Is there any combination more appealing to comedy fans right now than Louis C.K. and Parks and Recreation? The preeminent stand-up of our time returned to the preeminent sitcom* of our time, marking C.K.’s first appearance on the show since a five-episode arc in 2009 and his first acting role outside of his FX show Louie since it began. I loved Louis C.K. on Parks in Season Two, but in this episode, it felt like they tweaked his character significantly in order to generate some conflict.
C.K.’s character Dave is back in town from San Diego to attend Police Chief Trumple’s retirement party, and Leslie is gunning for an endorsement from the Chief before he leaves office. Dave, who’s going up for Trumple’s job, tells Leslie he can help her earn the endorsement, but things get difficult when Dave announces he’s still in love with Leslie. Dave tries to convince her to dump Ben and take him back, and his desperate plan culminates in him handcuffing Ben to a urinal so he can be alone with Leslie. It’s a broader take on Dave than we got last time and it rings a little false for me.
When Dave was originally introduced two seasons ago, he was a soft-spoken, dull guy who was completely levelheaded and normal, often playing straight man to Leslie on her various escapades and trying to keep her in line. This time around, he’s impulsive, irrational, and speaks in a much more robotic and unusual manner. Handcuffing somebody to a urinal is something that Leslie Knope would do to get what she wants, not the season two model of Officer Dave.
After Ann and Tom’s Valentine’s Day date last time, it looks like the two are continuing to pursue a romantic relationship. I figured Ann and Tom were done for and it was just a lark, given how disastrously their first date went, but I’m glad to see the writers are letting this plotline play out. Rashida Jones and Aziz Ansari have always played off each other well, and while their relationship stretches believability a little bit, it’s led to some funny moments so far.
Meanwhile, Andy has been tasked with writing Leslie’s campaign song. He recruits the other members of Mouse Rat and the campaign staff to record his song “Catch Your Dream,†but he ends up extremely unhappy with how the track comes out. Ron Swanson, looking out for Andy, transforms into his alter ego Duke Silver and fixes the song up by laying down some smooth saxophone jams over the recording. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Duke Silver-heavy episode. Although we don’t get to see Ron Swanson donning his fedora and horn, this is probably the most Duke Silver has played into the show since Ron’s secret jazz persona was first introduced, and it’s great to see him back in the mix again.
I’m starting to worry that Leslie and Ben are so perfect for each other that the thought of them breaking up for any reason is unimaginable. It’s the same thing that happened with Jim and Pam on The Office once they got together. Remember when they brought in Harry from Mad Men as Pam’s art school friend to add some tension to Jim and Pam’s relationship? That’s almost how bringing Dave back felt here — like his was supposed to be some obstacle for Leslie and Ben to overcome, but they’re too perfect for each other and Dave behaves so erratically that there’s not any tension or suspense. We’re never made to feel like Leslie would seriously consider leaving Ben for Dave, and that’s why Dave’s sudden appearance doesn’t seem like as big of a deal as it’s made out to be — even if he’s refusing to let social norms and the law get in the way of reuniting with Leslie. Even though his character feels a little off this time around, Louis C.K. has some great moments. C.K. will often dismiss his acting abilities, but as Dave, the guy’s playing a completely different character from his Louie/stand-up persona and is doing just fine.
Louis C.K. isn’t the only funny person guest starring on Parks and Rec in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for visits from amazing people like Kathryn Hahn, Sean Hayes, Carl Reiner, Bradley Whitford, and the return of Paul Rudd as inept city council candidate Bobby Newport.
Tom’s potential nicknames for Ann:
*Community’s not on the air right now, okay?
Bradford Evans feels obligated to share this link to NBC’s amazing site for the Duke Silver Trio whenever the man comes up on the show.