Fresh Off the Boat: Episode 9, Season 1

Fresh Off the Boat: Episode 9, Season 1

Picture Credit: AV Club

"License to Sell"

Synopsis:

Eddie still has a crush on Nicole and asks Louis for advice. He tells him to start going to the places Jessica goes so they can spend time together. Jessica goes to take the real estate license exam after she is asked to show it at an open house where she is intimidated by another woman into abandoning the test. Eddie tries to get close to Nicole by getting thrown into detention. Jessica continues to hide the truth about the exam. Eddie tries to get closer to Nicole by letting her practice her beauty school skills on him by getting his ears pierced. Honey tells Louis about the real estate license exam. Eddie's parents let him realize that he shouldn't change himself to get a girl to like him so he takes out his earring. The episode ends with Jessica passing her exam.

Review:

I liked how the episode's story line did have the point of teaching people to not quit. This episode seemed to have less humor then it normally does and it showed.

MY GRADE: B-

Reviewer's Quotes:

What’s especially rewarding is that she’s able to take and pass the exam after finally opening up to her family about it. She’s able to recognize her weakness and overcome her fear, and that’s what makes her strong. If Fresh Off The Boat could apply this same principle of consistency and surprise to all their characters, they’d have a fully good episode instead of just half of one. - Dan Caffery

Ratings/Share: 1.6/5         Viewers: 4.20 million

Parks and Recreation: Episode 12, Season 7

Parks and Recreation: Episode 12, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"One Last Ride"

Synopsis:

Leslie gets everyone together to reminisce in the parks and rec office. As the usual situation plays out Leslie decides to have them help a Pawnee citizen fix a swing set in one of Pawnee's parks. Flash forward to Seattle 2023 where Donna and Joe are doing well. Donna is reaching out to April at the American Service Foundation to help fund Joe's school with a new program called Teach Yo' Self. Craig ends up happily married to Typhoon. We see April and Andy going through the decision process to have a kid, who is born Burt Snakehole Ludgate Karate Dracula Macklin Demon Jack O'Lantern. Jean-Ralphios future is him and Mona Lisa faking his death to get start up money for an overseas casino.

Gif Credit: dehaanradcliffe tumblr

 

 

 

 Toms future takes a dip with the economy but he rises as a motivational speaker and author. Gary is continually elected as mayor and dies at the age of 100. Ron's future consists of Leslie putting him in charge of the Pawnee National Park. In the future Leslie and Ben try to decide who will run for the governor. Ben decides to let Leslie do it (she becomes a two-time governor). The last episode ends with us seeing the swing set from the beginning of the episode.

Picture Credit: NBC Official Tumblr

Review:

This episode made me so happy and sad. We all knew that the finale was coming but saying goodbye to your favorite characters is hard even with the awesome goodbye they all received.

MY GRADE: A

Reviewer's Quotes:

In Leslie Hope and ragtag band of proximity workplace acquaintances, we are left with a portrait of—to borrow some words our president spoke shortly before Parks premiered—“a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.” And with the finale of Park, we saw what “Winning” really looks like from a truly great sitcom. Unlike Ron Swanson, I’ll be able to hold the smile forever. - Jeff Jenson

Ratings/Share: 1.6/5         Viewers: 4.20 million

Parks and Recreation: Episode 11, Season 7

Parks and Recreation: Episode 11, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"Two Funerals"

Synopsis:

Many changes are happening in Pawnee. Leslie tells everyone she and Ben are moving to DC, Donna and Joe are moving to Seattle, Garry is retiring (again), Tom is going to propose to Lucy, and Mayor Gunderson is dead. As members of Pawnee mourn, Ben must find an interim mayor until elections can be held. At the funeral Ron receives news that Salvatore, his barber, has passed and Ron is devastated. Donna helps him finds a new barber whom he can tolerate.

Gif Credit: I guess I just like liking things Tumblr

Leslie and Tom are off to plan Tom's proposal while Ben looks for an interim mayor. He interviews Bobby Newport, Joan Callamezzo, and many other candidates unfit for the job. Tom ends up scrapping everything Leslie and he planned for a simple proposal which Lucy accepts. Meanwhile Ben has found his perfect candidate, Garry!

Gif Credit: haft just be me Tumblr

  

Review:

This episode made me so happy for Garry! Karma finally paid up for him. They are doing a good job wrapping up side storylines while leaving room for the hour long finale next episode.

MY GRADE: A

Reviewer's Quotes:

It all had satisfying conclusions, there were tons of feel good moments, every cast member got their time to shine, and the sentiment was through the roof. I really think Parks is hitting their high right now, and that stride will literally come at the end of their run. - Jared Russo

Ratings/Share: 1/3         Viewers: 2.47 million

Parks and Recreation: Episode 10, Season 7

Parks and Recreation: Episode 10, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Synopsis:

Andy is hosting his last show as Johnny Karate. The last episode starts out with his guitar being missing. And who's better for the job then Bert Macklin, F.B.I.? April's part of the show is "April's Animal Corner". This week it was supposed to be a Goliath Bird-eating Tarantula, but it escaped! An apparently standard animal loose disclaimer is played and the show goes on. Ron's part of the show is Carpenter Ron, this week Johnny learns how to make a shadow box. Ben is Professor Smartbrain who teaches Johnny how long it takes to get to Pawnee from D.C. Garry shows up as Mailman Barry to deliver fan letters.

Gif Credit: Parks and Recreation Tumblr

Leslie is the part of the show called "Try Something New". She goes through the history of how Andy Dwyer became Johnny Karate. Later in the show they nab the guitar stealer, John Cena. Donna sings "Kung Fu Fighting" as Ron plays his saxophone as Johnny's gi is retired and hung in the rafters and the last Johnny Karate show ends. The spider is found, unfortunately, by John Cena. He escapes it though.

Gif Credit: Parks and Recreation Tumblr

Review:
This episode was great! It showed how much Andy had grown throughout the series. It also brought back some of the local businesses and celebrities through the ads shown on the Johnny Karate show.

MY GRADE: A

Reviewer's Quotes:
While many people might have complained that Chris Pratt was underused this season, obviously due to other contractual obligations he has going on, this episode was a direct, “We know you’ve been missing Andy, so here’s as much Andy as you can possibly have.” -  Kathryn Loper

Ratings/Share: 1.1/3         Viewers: 3.06 million

Parks and Recreation: Episode 9, Season 7

Parks and Recreation: Episode 9, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"Pie-Mary"

Synopsis:

Ben and Leslie decide to skip the candidates' wives pie contest (The Pie-Mary). April breaks the news to Ron that she is going to move to Washington. Ron is frustrated with her continued government work but tells her that she needs to give the spare key to his house back. Opting out of the pie contest is a bad plan it turns out. Reporters focus on her skipping the Pie-Mary and if it's a a statement. She would be the first wife to break tradition. April meanwhile can't find the key because the box she stashed it in has a note "If you are looking for Ron's key, I moved it and you'll never find it." Ron loves puzzles and is going to use the clues in the box to solve the mystery. Ben decides to enter the contest instead of Leslie to avoid making any statement. This causes a men's rights organization, the Male Men, to protest Ben's oppression by Leslie.

Gif Credit: nbcparksandrec

They try to smooth it all over with a press conference that leads with mixed feelings but a big backer for Ben. It turns out that the quest for the key is pointless because Ron changes his locks periodically. April remembers where she left it. She buried the key by a big oak tree because the tree reminded her of Ron, both are strong and quiet and is always there when you need him.

Review:
I loved this episode. Ron and April's friendship has always been one of the more interesting ones in Parks and Rec. They are the ones who like people the least and are the harshest. They're partial goodbye was classic them. Parks and Rec seem to be commenting on the "Menimist" movement that has been happening (on a small scale) on social media sites.

MY GRADE: A

Reviewer's Quotes:
Tonight’s entries are both terrifically funny, and, like “Donna And Joe,” they gain so much vital comedic vitality from all the energy found elsewhere in the storytelling. -  Alasdair Wilkins

Ratings/Share: 1.2/4          Viewers: 2.9 million

Parks and Recreation. Episode 8, Season 7.

Parks and Recreation: Episode 8, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington"

Synopsis:

Ben has figured out that April wants to leave government work and is pressuring April to tell Leslie during their work trip to D.C. While they are away Andy has enlisted the group to find April a new job. One of the main ideas is to have her work with Ron. Who apparently works with his brothers that nobody knew he had. Leslie freaks out April by showing her the binder she made that plans out April's next five years career-wise in the government (it came with matching "Gov Buds for Life" shirts). Ben, Andy, and Ron try Ben's old accounting firm for a job for April next. They try to charm Barney into giving April the job once Andy realizes that the consultant job is for her. Unfortunately they have finished taking applications.

Gif Credit: ilanawexler

 

Meanwhile Leslie is offered a DC job as Deputy Director of Operations. She immediately accepts. When Leslie tells April (who she wants to come to DC with her) about it April snaps and says that she is leaving government work. Leslie doesn't take it well and storms off. Madeline Albright convinces Leslie that she is overlooking April's feelings. Leslie takes April to the American Service Foundation (an organization that pairs people with careers in public service) to have them help April find her new career. It turns out that April wants to work there! Nobody tells Ben, Andy, and Ron this. After Andy scared Barney by approaching him wearing an April mask with fireworks Ben and Ron make a presentation and get Barney to consider meeting with April. That's when they get the call that April got the job in D.C. Awkward...

Review:
This episode seemed to just be to move the minor plot (April's job choice) along. The only major plot point they touch is Leslie taking the job in D.C., but not much time was spent on it. I did love the part with Ron's brothers though.

MY GRADE: B-

Reviewer's Quotes:
The first half hour of P&R made for great TV. It actually wound up giving April a whole new direction in life that makes sense for her character and also promoted Leslie to a new power position in the nation’s capital. This season is doing a fantastic job in setting up the futures for these characters throughout the season instead of just finishing everyone’s arc in the series finale like most shows. -  Tajaye Williams

Ratings/Share: 1.1/3          Viewers: 3.06 million

Parks and Recreation: Episode 7, Season 7

Parks and Recreation: Episode 7, Season 7

Picture Credit: NBC

"Donna and Joe"

Synopsis:

Donna and Joe's wedding is approaching. April is the maid of honor and her main job is to keep Donna's family in line. The Meagle's hold grudges and start fights wherever they go. Lucy gets freaked out by Ron telling her that Tommy said that he would marry her tomorrow. Jenn Barkley, a high powered Washington player, shows up at Leslie and Ben's door after they've been dodging her calls. She wants Ben to run for Congress. Ben can't decide what he wants. Craig is taking no prisoners as the wedding planner.

Gif Credit: PhD in TV Watching

April is shutting down the Meagle family drama like a drill sergeant while Ron tries to clean up his Lucy blunder. Ben is seeing if he would be a congressmen so he tries to give a toast at the rehearsal dinner. In the morning he realizes that he drunkenly told Jenn he would run.

Gif Credit: Stuff That is Trending Tumblr

Before the wedding starts Ron forces Lucy and Tom to fix their problems. Ben gets ambushed by reporters and gives a great speech about running for Congress. Donna misses the Meagle drama so April releases the crazy. Also Terry/Jerry/Garry is finally going to be called by his real name, Larry. Her estranged brother appears to yell about a feud over a microwave.

 Gif Credit: PhD in TV Watching Tumblr

Review:
The episode was "meh" for Parks and Rec. I feel like there was so much they could do with Donna's wedding. Instead they tried to shove so many extra things in that many opportunities were lost. Donna's family is a goldmine that they did not utilize! While I appreciate QuestLove playing her estranged brother I wanted to know more. The same sentiment applies to Craig's position as the wedding planner. The time hop wasn't referenced as much in this episode as well. The best part of the episode? Ben and Leslie's pajamas. They match and the shirts say "Willy Wonka and the Policy Factory".

Pic Credit: Confessions of a Pawnee Citizen Tumblr

MY GRADE: B

Reviewer's Quotes:
"Donna and Joe" not only brought everyone together for one event, but it opened up a whole new seasonal story with Ben's congressional run. There's been a lot of campaigning on this series so I hope the show finds a way to keep it fresh." - Matt Fowler, IGN

Ratings/Share: 1.2/4               Viewers: 3.45 Million