Leslie’s House (Season 2, Episode 14)

Leslie’s Knope’s characteristic flaw has always been caring too much. The first season of Parks and Rec had difficulty figuring out how to portray that as ultimately being a net positive, instead of just an excuse for ridiculous behavior. Crazy Leslie is very much present in “Leslie’s House,” revealing just how big a mess her personal life is as she micromanages a dinner party to impress then-boyfriend Justin (Justin Theroux). But a balance began to be struck once the relationships with her friends and co-workers started to temper Leslie’s rarely bridled enthusiasm into something reflective of her love for those people. Just as important, though, is how comfortably gelled the main cast had become by the midpoint of Season 2. For as great as the show often was at spinning multiple different storylines, getting the Parks gang together in one place often proved the best recipe for a classic. Everyone gets multiple hilarious moments here, whether it’s Ron and Tom having a jalapeno eat-off, Mark and Andy trying to look cool next to the awesomeness of Justin, or April showing early signs of affection for Andy by filling Justin’s coat pockets with gum.