There's scarcely a worse sensation than crafting the perfect ensemble in your mind's eye, only to don it and find that not a single thread aligns as envisioned. For a fashion aficionado such as myself, the situation can escalate to dire heights: what happens when time constraints prohibit an outfit change, condemning you to traverse the day shrouded in a mismatched ensemble? Though I'll refrain from veering into full-blown Cher territory from "Clueless," I suspect many can empathize with the crestfallen disappointment and disquiet when an attire believed to be impeccable proves otherwise. I invoke this analogy whenever mustering the bravery to redirect my life's trajectory, reminding myself that often, our dreamt-of journeys fail to synchronize with reality—and that's perfectly alright, for tomorrow brings the liberty to don a different garb.
Janine's impending ascent up the district's professional hierarchy mirrors my attire nightmares. Transitioning from her fellowship to a full-time post seems the logical sequel. However, the show's scriptwriters have subtly scattered clues hinting at Abbott's magnetic allure for Janine. The library pilot program thrives, Janine gels beautifully with her colleagues, and the superintendent eagerly anticipates her expansion across more schools within the district. Yet, an undercurrent of disharmony persists. Despite the collective enthusiasm, she's constantly reminded of her former vocation, such as catching a glimpse of her students' radiant smiles in a library photograph during the superintendent's presentation heralding her brainchild's success. Initially, she attributes her dissatisfaction to what her peers dub "the dip"—the adrenaline ebb post-triumph. Inevitably, the genuine source of her heartstrings' tug becomes undeniable when Gregory visits Janine at the district to submit his grant proposal for Garden Goofballs.
Abbott's staff showers Gregory with farewell gifts for Janine; Jacob bestows a framed photograph of himself, Melissa presents mace, Barbara offers a handwritten note, and Mr. Johnson generously donates a strand from his favorite mop. Saving the finest for last, Gregory grants her a tiny pot of earth from his garden (recall her appreciation for its unique Janine essence? How endearing a man who listens intently!), accompanied by seeds for a polka-dot plant, meant as "a reminder to embrace the unanticipated." Prior to departing, he requests Janine's lanyard back, at Ava's behest, who yearns for Abbott to be a Janine-devoid space for the evening school event. She swiftly retrieves it from beneath her shirt, acknowledging she wears it daily, an unambiguous indication of her heart's abode. Gregory, too, comprehends the magnitude of Janine's departure from Abbott, telling the cameras it marks the end of an epoch, yet Janine will forever hold a unique place within the school's annals.
Throughout much of the episode, Janine adorns a deep green top, which, coupled with mentions of Gregory's Garden Goofballs, evokes imagery of vegetation. Her "greenness" is underscored in her scenes as she navigates the crossroads of self-discovery and identity formulation. She's flourishing and blossoming, albeit in nascent stages. Thus, when Gregory strolls into the office arrayed entirely in brown (well, tan, but indulge me), resembling soil nurturing her growth while presenting a literal pot poised for planting, it's undeniably evident that Janine stands at a decision's cusp. The timing of her realization couldn't be more inconvenient—the district organizes a welcome bash post-work. Throughout the day, she's confronted with the immutability of her district future through the onboarding preparations for her new role. She squirms at the prospect of collaborating with schools beyond Abbott and ducks setting up her new health insurance and parking spot, cleverly evading any commitments. Intriguingly, I too ponder a "less intense" variant of a 401K, perhaps a "301K" or "201J."
As Janine's welcome party draws near, her eagerness to finalize her new role through paperwork is palpable. The district team, adhering to their tradition, prepares to immortalize the moment by capturing the new hire's photograph as they ink their contract and toast to the occasion. However, Janine, who rarely veils her true emotions, feigns a need for her fortuitous pen and dashes to her office. There, she reads Barbara's card, whose words hold immense significance for her. The note is brimming with pride and well-wishes for Janine's upcoming journey. Yet, even the combined weight of Gregory's gift and Barbara's blessings fails to sway Janine's decision. What truly tips the scales is what she discovers on the card's next page—the signatures and innocent encouragement from her former students. Trusting her instincts, Janine decides to abandon her party and return to her teaching post. Characteristically, she promptly announces her return to the school, where the second annual Ava Fest is in full swing.
The impeccable opening scene of this week's episode, reminiscent of the humorous anticipation for The Bear's third season, portrays the entire school gearing up for Ava Fest, aiming to surpass last year's success. While last season Ava transformed it into a community-uniting event to oppose the school's charter conversion, Ava Fest has since evolved into Abbott's annual open house. Though Draemond Winding's plan to add Abbott to Legendary Charter Schools is no longer a threat, Ava remains committed to making Ava Fest an annual spectacle, refusing to let anything bearing her name be perceived as less than extraordinary. This year, she meticulously oversees the event's planning and promises a Philadelphia superstar as the headline act. Ironically, the inaugural Ava Fest never featured Jazmine Sullivan, as Ava had fabricated her appearance to boost attendance. But this year, she is adamant that Questlove will perform as a personal favor.
According to Ava, if Janine is a plant and Gregory is soil, she herself is a root, as she claims to be instrumental in the formation of The Roots, boasting a long history with "Ahmir." She regales the staff with tales of pickleball partnerships and parasailing adventures in the Florida Keys, where Questlove supposedly lost his afro pick—a talisman of his power. Ava recounts meeting Questlove at a party in the 2000s, while she was dating Allen Iverson and defending her territory against his groupies. Questlove commented on her natural rhythm, and they soon collaborated to create The Roots. Ava further claims she saved the band by quitting before she could become their "Yoko Ono." No one believes her tales, but as rumors spread and the community eagerly anticipates Questlove's appearance, Melissa, Jacob, Barbara, and Gregory devise a Plan B, creating backup entertainment and an alternate flyer on Canva explicitly stating that Questlove will not attend. Ava discovers their secret plan and is furious, unwavering in her conviction that her friend will show up. Despite her assertions, they continue preparations, accommodating her usual delusions.
As Ava Fest unfolds, the staff congratulates itself on executing a well-organized event, despite some parents vocalizing their disappointment about Questlove's absence. Janine bursts in with her decision, and everyone except Ava welcomes her back warmly, though Mr. Johnson insists she returns his mop string. Ava speculates that Janine returned solely to see Questlove or was fired due to pregnancy. Everyone urges the principal to be honest about her alleged relationship with the musician. Ava continues to deny lying, but Barbara cuts her off, listing her numerous deceits and manipulations, rendering her claims about Questlove's appearance unbelievable. However, before Barbara can conclude her fierce rebuke, Questlove enters the gymnasium, greeting Ava with a familiar handshake and confirming all her stories, affectionately calling her "Honest Ava." Questlove takes the stage for an intimate DJ set for the Abbott Elementary community, playing Junior Senior's "Move Your Feet" as everyone dances and basks in the camaraderie of their beloved school.
