Parks and Recreation was supposed to be a spinoff of The Office but ended up as its own independent show with a solid cast of characters who all work for the Parks Department in a small Indiana town. It stars Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a woman way too passionate about her work while being surrounding by an interesting group of coworkers who have their own hilarious agendas.
Binge-watching this show may be something you’ve been putting off, but now is the time to do it. And our handy binge guide is here to help you! Everyone who watches this show has no complaints––it’s flawless and worth your time. Remember, once you start referring to it by the shortened Parks and Rec, it means you’re a true fan.
How to Watch
Netflix, Amazon, Google Play, Hulu, NBC
Reasons to Watch
Aside from the smart humor and laugh-worthy cast, this show is special because it’s relatable to any small town Joe with big dreams. Working in the Parks Department in Pawnee is ~not~ a big deal, but Leslie takes her job about making small scale changes to better the world so seriously that this show low key makes you want to be a better person. Plus, did we mention how funny it is? Yeah. It’s the whole package.
Suggested Rate of Watching
Parks and Rec is massive, with 125 episodes spanning seven seasons, so be prepared to take your time with this one. Luckily, each episode averages about 20 minutes, so we recommend watching two to three episodes a day—unless you’re on a holiday break and can crank out a season every two days.
You Will Like This Show if You Like…
The Office, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Best Season
After season one, truly every season and episode of Parks and Rec feels balanced in humor and plot, and is consistently amazing. That being said, season three shines brightest, solely because it has the most memorable episodes. You’ve got “Andy and April’s Fancy Party” and “Li’l Sebastian” among many others, and those are the episodes you reference when you try to explain what Parks and Rec is really like to someone you’re desperately trying to convince to watch the show.
Worst Season
Season one of Parks and Rec is the worst, as is the case with many other comedy shows who have a faltering start and escalate to greatness. The show was still trying to navigate its humor at this point, and Leslie Knope comes off more ditzy than as the inspiring woman she actually is. The characters are overly stereotyped, which contrasts with the honest humor that makes later seasons so wonderful. Watching feels awkward and you’re like “Why is this show a thing?” But as soon as season two hits, it’s cleared up. Also Mark Brendanawicz was a plot point in this season way too much, and we 100 percent attribute that to the reason it sucked.
Episodes You Can’t Miss
Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 6: “Rock Show”
Season 2, Episode 4: “Practice Date”
Season 2, Episode 10: “Hunting Trip”
Season 2, Episode 23: “Master Plan”
Season 3, Episode 9: “Andy and April’s Fancy Party”
Season 3, Episode 14: “Road Trip”
Season 3, Episode 16: “Li’l Sebastian”
Season 4, Episode 7: “The Treaty”
Season 4, Episode 9: “The Trial of Leslie Knope”
Season 5, Episode 5: “Halloween Surprise”
Season 5, Episode 12: “Ann’s Decision”
Season 5, Episode 14: “Leslie and Ben”
Season 6, Episode 8: “The Cones of Dunshire”
Season 6, Episode 10: “New Beginnings”
Season 6, Episode 20: “Moving Up”
Season 7, Episode 4: “Leslie and Ron”
Season 7, Episode 11: “Two Funerals”
Characters You’ll Be Obsessed With*
Leslie Knope
At her core, Leslie is an innocent do-gooder, blindly trying to make the world into the perfect place of sunshine, rainbows and national parks she sees in her head. She has moments where she’s not the brightest, but Leslie is real-life inspiration to women who want to change the world––she just does it in a comedic sort of way. Despite the fact that she’s a huge political activist, Leslie is literally every woman. She loves waffles, baby monkeys in diapers and Harry Potter. You’ll love her so hard and be thrilled to see where she ends up.
Andy Dwyer
At the beginning of the show, Andy comes off as a lazy oaf but later develops into a kindhearted friend and successful career man. He’s likable because of his consistency. You always know Andy won’t quite understand what’s happening, but he’s happy nonetheless and always trying to help the people around him. You’ll find yourself laughing at Andy’s shortcomings but always rooting for him, too.
Ron Swanson
Ron Swanson is Leslie’s boss and takes being a “manly-man” to an entirely new level. Obsessed with meat, the wilderness, government privatization, wood and feeling no emotion, Ron is the scary uncle you kind of wish you had in your life. His one-liners and blatant disregard for everything is hilarious, but he also has tender moments that reveal how much he truly cares for his staff.
*Let it be noted that while we had to pick our favorites literally every character in this show deserves an honorable mention. They’re all equally flawless and necessary.
Couples You Will Be Shipping
Andy and April
The writers of Parks and Rec have pulled off a very special relationship that no other show has ever touched. Andy and April are kind of opposites but with similar interests of pulling pranks, going to extremes to have fun and making fun of “grown-up” things. These two are so invested in each other’s happiness you will be wishing you had something just like their relationship. Even though their coupling is addictive to watch, it’s also wildly simple. They’re just two people who enjoy each other too much to let each other go.
Leslie and Ben
Leslie and Ben have the work relationship you’ve always not-so-secretly wanted. Since their relationship is forbidden because they’re coworkers, the tension is so much but so cute you just can’t even. They’re also great friends and career partners, and every interaction they have will leave you shaking your screen and wondering when this relationship is going to happen.
Terminology You Need to Know
Pawnee: a town in Indiana where the Parks Department is located.
Eagleton: an upscale town next to Pawnee, as well as its rival city.
The Cones of Dunshire: a popular board game, created by ultimate nerd Ben Wyatt.
Best Guest Stars
Jon Hamm, Kristen Bell, Andy Samberg, Heidi Klum, Will Arnett, Ginuwine, Billy Eichner, John McCain, Joe Biden and FLOTUS Michelle Obama herself all guest star on Parks and Rec, but the one that surpasses them all? Well, that has to be Paul Rudd as Bobby Newport.
Bobby is ~too much~ to handle. He’s the heir to the Sweetums—a giant candy chain in town—fortune, and is just as stupid as you would expect the heir of any fortune to be––and has just as many daddy issues. He lives a playboy lifestyle and often ends up as Leslie’s rival, but despite that, Bobby is the definitive funniest guest star Parks and Rec ever had.
Songs You’ll Listen to Again and Again
“The Pit”: performed by Mouse Rat; about Andy’s experience falling into a pit.
“5000 Candles in the Wind”: performed by Mouse Rat as a tribute song to the miniature horse Li’l Sebastian.
Snacks to Eat During
Waffles, otherwise known as Leslie’s favorite food.
By the Numbers
Weddings: 3
Pregnancies: 5
Proposals: 4
Time jumps: 2
Money spent on waffles: Over $1,000
Times Chris Traeger says “literally”: 35
Best Quotes
“He’s not going to be able to keep anything from me. In high school, they used to call me Angela Lansbury, but that was because of my haircut.” — Leslie Knope
“You know, ‘nerd culture’ is mainstream now. So, when you use the word ‘nerd’ derogatorily, it means you’re the one that’s out of the zeitgeist.” — Ben Wyatt
“’Zerts’ are what I call desserts. ‘Tray-trays’ are entrées. I call sandwiches ‘sammies,’ ‘sandoozles’ or ‘Adam Sandlers.’ Air conditioners are ‘cool blasterz.’ I call cakes ‘big ol’ cookies.’ I call noodles ‘long ass rice.’ Fried chicken is ‘fry-fry chicky-chick.’ Chicken parm is ‘chicky-chicky-parm-parm.’ Chicken cacciatore? ‘Chicky-cach.’ I call eggs ‘pre-birds’ or ‘future birds.’ Root beer is ‘super water.’ Tortillas are ‘bean blankets.’ And I call forks ‘food rakes.’” — Tom Haverford
“Treat yo’ self.” — Donna Meagle
“When life gives you lemons, steal your grandma’s jewelry and go clubbin’.” — Jean-Ralphio
“To be perfectly honest, Mouse Rat’s music is not my thing. I really only listen to like German death reggae, Halloween sound effects from the 1950s and Bette Midler. Obviously.” — April Ludgate
“If Tom were a bag of flour, that flour would never grow up to be a happy, well-adjusted loaf of bread. Much less a bran muffin, which is the highest honor flour can achieve.” — Chris Traeger
“When I get bummed out, I take my shirt off because the bad feelings make me feel sweaty.” — Andy Dwyer
“Any dog under fifty pounds is a cat and cats are useless.” — Ron Swanson
“The bankrupt government of Pawnee has been shut down all summer, so it’s been three months of no work, no meetings, no memos, no late nights, nothing. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.” — Leslie Knope
What to Do When You’re Done Watching
Usually when you end a TV show, you roll into fetal position and cry until you find purpose in your life again. But that’s not the way with Parks and Rec. After the show ends, you’ll definitely be sad, but you’ll also be inspired to go do something great in the world, shake hands with strangers and eat a waffle––and honestly, you should go do just that.