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Season guide

Parks and Recreation: Season 4

22 episodes Premiered Sep 22, 2011 Updated Sep 25, 2026
Previously on Parks and Recreation

Season 4 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Parks and Recreation Season 3.
  • ⚡ Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
  • ⚡ Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
  • ⚡ Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
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Season 4 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 4 Progress Shield

Future titles & synopses blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any card to peek.
Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 4: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

14%
86%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (19): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S4·E1 Mytharc

I'm Leslie Knope

Sep 22, 2011 · 22 min

Leslie is torn between Ben and her dreams of running for public office, while Ron braces himself for the arrival of his first wife, the original Tammy.

S4·E2 Core

Ron and Tammys

Sep 29, 2011 · 22 min

Ron's first ex-wife, Tammy One, reenters his life and tries to control his every move. Meanwhile, Ben helps Tom balance the books at his new company, and Ann makes a PSA, with help

S4·E3 Core

Born and Raised

Oct 6, 2011 · 22 min

Leslie's book about Pawnee comes out just in time for her campaign. Ann tries to bond with Ron and April.

S4·E4 Core

Pawnee Rangers

Oct 13, 2011 · 22 min

Ron takes his boys-only troop of Pawnee Rangers into the wild. Not wanting the girls to feel left out, Leslie also takes her troop of Pawnee Goddesses on an adventure weekend. Mean

S4·E5 Core

Meet 'n' Greet

Oct 27, 2011 · 22 min

Andy and April host a Halloween bash at their house. Tom emcees an event for Leslie's campaign. Andy and April receive an unusual wedding present from Ron and Ann.

S4·E6 Core

End of the World

Nov 3, 2011 · 22 min

A local Pawnee group predicts the end of days, causing chaos in the Parks department.

S4·E7 Core

The Treaty

Nov 10, 2011 · 22 min

Leslie enlists the help of Ben, Andy and April to host a Model U.N. for Pawnee Central High School. Chris asks Ann for her advice on love when a date cancels on him. Meanwhile, Ron

S4·E8 Core

Smallest Park

Nov 17, 2011 · 22 min

Leslie uses her new tourist attraction as a way to spend more time with Ben. Meanwhile, Ron and April encourage Andy to go to college, and Chris tasks Tom and Jerry with revamping

S4·E9 Core

The Trial of Leslie Knope

Dec 1, 2011 · 22 min

Leslie has to face an ethics committee about her secret relationship with Ben after they come clean to Chris.

S4·E10 Core

Citizen Knope

Dec 8, 2011 · 22 min

Unable to get work done from inside the Parks Department, Leslie forms a citizen action group and fights from the outside. Meanwhile, everyone in the office brainstorms ideas for w

S4·E11 Core

The Comeback Kid

Jan 12, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie enlists everyone's help in staging an attention-getting event. Ben takes up a new hobby, while April and Andy adopt a pet.

S4·E12 Core

Campaign Ad

Jan 19, 2012 · 22 min

Faced with a tough new opponent, Leslie and Ben disagree on the content of her first campaign ad. Ron is very uncomfortable when Chris tries to befriend him, while Andy and April m

S4·E13 Core

Bowling for Votes

Jan 26, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie and Ben host a bowling night after receiving feedback about Leslie's campaign. April, Chris, and Jerry hold a competition to see who can raise the most funds.

S4·E14 Core

Operation Ann

Feb 2, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie works to find Ann a Valentine's date. Ron helps Ben with a scavenger hunt, and Chris becomes depressed over his love life.

S4·E15 Core

Dave Returns

Feb 16, 2012 · 22 min

While trying to get an endorsement from the Chief of Police, Leslie and Ben awkwardly run into Leslie's old flame, Dave. Meanwhile, Andy and the rest of the office work on a theme

S4·E16 Core

Sweet Sixteen

Feb 23, 2012 · 22 min

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

S4·E17 Core

Campaign Shake-Up

Mar 1, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie and Ben are caught off guard when her opponent Bobby Newport hires a powerful campaign manager from Washington. Chris forces Ron to start interviewing replacements for Lesli

S4·E18 Core

Lucky

Mar 8, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie and Ben are thrilled when Buddy Wood wants to interview Leslie for his Indianapolis talkshow. April and Ron prep Andy for his final exam in his Women's Studies course.

S4·E19 Core

Live Ammo

Apr 19, 2012 · 22 min

Leslie discovers that the Parks Department budget is about to be cut, and she later meets the City Council member she is running to replace. Chris and Ron visit a meditation center

S4·E20 Core

The Debate

Apr 26, 2012 · 26 min

Leslie goes toe-to-toe with Bobby Newport in a debate. Ann, Tom, and Chris work in the media spin room, while Ron goes the extra mile to save a party for Leslie's donors.

S4·E21 Mytharc

Bus Tour

May 3, 2012 · 25 min

An important person in Pawnee dies while Leslie is on a bus tour for the final day of her campaign. Meanwhile Andy investigates a security threat, and Chris finds a cure for his de

S4·E22 Mytharc

Win, Lose, or Draw

May 10, 2012 · 27 min

It's election day in Pawnee, and Leslie and Bobby Newport are separated by a razor-thin margin. While everyone waits with Leslie for the race to be called, they ponder their future

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