NBC returned to Pawnee, Indiana, on Thursday for an eagerly anticipated for the Parks and Recreation special, reuniting the stars of the beloved comedy to raise money for Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund. The episode provided updates on the lives of the characters, some five years after the series ended -- but before the time jumps depicted in the 2015 finale.
Here's where 2020, and social distancing, finds the Parks & Rec gang:
Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt
At the end of the series, they move to Washington, D.C.m to start their new jobs. Leslie works for the Department of the Interior, and Ben is a Congressman. They raise a set of triplets while balancing their busy schedules.
In the reunion special, Leslie is hard at work trying to come up with the best government policy to address the COVID-19 crisis. She had to close all federal parks, but in true Leslie Knope fashion, she created multiple committees. She also set up a daily video call chain to make sure everyone is checked on.
Meanwhile, Ben’s gone stir crazy in isolation, and started planning a Claymation video for his board game, The Cones of Dunshire. It’s similar to Season 4, when he resigned his job and was desperate to fill his time. Throughout the special, the two of them do media rounds to reassure the people of Pawnee things will be OK.
Ron Swanson
At the end of the series, Ron was living happily with his wife and kids. In the finale, Ron leaves his successful building company and buys a controlling share of a distillery.
True to his character, Ron spends the lockdown at his cabin, living off whatever he hunts. He and Leslie remain good friends, and he even joins GRYZZL so they can stay in touch. The special also reveal he still gets harassed by his ex-wife, Tammy (played by Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman’s wife).
Andy Dwyer and April Ludgate-Dwyer
At the end of the series, April and Andy move to D.C. so she can work with the American Service Foundation. Presumably, Andy found a way to revive his kids’ character, Johnny Karate.
The couple continues to be as sporadic and free-wheeling as ever. Andy spent a significant part of his time locked in his own shed, and it appears April learned the drums.
Ann Perkins and Chris Trager
Before the final season, Ann and Chris moved to Michigan to raise their son closer to Ann’s family; their brief appearance in the finale reveal they had a daughter. There’s also an implication Ann was still working in the healthcare field but was no longer a nurse.
In the special, Ann lends her nursing skills to fight the pandemic. Chris, remaining as positive as ever, donates blood multiple times a week, as he’s considered a “superhuman.”
Tom Haverford
At the end of the final season, Tom owns of a successful restaurant and is engaged to his girlfriend, Lucy. In the finale, the restaurant goes under after an expansion. He uses his experiences failing to write a successful motivational book.
It turns out the pandemic occurs in the middle of his book tour, which is forced to end early. He’s bitter about that, but still remains close with Donna through their mutual appreciation for the finer things in life. Still an entrepreneur at heart, he pitches a few wild business ideas.
Garry Gergich
Garry (or Gerry, Larry, whatever you remember him by) was named the interim mayor of Pawnee during the final season. In the finale, we learn he was elected to 10 terms as mayor.
Because he’s only in his first term as mayor, we can assume he’s handling the pandemic well. He has had to cancel a few events, like the annual Popsicle Lick and Pass. Despite being mayor, he manages to goof up often, remaining the butt of jokes.
Donna Meagle
Donna settled down and married her boyfriend, Joe, in the final season. In the finale, she and Joe move to Seattle, where she runs a real estate business and he continues to teach.
As expected, Donna feels comfortable in her own home during the crisis. The most difficult part for her has been watching Joe teach online. He enjoys it, and it may be what inspires their initiative, Teach Yo Self.
Recurring Characters
Joan Callamazo hosts Pawnee Today at home and really feels the loneliness. Dennis Feinstein sells a cologne he claims will kill the coronavirus. Perd Haply continues his own brand of news. Jean-Ralphio Saperstein won a huge settlement after getting hit by a Porsche. Jeremy Jamm tries continuing his dental business while social distancing in a less-than-ethical way.
A Parks and Recreation Special is available for streaming on NBC.com.