Ep 17. Women Of The Year

Leslie Knope has always been an advocate for women's rights, so when she's nominated for a prestigious award, the Indiana Women's Coalition's "Woman of the Year," she's over the moon. That is until she realizes that all the other nominees are strikingly beautiful and accomplished women, including her own mother, Marlene (Pamela Reed). Things get even more complicated when Leslie's campaign manager, Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) discovers that the previous winners of the award have all had plastic surgery.

The episode delves into the concept of beauty standards and societal expectations of women. Leslie struggles with the idea that her achievements may not be enough to win the award, and questions whether she needs to conform to a certain standard of beauty. Meanwhile, Marlene seems unfazed by the competition and simply enjoys the honor of being nominated.

Throughout the episode, Leslie and her team, including Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), attempt to strategize a campaign that will give her a fighting chance. Leslie's desperation to win leads her to make some questionable decisions, such as commissioning a portrait of herself that is meant to highlight her "softer side," but ends up making her look like a mermaid.

The episode is packed with satire and wit, as the writers poke fun at the absurdity of beauty standards and the way women are judged by their appearance. Leslie, whose trademark is her awkwardness and lack of grace, sticks out like a sore thumb among the polished and sophisticated nominees, making for some hilarious moments.

Meanwhile, the B-plot of the episode follows Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) as he attempts to get a job at city hall. His cluelessness and lack of qualifications make for some cringe-worthy moments, but his persistence also endears him to some of the staff, including April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), who sees potential in him.

The episode culminates in a tense awards ceremony, where Leslie and her team nervously wait to see who wins. Without giving too much away, the episode is a testament to Leslie's perseverance and her belief in the importance of recognizing women's achievements, regardless of their appearance.

Overall, "Women of the Year" is a standout episode of Parks and Recreation, highlighting the show's ability to tackle important social issues with humor and heart. The episode serves as a reminder that women's accomplishments should be celebrated for their merit, not their appearance, and that there's value in being true to oneself, even if it means going against societal expectations.