# Parks and Recreation (9/17) "Pawnee Zoo" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 18, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611 "2009-09-18T17:04:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/1 "2009-09-18T17:04:57Z")
Ok, so there’s a thread for both “ **The Office** ” and “ **Community** ”, so why not? I was wondering if the writers would try to flesh out the characters and plotlines a little more than last season, and I think they did with this episode. I think only time will tell, (for me), if it will actually work, however I’m happy they’re attempting to do so. The episode hardly referenced ‘The Pit’ they were trying to make into a children’s park. Which, (as stupid as it sounds), seems like a nice little thread to drag out, while Leslie deals with some other her responsibilities and life situations. Kind of like what they’re, (_of course_), doing with romances on the show. One think I’m not sure I liked was Ann’s apparent acceptance of Mark in the way way that it may lead to more that being ‘friends’. I was so happy with her response to his advances in last season’s closer. The guy didn’t even know she was at odd’s with Andy. Yes, that episode showed a bit of a ‘venerable loneliness’ he felt being there and the only one who was alone, but that was a dick thing to do. And she had THE BEST response to it. As I said before, Ron’s the most ‘likeable’ male character at this time, imo, (by the way, Ron’s an awesome character period, and there wasn’t much of him last night). Though they seem to be trying to hint at making Mark, (_and Andy_) ‘grow up’ a little. And he’s had a few months, (unobserved), to change while recovering from the fall. Leslie seems to be ‘evolving’ too. I’m not sure if it’s \*‘better’ \*than Michael Scott, but she seems to be veering from ‘The Offices’ lead character a little. She still seems a little slapstick. I’m still on board though. I’m happy they’re stretching things a bit. I hope it’s a good season. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/2 "2009-09-18T17:29:19Z")
Oh, one thing that was way too ‘Out-There’ for me was her taking the penguins himself to wherever it was she was going, so they could be legally married. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/3 "2009-09-18T17:40:07Z")
I loved the gay guys’ big KNOPE poster with Leslie’s face Obamized. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/4 "2009-09-18T17:52:35Z")
Yes, there’s so much more I wanted to mention but forgot about, that was one. Also, My original post, before I edited it, claimed that in the beginning of the episode; “she was ‘free-styling’, and though it was corny, it was something Michael Scott wouldn’t ever be able to do with rhythm or finding words that rhyme with each other… as an example of her departure from being almost his female counterpart.” Turns out that was the Will Smith song; _‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’_. I’m still watching it for a second time as I post this, but the one thing that stuck out the most was when she was on the talk show, saying; “This is why people don’t get into politics, I bust my ass for the people in this city, and I can’t win” Too bad _EVERY caller was asking her for her resignation. Wouldn’t they patch through someone who would take her side? She was with Tom… the host couldn’t cut her some slack? I’m thinking this has potential to be more slapstick or sitcom-esc than_ The Office \*\*since it’s not a confined area with a bunch of skew-balls, but reaches out to the general public to play the same part. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/5 "2009-09-18T20:18:53Z")
This is my boyfriend, and this is his boyfriend. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/6 "2009-09-18T21:46:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > This is my boyfriend, and this is his boyfriend. He’s straight for her, though. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/7 "2009-09-19T18:59:17Z")
I think the pit will remain unchanged for the entire series run. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/8 "2009-09-19T22:24:58Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Too bad \*EVERY \*caller was asking her for her resignation. Wouldn’t they patch through someone who would take her side? It’s small-town Indiana. Nobody would take her side. There wouldn’t be a gay bar either. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/9 "2009-09-21T00:55:22Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Though they seem to be trying to hint at making Mark, (_and Andy_) ‘grow up’ a little. And he’s had a few months, (unobserved), to change while recovering from the fall. Noticed that and liked it. Andy was such a prick last season and it seems they are making him a bit more likable (ie, liking when Leslie was rapping, chanting for her at the gay bar, etc) rather than a douche who just wants to deep six Leslie’s chances because its funny (and the scene when the gay bar shirts came in and they were the same color as Andy’s shirt was hilarious… though I think I own a shirt in that color as well). ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/10 "2009-09-21T01:03:13Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Noticed that and liked it. Andy was such a prick last season and it seems they are making him a bit more likable (ie, liking when Leslie was rapping, chanting for her at the gay bar, etc) rather than a douche who just wants to deep six Leslie’s chances because its funny (and the scene when the gay bar shirts came in and they were the same color as Andy’s shirt was hilarious… though I think I own a shirt in that color as well). You sure you’re not thinking of Tom? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/11 "2009-09-21T02:08:57Z")
Is there anybody on TV cuter than Rashida Jones? Except I remember being attracted to her mom, too. In my defense, Peggy Lipton is 8 years older than me, and you have to add in the bit where women mature earlier than men. However, Rashida is 33. Then, using the the Law of Sevens, I’m 55 and 55/2=27.5, and 27.5+7=34.5. This means that she’s a year and a half too young for me, but I really don’t stand a realistic chance, do I? We’ll call it a wash. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/12 "2009-09-21T04:28:19Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > You sure you’re not thinking of Tom? Yeah, Tom… I get the characters names confused on this show (maybe showing how they aren’t making that much of an impact on me ;)) ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parks-and-recreation-9-17-pawnee-zoo/510611/13 "2009-09-21T10:43:42Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Is there anybody on TV cuter than Rashida Jones? Except I remember being attracted to her mom, too. In my defense, Peggy Lipton is 8 years older than me, and you have to add in the bit where women mature earlier than men. However, Rashida is 33. Then, using the the Law of Sevens, I’m 55 and 55/2=27.5, and 27.5+7=34.5. This means that she’s a year and a half too young for me, but I really don’t stand a realistic chance, do I? We’ll call it a wash. We’re \*only \*talking a year a half!? Of course you have a chance with her.😃