S05E16 - Bailout

Live from Pawnee: A Parks and Recreation Fan Rewatch Podcast

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are introduced to Jean-Ralphio's twin sister, Mona-Lisa Saperstein! Leslie is shocked to learn that the Pawnee Video Dome, owned by Dennis Lerpiss, is closing, not a big surprise since video stores are closing left and right, and the Video Dome doesn't even carry mainstream movies. However, Leslie is determined to keep the business afloat and petitions the city council to declare it as a historical landmark. This sends Ron into a tailspin - there's nothing he hates more than the government meddling in private matters. Ron shows up at the city council meeting to express his feelings, stating that this is nothing more than a thinly veiled government bailout. This causes things to get dicey as several other people speak out, some agreeing with Ron, some resentful that the Video Dome was getting a hand out at all, and some wanting a hand out of their own. Meanwhile, Chris has not yet given Ann an answer regarding the "will you be my sperm-donor" question she posed to him in the last episode. Talking with Ben, Chris voices his concerns - the thought of being a father excites him, but Chris is worried he's not qualified to be a parent. Ben suggests that Chris practice his parenting skills on Tom, who could clearly use the help. After some consideration, Chris decides to go with Ben's suggestion, and ends up giving Tom some "fatherly advice" regarding his issues at Rent-A-Swag with Mona-Lisa Saperstein. While all this is going on, Ann is completely on edge waiting to hear back from Chris about whether or not he'll be her sperm donor. In synchronicity to this, Tom's company, Rent-A-Swag, is in full swing and doing well. Due to the high demand, he is forced to hire an assistant. He brings on Mona-Lisa Saperstein, the twin sister of Jean-Ralphio. Mona-Lisa slacks off on the job, and in general, Tom lets her walk all over him. After witnessing this a few times, Ben urges Tom to fire Mona-Lisa immediately. Tom has to consider Ben's advice, in addition to the "fatherly advice" given by Chris. Finally, April begrudgingly comes to Ann, asking for a favor. She's applying to veterinary school, and she needs a letter of recommendation. Ann is thrilled to finally have the upper hand in her relationship with April; she agrees to write the letter under one condition ... April has to be her friend for one whole week and do everything she says. April has no choice but to agree to Ann's terms and takes part in Ann's parade of girly activities, like manicures and boy talk. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Does Leslie's historical landmark initiative pass, or will it get squashed? How does Chris suggest Tom handle the Mona-Lisa situation? Can April put up with all of this gross Perkins-love? Can the Video Dome be saved, or will it fade away like the Blockbusters around it? What will Chris finally decide with regards to being Ann's sperm donor? Will Tom take Chris' advice, or does he go rogue with his own plan? Will Ann write the letter of recommendation for April? Will there be any negative backlash from Leslie's plan? Is there any possible way Jerry could help Chris? At the end of the episode, does Mona-Lisa still work at Rent-A-Swag? Do Ann and April ever have a genuinely sweet moment? Loyal viewers, Season 5 is an unstoppable freight train approaching your station ... all aboard! Many thanks to our incredible sponsor, Strackwell Hardware.