Viewers across the nation gathered around their televisions Tuesday night, tissues in hand, listening for the well-known theme song and to visit Pawnee, Indiana for the last time. After seven seasons filled with pits, parks and politics, the world’s favorite Parks and Recreation Department says goodbye.
In what seems to be one of the most clever episodes of the season, Leslie Knope and the rest of Parks Department reminisce about the past and flash to the future, and the whole thing’s a tearjerker.
When the entire gang is about to part ways, a man wanders into City Hall looking for someone to repair the park’s swing set. Leslie, whose goal since the beginning was to help her community, can’t refuse one last task with her friends and coworkers.
This is where the future begins and subtle hints about each character are revealed. The show’s writers have proven themselves to be especially sneaky.
Cut to 2023 with the show’s first glimpse into the future with Donna and Joe living in Seattle. Donna is now a successful real estate agent and Joe is teaching, but the programs at his school are continuously being cut. Donna calls in none other than Satan’s Niece, more commonly known as April Ludgate.
Together, the two put together “Teach Yo Self” with some of Donna and Joe’s vacation money, which will provide enough money to keep some after school programs.
Back in 2017, Leslie is leaving the entire department in Craig’s hands. Fast forward a few years and Craig is marrying Typhoon, Ron’s new hairdresser. Of course, Ron is the best man. It seems the unlikely duo have remained excellent friends.
Now, what would the series finale be without one last trip to the notorious fourth floor? Leslie, Andy and April venture to visit Ethel, which leads to a glimpse of the happily married couple’s future.
It’s Halloween 2022 and Bert Macklin and Janet Snakehole are in full force. After a parade of trick-or-treaters leave their front porch, Andy tells April he really wants children. April doesn’t share the same desire, but she admits she would enjoy the weird body stuff like puking and stretch marks.
The two visit their Washington, D.C. neighbors, Leslie and Ben. Leslie is dressed as Sandra D. O’Connor, which is obviously a mix between Sandra Dee and Sandra Day O’Connor. Ben, on the other hand, is a lamp lighter from a new version of his board game, Cones of Dunshire.
Exactly one year after discussing the possibility of children with Leslie and Ben, Andy and April welcome baby Jack into the world. Oddly enough, he was born in Pawnee.
Viewers even get a glimpse of Jean-Ralphio’s future. The scam artist fakes his death with plans to run away with his sister and open a casino, but not before staging a funeral. He requests those in attendance listen to “Bend Ova” by Lil Jon. He also confesses he’s always loved Leslie, which she handles politely.
Jean-Ralphio’s former business partner and friend also has an interesting future ahead of him. After accepting an offer to expand Tom’s Bistro, and rejecting Ben’s suggestion to add calzones to the menu, Tom finds himself completely broke, but he is married to Lucy.
Resilient as ever, Tom becomes the best-selling author of “Failure: An American Success Story,” where he’s included seven steps based on the Park’s crew. The ultimate goal is to avoid being a Garry.
Speaking of Mayor Gergich, he’s officially been elected mayor after a massive write in campaign and maintains the position for 10 long terms. Sadly, Garry passes away on his 100th birthday and is honored with a 21-stamp salute, the notary’s highest honor. In true “Parks and Rec” style, Garry’s name is spelled wrong on his tombstone.
A much older version of Ben and Leslie are in attendance accompanied by what seems to be a secret service agent, which can only mean one of two things.
And last but not least, Ron’s future is explored. After a successful run with the Very Good Building and Development Company, Ron resigns as chairman and leaves the business in the hands of his fellow mustached men.
His kids are nearly adults, and he and doesn’t know what to do with his time now. Other than owning 51 percent of a distillery, Ron is at a loss. Luckily, Leslie has found him a job that will keep him in Pawnee and in the woods. The controversial park from earlier in the season is officially a national park and Ron and his park rangers are going to run it.
After reminiscing about her coworkers, Leslie decides all she really wants is all of these people in the same place at the same time.
The show wouldn’t be complete without a look into Ben and Leslie’s future. In 2025, viewers find the two in Joe Biden’s home. Yes, that’s right. This is the same place where Leslie and Ben both receive an offer to become of the governor of Indiana. Now, the question is who will it be? Several months later, Ben and Leslie return to Pawnee for a visit, and Leslie gets exactly what she wanted. The entire crew is in the Park’s department, including Ann and Chris, who make their first appearance all season.
Ann and Chris are moving back to Pawnee with their children, Oliver and Leslie. The second generations of Pawnee’s finest all mingle, and April’s pregnant again.
Ben and Leslie still haven’t decided who’s running for governor, so they decide to flip a coin, but before they do, Ben surprises Leslie by announcing that she will be running for governor of Indiana to the whole gang.
The episode begins its end with a montage of scenes from past episodes and a tear-worthy speech from Leslie Knope herself.
In the end, the swing is fixed and Garry has his first good idea to take a group picture of the whole crew.
The final season of “Parks and Recreation” ended where it all started six years ago, in Pawnee, Indiana. But it’s not the end for these characters, it’s just a new chapter filled with new children, new jobs, new adventures and old friends.
The popular show may be over, but no one will ever forget the most eclectic department in City Hall, on television and in America’s hearts.