Parks And Rec’s Iconic Ice Rink Scene Sums Up All 7 Seasons Of The Sitcom

There are such a lot of hilarious moments scattered all through Parks and Recreation, however the sitcom’s best scene completely encompasses the whole story — and that is what makes it so unbelievable. On the floor, Parks and Rec is just like all of the other popular workplace sitcoms. Its earliest imaginative and prescient would have seen it becoming too much like The Office, however fortunately, the creators altered course.

And the NBC sequence’ optimism and spirit is a part of the rationale it stands out. Positive, Parks and Rec has characters who’re disenchanted with working for the federal government, however it additionally facilities on Leslie Knope: somebody who relentlessly pursues her targets, it doesn’t matter what obstacles stand in her approach.

This is a vital component of the present, and it components into its finest scene total. Many agree that Parks and Rec‘s strongest second is its funniest, however its double which means is what elevates it above all the remaining.

Parks And Recreation Season 4’s Ice Rink Scene Is The Finest Second Of The Whole Sitcom

Leslie Knope and her colleagues walking across an ice rink in Parks and Rec
Leslie Knope and her colleagues strolling throughout an ice rink in Parks and Rec

Parks and Recreation season 4 sees Leslie operating for Pawnee Metropolis Council, which seems to be a better race than anybody imagined. In an effort to get folks behind her marketing campaign, Leslie should take part in debates and host occasions. And Parks and Rec season 4, episode 11, “The Comeback Child,” takes Leslie and her staff to an auditorium, the place issues rapidly go awry.

Though Leslie is meant to be talking in a basketball courtroom — one with a ground that is simple sufficient to stroll throughout — April informs her that it has been transformed to an ice-skating rink. With a pink carpet resulting in the stage, this should not be an issue. Nonetheless, Leslie and the gang notice that the carpet would not lengthen all the best way to the stage she’ll be talking from.

This forces the group to stroll throughout the icy ground, resulting in a hilarious and awkward jiffy. As all of them fall and stumble throughout the ice-skating rink, “Get On Your Ft” blares within the background, primarily mocking them. Regardless of the music and Leslie herself taking an upbeat method to the marketing campaign, “The Comeback Child” paints them as comically incompetent. The townspeople’s reactions verify as a lot.

And this awkward scene is well the funniest of Parks and Rec, using the discomfort so many office sitcoms and mockumentaries profit from. The predictable character moments and Leslie needing to be lifted onto the stage make it much more ridiculous. Nonetheless, it isn’t simply the humor that makes this second the sitcom’s most memorable.

The NBC Present’s Ice Rink Scene Is Hilarious, However It Additionally Completely Captures Its Themes

Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) smiling into the distance in Parks and Rec's final scene.
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation last scene 

Along with Parks and Rec season 4’s ice-skating rink being hilarious, it additionally completely captures the themes of the sitcom. That is what makes it one of the best 4 minutes of the whole present, even when choose comedy sequences — the group getting wasted on Snake Juice involves thoughts — do rival it.

At its core, the ice rink scene is a visible illustration of what all of us love about Leslie Knope. Regardless of steadily going through obstacles, she continues to push ahead in direction of her targets. On this case, she retains being knocked down, however she will get again up again and again. Nothing will forestall her from reaching that stage, placing an optimistic spin on this scene (and her character arc generally).

It is also telling that none of Leslie’s pals refuse to accompany her throughout the ice rink. All of them stay by her aspect, even when it means tripping over themselves on the ice — and needing to offer Leslie a leg up once they lastly attain their vacation spot.

With Parks and Rec emphasizing themes of neighborhood and the pursuit of 1’s desires, it is becoming that this scene performs out the best way it does. It permits viewers to look deeper, remodeling a gag into one thing a lot deeper.

The Double That means Of This Parks And Rec Second Is What Makes It Stand Out

Amy Poehler smiling as Leslie Knope while sitting in her office in Parks and Recreation.
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation has extremely comedic moments, and it has satisfying emotional beats, however the NBC sequence blends each of those strengths throughout season 4’s trek throughout the ice rink. That is what units it aside from awkward interactions, like Leslie’s makes an attempt to slot in throughout “Boys Membership,” and extra touching sequences, like Ben and Leslie’s marriage ceremony.

Parks and Recreation summarizes its greatest themes in only a few minutes, driving dwelling messages which are delivered constantly over its seven seasons. That is spectacular, and it makes it even simpler to understand this flip of occasions in season 4 (even when it makes you cringe).


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Launch Date

2009 – 2015

Administrators

Dean Holland, Ken Whittingham, Troy Miller, Craig Zisk, Morgan Sackett, Randall Einhorn, Michael Trim, Nicole Holofcener, Tristram Shapeero, Wendey Stanzler, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Jason Woliner, Charles McDougall, Daniel J. Goor, Nick Offerman, Tucker Gates, Alan Yang, Alex Hardcastle, Jorma Taccone, Seth Gordon, Adam Scott, David Rogers, Jaime Eliezer Karas, Jeffrey Blitz

Writers

Harris Wittels, Aisha Muharrar, Dave King, Katie Dippold, Joe Mande, Megan Amram, Matt Murray, Donick Cary, Mike Scully, Rachel Axler, Alexandra Rushfield, Chelsea Peretti, Matt Hubbard, Greg Levine, Sam Means, Jen Statsky, Emma Fletcher, Rachna Fruchbom, Emily Kapnek, Emily Spivey, Greg Daniels, Tucker Cawley, Nate DiMeo


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