The show Parks and Recreation is one of the most iconic comedy series of the 21st century, and its popularity is in large part due to its compelling cast of characters. From the inspirational Leslie Knope to the intimidating but wise Ron Swanson, the show features a whole slate of unique characters. Add in their friendships and romantic relationships with one another and it's the perfect setup for an engaging sitcom.
Of course, even a series steeped in humor and following a group of characters that loves and supports each other needs drama every once in a while, and Parks and Rec had its share of arguments over its seven-season run. Since the characters typically got along well with one another, those fights were all the more jarring to witness. That's why these 10 big arguments are so memorable.
Ann And Andy: The Final Straw
It's difficult to recall given where they end up, but Ann and Andy begin their tenure on Parks and Rec in a relationship with one another. It's not the healthiest of romances, and Ann's frustration with Andy's laziness is evident from the get-go.
The final straw arrives at the end of Season 1, when Ann realizes that Andy has been lying to her about his leg casts. To get her to continue waiting on him, he tells her they won't come off for another two weeks. When the doctor contradicts this, she breaks up with him once and for all. The argument seems heart-wrenching at the time, though it's clearly the best choice for both characters.
April And Andy: A Rocky Start
April and Andy have one of the sturdiest relationships on Parks and Rec, but their romance gets off to a somewhat rocky start. The two share their first kiss at an awkward time - mostly because Ann and Andy kiss earlier, the result of residual feelings that aren't quite enough to convince them to get back together.
Andy attempts to tell April this in good faith, but she doesn't take it so well. This creates a rift between them for a while before they own up to their feelings and work things out. Fortunately, it's pretty smooth sailing once they finally get over this hump.
Leslie And Ben: The Budget Problem
Ben and Leslie are another Parks and Rec couple that has a rocky start, something that's to be expected since Ben initially joins the show looking to clean up the Parks Department's budget. Sensing a threat, Leslie immediately goes on the defensive, and the two continue to argue with each other until Ben comes to understand Leslie's passion for Pawnee.
Fortunately, when the two start dating, Ben steps down from his role as an auditor, giving him and Leslie less reasons to disagree over work-related matters.
Tom And Ron: The Ex-Wife Debacle
Any episode featuring Ron and his ex-wife Tammy is bound to be a chaotic ride, but Season 3's "Ron & Tammy: Part Two" adds another complication into the mix: Tom. When Tom finds out that Ron is dating his ex-wife, he seeks out revenge by attempting to do the same. Tammy's not at all interested in him, but she goes along with the façade to annoy Ron.
Naturally, this leads to a rift between Ron and Tom - at least until things get really out of hand and the Parks Department has to give Ron an intervention. For Tom, the ends most certainly weren't worth the means. At least the two of them got over their anger at one another in the end.
Ann And Leslie: Even The Best Friends Fight Sometimes
Leslie and Ann may be the physical embodiment of friendship goals, but that doesn't mean they never disagree with one another. In fact, viewers are treated to a drunken feud between the two of them in Season 3 -- and as comical as the whole thing is, it's pretty jarring after so many episodes of them being nothing but supportive toward one another.
Fortunately, their argument in the aptly titled "The Fight" doesn't last all that long. Once the alcohol wears off, Leslie regrets what unfolded between her and her best friend and the two work things out.
Ben And Andy: Halloween Gone Wrong
Season 3 of Parks and Rec sees Ben moving in with Andy and April, an odd arrangement considering how much Ben's Type-A personality differs from the couple's easygoing nature. It's a recipe for some sort of conflict, and that arrives when Andy and April decide to throw a Halloween party in Season 4's "Meet 'N' Greet."
Annoyed that the couple didn't run the party by him ahead of time, Ben decides to make snide remarks all night until he and Andy wind up physically wrestling over the conflict. Ben becomes so frustrated that he elbows Andy in the face, a rare moment of such aggression from his character.
Leslie And Ben, Part 2: Relationship Woes At The Model U.N.
In Season 4's "The Treaty," Leslie and Ben have a disagreement when deciding on the future of their relationship. The conflict bleeds over into an event at Pawnee Central High School, where the Parks Department is supposed to partake in a Model U.N. activity to solve a food crisis.
Rather than bringing anything valuable to the event, the two wind up focusing primarily on each other, doing whatever they can to push back against the other's assigned country. The argument culminates in an amusing (and somewhat scary) outburst from Leslie that Ben and fans are sure to remember. (It's not every day someone threatens to wave "your decapitated head on a stick in front of your weeping mother.")
Ann And Tom: Always Arguing
It's still strange to think about how Ann and Tom briefly dated on Parks and Rec, especially since the majority of their relationship was spent arguing with one another. With few things in common and a weak foundation to stand on, the pair begins arguing over even the smallest inconveniences.
In one instance, it gets so bad that April tries to break them up with each other after they've been fighting all night. It's not the first or last time the two of them attempt to end things, further emphasizing what a terrible match they were.
Ben And The Calzones: A Betrayal For The History Books
It's impossible to talk about Parks and Rec betrayals without covering the most iconic falling out: Ben and the calzones. While attempting to find a caterer for his and Leslie's wedding, Ben and the rest of the guys from the Parks Department taste-test their options. Ben is obsessed with one caterer that serves mini-calzones, initially pushing to hire them - though things go awry very, very quickly.
When the entire group comes down with food poisoning, Ben is more distraught than anyone, exclaiming, "The calzones betrayed me?" It's an iconic line and a betrayal for the history books.
Ron And Leslie: The Show's Biggest Feud
The biggest feud to take place during Parks and Rec's seven-season run has to be the final season's conflict between Leslie and Ron. Two characters who always got along well - despite having vastly different personalities - the pair has a dispute over the "Morningstar" incident. They don't speak for years, and when they finally do, things are far from civil. The situation escalates so much that their friends lock them in a room together to work out their feelings.
Given the duration of this argument - as well as the unexpectedness of Leslie and Ron having such a falling out - this definitely claims the title for biggest argument in Parks and Rec.