P&R treats its characters, the dim ones and the wise ones alike, with equal affection, and has relatively little patience for irony and cool detachment. Amy Poehler has transfused her most winning quality (one that she also let blossom on Saturday Night Live) — smiling gusto; cock-eyed optimism — into the life-blood of Parks and Recreation. The result is one of the most vibrantly alive shows on television.

Do you know that wildflower mural, up on the second floor?

I haven’t been this excited about a television pairing in a while but Leslie and Ben are too cute for words. Adam Scott, you are a master of the longing glance.