Kush's Thoughts on Parks and Recreation "Harvest Festival"

  *** Note from Dave:  My buddy from Twitter Kush wrote this review.  He knows a lot about TV and Sports and will be a contributor on this site.  Follow him on twitter @Wingster55***

Note: If you haven’t seen Parks and Recreation this review may confuse you.

This week’s episode of the consistently funny Parks and Recreation (which, for my nonexistent money is the best comedy on TV) was titled “Harvest Festival”. The Parks department of Pawnee is dependent on this festival, if it fails the department is shut down and most of the characters lose their jobs. The viewer is reminded early on of the importance of this festival and what’s at stake.

The “A” plot is initiating the Festival. At first everything is going well (much to the dismay of the ever funny Joan Callamezzo) but soon everything goes bad. Early in the episode a leader of the Wamapoke tribe warns Leslie about having the festival on ancient burial and pretends to curse the festival. Little Sebastian goes missing and the power goes out. Ben believes he’s jinxed and the curse (going back to his failed Mayoral days) and leaves the festival for Leslie’s sake. Eventually the “curse” is lifted, Little Sebastian is found, the power is restored and the viewer feels a sense of optimism about the whole thing.  As usual the Leslie plot was the most entertaining. I really love the build to Leslie and Ben’s eventual relationship. When Ben departed I felt sad for Leslie. Hope those two kids get together soon.

The “B” plot  is dealing with Andy’s reaction to April’s admission that she loves him. I’m really not digging these two as a pairing all that much but I do enjoy Ron playing counselor to them.

Finally the last subplot sees Ann (played by the breathtaking Rashida Jones) deal with her heartbreak last episode. Her solution (encouraged by Donna) was to have a one night stand. It’s a different take for the character and we’ll have to see what comes of that.

Random thoughts:

Ben’s confusion over why Little Sebastian was so loved. Adam Scott is really great.

Ben’s nerdiness showing itself more and more (though Star Wars rules) as well.

I’m enjoying Leslie/Ben but I miss her relationships with the other characters. We haven’t seen her interacting with Ann or Ron that much this year and those relationships are a big part of the heart of the show.