Ron coming to terms with kids being in his future is a big change for him, and while offspring are no doubt a part of Leslie’s, she might have to wait a while longer for them to show up. As if the universe wants to make her pay for having the temerity to put a down payment on a lease for a new house, Ben’s campaign trail winds down in D.C., only to get started back up by Jen Barclay (the returning and all-around fantastic Kathryn Hahn) teasing him with another race to be won, this time in Florida. It’s a huge offer, because if Ben can make a governor out of a lawyer made famous representing a guy who’s dick was bit off by an alligator, then he might finally be able to bury the baggage of little Benji Wyatt, who bankrupted his hometown at the age of 18.
But taking the D.C. job alone was a huge decision for Pawnee’s power couple, and now the possibility that Ben will be gone longer still leaves Leslie feeling like she has no control over her future. And if there’s one way to make Leslie go insane, it’s by taking control out of her hands. Auctioning off a date with Ann is actually one of the more believable Crazy Leslie Moments, seeing as she does so to exert her influence over paying Jerry’s bills, and getting Ann back in the dating game (and it looks like she might find a nice new bachelor, until an extra from Sons of Anarchy wins the bid).
Leslie feels even more helpless once the auction turns out to be a bust, and Jerry’s plan to retire to his cottage and read mystery novels is put on hold. But if Jerry is a master of anything, it’s rolling with the punches. With his perfectly cheery, earnest tone, he reminds Leslie that the future is out of your hands, you just have to accept what life throws your way, and deal with it. Not only is his heart attack a great means of postponing the premature deadline the show set a few seasons back by saying Jerry was due to retire any day now, but it’s a nice way of reminding us that even the schmucks in Leslie’s have advice when she needs it.
Then “Halloween Surprise” pulls a fast one on us: turns out, the surprise isn’t Jerry’s hospitalization, or Ben’s new job. It’s a proposal. The writers aren’t cutting to the chase as quickly as say, last week’s Homeland, but I’ll admit that I was as shocked as Leslie when Ben surprised her at their new home, got down on one knee, and popped the question. Or tried to anyway; Leslie has to take control of the situation, as she is wont to do, asking for a minute to soak in the moment, but it’s the beautiful silence separating their chocked up voices that really makes the scene hit home. Sure, Leslie can’t dictate how the future will play out, but that doesn’t keep her from recognizing and relishing a perfect moment when it comes along. I said last week that “Sex Education” was going to be a strong contender for best of the season; in the wake of an episode as brilliantly funny, as effortlessly moving, as perfectly Parks as “Halloween Surprise”, it’s clear I’d forgotten just how damn good Parks and Recreation can still be.
- Stray Thoughts
-Episode References That Need to Become Real Things: Perd Hapley’s autobiography, “The Thing About Me Is: I’m Perd Hapley” should be on every coffee table, and Donna’s live tweets of Death Canoe 1 through 4 need to be public record.
-I appreciate the writers laying off some of the running gags they leaned on too much last season. Leslie’s glowing description of Ann doesn’t contain the phrase “Ann, you beautiful ___” and Ben settles down with Blade Runner and a chicken parm instead of the usual calzone.
-Chris continues to flit around on the edges, and while Rob Lowe gets a number of great lines tonight, he’s quickly become a Jerry/Donna level of supporting character. I can’t really complain about a burden of talent I suppose. Hell, Jen showing up for five minutes made me realize I want a spin-off of her bringing her general awesomeness cross-country.
-Ann and Leslie’s dance party in the new house might mark the only appropriate use of “Party Rock Anthem’ in recorded history.
