A few weeks ago, I confessed to an indulgent habit of overusing the five-star rating system. Determined to be more discerning in my role as a TV recapper, I embarked on a mission this week to scrutinize each scene with meticulous attention. My usual practice involves rating each episode individually, gauging its overall television quality. However, it has become unmistakable that "Abbott" deserves a five-star accolade as a series as a whole. Consequently, I've refined my rating approach for this show, benchmarking episodes solely against their "Abbott" predecessors. Ironically, even within this heightened standard, the current episode still shines with a five-star radiance, thanks to a hilarious commercial bashing the school and a long-anticipated guest appearance by Zack Fox.
Last season, we bid farewell to Janine's ex as he cruised off into the sunset, Lil Jon blaring, in pursuit of his nascent children's rap career in New York. Now, he's back in Philadelphia, prompting Janine to seize the moment and rid herself of his remaining possessions. Witnessing Fox grace my television screen on ABC—a network, no less—feels like an accomplishment worthy of Quinta Brunson herself. This isn't a dig at Fox's capabilities; rather, it underscores Brunson's uncanny knack for tapping into cultural veins often overlooked by the mainstream.
I first encountered Fox around 2015; his tweets would consistently punctuate my timeline due to our shared comic sensibilities and his popularity among my social circle. Beyond his Twitter fame, Fox began gaining traction in the music and comedy scene for his boundary-pushing stand-up routines and collaborations with artists like Kenny Beats and Thundercat. When I learned Fox was portraying Tariq, I was floored—in the most delightful way. His humor may not initially strike as family-friendly, but once tamed, it complements the series beautifully. Similar to Janelle James's portrayal of Ava, there's a judicious blend of adult humor that avoids explicit content, making it suitable for younger audiences. Watching Fox as Tariq rap about the dangers of drugs to a mosh pit of enthusiastic young children remains a standout "Abbott" moment for me.
Determined to erase every vestige of Tariq from her life, Janine packs up his anime and manga figurines, planning to hand them over the next day. She confides in Erika, her newfound friend from the previous week, about Tariq's impending visit. Erika suggests they meet in a neutral, unromantic setting to avoid reigniting their familiar sparks. Janine needn't worry about selecting such a venue, as Tariq arrives at Abbott Elementary earlier than agreed. He crashes her classroom to the delight of the children, reminding Janine of his endearing wit and charm. After collecting his belongings from the car, he invites Janine to dinner at Bahama Breeze, to which she readily agrees.
Though I remain a loyal member of what Fox affectionately dubs the #tariqhive, my allegiance lies with Gregory and Janine. When Tariq encounters Gregory tending to the school garden started by Barbara and Jacob, he shares his dinner plans with Janine. He asserts that, while it may seem like an innocuous meal, he harbors hopes of extending the evening by taking a Redbox rental of her favorite movie—which he can't recall—back to her place. He blames his newly adopted "brain pills" for forgetting the favorite film of a woman he shared over a decade with. Gregory, deeply smitten with Janine, expresses concern about her dinner with Tariq, but she swiftly dismisses him, insisting it's none of his concern. He responds by saying he's merely looking out for her as a friend, prompting me to silently implore him to confess his love.
Tariq's allure fades swiftly in Janine's presence, his actions betraying his true colors. From plucking blooms from the school's garden to defacing a desk with a permanent marker cartoon depicting him and Janine, it becomes apparent why Janine has outstripped Tariq's maturity. In a move typical of a deadbeat lover, he leaves a voicemail excusing himself from giving her a ride to the restaurant, only to have already devoured half of her sandwich. Recognizing that Tariq remains unchanged, she scraps their plans and declares that a platonic, sandwich-free relationship would be more fitting. Unperturbed, Tariq casually reaches for his phone to call... his existing girlfriend! It transpires that Tariq was never single, and Janine has narrowly escaped a rocky romance. And who steps in to ensure she's alright? Gregory, of course. When Janine mentions heading home to indulge in her favorite movie, Gregory instantly knows it's "Jumanji." His sigh and the camera glance after her departure say it all.
Beyond Tariq's unwelcome revelation, Janine grapples with the emergence of a scurrilous commercial targeting Abbott Elementary. Initially oblivious, the staff learns of the ad through a student's tip-off to Jacob, followed by numerous parents voicing their disdain. Ava also catches sight of it while binge-watching "Gourders," a Hulu series about pumpkin hoarders. The commercial, styled like a sensational political spot, showcases each teacher at their supposed worst, cleverly edited clips devoid of context. Melissa waves a pile of bills, querying her class with, "Feels light, who's skimming?" Gregory, in his monotone, instructs a dancing student to stop. Jacob, a white educator amidst Black students, is captured saying, "Good job, dawg!" and barking. Janine is filmed sternly commanding a student to sit. The advertisement's sole purpose is to slam Abbott while promoting Legendary Charter Schools.Barbara emerges unscathed, edited to resemble a charter school teacher.
Determined to silence the commercial, the teachers seek legal assistance. Their lawyer explains that Ava allowed a camera crew into the school without inquiring about their purpose (assuming it was the usual documentary team), and the staff signed waivers without scrutinizing them, leaving no legal recourse. Melissa takes matters into her own hands, tracking down Draemond Winding, the Legendary Schools overseer who made his mark in New York charter schools and aims to replicate his success in Philadelphia. Upon hearing his name, Barbara's tune changes abruptly. She insists her shift isn't due to her positive portrayal but because Draemond was once her student.
Jacob's call to the Legendary CEO draws Draemond, whose charisma resembles that of a local politician. Upon arrival, he praises Barbara as one of his finest teachers. She alone can tame him, having taught him in her inaugural class. She sees past his slick exterior to the child he once was and ushers him into her classroom for a heart-to-heart. He confides that his troubled upbringing and underfunded public school left him unfulfilled until a charter school transformed his life. Barbara argues that the commercial hurts educators like her and persuades him to pull it down. Though he complies, her wisdom doesn't deter him from his mission to convert Philadelphia's public schools into Legendary Charter Schools, with Abbott Elementary topping his list. I eagerly anticipate how the teachers will navigate this challenge.
