The Parks and Rec Open Thread

"Stuff lasts forever!"
(Spoilers are searching for chairs herein. Content Note: Fat bias.)

All right, let's just get right to the sad part: Once again, this episode was peppered with fat hatred. There was the return of Paunch Burger, of course, and there was a terrible moment in which Leslie told Tom she was happy he'd thought to ask Paunch Burger's competitors to cater the fundraising gala because "all of our more ample citizens" love fast food. Again, I would like to note that it's especially rich to have a character who eats waffles like they're going out of style make comments about how only fat people like fast food. And then there was the fat French chef, because of course all chefs are fat, and Jerry not even being able to run without falling, because of course all fat people are uncoordinated. COME ON, PARKS AND RECREATION, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS.

It's particularly disappointing that a show with two major supporting characters who are fat—and not "Hollywood fat," but actually fat—insists on making jokes at fat people's expense.

Let us hope now that the Paunch Burger vs. Park battle has been won, the writers will move the fuck on from this shit. Because it soured what was otherwise a very fun episode that ended with a great cliffhanger.

The good stuff:

"Let the record show there was a standing ovation." "No, there wasn't." "History will decide."

"I don’t have time for food puns right now."

"First we do the written exam, and then we do the personality evaluation. Which I feel like I'm gonna nail, 'cuz people always say, 'Buuut, he's got a great personality.'"

"Wait, maybe this is a nightmare! …Nope, can't fly away. This is real life."

"Get some chairs from somewhere." "Great leadership. Inspiring."

"I can speak in full sentences and I won't cry."

"A few months ago, the thought of an infectious disease, even hypothetical, would have sent me careening towards bummerville. But now, I am infected will a killer virus—and I feel fine. [thumbs up] Therapy!"

"What's wrong with Joan?" "She has a bad hangover, which she is pretending is allergies."

"It is with a heavy heart that I say: We have been Jammed."

"Oh no! Pawnee has been hit with…a TORNADOQUAKE!"

"Oh, well, jokes on you—I don't have anyone I care about!"

"This was bad. Fort Wayne bad."

"Ghost-Jammed!"

"He's certainly something of a genius. We could use his brains on the force."

"I'd like to thank my community, my friends. It's a lesson that I have learned over and over again, but it bears repeating: No one achieves anything alone."

Discuss!