Season 4 Eps 1 - 11: Val and Priscila

Reflections:

(Valerie)(1-5)

When I watched the fourth season of Parks and Recreation the main opposition was the battle between Hero vs. Villain. A commonality between episodes 1-5, is Leslie taking the role of being a hero by inserting herself in certain situations with a mission to win but fails due to the Villain's interference. This usually results in her leaving town and coming back feeling different. What I mean by feeling different is that she leaves with a certain mentality and comes back to Pawnee with a clear head or fresh perspective. In a way, she doesn't return to be the same person.

Examples of this includes episode one as she leaves Pawnee to go to Ron's cabin to run away from her decision on whether or not she was going to break up with Ben. Ron (her helper) gives her advice that she should learn to confront her situation. She returns to Pawnee with new perspective and confronts her conflict head on.

Another is in episode three when Leslie travels to Eagleton to get her birth certificate to see whether she is born in Pawnee or not. It turns out she was (born in Eagleton), so when she returns, she confronts Joan (the villain) and says that her love of the town isn't determined where she is from but what she associates herself with.

In a way, Leslie has to fail first, leave, and once she returns, she wins. That is the main similarity between all five episodes and shows the only way Leslie can win is if she leaves the city that makes her the happiest, regroups somewhere else, and returns to beat her opposer. BUT Leslie isn't alone when she does this.

When Leslie leaves, who does she go to? She goes to her helper or leaves with her helper. This shows that Leslie is only as strong as the actors who give her support. When she leaves in episode one, she leaves and gets advice from Ron and returns with him. In episode two, Leslie leaves to retrieve Ron's mother to help her get rid of Tammy 1. Even when she goes to Eagleton, she is accompanied by Chris and Andy. Leslie is never alone. She needs these helpers to keep assisting so she can win towards the end of the plot.

Yes, the main opposition is Hero vs. Villain. The villain's role is putting pressure on Leslie and pushes the narrative along because if it wasn't for the villain, Leslie wouldn't leave town, get help, and win. No. She would be stuck, all the time. Leslie needs challenges because it is in her DNA sequence that she is meant to fight through with her strong personality. The Villain brings the best out of Leslie.

This narrative is like a common fairy tale when the villain comes, and hero must go on a quest to achieve knowledge in order to defeat the villain. Very clever.

(Priscila )(6-11)

Before starting this project and embarking on the journey of analyzing a sitcom, I had already watched Parks and Rec before but only to binge watch. The characters all seemed to add a little to each episode, and I had not realized how the show mainly focuses on the hero's ( Leslie's ) fails and triumphs. Prior to analyzing the show and characters I had not realized that Leslie has a problem of keeping separate her personal and professional life separate. Right away after having watched episodes six through eleven of season four, the clear main opposition that stood out was the personal vs. professional relationship.

Shortly after our hero had to give up her personal relationship so that her professional career could thrive she struggles with both her professional and personal relationship with Ben soon after. We can see good examples in episode six where our hero realizes that it is hard to continue a friendly relationship when the other person does not want to keep being friendly and wants to be strictly professional. Another side to the Professional aspect of a relationship is more visible in episode ten when our hero's worst fear came true, Leslie's campaign managers quit after Ben and Leslie went public with their relationship, and her poll numbers took a toll.

But when our hero decides to keep her personal and professional life separate, she ends up failing even with the help of her co-workers/friends. which so happens in episode 11. Our hero knew that if she mixed both her professional and personal life again, she would have another disaster like when her campaign managers quit. But in the end, she has no choice but to combine her personal and professional life and ask Ben to help manage her campaign trail.

Main Opposition(Valerie): Hero vs. Villain

This is a common opposition throughout the season as the hero (typically Leslie) inserts herself into different situations that gets stopped or further complicated by the villain. The DNA sequences follows the hero as she struggles to win but fails due to the Villain's intervention. The Hero then leaves town and returns to defeat the Villain after getting support from her helpers. This common opposition transgresses the plot further and showcases Leslie's characteristics that wouldn't be observed if it wasn't for the Villain intervening. This opposition is important because it show Leslie's endurance in her tasks and displays her love of Pawnee.

Main Opposition(Priscila):Personal vs. Professional

Another opposition that is prevalent in this season is our hero fighting to keep her personal and professional life from clashing.In the DNA sequences we can see both the hero and the helper (who sometimes turns out to be the false helper) struggle with their tumultuous relationship.We can see in this opposition how hard it is for the hero to struggle between the boundaries of having a good personal relationship but also keeping her professional career afloat.

Narrative DNA 1-5 (Valerie):

  • Hero gets presented with an opportunity
  • Hero Plans
  • Villain blocks Hero
  • Hero fails
  • Hero leaves
  • Hero returns
  • Villain Fails
  • Hero wins

Episode Analysis

1-5= Valerie

6-11= Priscila

Season 4 Episode 1:

Plot Summery:

Leslie has to make the decision on whether to continue her relationship with Ben or to run for mayor of Pawnee as she approached to be a good candidate. She goes through the episode by lying and preventing herself to face the decision, causing Ben to feel confused. While this is going on there was a picture that was sent to everyone that was highly inappropriate (dick Pic) and tries to find the person. Once, they do Anne gives a diagnosis, leading everyone to send them their own personal pictures to see if there is anything wrong. Ron is hiding in the woods from Tammy 1 but comes back after Leslie runs to him, asking for advice on how to deal with Ben. They both return with Tammy ! coming into the picture.

Oppositions:

Hero vs. Villain (Leslie vs. Government)

Personal vs. Professional (Leslie wanting to be with Ben vs. Leslie running for Mayor, which means she will have to break up with Ben)

Actors:

Hero: Leslie

Helper: Chris/ Ann (with Leslie)

Sequence of Narrative Actions:

Hero gets presented an opportunity ( Leslie is chosen to be a great candidate for Mayor of Pawnee)

Hero Plans (Leslie starts preparing to be Mayor)

Hero with personal conflict (Leslie realizes she must break up with Ben to continue her election process)

Hero goes to Helper (Leslie goes to Ann for advice)

Hero succeeds (for now) (Leslie decides to still stay with ben by keeping it a secret-making her have both opportunities)

Hero conflicted (Leslie starts to feel guilty lying about Ben being in her life.)

Hero leaves (Leslie runs away to Ron's cabin in the woods)

Helper 2 (Ron) helps Hero (Ron give advice to Leslie)

Hero returns (Leslie goes back to Pawnee with Ron to face her situation)

Hero Fails (Leslie chooses to pursue running for Mayor, breaking up with Ben)

Hero gets help from helpers (Leslie gains support from her colleagues)

Conflict arises with Helper 2 ( Ron is face to face with Tammy 1)


Season 4 episode 2:

Plot Summery:

Once Tammy ! comes into the picture, she threatens Ron to be with her by exposing his tax evasion. Leslie helps Ron but quickly gets dismissed as Ron becomes puddy in Tammy 1 hands. He becomes the exact opposite of who he is: clean cut, polo shirts, and a friendly, submissive exterior. This further motivates Leslie to push Tammy 1 out of Ron's life so she goes to Tammy 2 for help but gets declined. After she leaves to Pawnee to retrieve Ron's mother, who is also named Tammy. They bring her back and this results in a Mexican showdown to see who can drink the Swanson family liquor the most. The two get at it and decide whoever wins gets to keep Ron, prompting Leslie to join so she can have Ron stay at the department. All three are growing wary, especially Leslie, and this leads Ron to intervene and decides to break up with Tammy 1 and continue working for the department.

Opposition:

Hero vs. Villain (Leslie vs. Tammy 1)

Actors:

Hero: Leslie

Helper: Ron's mom

Villain: Tammy 1

Sequence of Narrative Actions:

Hero is presented with opportunity (Leslie is asked for help by Ron with his taxes before Tammy 1 gets to them)

Hero plans (Leslie gathers everyone to help Ron)

Villain blocks Hero (Tammy 1 intervenes and persuades Ron to be with her)

Princess is in trouble (Ron is Tammy 1's puppet and has lost his identity)

Hero fails (Leslie tries to get Ron to leave Tammy 1 but isn't successful, tries to recruit Tammy 2 but fails)

Hero leaves (Leslie goes to get Ron's mom to help her out)

Helper helps Hero (Leslie talks Ron's mom into the situation)

Hero returns( She brings Ron's mom to face Tammy 1)

Hero fails (Leslie gets drunk off the liquor)

Princess defeats Villain (Ron snaps out of his trans and chugs the rest of the bottle, winning the stand-off)

Villain leaves (Tammy 1 goes away)


Season 4 Episode 3:

Plot Summary:

Leslie spontaneously writes a book about the history of Pawnee. She is very excited and get invited to go on Joan Callamezzo's show where she hopes to get her book approved by her since every book she approves becomes a bestseller. Once Leslie goes on the show, she is accused of having false information which leads to a popular "GOTCHA" moment. Leslie recruits everyone to search her book to see if there are any discrepancies in her writing but no one finds anything. Instead, it turns out that Leslie is accused of not being born in Pawnee. Leslie goes to her mother who confirms that she was born in their rival town, Eagleton. She travels to Eagleton to see her birth certificate, which she discovers is true. She goes on the show again to say that she is not technically born in Pawnee but this small fact doesn't eliminate any love she has for the town and its people. Towards the end, Joan rewards Leslie with her seal of approval.

Opposition:

Hero vs. Villain (Leslie vs. Joan)

Actors:

Hero: Leslie

Helper: Andy, Tom, and Chris

Villain: Joan

Sequence of Narrative Actions:

Hero presented with opportunity (Leslie is offered a spot on Joan's show)

Villain blocks Hero ( Joan doesn't give Leslie her sticker because there is a discrepancy)

Hero plans (Leslie has everyone go through the book to see if she made a mistake)

Hero fails (Leslie is told her is born in Eagleton)

Hero asks for help (Leslie asks for the help of Andy, Tom, and Chris)

Helpers try to persuade Villain (The three men try to persuade Joan to change her mind)

Hero leaves (Leslie leaves with Chris and Andy to travel to Eagleton)

Hero return ( Leslie comes back to Pawnee in disbelief)

Helper gives motivational speech to Hero ( Christ tells Leslie it doesn't matter where she was born but whether she truly cares about her community or not)

Hero gets inspired ( Leslie gains confidence and goes back on the show)

Hero confront Villain (Leslie gives a nice speech on the show and says where she is from shouldn't matter)

Hero wins (Leslie get the stamp of approval for her book)


Season 4 Episode 4:

Plot Summery:

Leslie takes over the girl scouts whil Ron does the same for the boy scouts. Both show different method os leading the kids. Leslie tends to give awards for everything while Ron makes the boys work under difficult situations. The two groups head out for a camping weekend. Leslie recruits Ann for help and everyone has a good time, prompting Leslie to brag to Ron and harass him to admit that her group is better. Ron get slowly annoyed at her but refuses to give her the benefit, despite his members growing weary with the tasks presented. Soon the boys want to join the girl scouts resulting in a debate whether the boys should be allowed to join. Soon Ron is left by himself, he even admits defeat, making Leslie feel guilty. One everyone comes back, Leslie puts an ad out for Ron leading a new group of hard kids who enjiy everything he like to do. This makes Ron smile.

Opposition:

Hero vs. Villain (Ron vs. Leslie)

Actors:

Hero: Ron and

Villain: Leslie

Helper: Ann

Sequence of Narrative Actions:

Hero gets opportunity (Ron takes over the boy scouts)

Villain challenges hero (Leslie mocks and challenges Ron to see what group is better)

Hero and Villain leaves (Ron and leslie leave to go on the camping trip)

Hero Fails ( Ron looses his boys as they join Leslie's group)

Villain is conflicted (Leslie feels bad about what she did to Ron)

Hero and Villain return (Leslie and Ron return to Pawnee)

Hero wins (Leslie forms a group for Ron who share his similar interest, making him happy)


Season 4 Episode 5:

Plot Summary:

Leslie hos ta meeting that will have all the small businesses in Pawnee gather to gain their support for her candidacy. She hires Tom to help her as he is the co-owner of his own business, Entertainment 720, that advertises others. Once the day comes, she is shocked to see the whole room is just advertisements for Tom's business, rather than herself. She confronts Tom and the two continue the day arguing. This leads to Leslie firing Tom and him confiding in her that his company is bankrupt, having Leslie sympathize with him. The two forgive each other and Tom shows a video he made for her.

Opposition:

Hero vs. False Hero (Leslie vs. Tom)

Actors:

Hero: Leslie, Ron

False hero: Tom

Sequence of Narrative Action:

Hero Plans (Leslie gets ready for the small businesses)

False hero helps Hero (Tom offers his assistance)

False Hero blocks Hero (Leslie is frustrated with Tom and what he did)

Hero challenges False Hero (Leslie tells Tom he has to fix everything)

False hero fails ( Tom ends up getting fired from helping Leslie)

Hero is conflicted (Leslie feels bad)

Hero comforts villain (Leslie gives comfort to Tom)

False hero turns helper (Tom starts to help Leslie)

Hero gets motivated (Leslie gets motivated from Toms video)

S4 Episode 6 End of The World

Summary:

-Tom & Jean Ralphio close E720 but decide to throw lavish party for the end of the world.End of the World Doomsday Cult throws event at park.April encourages Andy to do everything on his Bucket list.Leslie & Ben have awkward relationship because of their breakup.Ben wishes they not spend a lot of time being together.Ron sells flutes to cult and gives advice to Leslie.

Opposition:

  1. Insider vs. Outsiders (Leslie vs. Doomsday cult)
  2. professional vs. personal (Leslie's friendship with Ben vs. Ben not wanting to be friends anymore)
  3. Ethical vs. Unethical (Leslie forcing Ben to hang out with her vs. Ben wishing to keep their relationship professional)

Actors:

Hero:

  • Leslie

Helpers:

  • Ron
  • Chris
  • Ann

Villain:

  • Shauna Malwae-Tweep

Narrative sequence

  1. Hero gets warned( Zorp believers tell her end of the world)
  2. Hero plans (Leslie plans on going to the park with Ben to monitor the event)
  3. Hero gets rejected(Ben tells Leslie he does not want to keep working together)
  4. Villain blocks Hero (Shauna asks Leslie if Ben is single)
  5. Hero Fails(Leslie fails at getting Ben and her to spend more time together)
  6. Hero gets advice(Ron gives Leslie some advice)

Episode 7 The Treaty

Summary:

Leslie is enlisted into running the model U.N. assembly for the local High School and also enlists the help of Ben and also April and Andy.Ron offers Tom old job back and Tom agrees to help him find his replacement.Chris tries to find out why Millicent hasn't returned his calls.Leslie gets bombarded with her campaign managerial duties and makes Ben upset because she was not paying attention to the Model U.N. Ben decides to act separately while Leslie is occupied which Leads Leslie to get upset and Declares war on Peru (Ben). Leslie ends up getting kicked out from the model U.N. after ruining it.April gives Leslie advice about Ben and then tells her to talk to Ben.Ann tells Chris why they ended up breaking up.Ron confronts Tom about seeing him spraying cologne samples at Macy's and Tom agrees to take his old job back.

Oppositions:

  1. Professional vs. Unprofessional( Leslie running for office makes her have to act professional and focus more on her campaign vs. Her deteriorating close relationship with Ben)
  2. ethical vs. unethical (Leslie has to run the model UN while also promote her campaign vs. Leslie getting upset with Ben and declaring war)

Hero:

  • Leslie

2)Helpers:

  • Ben
  • Ann
  • April
  • Andy
  • Donna
  • Jerry
  • Tom

Villain/False helper:

  • Ben

Sequence:

  • Hero Plans(Leslie plans the model UN event)
  • Hero executes (Leslie with help of others is running the model UN.)
  • False helper blocks( Ben blocks Leslie from treaty)
  • Hero Fails (Leslie gets kicked out of the model U.N.)

Episode 8 Smallest Park

Summary:

Leslie with the help of Ben an Chris are building a very small park.Ron and April are helping Andy enroll into classes at community college.Ben tells Leslie he does not want to work for the Parks department anymore.Tom and Jerry are designing a new font for the Parks Department.Ron helps Andy out by helping him pay for college and helping him choose challenging interesting classes.Leslie forces Ben to continue getting involved with her by dragging the smallest park committee. Ben gets upset with Leslie because he knows that she keeps dragging the park business.Ann persuades Ben to talk Leslie about their relationship.

Oppositions:

  1. Professional vs. personal: (Leslie wants to continue working with Ben vs. Ben thinking it is unprofessional that they continue to work together because of their romantic past)
  2. Ethical Vs. Unethical:(Leslie knows she has to respect Ben's wishes about not spending time together vs. Leslie refusing to let Ben work elsewhere)

Villain:

  • Ben
  • Chris

Helper:

  • Ann
  • Ron

Sequence:

  • Hero Plans(Leslie is planning to create the worlds smallest park)
  • Villain Blocks(Ben tells Leslie he does not want to work with her anymore)
  • Hero ignores advice(Ann tries telling Leslie to not pester Ben).
  • Hero apologizes (Leslie apologizes to Ben for forcing to keep working together)

Episode 9 The trial of Leslie Knope:

Summary:

Ben and Leslie confess to Chris about their relationship which lead to them getting investigated.Chris brings in very good witnesses to the case.Leslie knows she can counter act whatever Chris has planned and gets helped by her co workers for evidence.Chris brings in the ultimate witness adding trouble for both Ben and Leslie.Ben ends up resigning and Leslie gets suspended for two weeks.

Opposition:

  1. Personal vs. Professional:(Leslie and Ben have to face the consequences of their romantic relationship vs. Chris reminding Leslie how to act more professional)

Helpers:

  • Ann
  • Andy
  • April
  • Donna
  • Ron

Villain:

  • Chris

Sequence:

  • Hero reveals secret (Leslie and Ben finally tell Chris that they where secretly dating)
  • Hero gets questioned
  • Hero plans( Leslie enlists a plan to get information on witnesses)
  • Villain blocks hero (Chris brings in the worker that Ben and Leslie payed off)
  • Hero gets helped(Ben resigns so that Leslie wouldn't have to be fired)

Episode 10 Citizen Knope:

Leslie is trying to cope with being suspended from work and Ben starts looking for a job.The rest of the friends are trying to create the perfect Christmas gift for Leslie.Leslie creates a group called PCP which helps bring awareness to things that are wrong in the community.Ben decides not to get new accounting job.Leslie finds out that her poll numbers are low.Leslie's campaign managers quit and her co workers later decide to help her.

Oppositions:

  1. Personal vs. Professional:(Both Leslie and Ben are trying to figure out how to move forward with their relationship now that they don't hide in secret vs. Leslie is worried about her job and her lowering campaign numbers)

Actors:

Hero:

  • Leslie

Helper:

  • Ann

Villains:

  • Campaign managers
  • Chris

Sequence:

Sequence:

  • Hero plans (Leslie gets idea for PCP)
  • Hero assembles (Leslie gets community members to join PCP)
  • Hero executes plan(Leslie along with members of PCP hold a meeting with Jerry and Donna)
  • Villain blocks hero (Jerry + Donna )
  • Helper agrees to participate
  • Hero fails.


Episode 11 The Comeback Kid:

Summary:

Leslie makes Ann her official campaign manager.Andy and April adopt a dog.Team tries but fails to make the rally a success.Chris notices that Ben is depressed and tries to make him realize it. Everybody screws up their jobs and the rally fails miserably.Ann gets fired as campaign manager and Ben becomes the new campaign manager.

Oppositions:

  1. Personal vs. Professional(Leslie refuses to make Ben her campaign manager because of their romantic relationship)

Hero:

  • Leslie

Helpers:

  • Everyone
  • Chris

False helper:

  • Jerry
  • Pete Disellio

Sequence:

  • Hero plans( Leslie decides who gets to be her campaign manager)
  • Hero assembles (Leslie gets assigns everybody tasks for rally)
  • Hero asks helper to assist(Leslie asks Pete Disellio to help persuade towns people)
  • Villain blocks hero (Pete Disellio refuses to dunk the basketball)
  • Helper agrees to help (Pete Disellio agrees to dunk)
  • Hero Fails (Campaign rally goes horribly wrong)
  • Hero enlists help of new helper (Leslie asks Ben to be her new Campaign rally)