History Recap / ParksAndRecreationS03E11

With Ben's help, April and Andy are able to clean up their house. Ben then gives Andy and April an advance on next month's rent and a shopping list, sending them to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy some household necessities. As they shop, April and Andy fill up their cart with stuff from the "As Seen on TV" section. As they're about to go through the checkout line with their cart full of things not on Ben's list, Andy realizes they should put it back and get the things on the list. April, however, is resistant, as she's afraid of growing up because she does not want them to become boring, but Andy assures her they do not have to change themselves but can still be more responsible.

Chris congratulates Leslie for solving the problem. He asks Ben about his date, but Ben says he didn't like her. Later, Ben crosses paths with Andy, who thanks Ben for helping him and April get dishes and silverware and reveals he knows Ben likes Leslie, which he approves of.

* BraidsOfAction: A variation - the centaur in Jerry's painting is a hunter and she has a small braid crown in her hair. Leslie wears her own hair in that style after becoming inspired by it.

* {{Manchild}}: Andy and April's immaturity is on full display at their house, with Ben having to teach them to be adults by helping them buy real dish-ware and open a bank account

When Leslie tells Ben about the art show at the community center, Chris comes in and tells Ben he has set him up on a date. Ben seems reluctant to go out with this woman, and Leslie questions Chris about his rule against co-workers dating. It's not a problem here because she works in a different department. Leslie later laments to Ann about her feelings for Ben and Chris' rule against them dating, feeling powerless.

Ron makes a short opening speech at the art show. When Leslie and her friends see the painting that Jerry has entered, Leslie is thrilled – the painting is of a topless female centaur hunting a deer, and Jerry has subconsciously given her Leslie's face. Tom, however, is appalled – the painting includes a cherub that looks like a fat naked baby and has his face.

Meanwhile, now that he is staying in Pawnee permanently, Ben decides to move out of the motel where he has been staying in. Andy and April offer him a spare room in their house since Burly moved out and left the house to them. When he arrives, Ben is appalled at the condition of their house. Although the two have been living by themselves for only a week, the house is a complete mess with no everyday items like plates or utensils available. Ben decides to take it upon himself to teach the young couple how to properly live like adults. Andy is excited to learn, but April is less than enthusiastic.

With Ben's help, April and Andy are able to clean up their house. Ben then gives Andy and April an advance on next month's rent and a shopping list, sending them to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy some household necessities. As they shop, April and Andy fill up their cart with stuff from the "As Seen on TV" section. As they're about to go through the check line with their cart full of things not on Ben's list, Andy realizes they should put it back and get the things on the list. April, however, is resistant, as she's afraid of growing up because she does not want them to become boring, but Andy assures her they do not have to change themselves but can still be more responsible.

* GrowingUpSucks: April doesn't want to buy the "boring adult stuff" that Ben sent her and Andy to get (such as basic bathroom and kitchen supplies) because she doesn't want to become a "boring adult". Andy reassures her that they can become more responsible without losing their sense of fun and spontaneous natures.

** When April says she doesn't want to buy a bunch of "boring adult stuff and become a boring adult", Andy assures her that they can still be responsible while still being fun at the same time.

Meanwhile, after cleaning up around the house, Ben gives Andy and April an advance on next month's rent and a shopping list, sending them to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy some household necessities. Andy suggests that Ben shop for them, but Ben has a date. As they shop, April and Andy fill up their cart with stuff from the "As Seen on TV" section. With their cart full of things not on Ben's list, Andy realizes they should put it back and get the things on the list. April, however, is resistant, as she's afraid of growing up because she does not want them to become boring, but Andy assures her they do not have to change themselves but can still be more responsible.

Meanwhile, now that he is staying in Pawnee permanently, Ben decides to move out of the motel where he has been staying in. Andy and April offer him a spare room in their house since their previous roommate moved out and left the house to them. Although the two have been living by themselves for only a week, the house is a complete mess with no everyday items like plates or utensils available. Ben decides to take it upon himself to teach the reluctant young couple how to properly live like adults.

Chris scolds Leslie for appearing on Perd's show. Later, he brings together a meeting of the Pawnee Public Arts Commission to rule on whether the painting is acceptable. At the meeting, Tom speaks out against the painting. Leslie gives an impassioned speech about the value of art, while Marcia makes snide comments. Despite Leslie's eloquent defense, the commission fears the nudity is offensive and decides to destroy it instead of risking public backlash. Marcia tries to arrange the burning of the painting, and she refuses when Leslie suggests she just keep it for herself. Undeterred, Leslie steals the painting and runs away.

Meanwhile, after cleaning up around the house, Ben gives Andy and April an advance on next month's rent and a shopping list, sending them to Bed, Bath & Beyond to buy some household necessities. Andy suggests that Ben shop for them, but Ben has a date. As they shop, April and Andy fill up their cart with stuff from the "As Seen on TV" section. With their cart full of things not on Ben's list, Andy realizes they should put it back and get the things on the list. April however is resistant, as she's afraid of growing up because she does not want them to become boring, but Andy assures her they do not have to change themselves but can still be more responsible.

Leslie takes the painting to April and Andy's house, and sees Ben is there, telling her that he's moved in. She explains the situation of the painting. She gets a call from Chris, angrily demanding Leslie bring the painting to city hall the next day to be destroyed. Leslie asks for Ben's advice and he tells her she shouldn't offend people. April and Andy come home and give their opinions on the painting. After Leslie leaves, Andy shoots Ben with the marshmallow gun.

The next morning, Leslie tells Jerry that she's turning the painting over to Marcia. Jerry is surprised and disappointed because he didn't think Leslie would give in. She then has an idea. When Marcia shows up, Leslie shows her the painting. The centaur face has been changed to Tom's. Marcia leaves, deciding the painting is no longer obscene. It turns out that Leslie had Jerry make another painting, and she can still keep the one with herself as a centaur.

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Andy looks at the back side of the painting, thinking it's the front:

-->'''Ben:''' I have complete faith in you.
-->'''Ben:''' (''to the camera'') There's like, a 30% chance they'll both die.
* GrowingUpSucks: April doesn't want to buy the "boring adult stuff" that Ben sent her and Andy to get (such as basic bathroom and kitchen supplies) because she doesn't want to become a "boring adult". Andy reassures her that they can become more responsible but not have to lose their sense of fun and spontaneous natures.

* DoubleStandard: Exploited by Leslie and Jerry; making the painting a fully naked ''male'' centaur means the MoralGuardians no longer think it's obscene.
* GilliganCut: Ben encourages April and Andy for their shopping trip, then reveals his true feelings:

-->'''Leslie:''' Stand down, Jerry, this isnt your fight.

When Leslie tells Ben about the art show at the community center, Chris comes in and tells Ben he has a woman to set him up with. Ben seems reluctant to go out with this woman, and Leslie questions Chris about his rule against co-workers dating. It's not a problem because she works in a different department.

Leslie laments to Ann about her feelings for Ben and Chris' rule against them dating. Meanwhile, Ben asks Tom if he knows of someone who needs a roommate, as his hotel has developed bedbugs. He suggests Ben ask April and Andy, who are thrilled with the idea of having Ben as a roommate, though April sets out several wild house rules.

Ron makes opening remarks at the art show. When Leslie and her friends see the painting that Jerry has entered, Leslie is thrilled – the painting is of a topless female centaur, and Jerry has subconsciously given her Leslie's face. Tom, however, is appalled – the painting includes a cherub that looks like a naked baby and has his face.

April and Andy show their house to Ben. It is a mess because they don't clean up, and it is wildly disorganized.

Leslie appears on Perd Hapley's show to defend the painting. She says that government should not censor art.

Ben shows April and Andy how to clean their house. He gives them an advance on next month's rent and a shopping list, sending them to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy some household necessities. Andy suggests that Ben shop for them, but Ben has a date.

Chris scolds Leslie for appearing on Perd's show. He has scheduled a meeting with the Public Arts Commission for them to decide on the painting's status. Leslie has high hopes for their approval.

At the meeting, Tom speaks out against the painting. Leslie gives an impassioned speech about the value of art, while Marcia makes snide comments. To her surprise, the commission rules for the destruction of the painting because of its nudity.

Marcia tries to arrange the burning of the painting, and she refuses when Leslie suggests she just keep it for herself. Leslie takes off with the painting.

At the store, April and Andy find a lot of fun things advertised on [=TV=]. With their cart full of things not on Ben's list, Andy realizes they should put it back and get the things on the list. April whines a bit about not wanting to be a grownup, and Andy cheers her up by letting her get two marshmallow guns.

Leslie takes the painting to April and Andy's house; only Ben is there, telling her that he's moved in. She explains the situation of the painting. She gets a call from Chris, who tells her to bring the painting in tomorrow morning, and Ben nonchalantly looks at the painting.

Leslie asks for Ben's advice. She also complains about Chris' rules. Ben tells her she shouldn't offend people. April and Andy come home and give their opinions on the painting. After Leslie leaves, Andy shoots Ben with the marshmallow gun.

Next morning, Leslie tells Jerry that she's turning the painting over to Marcia. Jerry is surprised, because he didn't think Leslie would give in. She has an idea. When Marcia shows up, Leslie shows her the painting. The centaur face has been changed to Tom's. Marcia leaves without the painting. It turns out that Leslie had Jerry paint another painting, and she keeps the one with herself as a centaur.

Chris congratulates Leslie for solving the problem. He asks Ben about his date, but Ben says he didn't like her.

* BraidsOfAction: A variation - the centaur in Jerry's painting is a hunter and she has a small braid crown in her hair and Leslie wears her own hair in that style after becoming inspired by it.

-->'''Ben:''' (''to the camera'') There's like a 30% chance they'll both die.

Leslie runs into a problem with the local moral guardians over a painting Jerry made of a centaur that resembles her (and it's a topless painting too). Meanwhile, Ben moves in with April and Andy, and takes it upon himself to teach them how to be responsible.

* TrashOfTheTitans: April and Andy's place is a complete and utter mess until Ben kicks them into high gear. They've only been living alone for one week.

* TrashOfTheTitans: April and Andy's place is a complete and utter mess until Ben kicks them into high gear.