6 things we want to see in the 'Parks and Rec' series finale
Can you believe it? Mere weeks after Parks and Recreation returned for a seventh and last season, the workplace comedy airs its series finale tonight (NBC, 10 p.m. ET/PT). But what a delightful final season it's been: filled with new jobs, calzones, bedazzled elbows, awesomely feminist moments, and tons of incredible guest stars (we're looking at you, Werner Herzog and Bill Murray).
As we get ready for one last hour in Pawnee (and all the tears that come with it), here are six things we're hoping for in tonight's final episode:
1. Ann and Chris really need to come back.
No, we don't mean they need to move back to Pawnee, but it would be a huge letdown if Ann and Chris didn't return for this last episode. For six seasons, Leslie and powerful musk ox Ann shared one of the best female friendships we've seen on TV in a long, long time — one that, as much as we still adore Parks, was sorely missed this season. And how could we not miss Chris, with his incessant exercising, healthy eating and talk of Dr. Richard Nygard? Despite their beautiful send-off in Season 6, Ann and Chris are still a part of the core Parks family. And we're literally dying to see their multi-ethnic genius baby, now toddler-age.
2. Make it a family affair.
Speaking of new families, wouldn't it be nice to see Leslie and Ben in parent-mode for a few minutes? Or even just get a glimpse of how their young triplets are already starting to become little feminist politicians or nerds? To the writers' credit, this season was never bogged down by parenting story lines, and their kids never became the nuisance, say, Ron's stepdaughters were. But as Leslie and Ben move toward new beginnings, it might be nice to see they're happy on the homefront (and get another Rachel Dratch cameo, too). While we're at it, there are quite a few members of Parks' extended family we wouldn't mind seeing again: Leslie's mom. April's sister.
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3. No more Councilman Jamm.
Maybe it's to Jon Glaser's credit for making him such a despicable character, but we've never been a fan of Councilman Jeremy Jamm. Seriously, he ruins everything, and it would be a huge waste of a finale to have Leslie and Co. getting themselves out of yet another Jamm (pun very much intended). The last Jamm-centric episode this season was when Leslie and Ron literally slapped him out of his love affair with Ron's ex, Tammy, so fingers crossed we leave it at that.
4. Introduce Leslie to another famous politician.
Thanks to some truly impressive casting magic (and in the case of Newt Gingrich, pure coincidence), Parks has brought aboard a number of high-powered politicians these last few seasons for cameos. Among them: Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain and Madeleine Albright. So how about we finish off with a bang, and let Leslie meet President Obama or —better yet — her political idol Hillary Clinton? (After all, Parks creator has already expressed hope for a casual Clinton appearance in the series finale. It's totally meant to be.)
5. Bring back a few other fan favorites.
Most all of our favorite recurring characters have popped up throughout this season, including Joan Callamezzo, Perd Hapley, Ethel Beavers, Bobby Newport, Jennifer Barkley, The Douche, and those crazy siblings Jean-Ralphio and Mona-Lisa Saperstein. But there's still a few we'd gladly welcome back in our final hour: Sewage Joe! Derek and Ben! Detlef Schrempf! Hey, we'd even welcome back Mark Brendanawicz.
6. Give Leslie the awesome farewell she deserves.
This season has laid out new paths for our core Parks crew: April and Andy are going to Washington. Donna is married and moving to Seattle. Tom is engaged. Jerry/Larry/Terry/Gary is mayor of Pawnee. Ron and Leslie have settled their differences at last. Ben is running for Congress. Our favorite characters have all gotten a coda, a last hurrah in this poignant and sharp final season, except for Leslie, who — even though the show has set her up with a promotion in the National Parks service — hasn't quite taken her bow yet. We expect something big, whether it happens in her personal or professional life, to usher Leslie out of the show.