Flu Season (S3E2)

Grab your waffles and chicken soup—today Rob Lowe and Alan Yang are watching an iconic episode of Parks and Recreation. In "Flu Season" Leslie gets sick right before an important fundraising pitch for the Harvest Festival while Chris tries frantically to avoid catching the bug. In today's episode you'll hear why Rob saying "Stop Pooping" was so important, the impact of "Spa-nee" on treating one's self, and how the Harvest Festival storyline helped keep Chris and Ben as main characters. Got a question for the Pawnee Town Hall? Send us an email: [email protected] Or leave a 30-Second voicemail at: (310) 893-6992
 

Flu season has hit Pawnee hard, leaving nurse Ann caring for April, along with many other sick citizens at the hospital, who constantly mistreats Ann in retaliation for kissing Andy. 

Leslie also has the flu, but refuses to admit it in attempts to continue working on an important presentation to the Pawnee Chamber of Commerce about the planned Harvest Festival. With Leslie’s symptoms worsening by the second, Ben takes Leslie to the hospital, where she is admitted with a dangerously high fever and dehydration. Much to the chagrin of Leslie, Ben and Tom decide to do the presentation themselves, but Tom immediately abandons Ben to hang out with a group of older men at the spa.

Back at the hospital, to Ann's surprise, a very sick Chris has also been admitted to the hospital with the flu. Because of his extreme health and 0% body fat, he is ravaged by the flu, which lets Ann see him in a less intimidating light.

Meanwhile, Leslie escapes the hospital and heads back to city hall to deliver the presentation herself. Tom returns from the spa, revealing his spa friends are the owners of several car dealerships, which have agreed to lend vehicles to the festival. Although delirious with fever and an excess of flu medication, Leslie delivers a flawless presentation, wildly impressing Ben. She is immediately brought back to the hospital, where Ben tells her 110 businesses have agreed to help with the festival, surpassing the minimum 80 needed and brings her waffles and homemade chicken soup.

Back at the Parks Dept, with April absent from work, Ron asks Andy to fill in as his assistant. The two bond over the course of the day, and Andy begins to tell Ron about his problems with April, for whom he still harbors romantic feelings. Although initially not wishing to get involved, Ron reluctantly tells Andy she is at the hospital and he should visit her. Meanwhile, Ann remains pleasant throughout her nursing shift despite April's constant abuse. The second her shift ends, however, Ann immediately loses her temper and curses at April. Ann apologizes for kissing Andy, but insists it was a mistake and that April should stop taking it out on Andy. Later, Andy visits April, who pretends to be asleep but smiles, revealing she is happy he came.

At the end of the episode, Chris tells Ben they have been called back to Indianapolis for a new assignment, but both agree to seek an extension to stay in Pawnee longer. Although both claim they want to help organize the Harvest Festival, it is hinted they really want to stay because of Leslie and Ann.