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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
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3

Filter By Season (7)

  • Leslie and Ben
    9.2/10(3,238)
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    #1 - Leslie and Ben

    Season 5 Episode 14

    Aired 2/21/2013

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

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Michael Schur, Alan Yang

    Comments

    0
  • Ron and Diane
    8.9/10(2,926)
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    #2 - Ron and Diane

    Season 5 Episode 9

    Aired 12/6/2012

    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.

    Director: Daniel J. Goor

    Writer: Aisha Muharrar, Megan Amram

    Comments

    0
  • Two Parties
    8.8/10(2,831)
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    #3 - Two Parties

    Season 5 Episode 10

    Aired 1/17/2013

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

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Dave King

    Comments

    0
  • Halloween Surprise
    8.6/10(2,638)
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    #4 - Halloween Surprise

    Season 5 Episode 5

    Aired 10/25/2012

    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.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Michael Schur

    Comments

    0
  • Emergency Response
    8.5/10(2,383)
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    #5 - Emergency Response

    Season 5 Episode 13

    Aired 2/14/2013

    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.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Norm Hiscock, Joe Mande

    Comments

    0
  • Animal Control
    8.2/10(2,227)
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    #6 - Animal Control

    Season 5 Episode 18

    Aired 4/11/2013

    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.

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Megan Amram

    Comments

    0
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  • Are You Better Off?
    8.2/10(2,207)
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    #7 - Are You Better Off?

    Season 5 Episode 22

    Aired 5/2/2013

    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.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Michael Schur

    Comments

    0
  • Sex Education
    8.0/10(2,382)
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    #8 - Sex Education

    Season 5 Episode 4

    Aired 10/18/2012

    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.

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Alan Yang

    Comments

    0
  • Women in Garbage
    8.0/10(2,317)
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    #9 - Women in Garbage

    Season 5 Episode 11

    Aired 1/24/2013

    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.

    Director: Norm Hiscock

    Writer: Harris Wittels

    Comments

    0
  • Bailout
    8.0/10(2,233)
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    #10 - Bailout

    Season 5 Episode 16

    Aired 3/14/2013

    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.

    Director: Craig Zisk

    Writer: Joe Mande

    Comments

    0
  • Jerry's Retirement
    8.0/10(2,169)
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    #11 - Jerry's Retirement

    Season 5 Episode 20

    Aired 4/18/2013

    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.

    Director: Nicole Holofcener

    Writer: Norm Hiscock, Aisha Muharrar

    Comments

    0
  • How a Bill Becomes a Law
    7.9/10(2,342)
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    #12 - How a Bill Becomes a Law

    Season 5 Episode 3

    Aired 10/4/2012

    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.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Daniel J. Goor

    Comments

    0
  • Article Two
    7.9/10(2,170)
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    #13 - Article Two

    Season 5 Episode 19

    Aired 4/18/2013

    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.

    Director: Amy Poehler

    Writer: Matt Murray

    Comments

    0
  • Ms. Knope Goes to Washington
    7.8/10(2,411)
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    #14 - Ms. Knope Goes to Washington

    Season 5 Episode 1

    Aired 9/20/2012

    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.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Aisha Muharrar

    Comments

    0
  • Soda Tax
    7.8/10(2,366)
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    #15 - Soda Tax

    Season 5 Episode 2

    Aired 9/27/2012

    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.

    Director: Kyle Newacheck

    Writer: Norm Hiscock

    Comments

    0
  • Correspondents' Lunch
    7.8/10(2,156)
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    #16 - Correspondents' Lunch

    Season 5 Episode 15

    Aired 2/21/2013

    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.

    Director: Nick Offerman

    Writer: Alexandra Rushfield

    Comments

    0
  • Ben's Parents
    7.7/10(2,309)
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    #17 - Ben's Parents

    Season 5 Episode 6

    Aired 11/8/2012

    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.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Greg Levine

    Comments

    0
  • Leslie vs. April
    7.7/10(2,292)
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    #18 - Leslie vs. April

    Season 5 Episode 7

    Aired 11/15/2012

    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.

    Director: Wendey Stanzler

    Writer: Harris Wittels

    Comments

    0
  • Pawnee Commons
    7.7/10(2,265)
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    #19 - Pawnee Commons

    Season 5 Episode 8

    Aired 11/29/2012

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

    Director: Morgan Sackett

    Writer: Alexandra Rushfield

    Comments

    0
  • Ann's Decision
    7.6/10(2,231)
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    #20 - Ann's Decision

    Season 5 Episode 12

    Aired 2/7/2013

    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.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Nate DiMeo

    Comments

    0
  • Partridge
    7.5/10(2,138)
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    #21 - Partridge

    Season 5 Episode 17

    Aired 4/4/2013

    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.

    Director: Tristram Shapeero

    Writer: Dave King

    Comments

    0
  • Swing Vote
    7.5/10(2,090)
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    #22 - Swing Vote

    Season 5 Episode 21

    Aired 4/25/2013

    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.

    Director: Alan Yang

    Writer: Alan Yang, Joe Mande

    Comments

    0

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 3238 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".