Parks and Rec – Can Leslie win her campaign?

by An Nicholson

I wonder if Leslie can win her campaign. This week showed yet ANOTHER folly (albeit incredibly funny) in Leslie’s campaign route.

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TV Shows

Parks and Recreation
- Season 4, Episode 13 - "Bowling for Votes"

Leslie just can’t win with this campaign. There’s the “scandal” of dating another single co-worker (and, you know, bribing stage crew to stay silent), getting dumped by her campaign managers, her disastrous campaign re-launch (which seriously injured a beloved town hero), wasting all of her campaign funds on an ad (she DIDN’T run), and now, Ben punching the sexist anti-Knope at the bowling alley (while the press photographed them making out over the guy’s partially unconscious body).

Because it’s television, I feel Leslie will win. At the same time, it’d be great TV if she didn’t (but had to help whoever did win in the subsequent season). Also, Parks and Recreation has a tendency to portray something most shows don’t: real life (albeit far funnier).

So what do you think?

Additional thoughts:

I loved watching the simultaneous manipulation of April and Leslie: Leslie manipulating jerkface and April manipulating everyone she called. However, I found it interesting that Leslie’s manipulation came from borderline stalking (Facebook friending and detailed profiles) while April’s came from evil.
The press conference felt almost deliberately high school with Leslie declaring her fixation didn’t like her (and she didn’t like him) and then declaring her “boyfriend” would beat up anyone
There are southern people in Pawnee?
I loved Ron’s embarrassment at Tom’s lack of “manly” bowling.
Rob Lowe is so freakishly good-looking and chiselled. However, I still don’t understand his obsession with Jerry’s daughter over Ann.

Photo Credit: Chris Haston/NBC

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Clacked by An Nicholson
on Jan 27, 2012 @ 10:43 EST5EDT

One Response to “Parks and Rec – Can Leslie win her campaign?”

Ryan

February 1, 2012 at 6:20 AM

But if Leslie wins, wouldn’t she have her own office and staff, much as Chris Traeger does? It would be awkward to have her constantly hanging out in the Parks Department instead every episode. I’ve always assumed that this first campaign would be a spectacular flameout for her to overcome in the future.

Also, have they written out Leslie’s mother? I’ve been wondering why she hasn’t had at least one scene with her daughter during the campaign, to talk strategy if nothing else.

As to Chris Traeger, I dunno, maybe it has something to do with not wanting to date a woman so obviously in love with her best friend? Besides, have you seen Millicent Gergich? I’ve liked her since she played Andy Richter’s daughter in Quintuplets.