Sarah Lind

Whenever I rewatch The Office, I then rewatch Parks and Rec. The two shows are just such a joy, filled with amazing, heartfelt characters and brilliant comedy. It makes sense because they both have the same creator. I do generally find The Office to be funnier but Parks and Rec has a special place in my heart. The Office is a cynical, satirical view on the mundane life of an American office, and at the beginning of Parks and Rec it seemed like it would be a copy of that but in Indiana. But after the first season, Parks and Rec really shines. Parks and Rec isn't a cynical show, but rather a story about undying optimism and drive in the face of never-ending obstacles. Every single character is unique and has their own story with goals that you watch them work towards throughout the entire series. Everytime a character achieves a goal, it feels like you have been walking alongside them the entire time, and it's so refreshing. It's a show that makes you feel like you can do anything you put your mind to, and the main character Leslie Knope is a perfect example of that. She is an incredibly smart and hardworking character that you can't help but deeply care about everytime she has a win. The relationships between the characters are heartfelt and meaningful. The show is also absurdly funny, with a perfect satirization of the American government system without becoming too partisan. In a country that is more divided than ever, its nice to watch a show focused on the good the American government could do. If you like The Office I highly recommend checking out Parks and Rec.