NBCHow do you say goodbye to a show that has brought so much joy and humor to the world? There's no easy way. Parks and Recreation wrapped its seven-year run with a star-studded, tear-jerking and time-jumping finale and the question we face now is: What will we do without Leslie Knope?
There will never be another Leslie Knope. And that's fine. Amy Poehler infused so much earnest energy into the role, taking her from unlikeable—we can all admit the character wasn't the best in season one—to admirable. We'll never forget Leslie Knope and the rest of the Parks and Rec crew.
In the appropriately titled "One Last Ride," Leslie Knope assembles the former Pawnee parks and recreation department to fix a swing. Throughout their quest, the show flashes forward in time to see the lives of the various characters we've come to think of us friends.
DONNA (Retta)
Revelations from Donna's goodbye include the fact she was a member of En Vogue! "Technically, I kicked them out," she told Leslie. Whattttt. We saw Donna super successful in Seattle, telling real estate and being utterly fabulous. At one point she even came in ninth in Italy's Got Talent. But Joe (Keegan-Michael Key) wasn't having the best of times. They cut the math program from his school. Not wanting to see her husband struggle, Donna launched "Teach Yo' Self" (here's where you say "yessssss"), a nonprofit organization with the help of April. Eventually we see it's successful and she's still baller. Regal Meagle for life.
CRAIG (Billy Eichner)
Craig got married to Typhoon and Ron was the best man. Flash forward to the two of them as super old dudes, and Craig was still yelling…about trout.
APRIL (Aubrey Plaza) and ANDY (Chris Pratt)
April and Andy's flashforward included a Champion sighting, thank god, and the returns of Janet Snakehole and Burt Macklin. The two struggled with the decision to have kids, with April discussing it with Leslie (who was dressed as Sandra Dee O'Connor…a hybrid of the Grease character and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, aka your new Halloween costume). Leslie Knope's advice of course helps guide April and viewers saw the birth of their son, Jack, who was born while "Monster Mash" played. Typical.
JEAN-RALPHIO (Ben Schwartz)
In the future, Jean-Ralphio staged his own death with the help of his sister, Mona Lisa (Jenny Slate), in hopes of opening a casino. In the Parks and Recreation present we had this great exchange between him and Leslie:
"Leslie, I've always loved you."
"I know."
TOM (Aziz Ansari)
After taking Tom's Bistro nationwide, Tom…failed. But he still had Lucy. However, he took his failure—and all those in his past—and channeled them into success with a self-help book, "Failure: An American Success Story."
GARRY (Jim O'Heir)
Garry was elected the mayor of Pawnee f'real! Not once, but dozens of times! And he lived until 100, that's 2048. "I have had the perfect life…I just want you to know how much I love you," he said surrounded by Gergiches. He passed away in his sleep after celebrating his birthday and somehow, Gail (Christie Brinkley) still looked great. At his funeral, we got to see…President Knope?! Garry's name was misspelled on his tombstone, because of course. And Brandi Maxxx (Mara Marini) followed in Leslie Knope's footsteps and was elected to city council!
RON SWANSON (Nick Offerman)
Here's where the tears started: Leslie grabbed Ron's hand after they fixed the swing. In case you were sobbing so much after that moment, here's what happened with Ron: After selling his company and buying into a liquor company, selling gold to help his kids, Ron was a little lost. He turned to Leslie for help, and help she did. Leslie pulled some strings and had Ron installed as the superintendent of the national park she made in Pawnee. Tears, y'all. Tears.
LESLIE and BEN (Adam Scott)
Oh the tears. An apprehensive Leslie questioned if she was really making the right choice in leaving all of her friends, but her rock was there for her. When is the next time they'll all be together? It will happen, but…
Leslie: "What's going to happen between now and then?"
Ben: "A lot and it's going to be great."
Leslie: "You promise?"
Ben: "I promise."
Cut to Leslie and Ben at a dinner party with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden. And that's not the only cameo! At the party, Leslie and Ben were both approached to run for governor of Indiana. "Someone's been reading my kindergarten dream journal," Leslie said. The pros and cons were the same for both, so they decided to consult some of their Pawnee friends…and surprise! they were all together again. Even Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones)! (Tears flowing freely now).
At the gathering in the parks and rec department office, Leslie helped Chris (Rob Lowe) with compliments for Ann—"Ann, you beautiful, sassy mannequin come to life"—Leslie and Ann's kids started bonding, April revealed she was pregnant with baby No. 2 and Andy got Chris' name wrong. It was pure delight. Leslie decided it was time to just a flip a coin and that would decide whether she or Ben ran for governor, but seeing how willing she was to leave it up to chance, Ben decided Leslie will run. She did. She won. Flashforward to a commencement speech and the dedication of the…Leslie Knope Library. "F---ing library?!" Flashback to the swing and a group picture…
Ben: "You ready, babe?"
Leslie: "Yes. I'm ready."
And we hope you stuck around for the credits that were filled with bloopers and the wrap for the cast and crew. What did you think of the finale? Vote in the poll below!
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