At Ann’s, Ron rips off a fixture from the wall to fashion some rings (we learn in the tag that it’s not exactly rocket science, just, you know, super detailed). So, those rings will be done in about 20 minutes.
Jerry is reading Tom’s note cards and not really nailing the jokes. “You ever heard Leslie talk about Ben’s butt? I’m all like ‘damn girl, you mad sweet on that back meat.” Eventually, Jerry has the idea that Tom should read all of his speech and then Jerry will just do the part at the end. So rings, license, and minister are all checked! Let’s have a wedding!
At the gala, Chris gives Ben the letter from the state house telling them they had been assigned to Pawnee. Cry two! Something that was supposed to last only eight weeks has completely changed Ben’s life…and he gets a little emotional too.
Cut to Ann, who is just as good of a friend as Chris. She’s made the rest of Leslie’s dress out of important documents, bills, and memos from Leslie’s career. I was a little nervous when I saw this dress in the promo, but I can definitely say this was cry three. Audiences admire Leslie because of how dedicated she is to her career and her community. The fact that everything she has worked so hard for can be somehow put together to give her the wedding dress she so rightly deserves to wed the man she so definitely is meant for seems perfect.
Everything seems to be coming together, but we’re only halfway done with the episode! Ron is walking Leslie down the aisle. But wait! It’s Councilman Jamm, furious that Leslie has derailed his attempt to get a new Paunch Burger built. He tries to ruin the wedding by throwing stink bombs (curse his Amazon Prime membership). Ron steps in to punch Jamm in the face (please tell me someone has GIF’d this already) and promptly gets arrested.
At the jailhouse, Ron tells Leslie to have the wedding without him. Leslie gets emotional when she tells Ron that since her dad died when she was 10 and Ken Burns never wrote her back, Ron’s like a father to her. She can’t get married without him. It’s safe to say I was basically crying for the rest of this episode. I know that Amy Poehler is a comedy genius and has delivered some brilliantly hilarious moments on this show. However, I have to say that when she had Leslie get a little choked up but then recover, that was just amazing.
Ann comes to bail Ron out. She says maybe Ben and Leslie can just get married later. Leslie agrees. Ann casually invites Leslie back to City Hall for some champagne. Could this be it? Of course not.
Ron and Leslie walk down the hall of Leslie’s favorite place, a place Ron makes it a point to never be past 5:04. Ron looks at her and kindly says, “You are a wonderful person. Your friendship means a lot to me. And you look very beautiful.”
He then grabs her arm and Leslie lets out an honest “oh boy.” Ann has set up everything. There in the Parks and Recreation department are white candles, rose petals, lights, Donna singing an aria, and an ordained minister (Jerry) ready to make Leslie and Ben’s dream come true.
As Leslie and Ben say their vows, a montage of their best moments plays in black and white. It would be cheesy, if you had a heart of stone. Instead, it’s a perfect reminder of the couple we’ve been rooting for ever since they met (even before they knew it).
“…I realized that this whole time I was just wandering around everywhere, just looking for you,” Ben warmly tells Leslie.
“I love you and I like you,” Leslie tells Ben.
It all feels perfect. And like that, they are husband and wife.
“When you’re in love, everything seems like a sign. I love my husband. I love my job and I love my friends. Even though they really can’t handle their booze.”
NEXT PAGE: ‘Correspondents’ Lunch’ and the stuff about Andy
