Parks and Rec: "Jerry's Painting"

Season 3, Episode 11

A solid supersized episode

Quick background note: I have an educational background in art and art history, which means that I am perhaps overly sensitive when it comes to the idea of art censorship. Let me put it this way: compared to say the brilliant photographs of Robert Mapplethorpe (note: do not look up his picture while at work, in class, with your grandmother’s peering over your shoulder, etc.), Jerry’s painting was nothing. So while I get that Pawnee is an overly conservative town, and that such a painting would cause a stir there. And while I found the reactions funny, I perhaps didn’t find them as funny as people whose interested lay outside of art might. (I especially found the scene with the Art Committee to be particularly dead weight.)

A second note: I considered myself to be a feminist (I actually prefer the term “gender equalist” but that’s whole other can of worms), which means that I was sucker for the other half of tonight’s A-plot which saw Leslie, who obviously felt a loss of control over being unable to date Ben, grab onto the nearest thing that could make her feel better for herself, even if that something has her depicted nude. By taking on her own path, Leslie – and the show – managed to avoid appearing weak in the face of adversity. It was a strong move for the show, and it managed to mine some legitimate comedy from the current stalled state of Ben and Leslie’s relationship. (And given that Ben said that he and Leslie both like each other, I have to imagine they’ll get together real soon.)

Plus, we got to see the return of Perd Hapley, in a scene that deftly examined the line between what’s artistic and what’s crass. Though I’m sure this isn’t the first time that the connection between nudity and art has been made, what made this scene work was that Perd and Brandee the porn star (sorry, “adult film actress”) served as the uniformed Americans to Leslie’s cultured one, and it became the perfect microcosm of the debate between high and low art.

“Leslie is like the coolest ever. You’ve chosen well.”

-Andy

But what about Ben? Well, he’s currently moving in with April and Andy, in a B-plot that was funny yet slight. (Though to be fair, anything would seem slight when compared to a plot about censorship.) It was a yet another sweet showcase for April and Andy’s immature yet perfectly matched relationship, and another chance to put Ben’s straight man’s persona to good comedic use.

Yet I was far more excited when the tow plot dovetailed, allowing Ben and Leslie to share a few moments in April and Andy’s house, and allowing Ben to sneak a peek at Leslie’s (painted) breasts. If Andy knows anything about romance – and that seems to be the only thing he knows anything about – then those two are destined to be together, Chris’s rules, and attempts to set Ben will tall brunettes, be damned.

Quotes, Etc.:

“Inner beauty is very important. Also, outer beauty is very important.”

“Oooh, sparks are flying. I may have to call the fire department. That’s a government joke.”

“Unable to make out with the light bulb I want to make out with.”

“Oh, come on, that’s not fair. You shouldn’t have led me to believe it was a beautiful woman.”

When using Spanish, always talk to April using ‘usted.’

“Why the government is involved in an art show is beyond me.”

“Were you guys frying marbles?”

“You forgot to paint a painting, son.”

“That’s what you see when you close your eyes at night, Jerry. Topless Leslie glued to a horse.”

“I look like a pregnant baby!”

“And replaced with a fat, brown baby vibe, which isn’t as cool of a vibe.”

Of course Chris dabbled in nudism.

“And the message of this painting is ‘Get out of my way, or you’ll get an arrow in your ass.’”

“With what some might say, are human breasts.”

“For those are home who may not know, are centaurs real?” “No.” “You sure?”

“For me, it’s when the penis goes in.”

“I am going to teach you how to balance a checkbook…Okay, I am going to teach you how to open a checking account.”

“Well I didn’t know that Brandi was going to offer me a role in her next film.” “I urge you not to take that role.”

“Please the records reflect the fat baby is referring to the painting.”

“There’s like a 30% chance that they’ll both die.”

“I AM DIAPHINA!”

“My heart is racing. It’s going literally 45 beats per minute!”

“Not to be inappropriate or anything, because you’re my boss and my friend, but I would totally hit that.”

“He said he didn’t like her, so it’s over.”

“Yeah, where’s your penis?” “Dammit, Jerry!”

“No, I did not pose for that painting, but thanks for thinking I did.”