Parks and Recreation (season 5)
The fifth season of "Parks and Recreation" originally aired in the United States on the NBC television network, from September 20, 2012 and concluded on May 2, 2013. This season consisted of 22 episodes. It stars Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, and Rob Lowe, with supporting performances from Jim O'Heir and Retta. Season 5 focuses on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and her staff at the parks and recreation department of the fictional Indiana town of Pawnee. Although not having an overarching storyline like Season 4, this  season details the aftermath of Leslie's role as a Councilwoman in Pawnee, and her rivalry with councilman Jeremy Jamm (Jon Glaser). Other storylines include Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza)'s career move to Washington D.C., Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones)'s attempts to get pregnant, the progress in Ben and Leslie's relationship, Andy's attempts at becoming a police officer, and Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) meeting single mother Diane (Lucy Lawless). Production. Filming. Portions of the season premiere "Ms. Knope Goes to Washington" and later episode "Leslie vs. April" were shot in Washington, D.C. in  July 2012. These episodes featured cameo appearances from senators Barbara Boxer, Olympia Snowe and John McCain, and then Vice President Joe Biden. The tenth episode of the season, "Two Parties", featured scenes shot in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium and St. Elmo's Steak House in December 2012. This episode included cameos from Indianapolis Colts players Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne and owner Jim Irsay, Indiana Pacers players Miles Plumlee and Roy Hibbert, and Newt Gingrich. Writing. The fourteenth episode of the season, "Leslie and Ben", was initially written to serve as the season finale of a 13-episode run  as the writers were unsure how many episodes would be commissioned. Eventually, 22 were ordered and the episode "Women in Garbage" was shown earlier in the schedule despite being written as one of the season's "back nine". Episodes. denotes an extended episode. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude> Reception. The fifth season of "Parks and Recreation" received highly positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a 95% approval rating with an average score of 8.72 out of 10 based on 21 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "Heartfelt yet hilarious and snarky yet good-natured, "Parks and Recreation" remains one  of the best sitcoms around and only continues to improve. Amy Poehler received her fourth consecutive nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.