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The Worst Episodes of Parks and Recreation

Every episode of Parks and Recreation ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Parks and Recreation!

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of...
Genre:Comedy
Network:NBC

Worst Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the worst rated episode of "Parks and Recreation". It scored 6.9/10 based on 4301 votes. Directed by Greg Daniels and written by Greg Daniels, Michael Schur, it aired on 4/9/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Canvassing".

  • Pilot
    6.9/104,301 votes
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    #1 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/9/2009

    Indiana government worker Leslie Knope is given the assignment to convert an abandoned quarry pit into a community park. A documentary film crew follows Leslie through her mishaps and gaffes as she tries to make her assignment a reality.

    Director: Greg Daniels

    Writer: Greg Daniels, Michael Schur

  • Canvassing
    7.0/103,683 votes
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    #2 - Canvassing

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/16/2009

    Leslie decides that she and her committee need to go door-to-door to gain support for the park project as well as support for an upcoming town hall meeting, but their mission does not go as planned. Meanwhile, Tom wanders away from the canvassing group and uses his own creative recruitment tactics.

    Director: Seth Gordon

    Writer: Rachel Axler

  • The Reporter
    7.1/103,445 votes
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    #3 - The Reporter

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/23/2009

    Leslie arranges for a reporter to do a story about her park project, but she and her committee have the worst time staying on topic. She then calls Mark to help her save the story, but it ends up hurting more than helping. Meanwhile, Tom does all he can to suck up to his boss.

    Director: Jeffrey Blitz

    Writer: Daniel J. Goor

  • The Banquet
    7.1/103,228 votes
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    #4 - The Banquet

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/7/2009

    During a banquet honoring her mother's public service, Leslie tries to convince a local zoning official to support her proposed park project. Meanwhile, Mark and Tom try to meet some ladies.

    Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller

    Writer: Tucker Cawley

  • Boys' Club
    7.2/103,352 votes
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    #5 - Boys' Club

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/30/2009

    Leslie attempts to break into the political "old boy's club," causing an ethical dilemma. Meanwhile, Andy plans a surprise for Ann.

    Director: Michael McCullers

    Writer: Alan Yang

  • William Henry Harrison
    7.3/102,086 votes
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    #6 - William Henry Harrison

    Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 1/20/2015

    Leslie's team tries to strengthen her case that the Newport land should be turned into a National Park. Ron's team, fighting back, brings on a celebrity as a minority owner.

    Director: Tom Magill

    Writer: Megan Amram

  • Galentine's Day
    7.4/101,936 votes
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    #7 - Galentine's Day

    Season 6 Episode 16 - Aired 3/20/2014

    Leslie throws a hasty Galentine’s Day in an attempt to find a replacement for Ann. Tom and Ben look to finalize a deal on tents for the Unity Concert, while Ron finds himself looking after Andy.

    Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller

    Writer: Emma Fletcher, Emma Fletcher, Rachna Fruchbom

  • Galentine's Day
    7.5/102,735 votes
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    #8 - Galentine's Day

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 2/11/2010

    When Leslie hears her mom’s story about an old flame, she and her boyfriend Justin track him down and reunite them on Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, Andy and his band are nervous about playing a gig at the Senior Center.

    Director: Ken Kwapis

    Writer: Michael Schur

  • Partridge
    7.5/102,111 votes
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    #9 - 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

  • Swing Vote
    7.5/102,065 votes
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    #10 - 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

  • Fluoride
    7.5/102,053 votes
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    #11 - Fluoride

    Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/2013

    Leslie tries to complete some of her biggest city council goals, like hosting an NFL Play 60 event with the Indianapolis Colts, and trying to add fluoride to Pawnee’s drinking water. Meanwhile, Chris and Ron attempt to bond while building cribs for their future children.

    Director: Michael Trim

    Writer: Matt Hubbard

  • New Beginnings
    7.5/102,025 votes
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    #12 - New Beginnings

    Season 6 Episode 10 - Aired 1/16/2014

    Leslie and Ben both face new challenges on the first day of new jobs. Donna, April and Andy play a prank on Ben, while Tom prepares for a big presentation. Meanwhile Ann and Chris contemplate taking a big leap together.

    Director: Alan Yang

    Writer: Sam Means

  • 2017
    7.5/102,336 votes
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    #13 - 2017

    Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 1/13/2015

    Leslie launches a competition with tech company Gryzzl for a large parcel of land, which she wants to turn into a National Park. April and Andy try to regain their spontaneity. Ben is recognized at a Bicentennial gala, where Tom delivers a speech in his honor.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Matt Murray, Alan Yang

  • Rock Show
    7.6/103,268 votes
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    #14 - Rock Show

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/14/2009

    Leslie attends what she believes is a business meeting with an elderly local government bigwig, unaware that her mother has secretly set her up on a blind date. Andy plays his first gig since breaking both of his legs in the pit.

    Director: Michael Schur

    Writer: Norm Hiscock

  • Beauty Pageant
    7.6/103,106 votes
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    #15 - Beauty Pageant

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/1/2009

    Leslie gets to judge a beauty contest, but ends up having conflicting opinions on "the ideal woman" with the other judges. While on a date with Mark, Ann learns Andy has been living in the pit.

    Director: Jason Woliner

    Writer: Katie Dippold

  • Sister City
    7.6/103,333 votes
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    #16 - Sister City

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/15/2009

    Leslie plays host to the Parks and Recreation department from Pawnee’s sister city, Boraqua, Venezuela, and is shocked at the cultural differences. Tom becomes an errand boy, and April plays hard to get.

    Director: Michael Schur

    Writer: Alan Yang

  • Kaboom
    7.6/102,924 votes
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    #17 - Kaboom

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 10/22/2009

    Leslie, Ann and the rest of the Parks Department volunteer to help the organization KaBOOM! build a playground for a neighboring town. After building an entire playground in one day, Leslie gets frustrated at the lack of progress with the pit, and takes some advice from Mark to cut through the red tape.

    Director: Charles McDougall

    Writer: Aisha Muharrar

  • Sweet Sixteen
    7.6/102,332 votes
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    #18 - Sweet Sixteen

    Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 2/23/2012

    Leslie realizes that the department has forgotten Jerry's birthday and decides to throw a party for him at a special location. Meanwhile, Tom is flabbergasted when he finds out Ann doesn't share his taste in music.

    Director: Michael Schur

    Writer: Norm Hiscock

  • Ann's Decision
    7.6/102,203 votes
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    #19 - 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

  • Doppelgängers
    7.6/102,137 votes
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    #20 - Doppelgängers

    Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2013

    Leslie pairs up the Pawnee Parks employees with their Eagleton counterparts. Meanwhile Ben and Chris reunite for an accounting project, and Ann reveals her plans for the future.

    Director: Jaime Eliezer Karas

    Writer: Donick Cary

  • The Cones of Dunshire
    7.6/102,092 votes
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    #21 - The Cones of Dunshire

    Season 6 Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2013

    Leslie faces off with Councilman Jamm; Ben gets a new hobby; Tom, April and Donna help Ron sell his cabin.

    Director: Julie Anne Robinson

    Writer: Dave King

  • Farmers Market
    7.6/101,991 votes
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    #22 - Farmers Market

    Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 1/23/2014

    Leslie fights with Ben over questionable sales techniques at the local farmers market. Ann searches for a way to vent about the annoying aspects of pregnancy, while April supports Andy in a new creative venture.

    Director: Adam Scott

    Writer: Joe Mande

  • Ann and Chris
    7.6/102,033 votes
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    #23 - Ann and Chris

    Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 1/30/2014

    On Ann and Chris's last night in Pawnee, Leslie throws a grand farewell party and attempts to fulfill one last promise. Meanwhile, Tom, Ben, Ron and Andy struggle to find the perfect going away gift for Chris.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Michael Schur, Aisha Muharrar

  • New Slogan
    7.6/101,950 votes
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    #24 - New Slogan

    Season 6 Episode 15 - Aired 3/13/2014

    Leslie aims to create a new town slogan, but runs afoul of local shock jocks. Andy scouts bands to play the Unity Concert and discovers an interesting secret about Ron, while Tom looks for a restaurant locale with Donna and April.

    Director: Dean Holland

    Writer: Alan Yang, Sam Means

  • Prom
    7.6/101,931 votes
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    #25 - Prom

    Season 6 Episode 17 - Aired 4/3/2014

    Leslie helps organize the high school's Senior Prom, and battles with Ron over the future employment of a bright high school senior. Andy takes an unwilling April as his date, and Tom is tasked with DJ'ing and agrees to let Ben help.

    Director: Ken Whittingham

    Writer: Matt Murray, Harris Wittels