As many may know, the one hour series finale of NBC's Parks and Recreation aired last night. Before getting into it all, I have to say, the cast throughout all seven seasons has probably been the best cast ever assembled for a TV series. Aside from the swag and antics of Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari), the quirky relentlessness of Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) to the rigid seriousness of Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) and clueless humor of Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt); the supporting cast and surprise guests have been outstanding! Including the likes of Vice President Joe Biden, The First Lady Michelle Obama, goofy comedian Nick Kroll, Paul Rudd as the heir of "Sweetums" candy corporation, all the way to the late writer and producer of the show, Harris Wittels who in a few episodes played one of two spacey and incompetent member's of Pawnee's animal control team.
Similarly to NBC's television series, The Office, (featuring Parks and Rec creator, writer and producer Michael Schur as Dwight's cousin Mose), I did not really get into the show right away. I dismissed the idea that this show could be as funny, if not funnier than the Office, so I continued on with the Office and did not give this show a chance until I saw a rerun of an episode from season two and could not stop laughing. I soon went to Best Buy to buy the DVD set of seasons one and two and binge watched them both. After that I was hooked. I've kept up with the series ever since and after season six's end, in my heart I knew they would be shortly ending the series since they left Leslie, Ben and the rest of the cast three years or so in the future.
The final season, in my opinion was really just as good as any of the first six. The writers and cast tie together the story so well and make amazing connections with characters through references and flashback stories. Jim O'Heir's character I had grown an affinity for over the series, because no matter how terrible people were to him, or how bad of a situation, he was always positive. People got plenty of laughs at his expense, but I was almost proud when it was revealed that his actual name was Garry Gergich. Over the span of the series, his name has been Jerry, Larry, Terry and finally Garry (his actual name on the show). It was revealed in season four that his name was in fact Garry, but that his co-workers for decades never cared to remember his name, so they just called him whatever sounded close.
Overall, I have absolutely loved the show and I'm truly sad that is has come to an end. Leslie Knope, April Ludgate, Andy Dwyer, Donna Meagle, Ron Swanson, Tom Haverford, Jerry-Larry-Terry-Garry Gergich, Ben Wyatt, Chris Traeger, Ann Perkins, Jean-Ralphio, Councilman Jeramy Jamm, Joan Callamezzo, Perd Hapley, Craig, The Douche, Ethel Beavers, Tammy 1, Tammy 2, Bobby Newport, Kyle, Accountant Barney, Sewage Joe, Orin, Jessica Wicks, Jennifer Barkley, Dennis Feinstein, and even Mark Brandanawicz... you will all be missed!