S04E04 - Pawnee Rangers

Live from Pawnee: A Parks and Recreation Fan Rewatch Podcast

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are introduced to Tom and Donna's annual "Treat Yo Self" trip! Ron leads a Boy-Scout-esque club called the Pawnee Rangers, with Andy as assistant. Five years ago, a girl was turned away because the club is for boys only, so Leslie created the girls-only Pawnee Goddesses, with Ann and April as assistants. Leslie is determined to avenge the past rejection by proving her club is better, and arranges a Goddesses camping trip at the same time and place as the Rangers. As the weekend progresses, the Rangers become increasingly jealous of the Goddesses, who are having a lot more fun inside a decorated cabin, with crafts/pillow fights/candy/prizes, while the Rangers remain outside, are told to make a shelter with virtually no materials or training, and have beans-in-a-can. At one point, one of the Rangers actually goes so far as to try and defect over to the Goddesses. Meanwhile, when the Rangers and Goddesses take off, Donna and Tom decide to also take off on their annual "Treat Yo Self" trip, where they spend a day pampering themselves and spending extravagantly on things they don't need. Although typically a Tom and Donna thing, Donna notices Ben seems stressed out and really down, and convinces Tom (just this once) to let Ben join them, hoping it will lift his spirits. As the day progresses, it becomes clear that Ben is wound tight, and Tom and Donna's ideas of how to relax may not be exactly what Ben needs. Finally, with everyone else gone, Jerry is the only one left in the office. When Chris sees this, he gives Jerry the day off. An appreciative Jerry invites Chris to have lunch with him and his daughter Millicent, or "Milly". Chris politely declines, but when Milly comes to the office, Chris sees how attractive she is, "retroactively accepts" Jerry's offer, and goes out to lunch with both of them. During lunch, it certainly seems as though Chris and Milly are hitting it off. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will Leslie and the Goddesses allow the boy to join their club? Can Donna convince Ben to warm up to acupuncture? How many Facebook Interest Groups do Chris and Milly share? Can Ron demonstrate all the practical uses for a tarpaulin? Can Tom convince Ben to buy more than a pair of plain white socks? Are there potential sparks in the air for Chris and Milly? Does Leslie have a public forum with Ron and the Rangers? What extravagant purchase does Ben finally land on? How does Chris interact with Jerry, realizing he is Milly's father? Loyal podcast viewers, please join us in watching this episode that encapsulates the good, the bad, and the ridiculous. You won't be sorry! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, SWANSONS - Troup #001.