Our beloved Janine and Gregory's simmering tension nearly erupted into an inferno of passion before veering off onto an altogether unforeseen path. Navigating the complexities of adulthood, embracing our evolved identities, and following our hearts concurrently is no mean feat; hence, selfishness often assumes center stage in our lives at this juncture – or so I console myself, validated by the concurrence of Janine and Ava. Janine took her time to arrive at this realization, but I am convinced that this marks merely a "to be continued" in the epic tale of Janine and Gregory, not its conclusion. (Call me a romantic idealist if you dare!)
This season has witnessed Janine making monumental strides in her personal growth, a quest she embarked upon shortly after her heart-wrenching breakup with Tariq (her new role is certainly paying dividends!). She has risen to various challenging occasions, fostering new friendships beyond the workplace, forging an unprecedented bond with her sister, establishing boundaries with her mother, and embarking on a new romantic journey. Her relationship with Maurice, in particular, served as a crucible for accountability. At the time, Janine deemed it noble and mature to end things with Maurice by confronting him at his favorite barbecue joint, in the presence of his best friend (whom she had no intention of dating), and revealing her kiss with said friend. However, the clarity of hindsight reveals that encounter as a moment that demands further introspection from Janine.
When fate, thanks to Ava's mischievous meddling, pairs Janine and Gregory for a school field trip, their excitement for their first sleepover overflows. Their flirtations have become undeniably overt, giggling as they speak to the camera crew, with Gregory revealing his binge-watching of Janine's movie recommendations, particularly "Night at the Museum." The sweetness is almost intoxicating for Janine, until she bumps into Maurice while waiting to board the bus for the overnight trip to the Franklin Institute. Seeking to apologize for their tumultuous breakup, she is met with an accusation of selfishness from Maurice, unsettling her and compelling her to reassess her actions. Realizing the hurt she had inflicted on Maurice, Janine vows to embark on a journey of self-discovery before unwittingly causing pain to another.
Gregory promptly senses Janine's shifted demeanor and lack of playfulness upon their arrival at the Franklin Institute, yet he spares no effort to elicit a smile from her. However, his attempts fall flat. When he mentions a summer job opportunity with his father in Baltimore, subtly hinting at his hope that she would want him to stay, her reaction is one of flustered awkwardness. Desperate for guidance, he turns to Jacob, with whom he has confided his feelings for Janine most openly. In an unguarded moment, he reveals their kiss at the convention, prompting Jacob to urge him to finally confess his sentiments, regardless of the consequences, because "there may lie a world of wonders beyond."
Janine's anxieties about her potential selfishness lingered on, festering within her as the minutes ticked by during their extended museum visit. Gregory's request for a private chat was met with her frantic evasion, as she hastily herded her entire class into the secluded Galaxy Room, unbeknownst to her, disturbing Barbara, who had sought refuge there to sleep peacefully with her CPAP machine.Barbara, whose conduct had been eerily suspicious throughout the ordeal, had chosen the Galaxy Room for its seclusion, hoping to keep her large headpiece discreet. Embarrassed by the prominent device, she had taken pains to be inconspicuous. However, it turned out to be a source of terror for one student, whose mind had been flooded with visions of alien invasions, thanks to his principal's influence.
Ava seized the opportunity of the science-themed field trip to share her theories about the depths of the universe and the genuine possibility of extraterrestrial encounters. One particularly inspired student sketched her vision of a humanoid alien, complete with a breathing apparatus that eerily resembled Barbara's CPAP machine. Just as the impressionable student was about to spark a museum-wide panic upon sighting Barbara, Gregory managed to steer Janine aside for a heart-to-heart conversation, finally confessing his sentiments. But Janine was left speechless as the startled student, shouting "ALIEN!", awoke all the students, who, upon glimpsing Barbara with her CPAP machine mirroring the sketch, erupted into a chaotic frenzy, dashing around the museum.
The teachers scrambled to corral the students scattered all over the museum, with Gregory and Janine diving into the colossal, anatomically correct heart model to search for wayward children. In the heart of the heart, Janine couldn't help but confess, "I like you too," her feelings spilling out uncontrollably. For the first time, they were open and unreserved with each other, revisiting their mutual attractions since Gregory's first day at Abbott and the myriad obstacles and side relationships that had ensued.
Yet, it wasn't sufficient. In her moment of vulnerability, Janine admitted that her conversation with Maurice hadn't altered her feelings for Gregory but had transformed her perception of herself. She knew her feelings for Gregory were real and intense, hinting at a special bond. However, Gregory had become a cherished friend and a pivotal part of her support system that she wasn't ready to relinquish. At this juncture in her life, she didn't want to jeopardize their friendship or cause pain to someone she deeply cared for, realizing she still had personal growth to achieve.
It wasn't the response Gregory yearned for, nor was it the one Janine wished to give, but it was the unvarnished truth. Gregory grasped that it was for the best, and they rejoined their students. Jacob consoled his friend with a lengthy, heartfelt hug before all the teachers retreated to their designated posts within the museum. Janine confided to the camera crew that she believed she had made the best decision for her current life stage, acknowledging she wasn't ready for Gregory, whom she hailed as the greatest. I wanted to leap into the screen, shake her, and assure her that she deserved the best, but it was time for Janine to learn that lesson on her own. Gregory, the beneficiary of nepotism in Abbott's landscaping department, was also at peace with the outcome. He was content, even if it wasn't what he had desired, believing, "it's time to plant something new."
