Farewell Parks and Rec

Tonight I am going to be in deep denial. Tonight is not happening, and if I wish it away, the end of Parks and Rec will never come.

Tonight we say good bye to a beloved comedy and the family Amy Poehler made for us after 7 incredible years of showing us women leading, women being friends and not competitors, and family forged of breakfast food. I’m going to miss this show so much.

Leslie Knope is the heroine we both need and deserve. She loves with all of her heart. She loves her town. She loves her best friend. She loves her co-workers. She loves her career. She loves her husband and she is determined to help every one of those people in her life become the best version of themselves they can be- whether they want to or not. Her co-workers describe her as a border collie- workaholic, control freak, determined to DO HER JOB and profoundly loyal. She has a horrible dating history, but isn’t purely focused on finding a dude.

When she finds Ben, he’s the perfect dork for her, and the perfect dork for us, giving some of the best camera faces of the series.  He’s an affectionate mirror to us geeks and dorks who love star wars and fan fic and Game of Thrones, being fun without laughing at us.

But Ben isn’t the primary love of Leslie’s life. That would perfect starfish Ann Perkins. Ann and Leslie met in the pilot and have remained BFFs even since Rashida Jones left the show. They supported each other, went on practice dates, they discuss the important philosophical questions of “gum or mints” and infinity scarves and Sandra Bullock’s skirt length. They will always support each other, even through Ann is 100% wrong in her Friday Night Lights preferences (Leslie is right: Matt Saracen is the best). It’s one of the best depictions of female friendship ever.

But Leslie and Ann aren’t the only amazing women on this show. There’s April Ludgate, who started as a sullen, apathetic young intern, and through a fantastic seven year arc of character development went from being the best assistant Ron Swanson ever had, to running the animal control division, to figuring out her future dream career. In Andy, she found a soulmate that never worked on paper but was the greatest relationship ever in reality. Donna describes her as: “You’re beautiful, yet cold and aloof. You pride yourself on being a loner. You do not obey; you choose to cooperate. And when you stop bearing your fangs to pick a mate, it’s for life. And you’re fiercely loyal to your pack, which makes you a rare black Siberian Husky.”

Which brings us to Donna Meagle. Donna, played by Retta (who is going to be at Tufts University in a few weeks and I am considering engaging in some light stalking) could be yet another large, sassy black woman sidekick who’s kind of a mess, and Donna is none of those things. She is smart, she is INCREDIBLY competent, in her way, she has a whole life that she doles out about in dribs and drabs (trips to Dubai, condos on each Virgin Island). She has a rich and full love life, and her weight and race are never the butt of a joke.

The men of this show are no slouches, either- Andy is a loveable golden retriever of a man- smarter than Rob Gronkowski, but not by much. Chris Tragger (or Sam Seaborn on uppers) comes in with Ben Wyatt to fix Pawnee’s financial problems, and ends up staying and being City Manager until he and Ann leave to raise their baby in Michigan (MICHIGAN). Larry/Terry/Jerry/Gary is basically homer Simpson in live-action: a schlubby guy who’s not great at his job, but he’s competent enough to not get fired, and he has a lovely family who adores him and he has enough money to go on vacation with and exist outside the office. (I admit that I’m uncomfortable with how much everyone else mocks him- it seems like a really hostile work environment for him.) Tom Haverford grows from a frat boy with no ambition other than to buy stuff and get with women to a entrepreneur who also can buy stuff. I like watching his adventures, but he’d not be my choice for friend. The key to a character like Tom is for the show to understand that he’s kind of a tool, and instead of making him a hero, the show makes him fail and learn and grow.

Ron Swanson, though. Ron Swanson is one of the legendary characters of this era. He’s anti-government, yet works for the government. He is a libertarian who believes in capitalism, but unlike many libertarians, but always treats his friends and non-enemies with respect. His relationship history is consistent (his ex wives are both terrifying women named Tammy), until he meets and marries Xena, Warrior Princess, and becomes stepfather to two daughters and has a baby boy. He’s a father-figure to both April and Andy, a supporter of Leslie, despite their political differences, and also a send up of Libertarianism- sure, you can make wedding rings out of a sconce and people who buy things are suckers, as long as you already have the torch, crucible, waffle iron, and forging tools (and your friend doesn’t mind that you yanked a sconce out of her wall). In order to bootstrap, you need both boots, straps, and steps to put your feet on. Ron may not realize what he believes isn’t based in reality, but the show does, and the show still loves him anyway.

(lies)

We also got delightful minor characters- Jean-Ralphio and Mona Lisa, who in many other shows would have become regulars are instead used sparingly and don’t overstay their welcome. Perd Hapley is the news anchor CNN deserves. Tatiana Maslany shows up in a few episodes as a doctor Ton is interested in (she’s way too good for him). Councilman Jamm is the literal worst, and like South Carolina, Pawnee has it’s own politician with a pants problem- Councilman Dexart, who multiple times has stood in front of the press with his good wife, confessing to a ridiculous number of infidelities and sins.  Jennifer Barkley, political consultant and my personal muse. One of the greatest minor characters is Ken Hotate, the leader of the Wamapoke Indians, who engages in the most delightful trolling of Pawnee’s white people, in which Leslie is simultaneously his ally and target.

The entire town is populated with wacky people who all agree on only one thing: Li’l Sebastian is the greatest thing ever.

The final thing that Parks and Rec gave us is depicting the idea that government should be and can be for the greater good.   Leslie Knope believes that being a public servant is a sacred duty, and tries her hardest, every day, to do the right thing for the town she loves. Even when it doesn’t work like she planned (often) and when the town doesn’t appreciate her, she doesn’t waver. Government should be for the people, and even when she’s going against what people want, it’s not out of malice or a grab for power, it’s because that is what she believes is best for everyone. Local government is what will have the most effect on your life. You want your water supply in the hands of someone who gives a shit. Leslie gives all of herself and wants everyone else to do the same, and wants to inspire future generations to take up the work.

In the meta sense, I think Amy Poehler wants us to take up the work. Government should be for and by the people, and the only way to make that a reality is for the people to take it. Get involved in your town’s committees, councils, school boards, library councils. Vote. Volunteer on a campaign. Start petitions. Make a ruckus. Be heard. A small group of committed people can change the world. Nothing else will.

We get from Parks and Rec that friendship is stronger than hate, that a show can be based on people who like and respect each other can carry a show further than people who hate each other’s guts all the time, and home is always a place that will have a special place for you, even when you’ve outgrown it. Family comes in many forms, and with the right friends and the right waffles, you can do anything.

So raise a glass and a forkful of waffles with me tonight as we bid farewell and sing 5,000 candles in the wind to Parks and Rec.