Rewind with Fire TV: Parks & Recreation | by Amazon Fire TV | Apr, 2025

Look back with us at one of television’s most loved comedies.

It’s hard to believe the citizens of Pawnee, Indiana have been off the air for 10 years. Since then, we’ve continued to reminisce about the Pawnee Parks Department, led by the fiery Leslie Knope, and often wonder if JJ’s Waffles still serves the best breakfast in town. Or, if the raccoons have finally given back Ramsett Park. In honor of one of our favorite shows, and after many internal debates, we’ve picked our favorite one episode from each season and compiled the list below (with some honorable mentions). Are you a big Parks fan? Let us know if you see your fave on the list.

Season 1: “Rock Show” — Most fans will admit Parks and Rec got off to a rocky start, with Season 1 spending the majority of time trying to find the show’s footing. However, many will agree the final episode of the season came out a real winner, and gave us a glimpse into what Parks and Rec would ultimately turn out to be, as well as how the writers would adjust the characters’ traits from S1 to S2. Whether it was Andy’s cast full of surprises (a spork?), or even the introduction of Dr. Harris and his apathetic attitude towards everyone, Rock Show definitely set the tone for the heart of the show moving forward.

Season 2: “Sweetums” — If ya can’t beat ’em, Sweetums! The Parks Department takes a hilarious and exhausting turn due to their partnership with the dastardly candy conglomerate, Sweetums. The cold opening of Tom modeling his wardrobe for his man crush, Justin (“He’s like an issue of GQ that’s come to life”) is simply so Parks & Rec. The in-office rave was a true gut buster, who knew Jerry had such moves? And, no Shoelace, your furry coat and wagging tail won’t distract us from the “other stuff” Sweetums puts in NutriYums. We’re (and the Parks gang is) so thankful Ann had a level head to pull the office out of its sugar-fueled frenzy. But, did she really?

Season 3: “The Fight” — Are you really a “Parks” fan if ‘The Fight’ isn’t in your top 3 favorite episodes list? This episode (written by Amy Poehler) perfectly encapsulates how each character had their comedic spotlight, while at the same time blending into the ensemble’s hijinx so perfectly. It’s hard to pick out the best moment of the show, but everyone secretly has their favorite; Ron getting kerrrezzy, Ben’s “I threw up in the shower”, Jean Ralphio’s inability to end his rhymes, Snake Juice! ‘The Fight’ simply has it all. Just hit repeat on the remote and enjoy. And, we really hope Dennis Cooper is doing okay these days.

Season 4: “The Trial of Leslie Knope” — Oh, Leslie and Ben. We knew it would come to this the minute you sent that electrician to the spa during Li’l Sebastian’s memorial (more on that episode later). This is another great example of how individual character’s arcs led to a raucous episode — April’s, “Ethel Beaver’s did it!” is legendary. As funny as the episode is, what’s often so common to Parks & Recs’ magic is its ability to bring us back in with charm. Most notably illustrated by Ben, as in a true show of devotion to his crush he suprised her (and viewers) with a selfless gesture. Lest we forget, Ron’s tirade on digital tracking (one of the most memed GIFs ever).

Season 5: “Ron & Diane” — We’re softies for a good romantic story, and honestly it was a toss-up between this episode and “Leslie & Ben” (another absolute winner). But, Ron & Diane won out for two reasons: Ron seems to finally be happy in his romantic quest for a partner whose name isn’t Tammy. Also, Tammy! Let’s face it, Megan Mullally absolutely steals every scene (and dumpster — does she do her own stunts?) she’s in, and we’re here for it. It was nice to see the rest of the gang finally give Jerry the respect he deser…wait, is that master of the modern shaker style, Christian Becksvoort in the flesh?!!!!

Season 6: “Filibuster” — Hey, who wants an ice cold, frozen marg? Leslie’s birthday plans for Ben — and her hopes to visit the wiz palace — are dashed by the sinister Councilman Jamm, who stages a last minute vote, forcing Leslie to filibuster. In roller skates (much to Ben’s turn on)! Also, what’s the deal with Ben and skates? Meanwhile, the rest of the Parks gang are busy at the roller rink with their own challenges. We always love to see Tom’s unending desire to find the perfect soulmate, and were kind of sad not to have more time with Nadia — that was wiggity, wiggity wack! Ron and Donna’s hunting connection was right on target.

Season 7: “Leslie & Ron” — This episode plays out like a much longer, and beloved movie than its thirty minutes. When we last left Leslie and Ron, they were locked in the office from the Parks team in a last-ditch hope to salvage their relationship. In total transparency, this is the episode we always wanted; the complete history of the two workplace proximity associates. This episode peels back so many levels both, professional and personal. We always had glimpses of Ron’s sensitive side. But, his vulnerability to ask Leslie for a job because he misses his old Parks friend, and Leslie’s face when she figured it out left us with mouths agape. And, let us just say the callback (S3) of the janitor still jamming to Shania Twain was the best of Easter Eggs.

Honorable Mentions: It was so hard to pick just one episode from each season, we just had to quickly call out some additional faves:

The Master Plan (S2): Uh oh, here come the big, bad state auditors to slash the Parks’ Dept budget. Sad for Leslie, but great for us viewers, as we’re introduced to peppy Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe), and numbers nerd Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott). It’s almost hard to believe there were Parks episodes before this bureaucratic bromance entered Pawnee, and left us with so many great scenes and lines (“I have Bumbleflex!”) for seasons to come.

Harvest Festival (S3): Ron’s reaction to Li’l Sebastian. That is all.

Flu Season (S3): Say it with us, “Stop. Poopin.” Arguably, one of the most quoted episodes around these parts, this episode leaves us with two of Parks & Rec’s most known lines—the aforementioned Chris Traeger line as he pleads with himself to save his microchip-like body—and, the other winner goes to Andy’s (improvised), “Network connectivity problems” line that even the writers have mentioned they wished they had written. We also start to see the love triangle of Andy, April, and Ann finally start to slightly fade, setting the scene for the Andy/April romance to come.

Li’l Sebastian (S3): This episode was incredibly hard to leave off the list. The idea that a miniature horse could reduce the mighty Ron Swanson to a 5-year old was enough to send this episode into the Hall of Fame. Sure, you could say the introduction of Entertainment 720, and the torching of Ron’s eyebrows was enough. But, we remember it most for the start of the unraveling of Leslie and Ben’s covert love affair.

Media Blitz (S3): “Good talk, Ice Town.” Poor Ben and his stammering leads to so much trouble for the Harvest Festival. Could you not love Adam Scott anymore when he absolutely unloads on Perd Hapley’s show? Or, his ability to flop sweat on cue when Crazy Ira and The Douche corner him about his teenage mayoral aspirations for a snow resort in his home town of Minnesota? What we love about this episode were the subtle hints of the chemistry between Ben and Leslie (Adam Scott and Amy Poehler couldn’t have played it any better).

There’s our list of favorite Parks & Recreation episodes. But, to be honest we love them all as much as we love the citizens of Pawnee (yes, even you Lindsay Carlisle Shay). Any time you need to revisit the Parks Department gang, you can do so on Fire TV via the Peacock app. Just ask Alexa, “Play Parks & Recreation.” Now, DJ Roomba, play us out!