The teachers' lounge at Abbott Elementary has emerged as a hub for some of the most beloved scenes and witty remarks throughout the entire series. It serves as a sanctuary where educators can unwind and engage with one another as adults, taking a brief respite from their classroom duties. This lounge has been the stage for countless quirks and revelations about our main characters, ranging from Melissa's romantic entanglements with the vending machine attendant to Gregory's peculiar eating habits. It is within these walls that we come to know and appreciate Philly's finest educators.
Tonight's episode kicks off in the lounge, unveiling a quirky yet endearing fact about Barbara, Abbott's most seasoned educator: she has a habit of mistaking certain white celebrities for Black. Her dream Black actor to portray Spider-Man? None other than Brian Austin Green, whom she confusingly refers to as Brian Tyree Henry. Who does she envision listening to after a long day at work? Millie Bobby Brown, whom she mistakes for Bobby Brown. And who does she credit with doing the most for Black actors? Tommy Lee Jones, whom she inadvertently blends with James Earl Jones. This particular eccentricity of Barbara's is brought to life by Sheryl Lee Ralph, whose adeptness at delivering lines reminiscent of our beloved, stern yet loving aunties, mothers, and teachers shines through. Her maternal authority adds layers to Gregory's dilemma as he struggles to break the delicate news to her about the demise of his relationship with her daughter, Taylor.
Having met and pursued a relationship with Taylor in episode ten of last season, Gregory has come to terms with their incompatibility. Taylor thrives in the bustling city life, embracing trendy restaurants serving "small plates with unique flavors." Conversely, Gregory is the polar opposite of someone who would frequent such establishments. His experience with Taylor has taught him a valuable lesson about not mixing business with pleasure, especially not where his girlfriend's mother is concerned. His plan to avoid Barbara works until he encounters a dilemma that only she can solve: his classroom is sweltering, and he can't recall the specific method Barbara uses to open the windows. He turns to Jacob for help, but Jacob simply redirects him back to Barbara.
When Gregory explains his plight, Jacob offers a juvenile yet effective strategy—one that I often resort to when seeking to end a relationship. It may be passive-aggressive, but it's certainly more considerate than Mr. Johnson's suggestion to lie about being drafted. Jacob advises Gregory to gradually fade out of the relationship through vague texts and indifferent communication until Taylor stops responding. As Jacob puts it, ghosting is harsh, but fading away gently is kinder. However, Gregory's attempt to slowly drift apart also falls apart after gaining clarity from Janine and finally confessing to Barbara that his relationship with Taylor has ended. To Gregory's astonishment, Barbara has been equally awkward around him, as it turns out that Taylor was the one who wanted out of the relationship.
Another lesson Gregory learns in this episode is that if you're not ready to date a girl who relishes small-plate restaurants and the glamorous city life, you might just be labeled a "broke boi." At least Barbara was able to come to his rescue and get his windows open.
The stickiness of the windows at Abbott stands as merely the tip of the infrastructural iceberg. Beyond the woeful plumbing and inadequate lighting issues that plagued the previous semester, faculty members have resorted to a desperate measure: using a calendar as a makeshift wall patch, hiding unsightly holes from view. Janine, ever hopeful, proposes utilizing a portion of their grant to mend these blighted walls, only to be reminded by Barbara that the remainder of the funds is earmarked for desperately needed cleaning supplies.
Concurrently, Ava inquires about the recently ordered shipment of updated social studies textbooks, which promise contemporary content—Brexit, the Flint Water Crisis, and Hamilton among them. However, upon scrutinizing the shipping label, Melissa discovers that these books are actually destined for Addington Elementary, the shiny new charter school located just down the street from Abbott. Charter schools, publicly funded yet independently operated, often boast less standardization than traditional public schools, an appeal that resonates with numerous parents. This autonomy also allows teachers greater latitude to tailor their classrooms according to students' needs, interests, and learning styles—a dream that Janine and her fellow Abbott educators cherish for their own pupils.
Upon realizing the mix-up, Barbara suggests a lunchtime expedition to Addington, to witness firsthand what all the fuss is about. Upon entering, they are greeted by vibrant walls, a refreshing blast of air conditioning, a youthful version of Mr. Johnson, and an unexpected reunion with Tina, a former Abbott teacher who was succeeded by Gregory after an unfortunate incident involving a kicked door in the pilot episode. Tina, now visibly serene and benefiting from her recent therapy and anger management sessions (along with her new role at the less rigidly hiring charter school), gives them a guided tour. She proudly showcases the thriving students engaged in French lessons and computer lab activities, while also boasting about their pristine plumbing and humane pest control measures.
Janine, ever the optimist, endeavors to prove that Abbott can rival Addington by giving her classroom a fresh coat of paint, though Ava promptly dashes her hopes. Overhearing her students discuss how much better Addington is, with tales of monthly field trips and access to Google searches in the computer lab, stirs memories of my hometown, Akron, Ohio. It was there that LeBron James, our local hero, established the I Promise School in the very neighborhood where I grew up. Though not strictly a charter school, enrollment at I Promise hinges on specific criteria and a lottery system. When it first opened, I recall stories of sibling rivalry within families, where one child's lottery win to attend the school left their sibling feeling jealous and inadequate. Imagine being eight years old, returning home from an underfunded public school to hear tales of your sibling meeting Justin Timberlake while wandering the gleaming corridors of LeBron James's visionary project.
Schools like I Promise offer incredible opportunities for children who might otherwise miss out, but inevitably, some students remain left behind.
Janine could perceive the undercurrents of distress in her students' voices as they deliberated on the computer lab situation in Addington, which spurred her to propose allocating the grant funds towards acquiring a computer for the library at Abbott. Jacob swiftly countered with the idea of acquiring plants, while Gregory advocated for air fresheners, and Melissa and Barbara steadfastly maintained that purchasing cleaning supplies was the wisest choice. In an inspired moment, Ava decided to emulate the popular television show Shark Tank, hosting her very own version to ascertain which idea reigned supreme. To aid in the judging process, Ava recruited Mr. Johnson and Courtney, one of my most esteemed students at Abbott, whom Ava fondly referred to as her junior doppelgänger. Each participant seized the chance to present their idea to the panel of "sharks." The lunch lady made a plea for new tongs, cutlery, and hair nets, but her request was summarily dismissed by Ava, who deemed it lacking in personal benefit. Mr. Johnson humorously aspirations to become the "007 of janitors," aka Agent 409, met with equal skepticism. Janine's fervent advocacy for the computer was nothing short of extraordinary; however, her triumphant selection was cut short by an unforeseen crisis – a mouse infestation in the cafeteria. It seemed the mice humanely evicted from Addington had found refuge in Abbott, necessitating the use of the remainder of the funds to hire an exterminator.
Fortunately, all was not lost. To compensate for the loss of the computer, Ava, with the limited funds remaining after the extermination, orchestrated the realization of a different Shark Tank idea: she provided seed money to one of the cafeteria workers to operate his water-ice truck on school grounds. The truck proved to be an instant hit, bestowing the students of Abbott with both street cred and scrumptious treats. Gregory, still reeling from Taylor's rejection, remained the sole individual unenthusiastic about the truck. In an attempt to lift his spirits, Janine presented him with a cup of water ice, subtly paving the way for a potentially heartwarming and long-awaited kiss between her and Gregory.
