The season where we learn that tortillas are actually bean blankets; the season where Li’l Sebastian turns into 5,000 Candles in the Wind. How could you not love season three of the famously hilarious Parks and Recreation?
The start of the season, premiering in January of 2011, has hysterical plots that you don’t often see in television comedy. At the beginning, Chris and Ben are still in Pawnee with the looming budget crisis for the parks. We see Chris and Anne’s relationship bloom, a Romeo and Juliet type of love from Ben and Leslie, Ron dealing with his past women (again), and Andy and April making things a little too serious. Also, you have Tom building his brand, Donna treating herself, and of course, Jerry just being Jerry. Here is why season three of Parks and Recs is the best.
Episode 2 — Flu Season
It's not that I don't trust Ben. It's that I don't have faith in Ben. And also I'm starting to forget who Ben is.
— Leslie
The first amazing episode in this gem of a season is the second one. When Chris’ “finely-tuned” microchip of a body finally collapses into a fit of the flu, it is up to Anne to take care of him in the hospital. Fortunately, Chris isn’t alone and is joined by Leslie and April in the care of Anne. This episode centers around Leslie stealing everyone’s medicine to feel good enough to go to a press conference — “disappearing into that hole in the wall.”
Episode 7 — Harvest Festival
Li'l Sebastian made his debut at the last Harvest Festival in 1987 and he was an instant phenomenon. For the next few years, Sebastian was the #1 boys name in Pawnee and the #3 girls name.
— Leslie
This episode is where we meet the Pawnee celebrity, Li’l Sebastian. The miniature horse that has stolen the hearts of all the Pawnee townspeople, even the tough stone-cold Ron Swanson. Leslie arranges for Li’l Sebastian to appear at the Harvest Festival, where everyone’s jobs are on the line. This episode is full of missing miniature horses, Native American curses, and “awesome sauce” I-love-you’s.
Episode 9 — Andy and April’s Fancy Party
I want to spend the rest of my life, every minute, with you. And I'm the luckiest man in the galaxy.
—Andy
How could you not like an episode that starts with Ron Swanson pulling out his own aching tooth with a pair of pliers at a meeting? Yet, it gets even better. Andy and April invite everyone to a dinner party where it is soon revealed that it is their wedding. Of course, it’s a wedding of Indianapolis Colts jerseys, dogs, and high fives. It’s romantic and I hope my wedding is based on this fictional scene one day.
Episode 10 — Soulmates
— Tom
This could possibly be my favorite Parks and Recreation episode ever. The basic summary of this episode is: Leslie is devastated when Ben rejects her date suggestion, so she decides to try a dating site with the help of Anne. Surprisingly, she matches with the Tom Haverford. They go on a date and it is the best encounter on the show. Tom is full-speed talking about eggs as pre-birds, while Leslie is just a “yellow haired female that likes waffles and news.” Meanwhile, Chris and Ron have a hamburger-making contest — meat verses vegetable.
Episode 13 — The Fight
I want this night to get krazy. Get me a shot of snake juice. I hear it has a dope aftertaste.
— Ron
The first major fight between best friends, Leslie and Anne, make for a climatic night at the Snakehole Lounge Bar. Along with the arguing friends, Ron, Andy, April, Jerry, and Ben all try Tom’s deadly new drink, “Snake Juice.” Needless to say, the evening turns into a wild scene, where the documentary style filming sets the audience up for endless laughs.
Episode 16 — Li’l Sebastian
I have cried twice in my life. Once when I was seven and I was hit by a school bus. And then again when I heard that Li'l Sebastian had passed.
— Ron
Ending the season with a bang, the park people of Pawnee organize a memorial for the beloved miniature horse, Li’l Sebastian, whom we met earlier this season. Li’l Sebastian bonded the small town of Pawnee, Indiana, in ways that outsiders like Chris and Ben could never understand. According to Ron Swanson, the mini horse even had a degree from Notre Dame and his favorite charity was the Afghan Institute of Learning. How could we not love this horse? The memorial goes off with some errors, due to Ben and Leslie sneaking around behind Chris’ back, but it was still beautiful and inspiring. But, don’t get too sad everyone. Li’l Sebastian traded his legs for angels wings in horsey heaven.
If you don’t want to dedicate all your time to engulf yourself in the best television show to ever air, at least, take the time to watch the best six episodes!
