'Parks and Recreation' Recap: Season 5, Episode 7

Episode seven begins with Ben and Leslie in Washington, D.C. in front of the White House. Leslie tells Ben that in 2024 that will be their house. Ben surprised Leslie with Vice President Joe Biden, Leslie is shocked. Ben brings Leslie over to meet him and when the VP says her name, Leslie awkwardly laughs and says, “My name just came out of your mouth, this isn’t happening.” Biden thanks Leslie for her great job in public office, as Leslie holds his hands and tells him he is very handsome.

Back at Pawnee, Tom asks Ben to help with his new business. Ben decides to go back to accounting work.

April gives Leslie a presentation to build a dog park in Pawnee. Leslie is proud April is living up to her potential. April suggests Lot 48, behind Ann’s house. Leslie tells her she has been trying to turn that into a park for years and she has “dibs.”

Back in the office, Andy notices his computer is gone from his desk. As part of his training to be a police officer he asked everyone to take something from his desk, so that he could investigate it. He begins to interrogate Donna.

Meanwhile, Leslie takes April and Ann to scout for a location to place the dog park. After seeing some undesirable locations, April concludes Lot 48 is the only choice. Leslie begs April not to try for that one. Leslie decides she has created a monster and she must stop her. Leslie barges into Ron’s office and attempts to make up a story to get advice from Ron. She asks Ron how he distracted her when she was revved up about a project. Ron told her he had her do busy work or if she was really worked up he took her to JJ’s for “distraction waffles.” Leslie is disappointed because she thought they were “friendship waffles.” In an attempt to distract April, Leslie takes her to Orin’s human farm. April figures it out and is determined to ask the city council for the go ahead to build the dog park.

Later, Tom and Ben go to Sweetum’s for a business deal. The owner’s wife says no to Tom and offers Ben a job.

Back at the office, Andy interrogates Jerry about the missing computer. Later, he suspects Chris. Chris tells him another computer was also stolen and thinks that City Hall was robbed. Andy is excited because it might be a real crime.

Meanwhile, Ben is trying to promote Tom at Pawnee Channel 46, but they aren’t interested either. They offer Ben a correspondent position. Tom is flabbergasted that he is being looked over for Ben.

At the council meeting, April presents her dog park idea. Leslie is nervous and boos her. Councilman Jamm announces that parks are stupid and suggests selling the lot to Pawnch Burger instead. April is upset that he lied about supporting the dog park. The councilman replies, “You just got jammed.”

Back in the office, Leslie and April are arguing. Ann tells them they have to stay in the room together until they sort it out. Andy is upset that Chris and the police aren’t taking the stolen computer more seriously. The police officer tells him most of police work involves just writing stuff down.

Tom is outside despondent that his business promotion isn’t going well. He tells Ben maybe he should do what he is doing and settle for a boring day job. Ben encourages Tom not to give up.

Meanwhile, Ann is mediating the argument between Leslie and April. Finally, they apologize to each other and make up. Ann suggests that they work together against Councilman Jamm.

Andy walks into Chris’s office and wonders if he really wants to become a cop after all. He rips his shirt off and sits down. Shocked Chris asks him why he did that. Andy replies that when he gets sad he has to take off his shirt, “the bad feelings make me sweaty.” Chris offers a part-time weekend security guard job at City Hall to Andy and he agrees.

Later, Leslie and April organize a group of people, dogs, and kids in front of Councilman Jamm’s house. When he sees, Leslie tells him, “There are no dog park in the neighborhood and no human park for the kids to play.” He is upset, but realizes they won’t leave until he agrees to vote yes to the park. He shakes on it with April and Leslie.

The episode ends with Ben being welcomed to the accounting department. Ben realizes he isn’t passionate about the idea of working there and quits.

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