Parks & Recreation: “Campaign Shake-up” recap – or – wtb Moar Donna

So, you know how you have that show that you absolutely love, but there’s an episode that just doesn’t float your boat? Yeah – me too. Not that it isn’t good, this episode, but it’s not up to the standards to which you’ve become accustomed. Mind you, seeing Jesse Heiman sucking on a water fountain spout brightened my day – but otherwise… meh.

Parks & Rec had two amazing guest stars featured in “[easyazon-link asin=”B007G5H4QK”]Campaign Shake-Up[/easyazon-link]”, Carl Reiner and Kathryn Hahn. While they both did a great job, the episode overall was underwhelming. I must admit, however, that Kathryn brought an entirely new level of hair porn to the show.

In the main story, Bobby Newport, Leslie’s political opponent, and his father hire a high-powered D.C. campaign manager to combat the obvious superiority displayed by Leslie and his own incompetence. While he’s off cavorting with sexy babes, his campaign takes off due to Jennifer Barkley (Hahn). Leslie and Ben are courting the ‘grey’ vote – Pawnee’s seniors – with a initiative to make all buildings in the city handicapped accessible with ramps.

After meeting with Barkley, Ben and Leslie are blindsided by a rival plan to one-up the ramps to lifts. Of course, the seniors like this idea even more than the ramps, even though it would most likely not be implemented. It is too costly, and frankly, Bobby just doesn’t care about Pawnee. Jennifer admits freely that she also doesn’t care – she took the job for the insane amount of money offered her. She even tells them that she secretly hopes Leslie wins the election.

Jennifer unveils the plan at the senior rally while Ben and Leslie stand and watch the ‘greys’ defect. Leslie panics, and asks Ben what they need to do to get back in the game. After a few remarks about Ben’s slight build (I still don’t get why that whole ‘Ben is little’ gag was part of the episode), he forms a plan to attack Ms. Barkley on the “Final Word with Perd” show. Leslie meets Jennifer at J. J.’s to confront her, and the slick advisor gives Leslie some advice on how to proceed.

In a solo-cam interview, Jennifer tells the audience (Mockumentary style) that she enjoys a challenging chess match. She’s giving Leslie genuine advice so that her efforts are put to the test. She doesn’t want empty money. I loved that the writers didn’t make her unlikable. It’s unrealistic to give us a character that wouldn’t fall in love with Ms. Knope and her unending enthusiasm.

Perd interviews the two woman, asking about the controversy over the two plans. We keep seeing Leslie taking a tack that might edge her closer to actual damage control, but Jennifer is just too savvy. Every argument made is countered skillfully.  Our Pawnee friends don’t come out on top by the end of the episode, but that’s alright with me. I don’t mind a few hurdles for Leslie to stumble over. Last night was the first time I could actually envision Leslie back at work with Ron and the gang after losing the election. Hmmm.

Our B story takes place back at City Hall. Chris again broaches the subject of supplementing the parks department with a new deputy director. Leslie does the work of four employees, so with her gone even part time, the department is suffering. Ron balks at the notion, terrified that there might be a shake-up to his comfortable routine. Chris relents slightly, and allows Ron to prove they can handle things by completing one project.

Ron approaches Ann with a proposal to put her in charge of solving an ongoing water fountain problem. It seems the citizens of Pawnee have adopted the practice of completely engulfing the spout of public water fountains with their mouths. I thought this storyline was more fluid than the main plot, and much more fun to watch.

The thinktank meeting Ann has with the office staff deteriorates into a full-on water balloon fight after some tension between Ann and April leads to water being sprayed on both of the women. Watching Ron and Chris walk in on the antics was priceless. Ron was quite sure his staff would have efficiently come up with a perfect plan, but instead they were doing what came naturally – messing around.

Chris is all set to choose a new hire when Ann calls the two men back. She presents their solution – taking the spouts off the fountains altogether, thus eliminating the offending health hazard completely. When Ron commends Ann for her dedication, she informs him that it was April’s idea. April knows if she takes credit she would be admitting that she cares about something, but Ron doesn’t let her off the hook. He asks her to step up and help out in Leslie’s absence, and she acquiesces.  I love these moments between Ron and April – so heartwarming in a rough and scratchy way.

After pondering the episode, I realize what was needed to make it perfect. More Donna. I’d say Jerry too, but we all know he would have just screwed it up.

A quick shout-out to TPTB for casting Carl Reiner. He’s essentially the father of the father of Mocumentaries – Rob Reiner, his son, was the creator of This is Spinal Tap. That movie paved the way for shows like The Office and Parks & Rec.

Favorite Quotes:

Ron: “Hello Ann Perkins.”
Ann: “That’s the first time you’ve said my entire name completely.”
Ron: “Nonsense. We are close friends.” (said in a stilted manner)

April: “Sorry we goofed around so much.”
Ron: “Normally, I’d be very proud of you for what you did. This is a rare example where wasting a full day of work is a bad thing.”

Donna: “I think Ben’s already filling the Leslie void.”
Chris: “I’ll give it up for that.”

Memo Headline – “Major Project Memo: Replace the defective basketball hoops with ones that basketballs actually fit through”

Another new episode airs next Thursday, March 8th. Parks & Recreation: “Lucky” will be the last episode before their five-week break to make room for more of Community’s third season.