Parks and Recreation is worse this season, but it's still better than most comedies.

By Peabody Awards (Amy Poehler) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

We love Parks and Rec. Seasons 2-4 were as funny as any comedy we've ever seen, and all the characters are hilarious, loveable, and distinctive. But as we head toward the middle of season five, we have to admit that while it's still pretty good and loads better than The Office right now, it's not what it once was. They are having writer's block or something. Maybe having Leslie win the election wasn't a great idea, as much as we teared up and loved the victory.

Pawnee Commons
This was the one where Leslie and Ben met the Eagleton architect, Andy was bored at his new security job, and Tom started work on his new store. We loved when the radio guy had to define Batman for his audience. We also liked the focus on building a park in the lot. That's just the kind of arc this show needs to have at this point in the season. We need to be building toward something like the Harvest Festival or the election. Leslie now has to pitch her park to the council and beat April's pitch. After this episode, that shouldn't be too hard, but we'd love the dog park to win.

We also liked when Ken Tucker, the TV critic from Entertainment Weekly magazine was referenced. He usually writes good, thought-provoking stuff, even if we sometimes disagree with it. We also liked the balloon versions of Ben and Leslie and Eagleton's park design. FACE. We liked the gunshot app April had on her phone. Joey was a cute kid. We liked the end of Bert Macklin and the Segways. There weren't any actual laughs in this one for us though, except for Leslie's revenge on Wreston. Most of the Eagleton stuff was rehashed from previous seasons. The show needs something new for that rivalry.

Ron and Diane
We know the point of having Jerry's wife on the show is that she's hot. That's the joke. That's the only joke. So it makes sense that Christie Brinkley would have more botox than John Kerry before an election. Still, she came off as weird and robotic since she couldn't move her face. But, again, for this plotline, it's just important that her face looks good. Goal achieved, even though we prefer the natural look ourselves. Jerry's party scene should have been a lot funnier.

We're trying to avoid the b-word ourselves, Leslie. It's pretty sexist. Where are the writers taking Chris this season? He drank fatty eggnog. Progress? (Also, a weight loss tip. It's best to just eat the satisfying fatty stuff that tastes good rather than a lowfat version. You'll be more satisfied and eat less later on in the day. You don't want all the chemicals either. Just eat real food and exercise.) April is really weak? We liked the Ron Swanson plot. Diane is perfect for them, and if they break up, we will riot.

Pawnee Commons grade: B-
Ron and Diane grade: B