The Bubble
- Episode aired May 19, 2011
- TV-14
- 21m
Leslie's mom makes a pass at Ben, not knowing that he and Leslie are dating. Meanwhile, Chris makes radical changes in the office, and nobody is happy with them.Leslie's mom makes a pass at Ben, not knowing that he and Leslie are dating. Meanwhile, Chris makes radical changes in the office, and nobody is happy with them.Leslie's mom makes a pass at Ben, not knowing that he and Leslie are dating. Meanwhile, Chris makes radical changes in the office, and nobody is happy with them.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe bizarre "spaceship keyboard" that Donna was forced to use is not a custom prop; it's an actual ergonomic keyboard manufactured by SafeType.
- GoofsIt's inconceivable that after nearly a year or so in Pawnee, and spending considerable time with Leslie, that Ben would not have heard that her mother also works at City Hall and in fact is more prominent than Leslie. Leslie's mom is the only family she has and they are not estranged. Additionally, Leslie has a photo of her mom behind her desk.
- Quotes
Ron Swanson: Chris, you have come up with a plan so spectacularly horrible that it might ruin the entire department.
Chris Traeger: Now wait a minute...
Ron Swanson: No, I mean that as a compliment. So it pains me to say this: my department has to go back to the way it was.
Chris Traeger: Give them time. They'll adjust.
Ron Swanson: No, they won't. They're miserable. Tom only performs when there's someone to impress, so marooning him on Freak Island isn't helping anyone. And you made April assistant to everyone? You know who April hates? Everyone. And Jerry can only function if no one's looking. You shine a light on him, and he shrinks up faster than an Eskimo's scrotum.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dave's Obsessions and D-Lists: Top 15 Parks and Rec Episodes (2015)
- SoundtracksCelebration
(uncredited)
Written by Robert 'Kool' Bell, Ronald Bell, George 'Funky' Brown, Eumir Deodato, Robert 'Spike' Mickens, Claydes Smith, James 'JT' Taylor, Dennis D.T. Thomas, and Earl Toon
Performed by Kool & The Gang
The episode has two major storylines that take up the entire episode. One is great, and the other is ok. Let's start with the one that is ok. Ben has a meeting with Leslie's mom, unknown to the fact that its her mother. Leslie makes things very awkward for Ben and does not tell him its her mother until the very last minute. Leslie is scared this meeting will ruin "the bubble" which refers to the beginning of a romantic relationship. I was never a big fan of the character of Marlene Knope, but this whole storyline is so cringy that you can't help but laugh at a few moments here and there. The B-story, however, is much stronger.
Chris has initiated new changes in the Parks Department and has moved everyone to different positions and even different floors in City Hall. In this storyline, we get the introduction of one of my favorite Parks and Rec minor characters, Ethel Beavers, who works on the fourth floor where Tom and Andy now work. I love seeing Andy remain optimistic and positive even though he works on the fourth floor. It is still much better than his shoe-shining job. My favorite thing about this storyline is seeing Ron adjust to his new desk. A circular desk with no walls right in the center of the office. My favorite scene in the entire episode is when Ron avoids a Pawnee citizen who is trying to get his assistance by maneuvering his chair further and further away from her.
Overall, "The Bubble" isn't one of the strongest episodes in the season, but still funny with a few very entertaining scenes. I like seeing Leslie and Ben finally as a couple, even though they have to hide it from the public. Also there's some more classic Ron Swanson moments. In this season, there seems to be at least one classic Swanson scene or quote in every episode.
- brenbella
- Aug 16, 2018
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