| We have one activity planned: not getting killed. |
| — Ron Swanson |
"Pawnee Rangers" is the fourth episode in the fourth season of the NBC television series Parks and Recreation. It premiered on October 13, 2011 to 4 million viewers.
Synopsis[]
In an effort to fight the inequality of Ron's boys-only wilderness group, the Pawnee Rangers, Leslie sets out to prove that her girls-only troop, the Pawnee Goddesses, is the superior club.
Storyline[]
Ron is the troop leader of a boys-only wilderness club called the Pawnee Rangers, with Andy as his assistant. Five years earlier, a girl was denied entry into the boys-only Rangers, so Leslie created her own group, the girls-only Pawnee Goddesses. Leslie is determined to prove that her group is better to avenge the past rejection, so she decides to arrange a weekend camping trip for the Goddesses at the same camping ground as the Rangers, with Ann and April as her assistants. Meanwhile, after noticing that Ben is feeling down and cranky, Donna invites him to come along on her and Tom's annual "Treat Yo Self" trip, where they take a day off to treat themselves to luxurious goods and food items, despite Tom's protests. Jerry is left alone in the office, so City Manager Chris gives him the day off; Jerry invites Chris to have lunch with him and his daughter Millicent, and Chris agrees when he sees that Milly is very attractive.
On the camping trip, Ron's leadership style is to teach his boys how to survive in the wild, but they aren't given much else to do to pass the time. Leslie teaches her girls crafts and makes fun plans for her group in front of Ron's group. The boys in the Rangers become jealous of the Pawnee Goddesses, who appear to be having a lot more fun on the trip, as they have puppies, pillow fights, and candy, while the Rangers are tasked with building a meager shelter and only supplied with cans of beans for food.
Ben is unable to enjoy himself with Tom and Donna, nearly getting hurt during acupuncture and only buying socks at the mall. Donna suggests he try to do "Treat Yo Self" his way, asking him what he's like to splurge on. He buys a Batman costume. Ben then breaks down sobbing and admits he's been feeling horrible due to his recent break-up with Leslie. Tom and Donna assure him they have his back.
At lunch, Chris and Millicent hit it off. Back at the Parks department, Chris asks Jerry's permission to go out with Millicent. Jerry says that Millicent is a grown woman and that he trusts them both.
Leslie is glad her efforts to make the boys jealous worked when one of the boys in Ron's troop approaches Leslie and asks to join the Goddesses. Leslie gloats that her club is the best while telling the boy, Darren, that her club is only for girls. Several of the girls point out to Leslie that she's doing the same thing that was done to her five years ago in keeping the opposite gender out of the club. The girls suggest holding a public forum on the issue with the boys. Ron tries to convince the boys that he's teaching them valuable skills, but when the puppies arrive, the boys (including Andy) desert him. The boys are allowed to join the Goddesses. Leslie feels sorry when she spots Ron sitting at a campfire all alone. She apologizes for being so competitive and tries to reassure him that he's a good Ranger leader, but Ron laments that children no longer want to learn tough survival skills, admitting Leslie has the better group. This doesn't give Leslie the satisfaction she thought it would.
A week later, Chris informs Jerry that he's gone out on a date with Millicent and gives Jerry much more information than he wanted about what went on during it, including that they've slept together.
When Ron arrives at his office, there are several children waiting for him for their club meeting. He sees that Leslie took an ad out in the local newspaper and has set up a hardcore outdoor survival skills club for boys and girls for Ron to lead called "The Swansons".
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
- Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins
- Paul Schneider as Mark Brendanawicz
- Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford
- Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson
- Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate
- Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer
- Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt
- Rob Lowe as Chris Traeger
Guest Stars[]
Quotes[]
Ron: For the last three years, I have served as troop leader of the Pawnee Rangers. This is our handbook. [opens the handbook and the inside only consists of one entry: "1. Be A Man."] I wrote the whole thing myself.
Leslie: We're called the Pawnee Goddesses and we're freakin' awesome.
Andy: I am Mother Nature's brother, Brother Nature. But you can call me Andy. Or, Brother Nature. Your call.
Leslie: [in a Southern accent] Oh my stars! I'm just a little lady, my fragile constitution cannot handle the fearsome outdoors!
Ron: I have no problem with strong women, Leslie.
Leslie: [in a Southern accent] Who's "Leslie"? My name is Annabelle van der Graaf... and... y'all, I just fall into pieces when the sun shines on my hair.
Leslie: Say my club is better, Ron. Say it. My club is better. Say it. [Ron doesn't, even when she taps him on the shoulder] Come on, say it's better. Saaay it. Say it's better. Say my club is better. Say it. Give it up. Who's club is better? Mine. Say it. You know it. Saaay it.
Ron: On principle, I never say anything that another person is obviously trying to get me to say. My first wedding ceremony took two hours because after the priest said "Repeat after me", I fell silent.
Donna: What is wrong with you today? Did they cancel Game of Thrones?
Ben: Nothing is wrong, just do your job. ...And they would never cancel Game of Thrones. It's a crossover hit. It's not just for fantasy enthusiasts, they're telling human stories in a fantasy world. [Donna and Jerry look at him awkwardly]
Donna: Relaxation lesson number one: acupuncture. It's great for your back and your rear. Needles in your face, pleasure in yo' base.
Ann: I bought this Mackerel at the Supermarket. I've been standing in the water with the fish on my hook for 30 minutes. I saw it on an episode of I Love Lucy. Pathetic? Maybe, but it feels pretty good to have a bunch of little boys be super in to me. That came out wrong.
Donna: Uh-oh. Batman's crying.
Leslie: I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior, queen of all that I survey. Enemies of equality, hear my womanly roar!
Donna: [sees Ben eat soup on a bench] Oh, Lord. Is he eating soup? On a bench? Alone?
Donna: [about to put Ben in her Mercedes] No arguing. And no soup in the Benz. [tosses his soup away]
Tom: [wearing shades, a fedora, and a scarf] Treat Yo Self.
Donna: [to Tom] Treat Yo Self. [Tom smiles]
Ben: This is insane.