“Parks and Recreation” has returned, and it’s funnier, more endearing and somehow more relatable than ever. Armed with the same cast but fresh with new material, this show is certain to end with a bang. Season 7 is airing in pairs of episodes, one pair showing each week. Last Tuesday, “2017” and “Ron and Jammy” kicked off the show’s return, starting a wild ride for the 3.7 million viewers that tuned in to the premiere.
The show begins three years from where it left off: Leslie (Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live”) works for the National Park Service and has triplets with Ben (Adam Scott, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”). Tom (Aziz Ansari, “Ice Age: Continental Drift”) has just started his bistro and Ron (Nick Offerman, “We’re the Millers”) has his sights set on something new, which may or may not include the return of ambiguous company, Gryzzl.)Andy (Chris Pratt, “Guardians of the Galaxy”) and April (Aubrey Plaza, “Safety Not Guaranteed”) are still delightfully horrifying and hilarious at once. Donna (Retta, “Fracture”) is still living the covert, lavish lifestyle. Lastly, Gary/Jerry/Larry/Terry (Jim O’Heir, “Accepted”) is still making mistakes. “2017” is shaping up to be a big year for the crew, making 2015 a big year for the viewing audience.
What can viewers expect this season? Try an Andy and April adult-life crisis, a new (yet familiar) rival for Leslie and a developing love life for Tom. Leslie and Ben will presumably struggle with their triplets, who we (sadly) did not see in the first two episodes. The conflict of Leslie spearheading a park campaign and raising children at the same seems to have taken the backburner during the premiere, but will undoubtedly become a focus in future episodes.
This season will probably target relationship developments and tie up loose ends in preparation for what will hopefully be a satisfying finish for the series. It will be a challenge to honor the integrity of all the characters, but with six seasons of experience behind them, the writers will assuredly reach this goal.
Comedic quality has neither decreased nor increased, but has stayed consistent with the quirky and sometimes dry humor that the audience loves. Leslie has traditionally been one of the funniest characters, and once again shines through in the initial two episodes. Andy and April, a pair that are known for their opposing personalities but incredible compatibility, were just as funny as they have been the past six seasons. Ron and Tom, however, seem to lack in their usual hilarity; they both deliver a few funny one-liners, but their comedic pace should pick up again once the show develops.
With some familiar tropes —like the return of Ron’s ex-wife Tammy One (Megan Mullally, “Will and Grace”), Tom’s self-absorption and Andy’s Johnny Karate gig—the show remains enough like the original “Parks and Recreation” that we know and love to feel comforting, but shifts around what seem to be concrete relationships and department duties in order to keep viewers on their toes.
With new lands within reach, Amy Poehler will lead “Parks and Recreation” to a glorious, hilarious end. Will April and Andy find their inner children again? Will Leslie win the land for a new park? Will Tom find love? Tune in next Tuesday to find out.
