Anyone who has tuned into "The Other Two" is well-acquainted with how Josh Segarra's endearing puppy-dog charm can creep up unnoticed; I, at first, dismissed his character as a vacuous himbo, yet by the series' conclusion, he had transformed into *my* cherished airhead himbo. My bias is admitted; I have a soft spot for men with beards (particularly those with a "date-worthy" scruff), but even Gregory succumbs to the magnetic pull of Segarra's aura, finding himself inexplicably jealous at the mere thought of Manny and Janine going on a date. Despite their strictly platonic relationship, Gregory's suspicions extend beyond mere romantic feelings for Janine. As a viewer, Segarra's charismatic portrayal of the character, coupled with the natural rapport between Manny and Janine, at moments, hinted at a budding romance or at least a close bond that made one ponder, "What if?" I can't help but wonder if, in a longer, more developed season, a fleeting encounter might have transpired between the two during Janine's tenure at the district.
Tonight's episode felt like the scaffolding of a richer narrative — imagine if the flowers adorning Janine's desk were actually from Manny, a poignant farewell gesture following their ill-timed, unrequited love, rather than a lackluster parting gift from her colleagues. That scenario sounds more like a fanfiction Jacob might pen about Janine and Gregory's love saga, but reality proves equally chaotic. As the Abbott universe expands beyond the confines of the school hallways, with Rubenstein's local bar becoming a frequent haunt, we witness the teachers shedding their daytime personas, sometimes under the influence of alcohol. An intoxicated Gregory can't help but descend into a spiral when, on a double date with Jacob, he spots what he believes to be Janine and Manny on their own date.
Jacob's new love interest, Avi, inquiries about any single friends Jacob might have for his paramedic coworker Olivia, skillfully portrayed by the ever-charming Lana Condor. She's endearing and genuinely interested in Gregory, cultivating a flirtatious rapport and slyly feeling his bicep. Faced with a 45-minute wait at the restaurant, they opt for a drink at Rubenstein's to pass the time. From across the room, Gregory catches sight of Janine seated in a booth, adorned in what Olivia, oblivious to the tension, describes as a "freakum dress," before commenting on how adorable Manny looks sliding into the booth opposite Janine. Gregory's suspicions that they're on a date grow, but Jacob dismisses it, insisting Janine would have told him. Jacob's reassurance falls short of keeping Gregory's gaze away from the booth; for the rest of the evening, he's engrossed by every minute occurrence at Janine's table, so much so that he neglects his own date with Olivia.
When Manny switches seats to sit beside Janine, Gregory's paranoia reaches its peak. He rambles about how this undoubtedly signifies they've been dating for some time, and it's "weird" that neither he nor Jacob was aware. He jumps to conclusions, recalling the flowers on Janine's desk on her first day back at Abbott, insisting they must have been from Manny. By this point, the entire table is uncomfortable with Gregory's obsession. He begins to apologize to Olivia for his distraction, just as Tariq and Janine's friend Erika join Janine's table. Gregory still hasn't acknowledged their presence, citing that she "clearly wants her privacy," but his across-the-room spying isn't sufficient when he sees Manny lean into the crook of Janine's neck, prompting him to leap from his chair and create a scene. He saunters over to their table, comically failing to feign nonchalance as he attempts to gather information about this supposed "double date."
Janine categorically asserts that none present at the table are on a romantic outing, yet Gregory finds her assertion lacking, probing further due to their impeccable attire. Janine clarifies that she and Erika are heading to a hookah bar after this meeting at Rubenstein's, which serves as a final wrap-up session for district matters, while Tariq, as the PRA president, seeks counsel from Manny. Gregory persists in his inquisitiveness, inquiring about Manny's sudden leaning towards Janine (merely to show her a text thread featuring Nelson Mandela gifs from the superintendent) and his mint-popping (a necessity due to garlic breath). Just as Jacob enters, halting Gregory's line of questioning, the harm has already been done. So engrossed was Gregory in unraveling Janine's supposed "date" that he overlooked a text notifying them their table was ready—thirty minutes ago. Disgusted by Gregory's conduct, Olivia exits, jesting that their paths might cross again... perhaps if Gregory were to suffer a grave accident and she happened to be the responding paramedic.
Meanwhile, Jacob and Gregory venture into their double date, while Ava hosts a gathering for her book club, Ava And Her Reading Bitches (AARB), comprising Ava, Melissa, Mr. Johnson, librarian Rosalyn Inez, and Jacob's arch-rival, Mr. Morton. The group delves into Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower," followed by an "erudite discussion" after hours to share their insights. Rosalyn ignites the conversation by posing a question: what skills they would bring to an apocalyptic scenario. This sparks a lively debate about the qualities of a commendable leader in times of crisis, ultimately mirroring the events portrayed in the novel—at least, as I perceive it without delving too deeply into the plot, having not read the book myself. What I do know is that it's speculative fiction set in the present year of 2024, envisioned as the not-so-distant future when Butler penned it in 1993. The Earth is devastated by climate change, and America operates under a caste system where the affluent hoard resources while the underprivileged struggle for survival (a narrative eerily reminiscent of our present reality).
Each member presents their argument for why they would be the most capable leader amidst the end of the world as we know it. Ava contends that her decades-long preparation for environmental catastrophe makes her the ideal candidate. Barbara, on the other hand, firmly believes her "faith-based governance" will triumph in the apocalypse (religion being a prominent theme in the novel). Melissa respectfully disagrees with her best friend—prompting a priceless "stank face" from Sheryl Lee Ralph—arguing that faith alone is insufficient for the dire decisions they'd face. Mr. Johnson interjects, challenging Barbara on her ability to even dig a hole. Soon, their differing interpretations of the novel's core message emerge: Barbara is steadfast in viewing it as a religious testament; Melissa sees it as an allegory for mistrust; Mr. Johnson claims it's a cautionary tale against visiting California. Noticing the conversation growing increasingly polarized, Rosalyn reminds them that a book club is meant for broadening horizons, not reinforcing preexisting notions. She proposes they break into pairs, grouping based on compatible philosophies.
Mr. Johnson swiftly points out the novel's parallels, observing how they have segregated into distinct "factions." He forges an alliance with Melissa, united by their nihilistic outlook on life. Meanwhile, Rosalyn and Ava form a bond, driven by Rosalyn's optimism—a quality that Ava believes would render her susceptible to manipulation under her own tyrannical reign. Barbara is paired with Morton, as Ava muses that her religious conviction makes her adept at enduring his presence. Her patience remains steadfast... until Morton utters his stance on hentai still being an irrelevant issue in his marriage.
Barbara takes a brief respite to procure water from a crate shared by Melissa and Mr. Johnson. Melissa brands Barbara a thief, and sensing the tension escalating, Ava seizes the water crate, hoarding it for herself. Soon after, Mr. Morton's food delivery arrives, an event that Barbara perceives as divine intervention, further widening the rift between the groups. Civility diminishes, and Ava seizes Mr. Morton's wings, assuming a dictatorial stance on the stage, refusing to partake unless others grovel. She tantalizes them with a chicken wing, dares them to "kiss the wing" for sustenance. Mr. Morton nearly complies before Barbara and Melissa intervene, rejecting Ava's presumption of leadership. Mr. Morton and Rosalyn depart, declaring the situation beyond repair.
Barbara and Melissa make moves to follow suit, exiting the meeting just as Ava taunts them from the stage, "Followers always capitulate! Now, exit with the other losers!" Unwilling to accept Ava's pejorative label, Melissa, Barbara, and Mr. Johnson resolutely resume their seats, determined to continue the book club and dislodge Ava from her pedestal. Their obstinacy leads them to doze off, only awakening the next morning when a cafeteria cook rouses them. Still at odds, the cook offers the most profound and nuanced interpretation of the book, asserting that diversity is the ultimate path to survival before ushering them out.
Elsewhere, "The Three Tipsy Teachers Tearing Up the Town," as Janine affectionately dubs them, convene in the break room. The electricity between Janine and Greg crackles as she flirtatiously requests to "pluck blossoms from his garden" to replace the wilting ones in the district, concluding with a metaphorical gesture hinting at their burgeoning future together.
