Ep 5. Halloween Surprise

In the Parks & Recreation season 5 episode 5, titled Halloween Surprise, the lovable employees of Pawnee's Parks and Recreation department are gearing up for their annual Halloween party. However, this year's festivities are set to be much more eventful than usual as Leslie Knope, the deputy director of the department, prepares to receive a very special visit from her boyfriend, Ben Wyatt.

The episode opens with a visibly nervous Leslie preparing for Ben's arrival in Pawnee. Although the couple has been in a long-distance relationship for several months, they have been kept apart due to their respective work commitments. Leslie is ecstatic to finally have Ben back in town and is determined to make this Halloween one that he'll never forget.

Meanwhile, Tom Haverford is busy planning the department's Halloween party, with the hopes of impressing his ex-girlfriend Ann Perkins, who is now dating Chris Traeger. Tom has carefully crafted a list of elaborate decorations and party favors that he believes will blow everyone away, but things quickly go awry when his credit card is declined at the party supply store.

As the clock ticks down to Ben's arrival, Leslie's colleagues begin to notice her increasingly erratic behavior. Recognizing that something is up, they each do their best to help Leslie get everything in order before her big Halloween surprise for Ben. But in true Parks and Recreation fashion, things don't go quite as planned.

Soon after Ben arrives in Pawnee, Leslie's nerves get the best of her and she begins to doubt whether or not she and Ben can make their long-distance relationship work. As she struggles to make sense of her feelings, Ben begins to sense that something is off. To make matters worse, Ann accidentally reveals Tom's true intentions for the party to Chris, leading to a heated argument between the two.

Despite all of the chaos and drama that ensues, the episode ends on a hopeful note, with Leslie and Ben reaffirming their love for one another and Tom learning an important lesson about the true meaning of Halloween.

Overall, Parks and Recreation's Halloween Surprise is a hilarious and heartwarming episode that showcases the show's trademark blend of wacky humor and heartfelt sincerity. With its well-drawn characters, witty writing, and spot-on performances, it's no wonder that Parks and Recreation remains a fan favorite to this day.