S06E03 - The Pawnee Eagleton Tipoff Classic

Live from Pawnee: A Parks and Recreation Fan Rewatch Podcast

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are introduced to Ben's calculator, "Dr. Buttons"! Still losing heavily in the recall election, Leslie uses the press conference covering the Pawnee-Eagleton Tip Off Classic to score some cheap points by slamming Eagleton. A bit later, Chris tells Ben their old boss from Indianapolis wants them to take a look into Eagleton's budget problem, something which delights Leslie to no end. At the meeting, Eagleton's city council, including Leslie's counterpart, Ingrid de Forest, prefers not to talk openly about money, instead allowing Chris and Ben direct access to their files, so they can see for themselves. They find out Eagleton's debt-equity ratio is off the charts, and they are now on the brink of an epic financial disaster. Leslie is excited, not only because this is a potential way to get Pawnee back on her side (since she "saved" Pawnee from bankruptcy, and now their worst enemy is about to collapse into bankruptcy), but also, quite simply, because it's a chance to stick it to Eagleton. To that end, while Chris and Ben legitimately want to try and help Eagleton, and come up with a viable solution, Leslie puts together a mock presentation disguised as a financial recovery plan. Either way, unfortunately for Eagleton, having borrowed everything they can from the state, Pawnee is now their only hope. Meanwhile, Ron is disturbed by the lack of privacy he has after receiving a magazine addressed to him at Diane's house, where he has lived for less than a month. Ron recruits Tom and Donna to help him get completely off the grid, although quite frankly Tom and Donna are confused as to why anyone would want that, as they LOVE the grid. Ron gets rid of his cell phone, chops up his credit cards, destroys his City Hall car park access keycard, removes his name plate from his office door, destroys his paediatrician files, and even goes around to all the diners and restaurants in town where he has set food eating records and removes his pictures. Finally, Ann and April take a road trip together to the city of Bloomington, IN. They do so for two reasons: So April can attend her orientation day for Bloomington's School of Veterinary Medicine, and so Ann can shop at some of the nicer baby stores, which far outclass what she can find in Pawnee. Ann leaves April to her orientation so she can do some shopping. However, before long, April shows up at the baby store Ann is at, apparently not a fan of the orientation and bailing almost immediately. Ann insists that April return to the orientation and complete it, but April will only do so if Ann agrees to play along with an embarrassing scheme she's concocted, where Ann pretends to be April's 65-year-old grandmother. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will Leslie succeed in getting Pawnee back on her side? Can Ron truly get completely off the grid? Will Ann agree to April's crazy scheme? Is Eagleton truly on the brink of financial disaster? Do Tom and Donna help or hinder Ron towards his goal? Will April finish her orientation? Can the Pawnee gang find a way to help Eagleton ... or they even want to? Will there be any drawbacks to Ron's efforts? Is April still on track to go to vet school? Loyal viewers, there are some big shoes to fill after the fantastic Season 6 premiere ... is this episode up to the task? Only one way to find out! Many thanks to our amazing sponsor, "Cozy's Bar and Grill".