Episode 14 - Road Trip
6 March 2012
This was pretty strong with three plots that clicked. I would have preferred to see only two and have a lot more on each but then I would prefer a lot of things.
Ben and Leslie being sent away together just when they need to be apart is classic sit com storytelling. Leslie played her conflict to good effect and its hard not to laugh when her best excuse to keep Ben away is "I'm allergic to fingers" (as a recording of 'How to Learn Mandarin' plays on the car stereo). Their kiss at the end was reminiscent of Pam and Jim's first kiss (The Office 222). It came unexpectedly and suddenly and cut through the reasons they couldn't in one smooth motion. I vote they keep their relationship a secret and we get lots of fun scenes with Chris and Tom and others almost catching them out. Chris started to get annoying here. The writers need to temper his "literally" side with a sense that he is a real person.
Ron teaching a little girl what is wrong with the government by eating her lunch was a lot of fun. I feel like that plot could have been slotted into any episode though and wasn't needed here.
Tom's game show idea on the other hand should have had much more time to play out. The simplicity and fun of seeing Jerry and Donna defeat Andy and April could have been given several more scenes to let both the plot and the humour sink in. As it was presented though it was again a perfectly watchable story about the simple love and affection of two simple people. Nothing wrong with that.
I liked the use of Perd Hapley in a wig showing footage from decades ago. That definitely showed the positive side of introducing us to the other inhabitants of Pawnee.
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