Leslie (Amy Poehler) faces off against poll-leading Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd) in a debate.

I wouldn’t begrudge anyone who feels that season four of “Parks and Recreation” just isn’t as uproariously funny as it used to be. My counterargument would be, you’re right, it’s a hell of a lot funnier.

Though I’m no student of comedy—I’ve taken a sketch comedy class, but my forte is fiction—I know that a large percentage of what makes something funny is by how much it surprises you. That would be the “I’m Ron F**king Swanson” moments. In the early going, we weren’t as familiar with these characters, but we knew what made them stand out. Then when the writers fleshed out those quirks, developed backstories and provided them with dimension, we all fell in love with the Pawnee parks department. Now the game has changed. In season four, we no longer need those shocker quotes that make us cover our mouths because the laughs are leaping out of our chests. It’s precisely our familiarity with who these people are that makes us smile for the full 22 minutes.

Was there any doubt Leslie would knock this out of the park? Hell, was there any doubt she would underestimate the simplicity of her prospective constituents? Pawnee is infamous for being “fourth in obesity, first in friendship,” but they have to be among the the worst in critical thinking as well. They are suckers, sorry to say. But that also means they can be easily swayed when Leslie finishes with an impassioned speech that felt like a desperate football coach rallying his players at halftime. Pawnee had lost their way, and Leslie reigned them back in. They are sheep, but they’re her sheep. And while reason would say she could do much better than an city council seat in this town, she is just as irrational. And dammit, she wants it bad. As Amy Poehler (who wrote and directed this episode) so eloquently phrased it, she may “care too much” and “push too hard,”  but it’s only because she wants the best for her town. It angered her to see what she loves threatened, and Pawnee deserves better than to be beholden to a corporation when it’s individuals who give a damn like her, that make it great.

I could go on for days on that speech alone, not only in terms of its effect on the show but concerning its relevance to our current times. It’s one of those awe-inspiring moments you need to see for yourself to understand and appreciate. So for the love of all that’s holy, watch the dang episode if you haven’t already and I’ll guide you through what else made “The Debate,” and what makes this show, special.

Our cast is split, as has become the standard since the campaign began, into three factions. Chris, Ann and Tom comprise “the spin team” who handle all media inquiries during the debate. Chris’ enthusiasm for life makes him a superb addition to the team. He spun Ben’s hypothetical scenario that Leslie vomited and audibly farted on stage into “She’s literally overflowing with ideas. And speaking of methane have you heard her plan to reduce greenhouse gases?” Tom is less enthused to be working with Mr. Traeger since Ann and him are kaput after he gave her an inappropriate shoutout on The Douche’s radio show. As I predicted (that faint trumpet you hear is me tooting my own horn), Chris makes a move on Ann, but she seems to think he’s romanticizing what their three-month relationship was really like.

Tom sabotages his co-spinners with his negative answers and Ann pulls him aside. Obviously, he’s bitter about the breakup, but Ann’s right to call him an ass. Tom takes the advice April gave earlier and admits that it’s an act, and that he needs to “cut out the swagger” as April had put it. He speaks from his heart and shares that she makes him nervous because she’s so out of his league, but that he would do anything to get back together. By the end, Ann rejects both Chris and Tom, maybe only because she needs to stop dating for like, ever. She has had a lot of rotten luck.

The development that most excited me though was that they went back to the well of putting Tom and April’s heads together. Come to think of it, they both have fronts—Tom’s is flashy, April’s is disinterested—because caring isn’t cool. April comes clean, telling Tom that she cares about Andy, Champion, Leslie winning and sleeping, and I’d be psyched if they continue to feed off each other and grow as a result. Both are lovable when they choose to be, so it’d be great to see them open up, let people in, and expose their true selves. Reading that, it seems more sitcom-y then most “Parks” material, but when you have so many people who are easy to root for, why not give them a chance at victory.

April, Andy and Ron are in charge of the donors’ viewing soiree at April and Andy’s place. Trying to fit in, Andy makes phony claims about his “investments” and April does her hysterical rich person laugh. Ron gives a frank and deliberate introduction and Andy realizes he forgot to pay the cable bill, so watching the debate would prove rather difficult. While April tries to talk to the cable company (a nod to fellow NBC comedy, 30 Rock, their provider is CableTown), Andy reenacts scenes from his favorite movies: Roadhouse, Rambo and Babe. Of course. His rendition of Babe has his audience captivated and leaves Donna in tears. My favorite part is when Ron saves the day by stealing someone’s cable. Him strapping on his tool belt, climbing up the telephone poll and pressing himself up against it so he can hide from passing cop cars was a treat. It didn’t hurt that he sang a spirited few lyrics from “Wichita Lineman” either. Anytime Ron can show off his assorted handyman skills is preferable, in my opinion.

Leslie, however, and her fellow debaters dominate this episode. Paul Rudd does an extraordinary job of filling the role without overdoing it and drowning out small players like moderators Perd Hapley and Joan Calamezzo, and the ripped-from-the-headlines fringe candidates. Poehler’s SNL background was evident here as she indirectly parodied some of the more laughable Republican hopefuls that we’ve watched extensively over the past year. There’s Fester Trim (played by Friday Night Lights vet Brad Leland), a gun enthusiast and owner of Gunbelievable Gun Emporium who has a plan for assault rifle vending machines. Sure you do. There’s also Brandi Maxxxx, an adult film star who continually stains Leslie’s reputation during the debate by comparing herself to Leslie. Lastly, there’s Manrico Della Rossa, an animal rights activist who equates rubbing your hands on a leather jacket to murder. Poehler’s direction capitalized on the episode’s format with sharp cuts between random snippets from each candidate that out of its proper context sound ludicrous—such as Bobby struggling to pin down his favorite James Bond, “Daniel Craig! No, Timothy Dalton.”

Jennifer Barkley seems confident going in that Bobby is in a win-win scenario. Either he’s able to speak coherently and not cry and the pundits say he did surprisingly well (probably a reference to the low expectations of Sarah Palin in the VP debates of 2008). There’s also the possibility he crashes and burns and he earns the public’s sympathy. She isn’t far off when Leslie opens by saying Bobby wants to “buy your vote” and the audience turns on her when he says the soundbite,” hurt his feelings.” He follows up saying, “I want do a good job because I like it when people think I do a good job.” This gets a raucous reaction from the crowd and Ben is dumbfounded. Barkley alludes to a “surprisey wisey” and Bobby undoubtedly does deal a big blow. He claims that because Leslie has an anti-business agenda, Sweetums, Pawnee’s premier provider of candy and jobs, might move to Mexico.

Ben, as her advisor, suggests she cut her losses and not risk hurting her image anymore by attacking him. But Leslie has that look in her eye, that burning desire to seize what she wants and bulldoze over anyone that stands in her path. So as her boyfriend, Ben assures Leslie that she can crush him. And wow, did she crush him. Like his little juice box. Even Bobby can only exclaim, “Holy f**k, Leslie, that was awesome.” The most salient point he’d made all night.

Afterwards, during the celebration, Bobby runs over to Leslie yelling “We did it!” and he invites her to his dad’s lake house for an after party. When Ann, Ben and Leslie all look back at the camera in disbelief it’s an amazing comedic move that also works as an indicator of how, as always, the show reflects the audience’s investment. We feel what these people feel and vice versa. It’s a rare feat in any T.V show, but even rarer for a comedy, to achieve this level of intimacy. Sweetness may have been the strength of “The Debate,” instead of astonishing us with its onslaught of killer lines—though there was plenty of material for me to weed through for L.O.L.Ls— but it was triumphant, soulful and spectacular. It may not have been what you were expecting, but it’s just what the doctor ordered. Some of my favorite lines were more adorable than amusing. When Tom told Ann, “Vote for me, to be your boyfriend” it was too frickin’ cute. And when LesBen repeated “I love you and I like you” to each other I couldn’t suppress my “Awwwws.”

Amy Poehler’s script took an impossibly pivotal moment and surpassed any expectations with a genuinely moving and touching take on politics, and proved yet again how loyal and dutiful the “Parks and Recreation” team is to the Pawnee parks team. I am unashamed to say that even if it wasn’t the funniest, I’ve felt more during and for this season than I’d imagined I could. So while no particular scene surprised the hell out of me and made me fall out of my seat laughing, what did sneak up on me was how much that didn’t matter.

L.O.L.Ls: Laugh Out Loud Lines

- Ben: “You can debate Newport in your sleep.” Leslie: “I have.” Ben: “I know. We sleep in the same bed, it’s been hell.”

- Ben: “You are going to rip his spine out with your teeth, chew it up and gargle with it.” Leslie: “I love it when you’re needlessly disgusting.”

- “I recently invested in some shirts I got at a garage sale. Left those at Wendy’s on the way home. Ha, the economy.”

- “Hello, you are here because you gave us money. Now, we will give you ribs. Also, you will watch the debate. If you like the debate, you will give us more money. That is all. Ron Swanson.”

- Brandi Maxxxx, the adult film star: “And just like Leslie, I know what it’s like to be in a room full of men.”

- “Little Bobby, I’m not gonna clean your room no mas.”

- “And we all know the better looking a park is, the more attention it gets from lady parks that want to have sex with it.”

- “I’m an American, my father is an American, my mother is an American. My godfather is the viceroy of the principality of Lichtenstein.”

- “I was in favor of closing the Borders bookstore, not the border in Mexico.”

- “I guess my thoughts on abortion are, you know, let’s just all have a good time.”

- Jennifer Barkley: “Quick question. Does that Chris Traeger guy have a girlfriend, and is his penis normal?” Ben: “Stop talking.”

- “How do we fix this town? I have no idea. You tell me. That’s what I’m counting on, you telling me.”

Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) looking panicked after losing the senior citizen vote.

Sitcom characters don’t usually hit a snag for more than 22 minutes. It’s common knowledge. In fact, I spoke of it just last week when I mentioned the tried-and-true formula for sitcom watchability. Other than a unvarying structure, sitcoms provide us with what life rarely grants us: a neat resolution.

Few individuals are privileged enough (or frankly spoiled enough) to come out of most snafus without dissatisfaction. Hence why we turn to stories. We live vicariously through proactive characters who take just enough risk to mess up big, but have enough support and fortitude to cleanly rectify their mistakes. I don’t believe these sorts of tales are more or less valid. Truthfully, I’ve been on a “Boy Meets World” kick of late because today’s family TV programs steer away from morality. People are afraid to come down firmly on how children should be raised, or how teens should be taught about sex, in favor of embracing diversity and avoiding offense. The 90s, were a different time.

My point is that now we live in a time where uncertainty is infectious. Over at The AV Club they posted an article just a few days before The Academy Awards discussing how all nine nominees for Best Picture, in one way or another, confronts our scary future. And if art is a reflection of the society that spawns it, then Leslie Knope’s futility versus Washington hotshot Jennifer Barkley (Kathryn Hahn) this week was not only poignant and funny, but a rough portrait of our current cultural anxieties.

Don’t worry though, the episode itself doesn’t come off nearly that self-aggrandizing. The main takeaway from “Campaign Shake-up” is that complacency can not be afforded. Despite a surge in the polls, with Leslie just 15 points behind Bobby Newport (distancing herself from Pawneean porn star Brandi Maxxxxxx), Newport’s monetary advantage looms large. His daddy hires Jennifer Barkley, a consummate pro who has eaten egg salad with the likes of Colin Powell, who seeks to snuff out their fiery hot streak.

After her initial play of attacking Leslie’s lovable childhood aspirations commercial (seen in “Campaign Ad”), her next maneuver is to steal “the gray vote” by securing the endorsement of Pawnee Seniors United president Ned Jones (played by TV legend Carl Reiner). LesBen had acquired his support with their “Ramp Up Pawnee” initiative, basically a plan to make Pawnee more handicap-accessible since “stairs are a young man’s game.” Jen one-ups their idea with her conception of “Raise Up Pawnee,” an installation of electric lifts next to every staircase. While of course Leslie’s plan is more practical and cost-effective, the seniors are easily impressed by the gadgetry and Ned Jones officially endorses Bobby Newport.

Over at City Hall, Chris expresses concern that the Parks Department is undermanned with Leslie reducing her hours. Considering she did the work of four men, this is a legitimate concern. As a result we are treated to Ron’s absurd, yet endearing in its staunchness, anti-government stance once again.  Fearful of adding another employee to the mix, Ron appoints Ann Perkins (pronouncing her name right and everything!) to spearhead a cross-department project between the Health and Parks departments to fix the water foundations. What’s wrong with the water fountains? Well, the quirky folks in Pawnee put their mouth on the spouts when they drink. The project’s aim is to redesign the fountains so that the disgusting habit is impossible.

With Andy as her test subject (and a perfect illustration of the average Pawnee resident), Ann leads a brainstorming session. Jerry suggests a cage over the nozzle, but Andy rips it off. Tom suggests replacing fountains with “water butlers” and is immediately rejected. On a side note, Tann (Tom and Ann) only gets a brief instance of relevance when Tom gloats that his idea will receive preferential treatment because him and Ann are “romantically intertwined.” I was glad to see that emphasis on their relationships was waned significantly, but it also didn’t address the issue of its legitimacy so the Catch-22 of inconsequence and importance continues for yet another week, much to my minor dismay.

April contributes to the brainstorm at first by provoking a water fight by spraying Ann, redirecting the fountain flow. Consequently, when Ron escorts Chris to the department to prove his progress on a major project, they witness the escalation from playful splashing to full-scale aquatic warfare. Andy caps their distraction by attacking Chris as a water balloon kamikaze (he has fashioned a vest of water balloons out of duct tape), easily the best bit of slapstick of the episode. Chris Pratt always nails that particular area of “Parks” comedic repertoire.

LesBen panics over losing Ned’s endorsement, realizing that Jennifer is simply better than they are. Every measure they take, she will have a countermeasure. Leslie, despite assuring Ben she has the utmost confidence in his strategies, decides to go directly to the source. When she meets up with Jen, she admits that she would rather Leslie win, but it’s her job to win, and she’s damn good at it. But because she “loves to play chess” and believes she is her own best opponent, Jen gives her a strategy, suggest a shuttle service for seniors. Leslie agrees it’s genius, but when she pitches it to Ben, he reasons that Jen is too in their heads, manipulating them. As much as I love Leslie, and want her to succeed and believe she would be the best thing for Pawnee, its fun to see her and Ben squirm. As much as a Leslie triumph has become this show’s staple, this show has become one of possibility. And by introducing this giant hurdle, not only does it provide a challenge that would payoff HUGELY if they could overcome it, but the writers make sure they’re challenged as well, solidifying them as the freshest in network comedy, by far.

The ending showdown between Leslie and Jen on Perd Hapley’s “Final Word with Perd” (oh excuse me, Perdrick L. Hapley) was brilliant. Jen combats Leslie’s jabs about Bobby gallivanting through Europe with floozies with such finesse, it was like watching MJ play with the flu in the NBA Finals. She counters that he was striking a deal with a European company to build a factory in Pawnee. It’s total BS. But it doesn’t matter. The sting of Leslie’s venomous rebuttal is gone from voters’ minds. While Perd is clueless as to what happened on his own show (contributing no probing questions for either side), Leslie sulks at the bar, wanting to drink away her shortcomings, aware that her drive and tireless work ethic may not be enough. This is a foreign feeling for her, and her storyline this week while filled with intermittent giggles, didn’t leave us with a warm and fuzzy feeling. But I have faith that it’s being stored away for a fourth quarter finish that will swell inside me to the point where I might burst.

Not all is lost, however. April continues her trend of rising to the top of the “Parks” achievement heap yet again with her simple yet elegant solution: remove the splashguard so no one can put their mouth on it. Chris’ worries that the group lacked cohesion and leadership are abandoned, and Ron asks April to take some of Leslie’s load. Though reluctant to do things, Ron taught her the art of inaction and delay, Ron woefully convinces April that her need to test her potential exceeds the need to stall government activity for him, therefore appointing her as Leslie’s fill-in for now.

I like that I’m clueless about where April’s arc is heading. Leslie seems destined for a come-from-behind victory where she makes a sacrifice of some sort (either involving Ben or the Parks department) to win the election, but April’s continued evolution is a mystery. She has begun to care for others’ happiness, and is even putting her brain to productive use. To what end? I’m not saying the character herself is conscious of where she is headed, but the show seems intent on providing her with responsibility, and showcasing her redeeming qualities. I sure hope she isn’t leaving the show for greener pastures. Not only does Andy not deserve that kind of pain, but neither do I!

While Paul Rudd was off promoting his movie, Kathryn Hahn was an awesome addition this week. She’s frank in her deviousness, and you have to admire her thorough, near impenetrable research. It’s reminiscent of Leslie’s superwoman qualities, while not being a re-tread, but a worthy foil. The LesBen dynamic was delightfully rendered this week, particularly when Leslie would compliment Ben for his attractiveness, but perhaps overemphasized his small stature to the point where Ben became insecure. It’s relatable, while still totally unique to these two people, a sweet balance to accomplish. Ron earns my MVP though for his stubborn reactions to change and his depiction of impossible choices through an anecdote about his sixth birthday (check out L.O.L.Ls).

With one episode remaining before a month-long break, “Campaign Shake-up” returned to the main thrust of the season with a stylish blend of gravity and levity. We watch the Parks department grow sillier and yet fuller in Leslie’s absence, and Leslie’s campaign encounters its first insurmountable foe, reminding us why we want Leslie to win. Because she is going to deserve it. So while we, the commoners, might not get our way though we may have earned it, Leslie will. But it won’t be as easy as twenty-two minutes of coincidence and contrivance. The conclusion will be the hard-fought accumulation of prolific labors, like tonight: an infusion of expertly tailored moments with hilariously crafted dialogue. For the return of Ron Swanson, the man and the myth, for elevating April above her role of anarchic instigator, and ensuring that like Leslie, the “Parks” team will earn our vote, I’ll gleefully go to the polls to check off “A.”

L.O.L.Ls: Laugh Out Loud Lines:

- Perd Hapley’s gems: “The first issue…is the one we’re gonna talk about.” “Now it’s time for our next segment…which is a commercial.” Also, his fascination with the concept of “a foot in a mouth” as an actual act, not as an expression.

- “You’re a brilliant, sexy, little hummingbird.” (hums suggestively)

- “Not enough ramps is the number three complaint by Pawnee seniors. Right behind, “everything hurts” and “I’m dying.”

- “Either we complete a government project, which is abhorrent to me, or we bring a new person into the department, which repulses me to my core. Reminds me of when my dad made me choose which one of my pet calves to slaughter with my own hands for my sixth birthday. I couldn’t choose, so I slaughtered both of them. And they were delicious.”

- “As a candidate I appreciate your strategic mind, but as a woman sly I care about is your slight, but powerful body.”

- Ann: “That’s the first time you’ve said my entire name correctly.” Ron: “Nonsense, we are close friends.”

- Leslie: “You’re a mangenius, with a taut, narrow frame like a sexy elf king.” Ben: Do you wish I were taller? What’s going on here?”

-”I think Ben’s already filling the Leslie void.” (high five)

Ben (Adam Scott) informs Leslie (Amy Poehler) that she "slept with" Jerry (Jim O'Heir) all night.

Subtlety can often be pretentious, but there is a reason why minutia matters.

As a writing student, I know much of the whining in workshops is oriented around how “obvious” the story is. Well, also “how well we know the main character,” but the people of Pawnee have been fleshed out for a while. “Obvious” can mean predictable, manipulative, or even bland, but it’s the perception of an overt effort to “make a point” that’s the faux pas in literary circles. The consensus is that one must write with a question in mind, not an answer.

But as CBS (and the other networks, but CBS serves as the exemplar) has suggested for decades, people like routine. Sitcoms and procedural dramas are characterized by their formulaic structure and cathartic endings. When you sit down in front of the tube on any given weeknight you’re sure that you will walk away satisfied because you found out who the killer was, or because the children learned their lesson. In literature, this is lazy; it’s understood that each story should be evaluated as an opportunity to cut a fresh slice out of life. Now, I can’t be sure that if I sneakily submitted a “Parks and Rec” script as my next draft folks would fully embrace it, but I believe the show does embrace the core of why subtlety is championed. When a message is explicitly conveyed it doesn’t allow for a range of interactions with the “text.” Nuance and finesse, however, can allow for a spectrum of reactions.

This is wherein comedy can achieve excellence. Laughs, although discriminatory, are easy. They are reflexes, engrained in us unconsciously, and often we immediately regret or find shame in what we laugh at. But when one is reduced to a coughing fit, or any other ostentatious displays like knee-slapping, clapping, snorting, that’s a genuine expression of connectivity to the art. That’s not something you can churn out every week through some kind of chuckles equation. It takes care and dedication, and when I notice the “Parks” writers employing such details with confidence, you know you’ve been struck by a story thats worth telling, and yet shows merit simply in how it’s told.

That said, Sweet Sixteen wasn’t the strongest or the most memorable episode, but it’s one of many exceptionally executed chapters in a masterpiece work. As mentioned up top, the minutia mattered this week. Like when Andy answered that 64 divided by four is 64 while everyone else blurted out 16. Or when Ron asked Donna if this was all the eggs she had, and when she asked what he was making he replied, “Eggs.” Or how about a classic “What the f**k” delivered by Andy when Chris popped up to give him more tips in canine care. The list goes on, and not even the L.O.L.Ls section could adequately house the prolific amount of details that all served comedic purpose.

The plot tonight, much like that of Operation Ann, is highly unoriginal and so recycled it’s eco-friendly. Leslie is frazzled, but it’s never just that. She’s a catalyst for situations that bring out the eccentricities of them all. This time she’s overworking herself clocking 50 hours at the Parks Department, 50 for her campaign and still finding time to volunteer for Wheels for Meals on Wheels (they repair vans for Meals on Wheels). Ron insists she take a sabbatical, but her tireless work ethic is at odds with her biological need to slow down. As a result, she has become uncharacteristically negligent. Her most recent slip-up being that she forgot Jerry’s birthday. Another stellar detail: Jerry’s birthday is February 29. How perfect? The most undervalued worker gets a celebration only ever four years, brilliant. As her atonement, Leslie resolves to throw him a surprise “Sweet Sixteen” party at Donna’s lake house. But in her rush to make amends, she forgets to invite Jerry, only serving to stroke Ron’s ego as he anticipates her downfall.

After Tom bought himself some time to woo her last week, Ann briefly becomes the object of Tom’s disdain. She violates number three of his “Oh No Nos” list, a lack of appreciation for 90s R&B, when she is unfamiliar with Donna’s cousin and recording artist, Ginuwine (I remember him in the 2000s as the crooner who released the single, “In Those Jeans,” an ode to curvy women who leave little to the imagination when they squeeze into tight denim). Tom then worries that she may be utterly repulsive to him aside from her stunning beauty. Through relentless questioning he uncovers disturbing disagreements between them, forcing Ann to rattle of her own list (from which I will draw upon some L.O.L.Ls below). Caught in the middle is April, who “inadvertently” set them up two episodes ago. Due to that kindness, she’s now forced to endure their incessant complaints. To dull her agony she drowns herself in champagne, adding Aubrey Plaza to the list of “Parks” actors with an aptitude for acting drunk.

Everyone’s favorite thrice-appendaged doggy Champion is the subject of the last subplot. Chris, still reeling from Millicent, is desperate for companionship. And when Andy asks him to watch Champion for a night they bond instantly. As expected, the microchip expertise that knows no bounds extends to dog training, and using German commands has made Champion into a…well…do I have to say it? Andy’s first response is jealousy. His German gibberish when attempting to make Champion perform for him too is hilarious. After losing Champion while trying to prove he didn’t need a leash, he earnestly relays his insecurities to Chris, who assures him that the love he provides is perfectly adequate. Chris then suggests he sing to corral the dog, and when Champion returns shows the camera the dog whistle he uses to actually coax him out. It’s a tender act that further defines Chris. Before he was just a comical exaggeration of self-determination and optimism, but amidst his misery, he has shone truthfully as a beacon of selflessness and friendship these past few weeks.

The three payoffs were unified in the superb exhibitions of ” their best selves” by those who served as crutches for their normally self-sufficient friends. Ron Swanson, for instance, offered his pearl of wisdom: “Never half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing.” Not exactly eloquent, but it’s a honest appeal to Leslie that if she really wants to be a councilwoman she needs to make sacrifices, reductions to her workload. They shake on an agreement to ten hours at P&R, and the rest of her time will be allotted to the pursuit of her dream, becoming an elected official.

Tom and Ann transforms into Tann, then Haverkins (Haverford + Perkinds), when April’s drunken admission that they were fighting over pointless topics jolted them both, making them realize that they were fishing for something wrong when they should have just be enjoying each other’s company. It was pleasant as always to see April, however reluctantly, help out the people she cares for and hates in the same breath. She’s a conundrum, but one you wish was by your side and in your life.

Andy also brings joy to another by encouraging a relationship, giving Chris permission to hang with Champion whenever he likes. The brief moment where April touches Andy’s hand, again using an extremely minor maneuver, sealed the deal. There is not only love between them, but more than tenuous bonds between all of the Parks Department team. Like with Tom and Ann, it might be easier to point out the flaws. Like with Ron and Leslie it may take time for a proper mentor/mentee dynamic to flourish; and like with Andy and Chris it may involve opening yourself up when you’d rather give off your more invulnerable self. But when Leslie, “Tann,” and Chris needed that Al-Green-esque shoulder when they weren’t strong, they answered the call.

Projecting a bit, I’m still worried about “The Haverkins situation,” but it’s an enigmatic kind of worry: my concern is that it’s harmless. Leslie’s campaign is a palpable source of tension and a well of comedic scenarios. Haverkins comes off as a fling would, inconsequential. But “Parks” doesn’t operate with the safety valve of a reset button, and everything that occurs before affects our characters going forward. While Tom and Ann’s prospects of finding love don’t have the potential to shake up the series like Leslie’s election could, it might disturb the balance of absurdity and realism that the show has so rightly earned. The episode itself was innocuous too in many ways, a detour from more pressing affairs, but due to the ways it showcased the better attributes of favorites like Ron and Andy, it’s nearly impossible to diminish my level of enjoyment. For an escape to the lake house filled with equal parts bonding and shenanigans, and prioritizing the minuscule so that it might balloon in the eyes of each viewer, I raise a glass to Jerry’s 64th birthday and to a B+ episode of the most gratifying show on television. Cheers!

L.O.L.Ls: Laugh Out Loud Lines

- “Let’s start a pool. Who wants retired and who wants dead?”

- Ron on Leslie’s belief that he will later “eat crow”: “Leslie’s the best and I’m stupid.” “That does sound like me…”

- Oh No Nos or Things about Ann that bother Tom: accepts <600 thread count sheets, has never seen a Paul Walker movie, doesn’t care about Blu-Ray, read books all the time, still has an iPad first generation and “he owns more Uggs than she does!”

- Oh No Nos or Things about Tom that irritate Ann: Talks through terrible movies he makes her watch, has 20” rims on his Volkswagen Golf and insist on being introduced as “the Brown Gosling.”

- “I was getting kind if sick of Tom and Ann talking about their relationship, but then remembered alcohol existed. (Takes swig) Thank you alcohol!”

- Ben’s half asleep, bed-haired and half-hearted “Surprise!” when Leslie walks in with Jerry in the middle of the night.

- Ron’s toast to Jerry: “Jerry’s work is often adequate.”

- Not a line, but a visual gag: Leslie’s campaign sign with a URL on it instead of the actual image

Louis C.K reprises his role as Leslie's cop ex-boyfriend Dave Sanderson (right).

Back in season two, “Parks and Recreation” was a rising star, not a comedy powerhouse. The first season elicited lukewarm feelings from viewers, and season two began to build an elaborate world where three-dimensional, imperfect yet endearing people existed. It felt like small-town America because it was hilariously inept in so many ways, but the people were just darling. When Louis C.K hitched his wagon to this runaway train to fandom he had not yet aired his avant-garde take on single fatherhood and the pathetic nature of life alone at 40, “Louie.” He was but a mildly chubby, balding red head with a penchant for speaking mechanically.

Now, after the critical community has kissed his ass en masse (myself included) for his daring perspective and auteur-iffic ambition on FX’s “Louie,” a zany yet grounded show based on his real life as a middle-aged, recently divorced standup comic; and Parks and Recreation has solidified itself as the sitcom of the moment (for those who find Modern Family’s novelty has totally worn off and doesn’t see what all these award shows do). This sort of episode contains the transformative quality of an event. We view C.K not as a guest star, but as a genius gracing us with his presence.

Both the writers, and Louie himself, exceeded expectations this week. They allotted him the parameters wherein he could run amuck; and Louie, although a gigantic scene-chomper for those who know his catalogue, blends in with Amy Poehler and Adam Scott to render the most magnificent portrait of cringe-worthy awkwardness one could fathom. And the horrifying yet hilarious part is it could happen to you. Well, if your friend was either a desperate, emotionally stunted cop or a victim of policophobia (perhaps your friend is both and is a walking paradox).

LesBen meets with Pawnee Police Chief Trumple who is retiring, so Leslie can publicize his endorsement before his replacement is sworn in. P&R blows my mind again with its affinity for continuity. Recalling Ben’s fear of policemen from early in season three, where in his nervousness he pontificates on the culinary enigma of the calzone and is thereby dubbed “Calzone Boy.” Here it’s much more transparent, wearing his intimidation on his sleeve. Leslie asks for the chief’s blessing and he invites her to attend his retirement party where he’ll make his decision. In his gratitude, Ben signs off with the caveat that cops are such heroes, “Some more than others….Oh god here it comes—” Just as he regurgitates the words “9/11,” Leslie stops him. Ben so often serves as the voice of reason and straight man of the relationship, it was refreshing to see him play looney, insecure and scattered. In the police department hallway Leslie catches the eye of Dave Sanderson (Louis C.K) who has returned from Pawnee to attend the chief’s party. Leslie blurts out that he should come to dinner with her and Ben to catch up. Immediately regretting the decision, Ben voices his acceptance, wanting to give Leslie what she needs, as always.

Tom, riding high from his date with Ann, refuses to be discreet, or in anyway downplay the situation. Ann flat out voices her embarrassment and is disgusted by his pet names (some of which include: Cookie Tush, Winnie the Boo and Annie Get Your Boo). In direct opposition to her wish that he keep their date a secret, the whole department is notified. Andy is tasked with recording Leslie’s campaign theme song, and his artistic vision (something like “We are the World,” but with more social impact) requires the rest of the group to sing backup. Double Time Studios, where they will record their track, is the same facility where Duke Silver, Ron Swanson’s jazz saxophonist persona, records. Due to his relatively legendary work, memorabilia hangs all over the premises.

As we know, Ron is a private man, who wishes to withhold any information about himself that is unnecessary to divulge. What he does with his social life is not for his employees to know. April, however, knows about him because her parents are huge fans. He assigns her with the task of covering up or destroying any Duke paraphernalia, or distracting anyone from seeing his picture. This obviously lends itself to some side-splitting physical comedy. My favorite of which is when Andy drinks a mug full of honey (he finds the tea part gross) with Duke’s, er, mug embossed on it. Panicked, April throws the mug onto the floor claiming she was channeling her rock and roll spirit. Andy gets the rare opportunity in this episode to be in his element. However, he is still dim-witted and naive Andy, so his ability to reign in and articulate his artistic vision culminates in his frustration, banging his head on the floor with the hope inspiration will come.

Dinner is deliciously awkward at the onset; they start by subtly competing with flattering remarks when the subject of her campaign comes up. Dave assures that he can procure the chief’s endorsement, and Ben uses the restroom. During that brief interlude, Dave alerts Leslie that he is still in love with her and would like a moment alone to win her over. Of course, LesBen are totally perfect for each other, so Leslie dances around his request all night. He sneakily excuses himself for some air, but Leslie won’t bite. When he leaves the table, Leslie informs Ben of the situation. Dave comes back and in his honorable and gentlemanly way, he asks Ben directly to speak with his girlfriend. The resulting exchange between the three of them had me red in the face with laughter as they try to determine who will talk with whom and in what order, each trying to assert their own selfish motivations. In some way or another, we have all been in this scenario where egos lock horns and none of the parties are willing to back down and sacrifice their emotional needs. Thankfully, the personalities on this show make the proceedings more humorous than contentious, and the underlying tension never escalates beyond an ants-in-your-pants tickle. It helps that when Dave and Ben finally do confront one another it culminates goofily with Dave handcuffing Ben to a urinal. You can’t get anxious or mad when literal bathroom humor is employed.

Unrelenting and immune to Ann’s refusals, Tom beats the dead horse and professes his desire for Ann in front of all their present friends. He also consults his “playbook,” a romantic stratagem consisting of cliches from movies. His idea to wait for her in the rain backfires, giving him the sniffles while he becomes soaked, thinking Ann would be in awe of his romantic gesture. When Tom finally levels with her, claiming he has no more gimmicks, he brings out his secret weapon: an improvised song filled with melodic apologies and a plea that she appease him with a second date. In the end, his persistence at the very least wears her down to earn him another opportunity to win her over more genuinely. Chances are he will sabotage himself again, but by entertaining the possibility they have a shot they infuse some conflict without creating uncharacteristic drama that would sacrifice the tone of the show. Ron channels the Duke for Andy, laying down a killer sax solo while he sent him off to clear his head, mixing in more of his vocals too, realizing the full potential of  ”Catch Your Dream.” April’s diligence (including hitting Jerry over the head with a cymbal when he remarks how alike Duke appearance’s is to Ron’s) also ensured that no one else determined his secret identity. I felt it was odd that they didn’t mention Tom was actually the first person from the department to discover his alter ego back in season two, but since Haverford was so preoccupied with his “boo,” I’ll allow it.

Ben calls Leslie’s cell to inform her of his lavatory imprisonment and she chastises David mildly for acting so crazed. At the retirement party, Ben secures Leslie’s endorsement by outlining her long-term plan to sustain higher pensions and benefits (in comparison, Bobby Newport would just give them short-term monetary fixes). Of course, he reverts to his phobia on a couple occasions (using contrived phrasings or letting every officer to cut ahead of him in line for the restroom), but it weaves in nicely with his typical “in the zone” moments where he is talking numbers and his social anxieties are discarded. Dave later apologizes, explaining his behavior with the sweet revelation that “she makes him crazy.” He acknowledges that as long as she is safe and happy that is all that matters. He can’t resist insulting Ben, calling him “shrimpy,” but through his over-calculated word choice, sincerity surfaces.

Oddly, Chris gets little to do here. His face conveyed he was sad when he confirmed with Tom that Ann and he had been on a date. He is fragile after breaking up with Millicent, but does he still have legimate feelings for Ann, or is he just in regret mode about all his past relationships? His one laugh worthy moment comes when Andy asks him to sing for him and he butchers “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” The microchip could not sing his way out of a paper bag and his paraphrasing of the song’s gist would make many fans of American’s pastime cry sacrilege. If not for the added dimension of Ron’s secrecy around Duke Silver, the Andy plot would have been stale for me. As mentioned, I like allowing Andy the chance to prove his competencies, but since a campaign song feels so trivial I wasn’t actively rooting for him to come through.

And in a way, Ron’s help, though a demonstration of his affection for Andy (which he continually downplays), invalidates Andy’s efforts, taking away his spotlight. Obviously, I’m a devoted Ron F. Swanson fan, but the inconsequential nature of that story is hard to ignore. It was a nice visit from the “mature woman swooner” still, so I dug it nonetheless. Emphasizing Tom could also have proven problematic for the episode’s likability since the essence of the character is his bordering the line of insufferable tool and fun to be around, but the wrap-up where his urgency finally strikes a chord with Ann, hit the exact note they intended and made an absurd, potentially superfluous pairing seem plausible, if not for just a moment so that the doubt can seep into our minds and hook us.

Louis C.K largely negated this unimportance in the best way possible. As mentioned, his execution of this character deserves considerable props. He plays up the normal droll of his speech so that he comes off evermore blue collar and well-intentioned. His diction is deliberate (though often grammatically unsound, likely from trying too hard), but his hesitation to say exactly how he feels, for me, resonated more than any poetic delivery could have, and added to the believability that Leslie cared for him once, and why his approval of Ben would mean something. Though by the ridiculously high standards “Parks” has earned and then some, this was not an exemplary episode, the return of Louis C.K transcended its relegation as a standalone novelty, and became a pivotal moment for the series. It was a perfect storm of nostalgia and relevance that justified bringing Dave back, and validated the cult legend’s presence beyond just his demand as a insanely respected performer and artist of the moment. For reaffirming Leslie’s commitment to Ben and the campaign, revisiting the show’s roots with Louis’ Dave and the groovy tunes of Duke Silver, I can commend the approach overall, disregarding the less engaging material. I will happily endorse “Parks” as a candidate for the most charming depiction of human irrationality and the goodness it can provoke. The state of this union is an A-.

L.O.L.Ls: Laugh Out Loud Lines:

- “I’m not afraid of cops. I have no reason to be. I never break any laws…because I’m deathly afraid of cops.”

- “Leslie is a female person…with whom I was involved. We had a ‘romantical’ involvement.”

- “God, that was hot nonsense.”

- “He’s a gorgeous genius, people. Don’t questions his methods.”

- “You look like I could use some company.”

- “I don’t wanna brag, but I have a ton of experience with women being mad at me.”

- “I never thought I would say this about you, son, but you may be over-thinking this.”

- “I still have feelings for Leslie, in a womanly fashion, and I believe she feels the same for me, in a manly way.”

- Ben speaking to two officers who have conflicting interests about whether he should drink or not (he shouldn’t drive intoxicated, but it’s a celebration): “Please, just tell me what to do!”

- “The four sweetest words in the English language: ‘You wore me down.’”

Barack Obama’s blowout victory over John McCain may come as a disappointment for Republicans, but it certainly comes as no surprise.

Joe Trippi, who managed Howard Dean’s campaign in 2004 and John Edwards in 2008, made an astute observation on C-SPAN the other day when he suggested that GOP operatives knew damn well that John McCain would lose the general election, and crafted a strategy to cope with this inevitability.

The theory, Trippi explained, is that Republicans went on the attack “" calling Obama a socialist, a terrorist sympathizer, an enemy of Israel and a baby killer “" not to appease independents in swing states, but rather, to energize the right-wing conservative base in the hopes that they would vote GOP down the ticket, and prevent possible Democratic takeovers in hotly-contested Senate races. The race was over and they were trying to cut legislative losses, so to speak.

“They were not using swing-state language” Trippi said.

And, it appears the strategy may have paid off. Republican Sen. Ted Stevens is up in Alaska , despite his fraud convictions last week; Sen. Norm Coleman is beating Democrat Al Franken in Minnesota (in a race that may be decided in a recount); Gordon Smith may hold on to Oregon and Saxby Chambliss may hold Georgia.

These were closes races, but a week ago Coleman, Smith and Stevens were all behind in the polls.

Make no mistake, this elections stands as a clear and unambiguous rejection of the GOP. But the sinister attacks that came from a desperate campaign, may have kept the Democrats from expanding the senate even further.

The world is indeed watching today.

Despite the United States recent economic woes, there is no doubt amongst serious observers that the country is still, by far the most powerful nation in the world. The United States military budget “" which, I think it is fair to say, gets quite a bit of use “" is astronomical. The U.S. accounts almost half of the world’s military spending, with the FY 2009 budget allocating more than $650 billion. To put this in perspective, the next highest spender is the United Kingdom with just over $50 billion. And the U.S. figures do not count the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan which are paid for with supplemental bills and have cost the nation hundreds of billions more over the last five years.

Further, the world economy, for better or worse (worse is the popular answer in 2008), is directly dependent on the U.S economy. Even though China, for example, continues to grow, they are only able to do so by sending 80 percent of their exports to the U.S. Now, as American consumers are becoming thrifty, or broke (or both), Chinese growth is in trouble.

Russia “" China’s partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which many see as a blossoming counter to the US and NATO “" is now losing out on all the revenues that they were getting from $147 barrels of oil. And this drop in oil occurred, at least in part, due to the massive deflation that has occurred since the US economy really hit the skids in September. Venezuela and Iran, two other oil-rich nations with hostile relations with the U.S, are facing the same problems as oil prices go down.

So why is this relevant to the 2008 election? It is a reminder of how important this election, and American policy in general, is to other parts of the world.

In Israel, for example, the right has expressed fears over an Obama presidency. While Obama has said all of the right things, and spoke in front of AIPAC when he finally won the primary, some in Israel are not sure he will be 1) as aggressive on Iran as a McCain or Bush Administration or 2) as willing to continue America’s unconditional (and totally unique) package in aid, which is at $3 billion, the most in the world. This is why the right started singing the “Obama-is-anti-Israel” tune when McCain fell sharply behind (as did Hillary Clinton when she was gasping for anything at the tail end of the divisive primary, which gives you a sense of how predictably low politicians can go when in trouble).

It is a fairly empty tale. Obama has toed the Party line with Israel, pledging continued and increased aid, and insisting that Iran poses a grave threat, despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said the opposite.

Nonetheless, this election is watched with great interest from the Israeli right. To follow the coverage in Israel, I recommend, Haaretz, which is widely viewed as the “New York Times of Israel.”

Another country that must be watching with watchful eyes in Pakistan, especially given Obama’s expressed a willingness to bomb the country (which President Bush actually did recently).

Interestingly, Iraqis and U.S. soldiers may have less at stake that one might think. While Obama ran in the primary with anti-war rhetoric , his staff has acknowledged to the Wall Street Journal that he will leave around 35 “" 45 thousands troops in the country. Given that a similar draw down is likely under a McCain Administration (though the exact timeline could vary), it appears that the War in Iraq will continue in a lesser fashion, no matter who wins. Still, if anyone wants to read an English language Iraqi newspaper, visit Azzaman in English.

Iranians, too, must be watching with great interest. While both McCain and Obama are willing to talk tough on Iran, Obama has a far more moderate (supported by many Republicans from the Bush I days, such as James Baker and Collin Powell) and reasonable stance on engaging in diplomacy. To read Iranian media visit Press TV and the Islamic Republic News Agency (both state-owned, for what its worth).

And of course, every country has a stake in the U.S. economy. As I listed above, the ramifications of the economic crisis are indeed global, and countries have been scrambling with bailout and stimulus packages, request for aid from the (US controlled) International Monetary Fund and the nationalizing of some banks.

Here, world public opinion is clear: Obama is the favorite for most of the world, which has grown deeply skeptical of U.S. economic policies, and gives most of the blame to Republicans.

Some other foreign news outlets:

The Daily Star (Lebanon)

Russia Today (Russia)

The Independent (United Kingdom)

Dar al Hayet (Saudi Arabia )

]]> http://blastmagazine.com/archive/the-news/the-world-is-watching/feed/ 0 http://blastmagazine.com/archive/the-news/early-musings/ http://blastmagazine.com/archive/the-news/early-musings/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:48:56 +0000 Michael Corcoran http://blastmagazine.com/?p=5205

Long lines reported already

*Reports of painfully long lines are already coming in. With record turnout expected, long lines are inevitable. But The New York Times is reporting of excessively long lines in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

From the Times:

By noon on Tuesday some precincts in Chester County, Pa., were reporting that up to half of their registered voters had already cast ballots, said Agnes L. O’Toole, the county’s deputy director of voter services. She said that voters waited in lines that lasted up to two hours. “This is above and beyond an anomaly” Ms. O’Toole said. “Our phones are off the wall.”

Also, The Times reported that even lines for early voting were excessively long in places like Kansas City and Atlanta yesterday. And things have not gotten better in KC today, according to the Associated Press.

Voters in some Kansas City precincts had to spend extra time in already long lines this morning because poll workers were given the wrong voter registration books.

Voters at All Souls Church at 45th and Walnut Streets and at a polling place in Westport were told by poll workers that they were not on the list of registered voters for that polling place. There also were unconfirmed reports of other precincts suffering similar problems.

The problems caused delays in what was already expected to be a busy day at the polls.

Following the money

*Obama has been leading in each of the last 170 or so national polls, but if you are like many who don’t trust polls, perhaps you can look to the gambling community to better gauge the odds of an Obama or a McCain victory.

BetUS Sportsbook posts the best odds on Senator John McCain with +650 odds (a $100 wager pays out $650) and Sportsbook.com posts the best odds for Senator Barack Obama at -950 odds , (a $950 wager pays out $100). People may lie to pollsters, but in offshore sports books real money is thrown around “" and they may actually be a better indicator that national polls.

As one better told the Lang Report,

Polls can be inaccurate. People may say what is politically correct, the questions may be leading, the pollsters may be biased. A pollster can still bill for an inaccurate poll. Bookmakers must make an accurate line or they lose “" period.

]]> http://blastmagazine.com/archive/the-news/early-musings/feed/ 0 http://blastmagazine.com/archive/classy-politics/barack-obama-nominated/ http://blastmagazine.com/archive/classy-politics/barack-obama-nominated/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:13:06 +0000 Heidi Buchanan http://blastmagazine.com/?p=2654

This afternoon in a showing of unity, Barack Obama was officially nominated as the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States of America in Denver.

During the roll call, where state delegations announce their votes, New Mexico yielded their time to the Illinois delegation. After announcing themselves as the home of the “next President of the United States of America,” Mayor Daley of Chicago, yielded to the state of New York – home of Senator Hillary Clinton. In a showing of unity, Senator Hillary Clinton, after the state announced themselves, motioned to suspend the rules, count all delegate votes, and nominate Senator Barack Obama by acclamation.

With a loud cheer from the floor and no opposition, Barack Obama was nominated the Democratic Candidate for President. The Democrats, despite the bitter ending of their primaries, have a story book ending with a unified nomination on the Convention Floor. The party has been reunited for the common goal of winning the White House in November, despite the battles over the past few months.

Senator Obama will give his acceptance speech tomorrow evening at Invesco Field.