The BEST episodes of Parks and Recreation season 5

Every episode of Parks and Recreation season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Parks and Recreation season 5!

The series follows Leslie Knope, the deputy head of the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Knope takes on a project with a nurse named Ann to turn a construction pit into a park, while trying to mentor a bored college-aged intern. However, Leslie must fight through the bureaucrats, problem neighbors, and developers in order to make her dream a reality, all with a camera crew recording her every gaff and mishap.

Last Updated: 2/19/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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Leslie and Ben
star
8.42
2303 votes

#1 - Leslie and Ben

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/21/2013

Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Ron's temper gets him in trouble.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ron and Diane
star
8.20
2453 votes

#2 - Ron and Diane

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/6/2012

Ron's nomination for a woodworking award is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Jerry hosts a holiday party and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

Directors: Dan Goor
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Two Parties
star
8.08
2345 votes

#3 - Two Parties

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/17/2013

Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Dave King
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Emergency Response
star
8.08
2189 votes

#4 - Emergency Response

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/14/2013

Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park. Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam. Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.

Directors: Dean Holland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Halloween Surprise
star
8.08
2308 votes

#5 - Halloween Surprise

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2012

A job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplate their future. Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating. Tom searches for a new business idea.

Directors: Dean Holland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sex Education
star
8.05
2231 votes

#6 - Sex Education

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/2012

An STD outbreak amongst Pawnee seniors prompts Leslie to conduct a sex education class. Ron helps Tom adjust to life without technology. Ben and April meet Congressman Murray for the first time.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Alan Yang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Are You Better Off?
star
8.03
2171 votes

#7 - Are You Better Off?

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/2/2013

Leslie celebrates her first year as a city councilwoman. Retired Special Agent Burt Macklin is recalled to action. April gets some life-changing news. Tom debates a big business opportunity.

Directors: Dean Holland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Soda Tax
star
7.98
2400 votes

#8 - Soda Tax

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2012

Leslie wages war on obesity in Pawnee by passing a city-wide soda tax. Andy tries to get in shape for his police entrance exam. Ben struggles to connect with the interns in his office.

Directors: Kyle Newacheck
Writer: Norm Hiscock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
How a Bill Becomes a Law
star
7.98
2403 votes

#9 - How a Bill Becomes a Law

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/2012

Leslie helps a swim team get more practice time. Ron finds himself filling a pothole. April and Ben take a road trip to Pawnee.

Directors: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Dan Goor
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bailout
star
7.98
2254 votes

#10 - Bailout

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/14/2013

Leslie is determined to help a local video store stay in business. Chris offers Tom advice on how to deal with a difficult employee. Ann resorts to blackmail to get April to be her friend.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Joe Mande
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Article Two
star
7.97
2249 votes

#11 - Article Two

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/18/2013

Leslie works to get rid of outdated laws from the original town charter. April and Ron receive management training from Chris. Ben finds himself in a bidding war against Ann to win a present for Leslie.

Directors: Amy Poehler
Writer: Matt Murray
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Jerry's Retirement
star
7.97
2277 votes

#12 - Jerry's Retirement

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/18/2013

When Leslie finds out Jerry is retiring, she struggles with the proper way to commemorate the occasion. Chris and Ann prepare to have a baby together. Tom worries he will become the office punching bag once Jerry leaves.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Women in Garbage
star
7.96
2226 votes

#13 - Women in Garbage

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/24/2013

Leslie and April work as trash collectors to prove a point about gender in city government. Ron has his hands full while he babysits Diane's kids.

Directors: Norm Hiscock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Animal Control
star
7.92
2390 votes

#14 - Animal Control

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/11/2013

Leslie decides to give the Animal Control Department a much-needed makeover. Ann tries to get Ron the medical attention he needs. Ben, Tom, and Andy recruit donors for their charity foundation.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Megan Amram
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ms. Knope Goes to Washington
star
7.91
2373 votes

#15 - Ms. Knope Goes to Washington

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2012

Leslie and Andy visit Ben and April at their new jobs in Washington D.C.. Ron throws a thank you barbeque for the entire Parks and Recreation staff.

Directors: Dean Holland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Partridge
star
7.89
2368 votes

#16 - Partridge

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/4/2013

Leslie accompanies Ben on a trip to his hometown which has offered him a key to the city. Ron deals with a lawsuit filed against him by Councilman Jamm. Ann and Chris take a parenting compatibility quiz.

Writer: Dave King
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ann's Decision
star
7.83
2262 votes

#17 - Ann's Decision

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/7/2013

Ann tries to get to know herself as Leslie meddles in one of her biggest life decisions. Things go south when Ben enlists the guys to help choose a caterer for the wedding.

Directors: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Nate DiMeo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pawnee Commons
star
7.81
2430 votes

#18 - Pawnee Commons

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/29/2012

Leslie is suspicious about a new park design from an Eagleton architect. Tom asks the office for help with his new business. Andy tries to make his job as a security guard exciting.

Directors: Morgan Sackett
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ben's Parents
star
7.80
2370 votes

#19 - Ben's Parents

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/2012

Leslie is nervous about meeting Ben's divorced parents. Tom prepares to pitch his new business to Ron with Jean-Ralphio's help. Chris rides an emotional rollercoaster.

Directors: Dean Holland
Writer: Greg Levine
Watch Now:Apple TV
Correspondents' Lunch
star
7.78
2048 votes

#20 - Correspondents' Lunch

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/21/2013

Leslie's speech she prepared for a special event is stolen. Ben begins his new job at the Sweetums Charity Foundation. Ann summons the courage to ask an important question.

Directors: Nick Offerman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Leslie vs. April
star
7.74
2321 votes

#21 - Leslie vs. April

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2012

Leslie gets upset when April tries to get Lot 48 made into a dog park. Tom enlists Ben’s help as he tries to launch his new business venture. Andy hones his crime-scene investigation skills.

Directors: Wendey Stanzler
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Swing Vote
star
7.73
2333 votes

#22 - Swing Vote

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/25/2013

Leslie deems Ron's budget-cut proposals unacceptable. Andy and Ben celebrate a big donation made to their charity. Ann tries to solve Tom's girlfriend troubles.

Directors: Alan Yang
Watch Now:Apple TV