"The Camel" is a perfect example of an episode that showcases just how brilliant the writing can be in this show. The episode is as basic as a Parks episode can be. The entire episode basically takes place at City Hall. It has a main A plot and a side B plot. The main story is the Parks Department making murals to see whose can replace the very racist and outdated "Spirit of Pawnee" mural. The side story is just Andy and Ron having an awkward encounter. That's all this episode is, yet it's one of the funniest episodes of Season 2. A huge testament to the great writing and of course the talented actors.
One of the best running gags in the entire series is the very offensive murals that hang all around City Hall. The show never shies away from reminding us just how prejudiced our nation's history is, and Pawnee's history is like that but multiplied by a thousand! The main plotline revolves around the Parks department deciding on whose mural is the most fit to replace the "Spirit of Pawnee" mural. This is a great plot device to flesh out the characters even more and it is also very funny to boot! In this episode we find out that Tom loves abstract art, Ann is not creative what so ever, April has a very dark, edgy side to her, and Jerry is like Pawnee's version of Leonardo Da Vinci. In a hilarious moment Jerry introduces his masterwork, but accidentally calls his mural a "murinal" which is all the Parks department get out of his presentation.
The scenes with Andy and Ron are funny as well. This storyline is so random and bizarre, and makes it even more awkward because these two characters basically have never had a scene together up to this point. Offerman's deadpan humor is fantastic. Also, quick side note, I love Andy's new job as City Hall's shoeshine guy. For one, it gives him more of a reason to interact with the other characters in a realistic way, unlike Ann (does she ever work in the hospital?). Also, it's a pretty meaningless job but being the positive optimist Andy is, he takes it very seriously.
"The Camel" is a pretty basic episode in plot, but is an important episode in fleshing out the characters. It's a very tightly written episode with many great scenes and jokes. I don't think this episode comes to mind when people think of the best Parks episodes, but I consider it to be one of the best in Season 2 and possibly in the series as well.
