A few months after the Pawnee-Eagleton merger, citizens from both sides are still unhappy. Leslie tries to think of a way to convince everyone that the merger is a good thing. When Andy points out a newspaper picture of a married couple celebrating their 50th anniversary, Leslie notes that one is from Pawnee and one is from Eagleton. She takes Andy and Tom to recruit the couple to help her sell the merger. Unfortunately, the pair do not get along. Leslie convinces them to appear on Pawnee Today with Joan Callamezzo, and even offers them money so they will appear to get along on TV, but they can't keep their dislike for each other from appearing during the broadcast. Leslie instead realizes she needs to approach the young people instead, and she forms a committee consisting of Andy, April, Tom, Craig, and a fifth member named Madison.
While all this has been going on, Ben has prepared a surprise for Leslie for their anniversary. Unfortunately, because he planned the surprise for the day before their anniversary, Leslie is too busy to even talk to him, and Ben instead spends the day with Jerry. At the end of the day, he shows Leslie a scrapbook he made of the events of his day. In return, she gets him a throne modeled after one from his favorite TV show, Game of Thrones.
Ron wants to adopt a dog for the girls at the animal shelter. April finds a dog for him, but she is angry that Donna is not at her desk to help Ron fill out his paperwork. Instead of confronting Donna, however, she leaves an anonymous bad review for Donna on Yelp. Donna vows to find out who left the review. Ron tells April that she has to confront Donna, and the two make up.
Leslie's committee informs her that they have the ideal way of bringing Pawnee and Eagleton together: a three-day event called the Unity Concert.
Tropes
- Brick Joke: In the end, Ben does indeed make the surprised face.
- Cool Chair: Nothing less than the Iron Throne of Westeros itself.
- Promotion to Opening Titles: While they were already part of the main cast since season 3, Jim O'Heir and Retta weren't listed in the opening credits. With Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe gone, they now are.
- Shout-Out: Ben arranges for a carriage ride based on the movie Enchanted. Leslie gives Ben his own Iron Throne.
- Tears of Joy: When her focus group suggests a art and music festival to promote Pawnee-Eagleton unity, Leslie is reduced to happy tears and gibberish.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Jerry has a pretty fantastic day doing couples' stuff with Ben, and Ben seems to enjoy having him around for a change.
