Ava Coleman stands as a fresh embodiment of the enigmatic workplace comedy boss archetype. Within the span of mere two seasons, Janelle James has masterfully portrayed her character, rendering Ava a formidable counterpart to iconic figures such as Ron Swanson, Jack Donaghy, Malory Archer, and the unforgettable Michael Scott. These standout bosses are often portrayed by actors who exude power effortlessly, imbuing their characters with an air of confidence that's matched only by their disregard for others, inevitably leading their subordinates into precarious predicaments.
What makes Ava particularly entertaining is her unique blend of incompetence and overconfidence. While she may not comprehend the intricacies of her actions, her intellect is undeniable. Entirely self-serving, Ava ensures that even her noblest endeavors somehow benefit her personally. James's self-assured comedic delivery is ideally suited for this role, with Ava consistently stealing the show.
In this riveting episode, Ava, the narcissistic principal, indulges in her usual antics as the staff of Abbott Elementary unites for "Operation Save the School." The impending takeover by Draemond Winding has become inevitable, with the transformation of Abbott into a charter school officially scheduled for discussion at the next school-board meeting. Dubbed "Legendary Charter Presents: Abbott Elementary," this transition threatens the job security of every teacher and the admission prospects of every student. With little faith in a favorable outcome, the staff decides to adopt a grassroots approach, initiating a petition to maintain the school's public status.
Initially optimistic, Janine encounters Krystal, the creator of Forever Bitch Apparel adorned with an expletive tattoo, as the first parent. Despite her fondness for vulgarity, Krystal is one of the most engaged parents, making it challenging for the staff to secure more signatures. With 500 signatures needed to demonstrate community opposition to the charter conversion, the team seeks an alternative strategy.
Surprisingly, it is Barbara who first suggests deceiving individuals into signing the petition, albeit reluctantly. Janine unwittingly proposes leveraging an upcoming open house by hosting a lavish party that requires signatures as entry. Ava eagerly adopts this idea, claiming it as her brainchild, and dubs it AVA Fest, or "A Very Abbott Festival," setting the stage for an intriguing twist in their battle to save Abbott Elementary.
For AVA Fest, Ava embodies her authentic self, immersed in the festival's spirit with unwavering dedication. Prior to conceiving it as a platform to amass signatures, she was already engaged in an interview for a new role—Chief Marketing Officer at Legendary Charter. However, with the heightened likelihood of Abbott remaining untouched by change, Ava wholeheartedly rallied behind her school, personally spearheading the recruitment of Philadelphia's own Jazmine Sullivan as the headline act. Gregory alone harbored doubts about her capacity to secure such a renowned artist, yet the announcement of the R&B sensation's appearance drew hordes of parents and community members. The staff meticulously planned an extravaganza replete with thrilling games, a mesmerizing performance by the school's step team (alas, they did not get to groove to Ice Spice), an inspiring speech from Barbara, comforting bowls of creamy macaroni and cheese, and an entertaining dunk tank featuring the ever-dunkable teacher, Jacob.
As the open house doors swung open, attendees began trickling in, while Mr. Johnson conducted makeshift security checks using a curling iron pretending to be a metal detector. Janine diligently attempted to educate the crowd on the petition's genuine purpose, but her words fell on deaf ears; most had come for the thrill of "dunking a white dude" and witnessing Sullivan's performance. When whispers of her possible no-show began to circulate, people started discouraging friends from attending. Gregory and Janine eventually confronted Ava about the headliner's status, prompting the principal to burst into laughter at the mere thought of Sullivan's arrival. She confessed she had merely obeyed Barbara's orders to deceive the parents. Ava, indeed, emerged as a hilariously inept leader.
Gregory, whose competence starkly contrasted Ava's incompetence, was fully equipped with a backup plan. He had already reached out to Tariq, who had been recently dismissed from FADE due to being deemed a liability after Legendary Schools deemed his jingle an infringement of an existing melody. Available and eager, Tariq stepped in to perform in Sullivan's stead. He incited the crowd to raise their fists in unity before delivering a rap with a chorus that chanted, "Abbott on Abbott on Abbott / That booty big so Imma grab it." A personal favorite line? "Play with a teacher, you finna get slapped / No gonorrhea, but you gon' get clapped." Despite the inappropriate lyrics, the audience loved Tariq's performance, and Ava once again claimed credit for the idea as her own. The revelry was abruptly interrupted by Draemond's grand entrance.
Strolling onto the stage with an air of self-importance, Draemond addressed the gathered throng, portraying the petition as "naught but a false promise to hinder your children's progress" and painting the teachers as fearful of change. With utmost self-righteousness, he attempted to pitch Legendary Schools to the parents and community members, pledging superior resources, education, and infrastructure. The parents, however, pushed back, arguing that only a select few students would gain admission to the charter, rendering the benefits uncertain. Despite Draemond's persistent attempts to persuade them otherwise, they were not fooled. They called him out on the biased lottery system and the potential unemployment of the very teachers who had nurtured their children thus far.
The parents courageously step forward, shooting down Draemond's utopian promises with skeptical queries, wondering aloud why he chooses to build an exclusive enclave rather than investing back into their community. Amidst a chorus of boos from the crowd, Mr. Johnson physically removes Draemond from the stage, literally sweeping him aside as Tariq seamlessly resumes his song. The festival pressing on, Draemond finds himself in a private conversation with his former kindergarten teacher. Displaying an astonishing lack of self-awareness, Draemond pats himself on the back for supposedly uniting the community. Barbara, seeing straight through his façade, can only muster a sarcastic, "Bless your soul, Draemond." She knows the truth and, addressing the cameras at the festival's close, reveals, "Every student is unique, demanding our best efforts and our hope that they carry these lessons forward. Yet, ultimately, it's their choice to define their own path. And in this case, he's chosen to be an arrogant fool."
