In these “uncertain times” we find that nostalgia is at an all time high. We find that binge watching, watch-alongs, podcasts, etc. have helped us revisit some of our favorite movies and television shows of all-time.
Over the past few weeks the Wonders have reunited to watch That Thing You Do! , Turk and JD (Zach Braff and Donald Faison) started a Scrubs Podcast, and we even got a trailer for a new Saved By the Bell Series (which’ll be on NBC’s Peacock streaming service).
Then seemingly out of nowhere, Amy Pohler announced on social media that we are going to get one more episode of Parks and Recreation featuring the entire cast as they raise money for Feeding America. As I always say during this time, we have to look for all the silver linings we can, and this was a heck of a pleasant surprise.
Paul Rudd, who had a reoccurring role on the series. opened the show as only he can with the perfect mix of comedy and heart. Rudd reminds viewers to donate at FeedingAmerica.org/
A Parks and Recreation Reunion Special is set during present day pandemic (April 2020) the episode is centered around Leslie (Poehler) checking in with everyone from the former Parks Department via a ZOOM-esque phone chain. What’s unique about this is not only the cast being able to film an entire episode of Parks from separate locations, but this episode is actually canon as the episode finds our characters as they would be in 2020. This in some small way even gave me some hope for our future in the real world.
A Parks and Recreation Reunion Special was a love letter to the show featuring classic bits including: Tom’s invention ideas, Johnny Karate, Garry (Gerry) making a fool of himself, and of course references to The Cones of Dunshire. There was a ton of fan service here, but it was very welcome. Nothing but smiles from me.
Outside of every major main character the reunion episode features plenty of cameos from the likes of Perd Hapley, JAMM, Joan (at Home) and more.  We even got to see Tammy Two stalk Ron one more time which was absolutely brilliant since Megan Mullaly is the real-life wife of Nick Offerman. Little things like this make all the difference.
My favorite part of the show was was easily the timely jokes believe it or not. Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) says he has been practicing Social Distancing since he was four. Chris Trigger says he has been giving blood four times a week since he is one of the few perfect specimens on the planet. Also Andy (Chris Pratt) says it’s about time that he starts washing his hands for the first time in his life.
I think we all saw this coming but the show ends with all of the main cast together singing “5,000 Candles in the Wind” in a touching moment. I also very much appreciated the heavy emphasis the show placed on emotional and mental health during this time of quarantine.
In this crazy time in our lives where we are staying at home and scientists are searching for a solution, tonight’s Parks and Recreation Reunion was the perfect medicine we all needed.
A Parks and Recreation Reunion Special will be available to watch on the NBC website and app, as well as on demand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAXAYEFySts
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