The teachers' lounge at Abbott Elementary has emerged as a treasure trove of hilarious scenes and witty remarks throughout the series. It serves as a sanctuary where educators unwind and bond like adults, stealing a moment of respite amidst the hustle and bustle of classroom duties. This lounge has become the stage where the eclectic quirks and profound revelations of our main characters unfold, ranging from Melissa's blossoming romance with the vending machine attendant to Gregory's peculiar eating habits coming to light. It's here that we get an intimate glimpse into the lives of Philly's most esteemed educators.
Tonight's episode kicks off in this very lounge, revealing a quaint yet amusing fact about Barbara, Abbott's most seasoned educator: she has a quirky habit of mistaking certain white celebrities for Black. Her fantastical casting choice for a Black Spider-Man? None other than Brian Austin Green, whom she refers to as Brian Tyree Henry. Her post-work audio companion of choice? Millie Bobby Brown, whom she affectionately calls Bobby Brown. And who does she deem as the individual who has done the most for Black actors? Why, Tommy Lee Jones, whom she confusingly identifies as James Earl Jones. This endearing eccentricity of Barbara's is expertly brought to life by Sheryl Lee Ralph, whose delivery evokes memories of our beloved, stern yet loving aunties, mothers, and mentors. Her maternal authority figure persona is a pivotal reason why Gregory finds it challenging to impart the delicate news that his relationship with her daughter, Taylor, is on the rocks.
After sparking a romance with Taylor in episode ten of last season, Gregory has come to the realization that they are worlds apart. Taylor, a city slicker who thrives on the glamor and allure of trendy, flavorful small-plate restaurants, stands in stark contrast to Gregory, who shuns such establishments. His experience with Taylor has taught him to avoid mixing business with pleasure, and especially to stay clear of romantic entanglements where his lover's mother's domain lies. His strategy to avoid Barbara works wonders until he encounters an issue that only she can resolve: his classroom is sweltering, and he's forgotten the unique method Barbara employs to open the windows. Seeking help from Jacob, he's redirected back to Barbara.
Upon explaining his plight, Jacob offers Gregory a childish yet effective strategy that he often employs when seeking to end a relationship amicably. Though passive-aggressive, it's less harsh than Mr. Johnson's suggestion to lie about being drafted. Jacob advises Gregory to gradually fade away through terse texts and indifferent communication until Taylor ceases responding. As Jacob puts it, ghosting is harsh, but fading away gently is compassionate. However, Gregory's plan to subtly distance himself 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 uncomfortable around him, as it turns out that Taylor is the one who desires to end the relationship.
Another lesson Gregory learns in this episode is that if you're not cut out for a girlfriend who revels in the chic allure of small-plate restaurants and the glittery cityscape, be prepared to be labeled as a broke boi. At least Barbara managed to get his windows open, solving his immediate dilemma.
Sticky windows constitute merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the infrastructural woes haunting Abbott School. Beyond the dilapidated plumbing and inadequate lighting conditions that plagued the previous semester, faculty members have resorted to creative camouflage – strategically positioning a calendar to obscure gaping holes in the walls. Janine, ever the visionary, proposed allocating a portion of their grant towards patching these walls, yet Barbara brought her back to earth, reminding her that the remaining funds were earmarked for direly needed cleaning supplies.
Concurrently, Ava posed a query to the educators regarding a recent shipment of updated social studies textbooks. These volumes, as current as public school materials could be, covered topics such as Brexit, the Flint Water Crisis, and even Hamilton. Upon scrutinizing the shipping label, Melissa discovered a shocking revelation: the books were intended for Addington Elementary, the chic new charter school nestled just down the street from Abbott. Charter schools, publicly funded yet autonomously operated, offer a less rigid curriculum that appeals to numerous parents. This autonomy also grants teachers greater latitude to tailor their classrooms according to students' needs, interests, and learning preferences – aspirations that Janine and her Abbott colleagues deeply cherish for their own flock.
Upon realizing the mix-up, Barbara suggested a lunchtime field trip to Addington, urging the teachers to witness firsthand what all the fuss was about. Upon entering Addington's domain, they were greeted by vibrantly painted walls, a refreshing AC breeze, a youthful semblance of Mr. Johnson, and a nostalgic reunion with Tina, a former Abbott educator whom Gregory had succeeded after a regrettable kicking incident in the series' pilot. Tina, now visibly serene, benefited immensely from her recent therapy and anger management sessions, not to mention her new role at the charter school, secured thanks to its more lenient hiring process. She guided them through a tour, beaming with pride as she showcased thriving students engaging in French lessons and computer lab activities, while also boasting about the school's impeccable plumbing and humane pest control methods.
Janine, her optimism undiminished, endeavored to prove that Abbott could rival Addington by giving her classroom a fresh coat of paint. However, Ava disheartened her efforts, as she overheard her students conversing about Addington's superiority. One pupil mentioned their sibling enjoying monthly field trips and having access to internet research in the computer lab.
Their dialogue evoked memories of my hometown, Akron, Ohio, where LeBron James, our beloved king, established the I Promise School in the very neighborhood where I grew up. Though not technically a charter school, I Promise's admission criteria included a lottery system, leading to families experiencing mixed fortunes: one sibling winning the lottery and gaining admission, while the other was left behind, fostering feelings of envy and inadequacy. Imagine being an eight-year-old returning from an underfunded public school to hear tales of your sibling mingling with Justin Timberlake in the gleaming corridors of LeBron's visionary project. While schools like I Promise present incredible opportunities for fortunate children, there will invariably be those left on the sidelines.
Janine could feel the undercurrent of troubled emotions among her students as they deliberated on the computer lab situation in Addington, prompting her to propose allocating the grant funds towards acquiring a computer for the library at Abbott. Jacob then threw his hat into the ring with a suggestion for plants, while Gregory advocated for air fresheners. Melissa and Barbara, on the other hand, steadfastly maintained that cleaning supplies were the most prudent choice. Seeing an opportunity to resolve the dilemma creatively, Ava decided to emulate the popular TV show "Shark Tank," inviting suggestions and vetting them in a competition-style format. To aid in the judging process, Ava enlisted the help of Mr. Johnson and Courtney, one of her favorite students at Abbott, whom she aptly described as a younger version of herself. The stage was set for an array of pitches from various "contestants."
The lunch lady made her plea for new tongs, cutlery, and hair nets, but her request was swiftly dismissed by Ava, who saw no direct personal benefit to the students. Mr. Johnson humorously campaigned to become the "007 of janitors," affectionately dubbed Agent 409, to no avail. Janine, with unparalleled fervor, argued passionately for the computer, ultimately winning over the judges. However, her victory was fleeting as a mouse infestation hit the cafeteria, the unwelcome rodents having migrated from Addington to find refuge in Abbott. This unforeseen development necessitated using the remainder of the grant money to hire an exterminator.
Despite this setback, all was not lost. To compensate for the loss of the computer, Ava, with the limited funds left after the extermination, orchestrated the realization of another idea that emerged from their makeshift Shark Tank. She provided seed money to one of the cafeteria workers to operate his water-ice truck on school grounds. The truck quickly became a sensation, endowing the Abbott students with both street cred and delicious treats. Gregory, still reeling from Taylor's rejection, remained the sole dissenter, unable to share in the joy. In an effort to lift his spirits, Janine brought him a cup of water ice, ever so slightly edging us closer to the much-anticipated possibility of a romantic liaison between her and Gregory.
