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" Operation Ann" is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the 60th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 2, 2012.
In the episode, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is determined to find Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) a date for Valentine's Day, Ben (Adam Scott) struggles with a scavenger hunt, and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) is depressed about his love life.
At the mixer, Chris plays depressing music that puts a sour mood on the event. Ann arrives and Leslie unsuccessfully tries to set her up with numerous men. April Ludgate, who dislikes Ann, brings her creepy friend Orin as a "date", leading Leslie to harshly criticize April for being an ass towards Ann, pointing out to April that Ann would have helped her in spite of how badly April treats her, and that April showed she was just being pathetically selfish. Tom Haverford steps up to help Ann out, making Ann feel better with his humorous efforts. Chris tells Leslie he is sad because he is 44 years old and still single, believing Millicent may have been his soulmate, but Leslie cheers him up with a pep talk, but says he is also at fault for being single since he dumped Ann. Chris later plays upbeat music and everyone has a good time at the mixer. A grateful Ann decides to go home, but Leslie catches her applying make-up in her car. Leslie thinks Ann is going to go out with Chris, leaving her angry because of the turmoil she went through regarding her relationship with Ben, and when April tries to get her to leave them alone Leslie ignores April because she thinks April is just trying to be mean to Ann again.
Ben, Ron, and Andy fail to find the last riddle, but Ron correctly guesses the meeting spot will be Li'l Sebastian's memorial site. Leslie tells Ben about Ann and Chris, and the two agree to catch them on a date to expose Chris' hypocrisy about workplace dating. To their shock, they find Ann on a date with Tom. April arrives and to Leslie's surprise explains that she helped set up Ann on a date with Tom, seeing how Tom made her laugh and that "this is a loser town full of loser people, and Tom's at least semi-cool." Leslie is touched that April helped Ann out. Leslie and Ben leave Ann and Tom alone on their date, which Ann quickly admits was a mistake after Tom reverts to his usual chauvinistic attitude. The next day, Ron sheepishly asks Leslie to organise a riddle scavenger hunt for his birthday.
Critical reaction to the episode was positive. Christopher Peck of Blast Magazine said that the episode's writers "challenged themselves...while not sacrificing the consistency and rhythm of its rise-and-fall joke," and that the "'operation' was successful." He awarded the episode an A−. In another positive review, Matt Fowler of IGN called the episode "the strongest episode in a long while," saying it "nailed every single comedic beat." He awarded the episode a 9.5, or "Amazing."
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