Parks & Recreation Season 6 Premiere Preview – “London”

I got to watch the Season Six premiere of Parks & Recreation this morning, and I’d like to pass along my thoughts and some hints as to what you’ll see when the episode airs September 26, 2013.

“London” picks up right where we left off last spring. Diane had just walked in to Ron’s office to let him know that they were expecting a little Swanson. I don’t want to reveal what happens next, but before the credits roll, Leslie’s world is rocked by that revelation. You might ask why she’s impacted, but believe it or not, it makes sense.

A lot of the fall shows have a time jump right away, and Parks & Rec gets in on that action… kinda. I’d call it more like a set of hops. Leslie is still contending with the Pawneeans trying to have her impeached. She’s gone through a lot of initiatives and nothing is working. They still hate her. April (yeah, April) comes to the rescue with a plan that culminates in a trip to London.

Leslie, Ben, Ron, April, & Andy make the journey to the UK. Ben and Andy have a mission for the Sweetums’ charitable foundation, and Andy finds a kindred spirit there. Leslie gives Ron an unexpected – and mostly unwanted – surprise that closes out the episode. I was much in the same mood as Ron – and surprised by it. Leslie makes a rather un-Leslie-like speech, but receives a touching one in return once she gets home.

The People still hate her. They’re pee-pee heads.

Back in Pawnee, Tom finds out who is ‘Rent-A-Swag’ competitor is, and they show up in the form of one of my favorite people. I haven’t seen this guest star announced anywhere, so I’m not telling, but I honestly don’t know who wouldn’t like this person. Well, except for Tom. Even though ‘Tommy’s Closet’ is born from a huge set of lies and misunderstandings, the story is great – even though it’s not over when the credits roll.

Last, but certainly not least, we get to see the very together Ann & Chris. They’re adorable. They’ve both learned a lot about themselves since the first time they hooked up – so their new relationship is mature and satisfying. I know Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones are leaving later on this season, but I can see where they’re headed in a vague way, and I think – while I’ll miss them terribly, they’ll get a very sweet send-off.

The cast’s performances are firing on all cylinders as usual, and I ran through an incredible amount of emotions while watching. To be P&R-esque, I had so many thoughts and feelings and I’m still paralyzed. You’ll get it when you watch.

To top things off, brief but amazing appearances from Jim O’Heir (Jerry) and Retta (Donna) were huge highlights for me. I truly think this is the funniest and most well-written half hour show on TV right now. I can’t wait to see Season 6 unfold.

Parks & Recreation “London” airs Thursday, September 26th at 8pm/7pm Central with an hour long episode.

Great quotes:

• “This is like a waking nightmare… of happiness.”
• “Our baby’s not a salad!”
• “Easily a top five phase.”
• “Hogwarts is fictional. Do you know that? It’s important to me that you know that.”
• “The proper mode of address would be, Your Royal Excellency Lord Edgar Darby Covington, Fourteenth Earl of Cornwall upon Thames, Twenty-Ninth Baron of Hartfordshire.” <uncomfortable pause> “No, no, no, I’m kidding! Call me Eddie.”