10 essential Parks and Rec episodes to watch when you’re missing Pawnee

Parks and Rec fans feeling homesick for the city of Pawnee can always return to these essential episodes to get their fill of the Pawnee Parks Department.

It’s hard to believe that this April marks 10 years since Parks and Recreation first aired on television, introducing viewers to the city of Pawnee and all of its quirky inhabitants. And though the series came to an end during 2015, the show remains a beloved one. After all, it’s hard to find a cast of characters as eccentric and charming as Leslie Knope and her coworkers.

And Parks and Rec isn’t just popular due to its humor and charm; it’s one of those series that uses its satirical nature to make bigger statements and comment on issues that are well beyond the everyday lives of its characters. It addresses the politics of Pawnee — and all the small towns the fictional city is meant to represent — with a lighthearted humor that remains relevant even today.

Given the series’ timelessness — and the fact that its jokes never cease to make viewers laugh– it’s an incredibly rewatchable one. If fans are ever feeling homesick for Pawnee, it’s so easy to fall right back into the world of the city’s Parks Department. The characters never get any less charming, and the satirical problems of Pawnee are never less ridiculous. And though it pokes fun at reality at times, it’s also a great way to escape from it.

So, if you find yourself missing Pawnee, rewatching favorite episodes is a great way to remedy that problem, and celebrate the series’ anniversary. These are 10 essential episodes to include for anyone planning a Parks and Rec marathon!