Parks & Rec: Why Leslie & Ben Couldn't Date (But Andy & April Could)
Why were April and Andy allowed to date in Parks & Rec without issue, but Leslie and Ben couldn't? Parks & Rec, focusing on the Parks Department in the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana, ran on NBC from 2009 to 2015. The Mike Schur and Greg Daniels-created show had a number of memorable romantic pairings, with Leslie and Ben & Andy and April being the most popular. At a glance, there seems to be a double standard when it comes to the two couples. However, there is a reason why Leslie and Ben couldn't date, but Andy and April could.
When Ben (Adam Scott) first arrives in Parks & Rec season 2 to audit Pawnee, Leslie (Amy Poehler) hates him, though the two soon develop mutual respect for each other and strike up a friendship in season 3 that soon turns romantic. However, Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) has rules against inter-office dating, so Leslie and Ben make efforts to hide their relationship. On the other hand, Andy (Chris Pratt), who is a shoe-shiner at Pawnee City Hall in Parks & Rec season 2, starts dating April (Aubrey Plaza), who has a job as Ron's assistant, and they eventually get married in the season 3 episode «April and Andy's Fancy Party.»
Related: Parks & Rec Setup Leslie & Ben's Relationship In Their Very First Scene
The reason why Leslie and Ben couldn't date but April and Andy could is because of the difference in workplace roles for both couples. Ben is Leslie's boss, so the two of them dating would create a conflict of interest. However, Andy is not technically an employee of the government, so he and April are allowed to date. Though Andy does eventually become Leslie's assistant during her city council campaign in Parks & Rec season 4, he and April are married at that point, so there's no issue with
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