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Did you ever break your arm? You can answer that. Here, I'll turn it off.
Chris

"The Set Up" is the thirteenth episode in the second season of the NBC television series Parks and Recreation. It originally aired on January 14, 2010 to 4.59 million viewers.

Synopsis[]

Ann sets Leslie up on a blind date with one of her co-workers. However, the date does not go as Leslie had hoped. Meanwhile, Mark begins to feel insecure when he meets one of Ann's old friends.

Storyline[]

When Leslie learns Pawnee is being sued by the previous owners of the lot where she is seeking to build a park, Ann refers her to her lawyer friend Justin, who she calls "the greatest guy ever". Justin helps Leslie resolve the issue, and the two seem to get along very well together. Both Leslie and Tom are impressed with Justin, though Mark isn't really impressed, which is not helped by how Ann always seems to fawn over Justin.

As part of a program making government officials more accessible to the public, Ron has been getting a lot of visitors lately, which he hates, so he decides to hire himself a new assistant. Tom offers to help Ron find an assistant, interviewing several people, but he's actually looking for an assistant for himself, asking the applicants questions about "real-world experience", such as what tie he should wear to the club and what to text girls at the bar, during job interviews. Meanwhile, April vents about her job to Andy and wants her internship to end already.

Having recently broken up with Dave, Leslie decides she's ready to move on and begin dating again. She asks Ann to set her up on a date, but is surprised when Ann hesitates to set her up with Justin. Instead, Ann arranges a date with Chris, an MRI technician she works with. The date goes poorly, with Chris appearing annoyed upon learning Leslie attended a rival college, and that she was a director of regular parks, not amusement parks. When Leslie reveals she has never received an MRI, Chris takes her to the hospital to receive one. Chris makes uncomfortable comments, remarking that Leslie has an excellent uterus and asking whether she is having her period, presumably in anticipation of sex later. Leslie rejects his advances when the date ends, prompting him to make an angry goodbye, even though Leslie still needs to give him a ride home.

Leslie later tells Ann about her strange date, and Mark asks Ann why she didn't set Leslie up with Justin. He grows suspicious that Ann harbors romantic feelings for Justin and is "saving" him for herself, so he asks Andy what he knows. Andy recalls Ann's infatuation with Justin and was similarly jealous of him during their relationship. Later, Andy scolds Ann for hurting Mark's feelings, then tries to trick her into thinking they're still together, which does not work.

Tom brings forward a fast-talking candidate named Jean-Ralphio Saperstein as an assistant, who closely resembles Tom. Ron immediately rejects him and tells Tom to keep looking. While April helps Andy sell one of his CDs at the shoeshine stand, he tells her he likes hanging out with her. April immediately goes to meet Ron and offers to be his assistant, demonstrating her abilities by closing the door in Tom's face when he tries to enter the office. Ron hires her on the spot.

Realizing how selfish she's being in keeping Justin to herself (and alienating Mark in the process), Ann sets Leslie up with Justin and apologizes to Mark.

Cast[]

Quotes[]

Chris: Are you on your period?
Leslie: No. Does that matter?
Chris: Not for this.

Chris: Honestly, if you wanted to, you could go triplets right off the bat, Leslie.

Leslie: You know I was only with Mark for one night and I was hung up on him for six years. I dated Dave for three months, so if I continue that pattern I won't be over him for 500 years.

Leslie: Wait. How's he gonna know it's me? I'll wear a red rose in my hair. No, I'll wear a giant red hat. No, I don't have one of those. What should I wear? It's gotta be red.
Ann: I will just tell him what you look like.

Tom: I meet a girl at a bar. She seems kind of into me, could go either way. I get her number. It's two days later. What do I text her?
Zach: It was nice meeting you.
Tom: No, Zach. I don't text her it was nice meeting you. I wait eight weeks and I text her, "what's crackin'?"

Ann: Hey, how's the date going?
Leslie: Good, we just finished the MRI.

Jean-Ralphio: [being introduced to Ron by Tom] Mr. Swanson, two things: One, it is an absolute honor to meet you. Two, who is that hot intern chick out there? Because, honestly, DAAMMN! [he and Tom laugh, but Ron doesn't]

Tom: [after Jean-Ralphio leaves, feeling excited] So what do you think about your new assistant?
Ron: I want to punch you in the face so bad right now.
Tom: [disappointed] Okay. Message received; I'll keep looking.
Ron: Thank you. Bring me the opposite of him.

April: [walks into Ron's office] I want to be your assistant.
Ron: Really? You hate it here.
April: So do you. [Ron makes a look as if to say "Touché"] I'll make sure you don't have to go to any meetings. If anyone comes to see you, I'll scare them away.
Tom: [walks up to Ron's door holding two neckties] April, if you had to choose between these two ties- [April slams the door on him]
Ron: You're hired. [April smiles]

April: I just figured, I might as well get paid for being here.

Leslie: Ten months ago, she was an intern who could give a C-R-A-P about local government. Now, she's our newest employee. To April!
Tom, Donna: Cheers!
April: Yay.

April: [stopping Jerry from walking into Ron's office] Where are you going?
Jerry: I want to talk to Ron about the size of my desk.
April: Jerry, you have to schedule an appointment.
Jerry: Okay. How about now?
April: Ron's not here.
Jerry: [pointing] He's right there. I-I can see him! [Ron is in his office, looking at Jerry]
April: I'll let you know when he's available. [she smiles; Jerry sighs and leaves]
Ron: [raises his mug and April raises her champagne glass] Atta girl.

Trivia[]

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