Parks and Recreation

The Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation Season 5

Genre:Comedy
Network:NBC

Every episode of Parks and Recreation Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation Season 5!

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of...
Episodes
22
Avg. Rating
8.1
S1
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  1. 9.2/10(3.2k votes)

    #1 - Leslie and Ben

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    S5:E14

    Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Meanwhile, Ron's temper gets him in trouble.

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  2. 8.9/10(2.9k votes)

    #2 - Ron and Diane

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    S5:E9

    Ron, Diane, and Leslie attend a wood working awards dinner after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Meanwhile, Jerry hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife, and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

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  3. 8.8/10(2.8k votes)

    #3 - Two Parties

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    S5:E10

    Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.

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    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Dave King
  4. 8.6/10(2.6k votes)

    #4 - Halloween Surprise

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    S5:E5

    A new job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplates their future. Meanwhile, Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom searches for a new business idea.

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  5. 8.5/10(2.4k votes)

    #5 - Emergency Response

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    S5:E13

    Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park, but their plans are derailed when a city-wide emergency response drill is called. Meanwhile, Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam and Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.

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  6. 8.2/10(2.2k votes)

    #6 - Animal Control

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    S5:E18

    Leslie decides to give the Animal Control Department a much-needed makeover. Ann tries to get Ron the medical attention he needs. Ben, Tom, and Andy recruit donors for their charity foundation.

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    Director:Craig Zisk
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  8. 8.2/10(2.2k votes)

    #7 - Are You Better Off?

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    S5:E22

    Leslie celebrates her first year as a city councilwoman. Retired Special Agent Burt Macklin is recalled to action. April gets some life-changing news. Tom debates a big business opportunity.

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  9. 8.0/10(2.4k votes)

    #8 - Sex Education

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    S5:E4

    An STD outbreak amongst Pawnee seniors prompts Leslie to conduct a sex education class. Meanwhile, Ron helps Tom adjust to life without technology after his gadgets are taken away, and Ben and April meet Congressman Murray for the first time.

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    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Alan Yang
  10. 8.0/10(2.3k votes)

    #9 - Women in Garbage

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    S5:E11

    Leslie and April handle a garbage route, while Tom asks Andy and Ben to teach him about basketball. Meanwhile, Ron is left to watch Diane's kids while their babysitter is out of town.

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  11. 8.0/10(2.2k votes)

    #10 - Bailout

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    S5:E16

    Leslie is determined to help a local video store stay in business, while Chris offers Tom advice on how to deal with a difficult employee. Elsewhere, Ann resorts to blackmail to get April to be her friend.

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    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Joe Mande
  12. 8.0/10(2.2k votes)

    #11 - Jerry's Retirement

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    S5:E20

    When Leslie finds out Jerry is retiring, she struggles with the proper way to commemorate the occasion. Chris and Ann prepare to have a baby together. Tom worries he will become the office punching bag once Jerry leaves.

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  13. 7.9/10(2.3k votes)

    #12 - How a Bill Becomes a Law

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    S5:E3

    Leslie helps a local swim team get more practice time by working on a new law that extends the hours at the community pool; Ron finds himself filling a pothole for a local woman (Lucy Lawless) as part of Chris' new plan to solve citizens' problems around the city; April and Ben take a road trip to Pawnee.

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  14. 7.9/10(2.2k votes)

    #13 - Article Two

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    S5:E19

    Leslie works to get rid of outdated laws from the original town charter. April and Ron receive management training from Chris. Ben finds himself in a bidding war against Ann to win a present for Leslie.

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    Director:Amy Poehler
  15. 7.8/10(2.4k votes)

    #14 - Ms. Knope Goes to Washington

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    S5:E1

    Leslie and Andy visit Ben and April at their new jobs in Washington D.C., and Leslie feels overwhelmed by the city -- especially after meeting two of her idols. Meanwhile, Ron throws a "thank you" barbeque for the entire Parks and Recreation staff.

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  16. 7.8/10(2.4k votes)

    #15 - Soda Tax

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    S5:E2

    Leslie decides to wage war on obesity in Pawnee in her first mission as city councilor by passing a city-wide soda tax. Meanwhile, Andy tries to get in shape for his police-entrance exam, and Ben struggles to connect with the interns in his office.

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  17. 7.8/10(2.2k votes)

    #16 - Correspondents' Lunch

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    S5:E15

    Leslie's speech she prepared for a special event is stolen. Ben begins his new job at the Sweetums Charity Foundation. Ann summons the courage to ask an important question.

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  18. 7.7/10(2.3k votes)

    #17 - Ben's Parents

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    S5:E6

    Leslie is nervous about meeting Ben's divorced parents. Tom prepares to pitch his new business to Ron with Jean-Ralphio's help. Chris rides an emotional rollercoaster.

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    Director:Dean Holland
  19. 7.7/10(2.3k votes)

    #18 - Leslie vs. April

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    S5:E7

    Leslie gets upset when April tries to get Lot 48 made into a dog park. Meanwhile, Tom enlists Ben’s help as he tries to launch his new business venture, and Andy hones his crime scene investigation skills.

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  20. 7.7/10(2.3k votes)

    #19 - Pawnee Commons

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    S5:E8

    Leslie and Ben meet with an architect from their rival town, Eagleton, about designs for a new park.

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  21. 7.6/10(2.2k votes)

    #20 - Ann's Decision

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    S5:E12

    Ann tries to get to know herself as Leslie meddles in one of her biggest life decisions. Meanwhile, things go south when Ben enlists the guys to help choose a caterer for the wedding.

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  22. 7.5/10(2.1k votes)

    #21 - Partridge

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    S5:E17

    Leslie accompanies Ben on a trip to his hometown which has offered him a key to the city. Ron deals with a lawsuit filed against him by Councilman Jamm. Ann and Chris take a parenting compatibility quiz.

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  23. 7.5/10(2.1k votes)

    #22 - Swing Vote

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    S5:E21

    Leslie deems Ron's budget-cut proposals unacceptable. Andy and Ben celebrate a big donation made to their charity. Ann tries to solve Tom's girlfriend troubles.

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    Director:Alan Yang

Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Leslie and Ben" is the best rated episode of "Parks and Recreation" season 5. It scored 9.2/10 based on 3243 votes. Directed by Craig Zisk and written by Michael Schur, Alan Yang, it aired on 2/21/2013. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Ron and Diane".