'Parks and Recreation' airs a charity episode filmed during confinement

The Parks and Recreation team has filmed a special episode five years after the end of the series. It is not only a chapter for charitable purposes, but it was also recorded during confinement, with all the actors in their homes. The episode can be seen on NBC's YouTube channel, although only in the United States. The network, which aired the episode on Thursday night, has also posted several promotional clips on social media.

After all they've been through, Leslie and Ron will always take care of each other. Together with @StateFarm and @subaru_usa, we're helping raise money for @FeedingAmerica. 🌳❤️ Join us! https://t.co/YuyWBTYmrH pic.twitter.com/oWSu0S3vh3

The episode is largely a reunion chapter in use: all the protagonists and many of the most remembered secondary ones appear again, and there are nods to mythical moments of the series, such as the song in honor of Lil 'Sebastian. (We warn: in the rest of the text there are spoilers ).

But the reunion of Leslie Knope and theirs also has its novelty, which comes from the introduction of confinement and the fact that it is recorded as a succession of video calls. In this case, it is not just a short video intended for social networks, as Camera Café did , but an entire 27-minute episode, although, understandably, there is no more plot than knowing how these characters are experiencing the closure.

As expected, Leslie Knope (a character played by Amy Poehler) is the one who is dedicated to keeping in touch with all her friends, starting what she calls a "telephone tree", a system of chain calls. The first one he calls is Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), who has taken refuge in his cabin. When asked if he is practicing social distancing, Ron answers that "he has been doing it since he was four years old."

The episode thus manages to transfer to the characters many of the themes that we are seeing during the quarantine, without abandoning its characteristic aforementioned fluffy and pleasant humor. Ben (Adam Scott) has taken the opportunity to resume his board game and his project of a film shot in stop-motion, Garry (or Larry or Jerry) is unable to remove his filters during the video call, Andy (Chris Pratt) has been locked up In the garden shed, Chris (Rob Lowe) is asked to donate blood four times a day because he is "super healthy." There's room for engagement, too: Ann (Rashida Jones) has returned to her nursing job to help where she can.

Johnny Karate aka Burt Macklin aka Jonathan Karate aka Andy Dwyer. P #ParksAndRec pic.twitter.com/uW6TxxvFen

During conversations, she also takes advantage of the importance of taking care of mental health. Following the usual trend of the series, Leslie thinks only of others and it is Ron who has to remind her to take care of herself as well.

The most crazy humor comes thanks to the secondary ones, to which they strain giving way to the two star television programs of the city of Pawnee. Jean Ralphio (Ben Schwartz) has paid for an ad just to ask to be called on the phone ("I'm so bored") and Jeremy Jamm (John Glaser) offers a dental clinic service by video call. "It is illegal? Probably. It is safe? You have to decide that ”.

An icon has once again graced our screens. #ParksAndRec https://t.co/fKqtxoL8Jv pic.twitter.com/PnQvihq0mc

The episode thus maintains the tone of the series, which lasted seven seasons and was created by Greg Daniels, responsible for the American version of The Office, and Michael Schur. Although we are talking about a difficult situation, the chapter maintains its characteristic white humor (and is not a criticism) and reinforces its message on the importance of friendship, if possible between very different people.

This positive message, which Schur would also transfer to The Good Place, is the one that fans of the series have especially valued, at least judging by the comments on Twitter. Parks and Recreation, by the way, has always had a loyal audience on social networks, sharing memes and remembering themes and moments, such as San Galentín (Saint Galentine's), the girls' outing (gals) organized by Knope every February 13.

Critics have also positively valued this aspect:  Vulture has recalled that, although it may be an episode in the service of fans, it also recovers memorable characters and remembers one of the messages of the series, how to help your community. The New York Times largely agreed , writing that the series has not returned "to tell us what to think, it has helped us feel what we feel."

me watching the parks and rec special pic.twitter.com/72ahKh15aw

Crying with the Parks and Rec special because I am very sensitive pic.twitter.com/hFxclODiuy

Summary of the Parks and Recreation special chapter. pic.twitter.com/Y8tyVBE4xJ

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