chris tried to help him out of his out-of-work depression; or Champion, the three legged dog; or even Pistol Pete, who was still trying to live down his role as a town hero. Of course, in true Parks and Recreation style none of them were actually successful.

As usual, Leslie’s team is fiercely loyal and vows to make her first solo rally a hit. They valiantly try to go above and beyond for her, but most of them fall well short of that goal. In a surprise twist, Jerry is the only person to thrive in his role, which ends up being a hindrance anyway. Oh, Jerry. *sigh*

Leslie’s rally is a disaster from start to finish. Ann tries to talk “Pistol” Pete into saying a vote for Leslie is a ‘slam dunk’ and do a dunk, but he doesn’t want to be the town hero anymore. April didn’t pay attention to the venue owner, so they had no idea that the basketball court has been turned into an ice skating rink. Ron got pulled over while transporting their supplies and since he has no commercial license, they had to abandon the truck and jettison most of their materials. Tom couldn’t afford a red carpet that’s long enough to reach to her stage, causing Leslie – her team – and her note cards to fall on the ice, so when she finally makes it to the podium, her speech is in tatters. In a final seemingly lucky stroke, Pete decides to dunk after all, but slips on the ice and breaks his arm.

Meanwhile, Ben has unknowingly fallen into a dark place but avoids facing it by taking up several hobbies. In one of my favorite running gags, he learns to cook (unnecessary) calzones, and has plans to open an Italian fast-food eatery called “The Low-Cal Calzone Zone”. He’s learning to make claymation films, but finds out his three week effort has resulted in a ten second movie. Chris shows up with intentions to rouse Ben from his deep depression. His ultimate fix is encouragement and a foul-tasting herb smoothie. The only thing that wakes him up is when Leslie arrives and begs Ben to become her new campaign manager, despite the stigma he brought to her original effort.

The show concludes with one of its trademark hilarious tags. Leslie and Ann visit Pete in the hospital to apologize and bring him balloons and a cookie bouquet. Since Ann spent a good amount of time consoling and comforting him, he asks her out. Apparently, Ann has already tried to excuse herself by telling him she’s married, so she re-iterates – and sweet, oblivious Leslie refutes her. Just before the episode fades to black, Ann tells us, “This is uncomfortable.”

A commercial aired just after the credits, advertising http://www.knope2012.com/. I love how Parks and Rec has merged fictional Pawnee with real-life websites. A really cute immersive-media concept.

With it’s mid-season return, Parks and Recreation shows all over again why we’ve fallen in love with the characters and dialog. There’s nobody that isn’t completely lovable, despite their many faults. The only complaint I have is that Donna was left out of this episode.

My favorite quotes:

Ben: “How many legs did that dog have when you found him?”

Tom: “Here’s my question, do your carpets match your drapes?”

Ron: “Every single contractor in the world is a miserable incompetent thief.”

Ron: “Okay, well we have a philosophical difference on what constitutes a law.”

Leslie: “Please tell me that you pulled a ‘Jerry’ and no-one’s here.”
Jerry: “Well, first of all, I don’t like it when you guys use that term. But for the record, I came through – there are almost 100 people out there!”
Leslie: “Dammit Jerry, you just had to do your job didn’t you?”
April: “Yeah, can’t you do anything wrong, Jerry?”

Chris: “Drink up! ‘Cause it has every herb in my herb belt”
Ben: “Ugh. Tastes like a belt.”

Leslie: “Ann, you’re fired.”

Ann: “Oh thank God.”

[easyazon-link asin=”B002DPPH6W”]Parks & Recreation[/easyazon-link]: “The Comeback Kid” did just as the title explains in the show’s mid-season return. Next up: “Campaign Ad”. Will we finally see Leslie’s opponent, upcoming guest star Paul Rudd? Tune in and find out!