Parks and Recreation: Season Six

Originally created as a kind of companion to the American version of The Office—and fashioned in the same mock-documentary/reality-show style—Parks and Recreation has developed into the better series, thanks to clever writing, a brilliant ensemble cast, and characters who have continued to evolve. This set opens with a trip to London before launching this season's stories, which include: efforts by Pawnee City Councilwoman Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) to save rival town Eagleton from a crisis, a nasty recall campaign to remove Leslie from office, Ron (Nick Offerman) settling into life as a married man and father of two girls, and a farewell to best friends Ann (Rashida Jones) and Chris (Rob Lowe) as they leave Pawnee (and the series). Poehler's supercharged, overextended, idealistic Leslie remains the center of Parks and Recreation, but the supporting cast members—who also include Adam Scott, Aubrey Plaza, Aziz Ansari, and Chris Pratt—are given room to explore their own characters and stories, adding to the eccentricities that make this a very funny satire of small-town life and politics. Although never a ratings powerhouse, it remains a critical favorite with loyal fans. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2013–14 sixth season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a music video. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)