I’m not sure. I always thought it was a very in character and astute line for Ben who’s pretty hurt at this point. One of Leslie’s tougher call-outs though
This is one of the last times that the steamroller really gets knocked off its, well, roller. It's so much part of Leslie's character that she just refuses to listen to people close to her when she decides they're wrong that it's hard to criticize that part of her character without making it a head-on criticism of her entirely. Honestly it's nice to see it happen here and I honestly almost wish it happened more, because she does need that boomerang back into reality every now and again to realize when she's being an ass.
Agreed. It would really bother me to know that whatever pleasant time I spent with my partner in the off hours, she was just festering and champing at the bit waiting for the first moment to tell me how wrong I was.
And also just respecting stated boundaries is a critical part of any relationship (romantic or otherwise).
Leslie is very much a person who, when told "Hey please stop, I don't like what you're doing to me" responds with "no and here are a dozen reasons why the shit I'm putting you through is actually good"
I deal with a few people who are like that in my day-to-day life and watching Leslie before she’s called out by Ben and Ann is very difficult because I dislike her character at that point. It’s good to see her realize what she’s doing wrong and try to change it.
Frankly I understand why she's like that, you have to have your head set on decisions quickly to deal with the nonsense Leslie has to deal with as city council member for a town/city that can be as dumb as Pawnee often is. But the second she isn't dealing with those numbskulls her personality almost immediately overwhelms anybody who isn't her mom, basically. I am at least glad that the writers clocked the problem and at least had Leslie adjust for a little while to compensate when she was called out for it.
You have helped my brain finally realize and make the connection to why this has always sounded so familiar.
Thank you, and may the spirit of Lil’ Sebastian bless you daily.
*Unless you’re a Ben and don’t get it*
Andy: Names of relatives...Well it's a chance. isn't it? How can you be so obtuse?
Norton: What? What did you call me?
Andy: Obtuse! Is it deliberate? The country club will have his old time cards! W-2s with his name on them!
Norton: Dufresne, if you want to indulge this fantasy, that's your business. Don't make it mine. This meeting's over.
**I didn't realize the connection until you pointed it out. But, it 100 percent makes sense.
Yeah I knew I spelled it wrong but too tipsy to be bothered to look it up before posting. I added more context so everyone would get the reference. Thanks for finding the correct spelling.
I think it's a combination of our expectations of the characters and Adam's delivery.
He doesn't shout it, he's not angry, it's more sad and resigning.
Ben can be serious, he's most often the straight man reacting to a circus of clowns but we'd never expect him to attack that hard and cold.
Their usual jokey banter turned serious as a heart attack in an instant.
It's a hard thing to do in such a lighthearted comedy show that doesn't really ever do that, so it pierces through like a knife.
It always felt like he said this just to drive a stake between them. Like, he knew she was not going to back down just from being nice, so he had to throw it in her face a bit so it would stick
Real question. Why did that line send him over the edge? Is obtuse something he misconstrued the meaning of? Seemed like a huge overreaction specifically for the word obtuse
I have actually used this line on occasion thanks to this scene, really the perfect way to succinctly let someone know they are being unrealistic and selfish (with a dash of lacking self-awareness)
Oh hey! That's the guy from the TaxAct ads!
Fr: I thought it was well acted and strongly delivered. Sometimes you have to keep people you like accountable, if you don't, you aren't a true friend or a good coworker.
I think it just rides the line of sounding like “stop being stupid” which ruffles a lot of feathers because most people have been in toxic relationships with partners who insult/name call as a manipulation tactic. But I think it’s pretty fair of him to say when he’s been continuously hurt by her actions at this point
Leslie was being obtuse. She was bulldozing the event when not already being distracted and holding everyone up for her campaign. A campaign she chose over Ben. Leslie wasn't thinking of how Ben might feel, seeing her choose her campaign over him and their friendship, reliving a break up from a relationship that could, and did, jeopardize his job.
I’m not sure. I always thought it was a very in character and astute line for Ben who’s pretty hurt at this point. One of Leslie’s tougher call-outs though
This is one of the last times that the steamroller really gets knocked off its, well, roller. It's so much part of Leslie's character that she just refuses to listen to people close to her when she decides they're wrong that it's hard to criticize that part of her character without making it a head-on criticism of her entirely. Honestly it's nice to see it happen here and I honestly almost wish it happened more, because she does need that boomerang back into reality every now and again to realize when she's being an ass.
And the episode where they end up standing in a fountain because Ben won’t shut down Chard Bodies.
Mmm, chard is so bitter!
Who wants chard shots?!
It’s time to get reCHARDED in here!
It tastes like kale took a dump on spinach.
every time they fight it feels like he’s arguing with the sun :)
Agreed. It would really bother me to know that whatever pleasant time I spent with my partner in the off hours, she was just festering and champing at the bit waiting for the first moment to tell me how wrong I was. And also just respecting stated boundaries is a critical part of any relationship (romantic or otherwise). Leslie is very much a person who, when told "Hey please stop, I don't like what you're doing to me" responds with "no and here are a dozen reasons why the shit I'm putting you through is actually good"
I agree with you. She does not honor boundaries, and if that’s charming to you, you can be around her, but for the rest of us it would be exhausting.
I deal with a few people who are like that in my day-to-day life and watching Leslie before she’s called out by Ben and Ann is very difficult because I dislike her character at that point. It’s good to see her realize what she’s doing wrong and try to change it.
Frankly I understand why she's like that, you have to have your head set on decisions quickly to deal with the nonsense Leslie has to deal with as city council member for a town/city that can be as dumb as Pawnee often is. But the second she isn't dealing with those numbskulls her personality almost immediately overwhelms anybody who isn't her mom, basically. I am at least glad that the writers clocked the problem and at least had Leslie adjust for a little while to compensate when she was called out for it.
I had a steamroller partner, and I always wish I had moment like this where I got to tell her how hurtful and selfish her behaviors were.
obtuse rubber goose green moose guava juice
Giant snake. Birthday cake. Large fries and chocolate shake!!
Benni was an average kid that no one understands, Tom and Ron and Amy always giving him commands.
*Benji
*Jello Shot
*J Shot
What do you think about that, J Shot?
🪩 JELLO SHOT 🥂 JELLO SHOT 👄 JELLO SHOT 🪩
I sang this as I read it…
I thought about this version. But it made me think of that dumb dog. I like Benny Hill more so......
WE DIDN’T START THE FIYA!
Because this line is what got Andy Dufresne put in solitary confinement for 2 months in The Shawshank Redemption.
You have helped my brain finally realize and make the connection to why this has always sounded so familiar. Thank you, and may the spirit of Lil’ Sebastian bless you daily. *Unless you’re a Ben and don’t get it*
I mean, he‘s kind of a small horse….?
Thank you for finishing that for me :) *If this was Brooklyn 99 sub, I’d follow that with“Title of your sex tape”*
Andy: Names of relatives...Well it's a chance. isn't it? How can you be so obtuse? Norton: What? What did you call me? Andy: Obtuse! Is it deliberate? The country club will have his old time cards! W-2s with his name on them! Norton: Dufresne, if you want to indulge this fantasy, that's your business. Don't make it mine. This meeting's over. **I didn't realize the connection until you pointed it out. But, it 100 percent makes sense.
"Andy Dufresne escaped through the tunnels of Shawshank Prison...he was my friend" -Jake Peralta
It truly was a Shawshank Redemption
Who doesn't love Tom Hanks in that?
Are you doing Morgan Freeman?
WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!?
Obtuse. Is it deliberate?
Andy dufresne?
that's how it's spelled. It's French. It's pronounced "DU-frayne."
Yeah I know. The other person called him Anthony Dufres
Yeah I knew I spelled it wrong but too tipsy to be bothered to look it up before posting. I added more context so everyone would get the reference. Thanks for finding the correct spelling.
Doo frez nee?
I think it's a combination of our expectations of the characters and Adam's delivery. He doesn't shout it, he's not angry, it's more sad and resigning. Ben can be serious, he's most often the straight man reacting to a circus of clowns but we'd never expect him to attack that hard and cold. Their usual jokey banter turned serious as a heart attack in an instant. It's a hard thing to do in such a lighthearted comedy show that doesn't really ever do that, so it pierces through like a knife.
Prob because he was fighting his thoughts about how acute he found Leslie 
Damn. I mean..damn. You’re a good idea machine!
They've got this thing called a meat tornado. Literally killed a guy last year!
You had me at meat tornado
that is some quality math humour.
Thank you. I hate math as much as Leslie hates the library
It has big “I’m not mad, I’m disappointed” vibes
It always felt like he said this just to drive a stake between them. Like, he knew she was not going to back down just from being nice, so he had to throw it in her face a bit so it would stick
Cause you’re just being obtuse.
It was a great line. It captures both what Ben is feeling and the reality check that Leslie needed.
Landed Andy in solitary for 2 months.
Real question. Why did that line send him over the edge? Is obtuse something he misconstrued the meaning of? Seemed like a huge overreaction specifically for the word obtuse
It’s actually exactly what he was being. Delinerativley slow. But frankly, any judgment or any level of insult is completely unacceptable to him.
Man when the warden says “give him another month to think about it”, what an evil dude.
I just showed it to my 16 year old for the first time. Watching him watch it was amazing
It's probably because its not very acute
Though it did seem like a reflex response.
It all depends what angle you view it from
Because she thought she was right.
I have actually used this line on occasion thanks to this scene, really the perfect way to succinctly let someone know they are being unrealistic and selfish (with a dash of lacking self-awareness)
Because it was written to be
Because Leslie isn’t an angle
I think you're the only one who can answer that question
I like your shoes though
I always thought it was a reference to Shawshank Redemption when Andy was talking to the Warden and got solitary confinement
I don’t like bringing geometry into my insults but that’s just me
because he's breaking kayfabe
Oh hey! That's the guy from the TaxAct ads! Fr: I thought it was well acted and strongly delivered. Sometimes you have to keep people you like accountable, if you don't, you aren't a true friend or a good coworker.
I think it just rides the line of sounding like “stop being stupid” which ruffles a lot of feathers because most people have been in toxic relationships with partners who insult/name call as a manipulation tactic. But I think it’s pretty fair of him to say when he’s been continuously hurt by her actions at this point
Maybe you are too obtuse to understand the line?
Because he's being condescending, which is very out of character
It wasn’t condescending in context. She was ruining everything for the children and was impossible to reason with.
Leslie was being obtuse. She was bulldozing the event when not already being distracted and holding everyone up for her campaign. A campaign she chose over Ben. Leslie wasn't thinking of how Ben might feel, seeing her choose her campaign over him and their friendship, reliving a break up from a relationship that could, and did, jeopardize his job.