Ep 3. Parker Gail's Location Is Everything

In season 2, episode 3 of the satirical mockumentary series Documentary Now!, titled "Parker Gail's Location Is Everything," the show turns its lens onto the world of hardcore New York City real estate. The episode follows the story of Parker Gail, a ruthless and eccentric real estate developer who is determined to construct the ultimate luxury apartment building in the heart of the city.

The episode parodies a documentary from the mid-1970s, presenting itself as a lost film that was never released to the general public due to legal issues. The show's creators, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers, play the roles of the interviews and narrators who recount the tale of Parker Gail and his ambitious building project.

As the episode begins, we learn about Parker Gail's childhood and early life. We find out that he comes from humble beginnings and worked his way up through the ranks of the real estate industry before striking out on his own. We hear from colleagues and acquaintances who describe him as a visionary and a genius, but also as challenging to work with due to his intense perfectionism and uncompromising standards.

Parker Gail's dream is to build a 75-story luxury apartment complex that will be the envy of the world. He has purchased a prime piece of real estate in midtown Manhattan and is determined to make the most of it. However, he soon encounters numerous obstacles, including zoning regulations, neighborhood activists, and a lack of funding.

Undaunted, Parker puts his indomitable spirit to work and devises a plan to get the funding he needs to build his dream building. He meets with foreign investors, the Manhattan elite, and wealthy entrepreneurs, pitching them on his vision for the ultimate luxury living experience.

The episode also features interviews with local residents who are opposed to the construction of Parker's building. They fear that it will disrupt their community and lead to an influx of wealthy, elitist residents who will price them out of their own neighborhoods.

Throughout the episode, we see Parker Gail's personality and ego on full display. He is a larger-than-life character who is willing to do whatever it takes to get his project off the ground, even if it means bending or breaking the rules. We see him clash with regulators, argue with his partners, and generally bulldoze his way through the development process.

As the episode progresses, we see Parker's project come closer and closer to fruition. However, it soon becomes clear that his single-minded focus on his building has come at a cost. He has alienated the people around him, destroyed personal relationships, and become increasingly isolated.

The final act of the episode takes a surprising turn, as we see the ultimate fate of Parker Gail and his building project. Without giving anything away, we can say that the episode ends on a poignant note that reflects on the high cost of ambition and the dangers of unchecked power.

Overall, "Parker Gail's Location Is Everything" is a sharply written and expertly acted episode of Documentary Now! that skewers the world of real estate development and the excesses of the wealthy elite. Through its satirical lens, the episode offers insight into themes such as ambition, ego, and the corrupting influence of power. If you're a fan of the mockumentary genre or appreciate satire that hits its target dead-on, this episode is well worth a watch.