The second season of Parks and Recreation is quite different from the first. The catalyst is a fundamental change in Leslie Knope: her chaotic nature and naivety has been dialled way back. She becomes an actor, not a reactor, and a character that you like as much as you admire. She doesnt just distinguish herself from Michael Scott; she becomes one of the most interesting characters on TV, and every bit the feminist icon to viewers that the character aspires to be.
The supporting cast also begins to flourish. Nick Offermans deadpan, lavishly moustachioed Ron Swanson is a stand-out watch out for the episode where Ron gets a hernia and the show hits upon its most compelling relationship by pairing Chris Pratts man-child Andy with Aubrey Plazas sullen April. Even the weaker threads of the ensemble are tidied up, with one major characters departure and the introduction of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott for the final two episodes. From then on, one of the funniest shows on TV is also the one with the biggest heart.
