Ron Swanson is Parks and Recreation’s resident curmudgeon. He doesn’t conform to the narrative of being the overbearing director in charge. Instead, he’s a Libertarian who would rather sit back and soak up the praise from Leslie’s hard work than put in the amount of effort that she does.
Over the course of seven seasons, Ron has transformed slowly into a more open and understanding figure. He became a husband for the third time, a father for the first time, and added a few different job titles to his resume. Ron’s transformation wasn’t as obvious as Andy Dwyer or Chris Traeger’s, but it was one of the best in the show.
Season One
Ron Was A Totally Different Man When Fans First Met Him
The Ron Swanson fans know and love from season 1 was completely different from season 7’s Ron Swanson. In season 1, Ron seemed to genuinely care about his job. He didn’t necessarily enjoy working for the government, but he cared about his job. In fact, worrying about his job this season was one of the more thoughtful things Ron has done.
In this season, Ron’s physical appearance was much more dapper. His hair was perfectly combed and he wore a suit and tie every day. He was also more involved with work and was curious what Leslie was working on.
Season Two
From Duke Silver To Getting Shot By Tom
The Ron Swanson fans were more familiar with showed up in season 2. He was still dressed to impress this season, but his personality was aloof, dry, and annoyed. However, fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
In season 2 fans learned that Ron had a private cabin and loved going hunting. His “boys only” hunting trip took a turn for the worst, however, after Tom accidentally shot him in the head. Later, in the series, Ron made a big move and hired April as his personal assistant. He got mad at her for coordinating so many meetings but offered some great life advice afterward. Season 2 was the season fans became reacquainted with the real Ron Swanson.
Season Three
He Survived Tammy II’s Invasion And Chris Traeger’s Arrival
At the end of the second season, Pawnee’s government had financial issues, which required the outside help of Chris Traeger and Ben Wyatt. With two new big-wigs taking over Pawnee’s City Hall, Ron struggled to adjust to his new life where he had someone checking in on him. No doors in his office and having a circular desk didn’t make things any easier.
Later, Ron battled more personal drama when his ex-wives, Tammy I and Tammy II, came back into his life. He struggled to fend them off and remain the same person he was. When with both women separately, Ron acted and dressed completely different. It should be noted that by season 3, Ron had female troubles, but he was comfortable now that he ditched wearing sports coats.
Season Four
He Battled Tammy 1 And Showed Off His Love For The Wilderness
When Tammy 1 visited Ron regarding an IRS audit, Ron became a shell of his former self. He shaved off his mustache, asked her for permission to do basic things, and acted irrationally. His colleagues and friends didn’t recognize this side of Ron.
If it weren’t for Leslie, Ron would still be a victim to Tammy 1. Once he was free of Tammy 1, Ron told viewers he was head of the Pawnee Rangers and invested in Andy’s future. By the end of the season, he tried helping Leslie in her trial against Chris Traeger, but it was ineffective since his love for privacy overshadowed his time in court. This wasn’t the worst thing Ron did, but he wasn’t done transforming into the man he was supposed to become quite yet.
Season Five
Ron Found Love & Supported The Love Of Others
By season 5 it was clear that Leslie was running the show at the parks and rec. department and that Ron was floating in the background as she did all the work. Nevertheless, he continued to support and champion for Leslie.
Meanwhile, Ron met and fell in love with a woman named Diane who already had two children of her own. It was hard for Ron to adapt to two young girls but he did it for the love he had for Diane. By the end of the season, it’s assumed that someone in the parks and rec. department was pregnant after a pregnancy test was found in Ron’s cabin, and it turned out to be Diane’s. Later, he took on the paternal role and walked Leslie down the aisle when she married Ben. Ron could have been fired in season 5 for his lack of effort, but his love life transformed.
Season Six
Ron Was A Soon-To-Be Father Experiencing The World
In season 6, Ron’s iconic mustache and voluminous hair was his staple on the show. Now that the Tammys were officially out of his life, and his wife Diane was pregnant, Ron took the plunge and got married in city hall.
With a baby on the way and a new bride, Ron traveled to London for work (even though he despised Europe) and learned more about himself than he realized (thanks to Leslie’s persuasion). It was a unique, transformative experience that Ron didn’t know he needed. It was during this trip that Ron’s character rounded out.
Season Seven
A Brand New Life
Ron went through plenty of changes in the final season. He had a fall-out with Leslie, he left the government to start his own company, he was a new dad, and he ultimately felt like he lost his parks and recreation fans. Diane reminded him that he couldn’t run away now that he’s a dad, which forced him to get his act together.
He wound up making things right with Leslie and by the 12th episode, and she offered him a new job at the Pawnee National Park — solidifying their friendship. Seeing Ron finally enjoy the work he was doing and becoming a proud parent was something fans would have never expected after meeting him in season 1, but happiness looked good on him. In season 7, his transformation was complete. He had some enlightening quotes in this season, proving he was a changed man.
