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grimorieThis show gets things so, so right that its such a ray of sunshine and light. I can't believe how far its come from a lackluster start to this little show that's funny and filled with a lot of heart.
I love how it mixes up character interactions without forgetting the friendships and bonds the characters have with other characters. Instead the show builds on it that when characters make a sudden left turn its not a cop out because even an impulsive decision or out there scene is really in character.
Like... Ann not knowing Chris broke-up with her, we don't see the scene where it happens until later but when we do see it we don't go: 'What? Where did that come from?' instead our reaction tends to be: 'Hah! Of course!'
Another example is Leslie. Type A, makes a list Leslie before making a decision Leslie finally accepting Andy and April's decision and going with the flow and even appreciating it at the end. Two seasons ago Leslie might fight it a little harder and longer but because of what we know about Leslie now, because what she's learned about Andy and then April she realizes their decision might be rash but it was also right.
Sometimes I forget what it's like to watch a show with actual continuity and character development that when I do it feels so astonishing and fantastic.
And this is what Parks and Recreation is good at, the grace notes and the friendships, the private moments of reflection and its heart. The world of Pawnee is so believable that the show could have a whole episode that doesn't revolve around the P&R department and we're not thrown off by it, mostly because of the revolving but consistent guest stars.
Mike Schur, one of the co-creators of the show, explained how working in the Simpsons helped because it taught him the value of keeping a revolving door of 'Townie regulars'. We always know Moe or that TV anchor guy. The Townie regulars help make the world our characters are living in becomes a little more real.
This is one of those episode that make me wish RIB have this calibre of writing in Glee or RM cared enough for Glee's story and characters beyond 'it's shiny', 'it creates conflict' and 'it got boring'.
I love how it mixes up character interactions without forgetting the friendships and bonds the characters have with other characters. Instead the show builds on it that when characters make a sudden left turn its not a cop out because even an impulsive decision or out there scene is really in character.
Like... Ann not knowing Chris broke-up with her, we don't see the scene where it happens until later but when we do see it we don't go: 'What? Where did that come from?' instead our reaction tends to be: 'Hah! Of course!'
Another example is Leslie. Type A, makes a list Leslie before making a decision Leslie finally accepting Andy and April's decision and going with the flow and even appreciating it at the end. Two seasons ago Leslie might fight it a little harder and longer but because of what we know about Leslie now, because what she's learned about Andy and then April she realizes their decision might be rash but it was also right.
Sometimes I forget what it's like to watch a show with actual continuity and character development that when I do it feels so astonishing and fantastic.
And this is what Parks and Recreation is good at, the grace notes and the friendships, the private moments of reflection and its heart. The world of Pawnee is so believable that the show could have a whole episode that doesn't revolve around the P&R department and we're not thrown off by it, mostly because of the revolving but consistent guest stars.
Mike Schur, one of the co-creators of the show, explained how working in the Simpsons helped because it taught him the value of keeping a revolving door of 'Townie regulars'. We always know Moe or that TV anchor guy. The Townie regulars help make the world our characters are living in becomes a little more real.
This is one of those episode that make me wish RIB have this calibre of writing in Glee or RM cared enough for Glee's story and characters beyond 'it's shiny', 'it creates conflict' and 'it got boring'.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 02:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-16 04:19 am (UTC)This really is The West Wing as comedy and the fun thing is, its a comedy not based on how incompetent Leslie is but how fantastic she is!