The Banquet

Season 1, Episode 5, Aired

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7.2
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Leslie makes an impression at a banquet honoring her mother while Mark and Tom go to a bar to pick up women.
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Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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  • Leslie's mom receives an Award

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Lostindharma, Jan 11, 2012
    This was another good episode. Like most episodes in this season, if you were to judge the series on this episode, it would be unfair. Having seen this again after seeing all the series made me appreciate it more. Even when I originally watched this, I enjoyed this episode. This was another step up in the development in the character of Ron. He enjoys his food. I love it when he says to Ann "bacon wrapped shrimp" and then says no I am not offering." His speech was funny. It was dry but funny. It was Ron. This was also a bit of a step up for Mark to player to wanting a realtionship. I also enjoyed seeing more of Leslie's mom. While she is tough and not to be messed with, she does care about her daughter and wants to help her for the pit. Another part I liked seeing was Mark and Tom going out to the bar. At the time, I thought it was weird a married man would try to pick up women. Again if you were to this see this episode, watch the entire series. You also see Leslie's ways with controlling with Ann. She means well but sometimes can control too much. This was an overall good episode and gets better with time.moreless

  • The Best episode of the season

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Water78, Sep 23, 2010
    Parks and Recreation,
    The Banquet, - In this episode Leslie's mother is being honored for her detication in her workforce. Leslie invites Ann to come along to join. She accepts her offer. Leslie then go to get a hair cut. When she arrives her hair cut makes her look like a male, which bothers Ann, because now she thinks she is Leslie's trohpy wife. At the banquet her mother tells her to get close to Jeanine a person on the board who can make the park happen quicker. Leslie's plan of getting close and starting a conversation backfires so her mother tells her some info about Jeanine's husband, Leslie doesnt want to blackmail but is told everyone has done it at the banquet. She follows with the plan until Jeanine outsmarts her. Overall i must say of this season this was the best episode. A funny episode that didnt fail to impress me just a little bit.moreless

  • Best episode so far.. Depending on the finale, could be the best of the season.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Sep 23, 2010
    Now if THIS is what we have to look forward to in the future for Parks and Recreation, I see another great show. This had a little bit of everything from every character (except maybe from April, who doesn't do much of anything). Ron, Tom, Andy, Leslie and even Anne all had great lines, and the plot itself enabled each character to have the light shined on them. In a way, it was like the Dinner Party episode of The Office.

    One thing I frequently have complained about is Mark's portrayal as a player and how it's hard to sympathize with him. However, I've found it easier after this episode. Seeing him and Tom go out for drinks with "trashy woman" and then see him turn it down was interesting and a step in a new direction for his character. Also, Tom's "peacocking" method of getting girls, with his stupid orange hat, was great.

    The mood of this episode felt a little different. It felt funnier, and more focused on helping us learn a little more about the characters. It's a tough job to do in six episode, but they're really setting us up well for a second season.

    Easily the best yet of the season. I was really pleasantly surprised and look forward to the finale.moreless

  • Blackmail.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Sep 23, 2010
    A whole new side of Leslie Knope lol. A side of her that we haven't seen before. First of all. the hairdo was totally different and hysterical since everyone thought she was a lesbian. I like how it all took place in the banquet. I also like how the writers took up so much time with one simple plot. Leslie tries to blackmail a member of the board. I was loving that ladies reaction to the blackmail. The two guys trying to pick up chicks were pretty funny. Finally the girlfriend realizes that all she is is a crutch to her boyfriend. Really good episode.moreless
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    • Ron: I enjoy government functions like I enjoy getting kicked in the nuggets with a steel toed boot. But this hotel always served bacon wrapped shrimp. That's my number one favorite food wrapped around my number three favorite food. I'd go to a banquet in honor of those Somali pirates if they served bacon wrapped shrimp.

    • Leslie: In a town as old as Pawnee there's a lot of history in every acre. This wooded area is the site of the murder, actually, of Nathanial Bixby Mark. He was a pioneer who was killed by a tribe of Wamapoke Indians. He traded them a baby for the city that is now Indianapolis. They cut his face off and made it into a dreamcatcher. And they made his legs into rainsticks. That's the great thing about Indians, back then, is they used every part of the pioneer.

    • Tom: Yes, I'm married. But my wife understands that a good politician has to be appealing to the ladies. The fact that I haven't even gotten close to cheating on her is a disappointment to both of us.

    • Ron: I like your hairdo, Leslie. Leslie: Thank you, Ron. Ron: It's just like my brother's. He's an officer in the Air Force.

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