I just recently started binge watching Parks and Recreation for the 7th time…or probably more. Each episode has its amazing life lessons that you can learn from. I just finished season 1 and here is the first half of the season with things you can learn. Now when you do watch this (this is a fact) the first season might be dry…it is ok. This was during the phase of this show being the spinoff of The Office, but thankfully season 2 goes its own amazing pace and Leslie’s true character is shown (which I can’t wait to talk about). With that being said, let's dig into these amazing life lessons.
Episode 1: Leslie Knope is Determined
The first couple of seconds in this episode you see Leslie is determined in everything she does even getting a homeless man out of a slide. She also shows this when everyone is yelling at her (which she calls caring loudly) until Ann Perkins (she is amazing) asks Leslie to fill in the pit next to her house. Leslie, who is just amazing and such decides to fulfil Ann’s problem. Then Leslie is determined to get Ron (her boss) to approve the subcommittee so she can do this.
What you can learn from this episode is that if you care about something and you fight hard for it then you will get what you want it. It is an amazing feeling and it showcases the passion you have for something. Leslie has a passion for her job and she shows that so much in this episode and the series. She makes simple boring tasks fun and enjoyable to watch.
Highlight of Episode: Leslie Falling into the Pit
Episode 2: Things May Not Go Your Way
Leslie has her subcommittee approved and she now has her first town hall meeting to turn the pit into a park. She is all excited about this and she even goes canvassing to gain support of filling in the pit and turning it to a park…sadly it goes unsuccessful, but Leslie still has hope…till the meeting. During the meeting everything falls apart and people did not really want a park in that pit. To ensure this project doesn’t get cancelled Leslie filibustered her own meeting resulting in her to keep her project, but moral was low in everyone, but her since she is happy to have hosted her first subcommittee meeting.
What you can learn from this episode is that things will not go your way all the time. I have experience this personally. My first time doing something and it failed completely. I felt like crap and I wanted to quit because I didn’t want to fail again…well I kept on going and I now enjoy it. You just have to learn from the bad and enhance the good. Leslie did that by not giving up on a failed first meeting and same goes to you in whatever you do in life. If all else fails…read a children’s book…that is what she did.
Highlight of the Episode: Everyone ditching Leslie to play Rock Band/ Tom forgetting to hide Easter Eggs in the Easter Egg Hunt.
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Episode 3: It is Ok if Your Friends Don’t Believe in You
In this episode Leslie has her first interview for the upcoming park. Leslie is really excited, but sadly everything flops. She finds out that Andy was drunk when he fell in the pit (the victim of the reason why Ann wanted the Pit filled) and plus Ann was on the pill (it was a big deal). Leslie had to get help from Mark (she slept with him 6 years ago) and he did some magic aka use his good looks to seduce the reporter and yeah… Near the end of the episode Leslie finds out that Mark doesn’t believe the pit will get filled in and Leslie is really upset. She confronts him and they talk and everything is ok.
What you can learn is that sometimes your friends may not support you in your projects. Part of that is ok because they might not see what is inside your amazing head. That is the one thing about Leslie I love is that her passion is strong and she tries her best to get all of the people she cares for to love what she loves as well (it happens eventually). When you are doing something you love sometimes your friends may not always be there and it is ok. I like to go to spin class on Monday’s, but none of my friends go with me because they just can’t handle the butt sores or are allergic to exercise. I still love them and if the zombie apocalypse happens, their lazy butts will get eaten while I will survive…hopefully.
Highlight: Leslie Haunted by a Cartoon Penis...she was determine to remove it.
Overall so far what you have learned from Leslie Knope is that she is determined, things may not always work out from what you expect, and sometimes you might be your only supporter in something you believe in. Next time we will finish the season up and get ready for season 2 where all the magic beings in this show.
