S4E22

Win, Lose, or Draw

Aired 2012-05-10 30 min ★ 8.6/10 our take
⚠ Spoiler alert This recap gives away what happens in this episode.

Episode Summary & Review

Summary

It’s election day in Pawnee, and Leslie and Bobby Newport are separated by a razor thin margin. While everyone waits with Leslie for the race to be called, they ponder their futures, and their new opportunities.

Our Take

A tense, satisfying season finale that trades big laughs for genuine suspense, and it mostly works. The waiting-room setup lets the whole cast shine in small moments, and the outcome lands with real emotional weight after a season of buildup. Some of the future-pondering sideplots feel like filler, but the ending earns it. Worth your time, especially if you’ve been rooting for Leslie all season.