Given the sorry state of education in this country, I, much like Jacob, would likely shed tears of joy upon witnessing a student like RJ suddenly blossom in the classroom. It pierces the heart to realize that countless young minds, arguably our most fragile demographic, lack a sturdy foundation upon which to build their intellectual pursuits. I could cite numerous studies detailing historically meager test scores and a pervasive public dissatisfaction with the state of education, but the message remains clear: our children are in dire need of our assistance. Educators, above all else, understand this all too well—as evidenced by a disheartening teachers' sub-Reddit, where one user metaphorically describes the current education system as a decrepit machine "held together by mere duct tape." Another user quotes poignantly from "The Handmaid's Tale": "Nothing changes instantaneously; in a bathtub gradually heating, you'd be boiled alive before you even realized it."
This is indeed a grim topic, with dire implications looming on the horizon. (Imagine a generation barely literate, tasked with becoming our healthcare providers, government leaders, and educators?) However, as is his custom, Abbott approaches this delicate subject with sensitivity, urging viewers to ponder the pertinent questions. Abbott primarily focuses on the teachers' perspective, highlighting—often idealizing—their extraordinary efforts despite scant resources. While their endeavors are commendable, kindness and unwavering optimism alone cannot alter material conditions, a fact the series keenly acknowledges.
When turning the spotlight onto the district's funding shortage, Abbott maintains its celebrated feel-good ambiance while subtly prompting viewers to ask: Why must teachers dip into their own pockets for classroom supplies? Why are our children compelled to share textbooks in a nation ranked among the richest in the world? And, without a sanctimonious tone, the series addresses these questions by shining a light on the paltry monetary commitments from political leaders.
Without adequate funding, teachers are severely hampered in their ability to enhance learning conditions for their students, often compelled to go above and beyond their duties, which is both unjust to them and detrimental to the children. Consider Jacob, for instance; his quest to find the ideal extracurricular activity for RJ left him feeling increasingly overwhelmed, knowing he couldn't replicate the same enthusiasm for every pupil. Furthermore, his special attention to RJ garnered notice, prompting two students to confront him, expressing their desire for a similarly curated educational experience due to their own familial struggles. This underscores teachers' responsibility to engage students in an era where attention spans are fleeting, exacerbated by the fact that schools are still utilizing textbooks from the civil rights era, as one school lamented to the board. Nonetheless, amidst the district's crucial budget meeting, Jacob reassured them he would endeavor to find a solution.
Upon arriving at the meeting, Barbara introduced an amusing, homegrown bingo game, peppered with quirky boxes labeled "District Clichés." These boxes featured corporate jargon such as "We'll strive to accommodate" and the enigmatic "Abbott certainties," paired with whimsical scenarios like "Melissa threatens meltdown." The irony was rich, considering this episode was yet another classic, formula-driven chapter of Abbott. A delightful drinking game might involve taking a sip each time Jacob enlightened a Black individual about Black culture or delivered a fiery oration. However, this is not to imply the episode lacked zest; rather, it was hilariously foreseeable, a welcome trait in the sitcom realm. I continue to cherish every moment Barbara assists Janine with her "silly antics," which, of course, occupied another square on the bingo card. This instance saw Barbara stepping in when Janine worked herself into a frenzy after Gregory casually concluded a voice note with "I love you" – a particularly poignant remark considering it was Valentine's Day, and the couple had agreed to keep celebrations low-key.
At the budget meeting, Gregory embarked on a smoothie run only to discover the menu had temporarily adopted love-themed titles for all beverages. When Gregory sent an audio message clarifying the confusion, his words trailed off with a tender "I love you." Since this was uncharted territory for the couple, who had never uttered those words to each other, and given Gregory's unexpected casualness in a voice note, Janine couldn't help but overanalyze the situation. Initially, Barbara speculated that perhaps he had said "I love food," but upon reflection (considering Gregory's equal affection for food and spontaneity), she aided Janine in uncovering the truth. Upon Gregory's return with the smoothies, one aptly named "I Love You," Barbara and Janine realized he had merely mentioned the smoothie's title. Janine's disappointment was palpable, and she grew increasingly irritable whenever Gregory professed his love for anything.
Meanwhile, the district meeting resurrected some familiar faces, including Ava's nemesis and sorority sister Crystal, portrayed by Tatyana Ali, and Janine's former colleague Manny, played by Josh Segarra. Crystal, the principal of Liberty Elementary, wasted no time in taunting Ava, flaunting her prime time slot to plead for funding before the school board. Ava remained unperturbed; after a year of honing her "black belt in blackmail," she knew Abbott possessed ample resources. She believed her mastery of district jargon and her meticulous Ed-Talk presentation would endear her to the school board. Furthermore, despite Crystal's advantageous time slot, Manny pulled Ava aside to reveal that the superintendent had set aside funds specifically for Abbott, assuring her she could "sleepwalk" through her presentation and "wake up with a bag." However, witnessing Crystal's all-in presentation met with denial stirred Ava's newly emerged altruistic side.
Jacob, eager to utilize the surplus funds to establish more clubs catering to all students, encounters Melissa's realism, who underscores the impracticality of managing numerous extracurricular activities alongside teaching duties. As he half-heartedly bonds with fellow educators over their shared funding woes, he discovers that another school has hired a counselor to address students' struggles stemming from insufficient resources. Dismissing the teachers' analogy likening the counselor to a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound—arguing that asking kids how they feel about a ceiling hole rather than fixing it speaks volumes—Jacob sees this as a viable solution for Abbott. His colleagues concur that their students could benefit from personalized attention from a professional counselor but doubt Ava's approval due to the high cost. Drawing inspiration from his boss's cunning tactics, Jacob, without divulging his true objectives, persuades Ava to allow him to address the board, capitalizing on the already secured funds.
Anticipating Jacob's松散 and potentially self-sabotaging presentation—aware that the board demands brevity, which is not Jacob's forte—Ava strategically grants his request, setting him up for failure. Jacob stumbles through a prolonged introduction before mustering the courage to propose a counselor, a request that seems frivolous to those still lacking basics. To everyone's surprise, the board grants his wish, thwarting Ava's plan. Swiftly, Ava seizes the microphone to append a condition: the remaining funds should be distributed among the three other Title I schools denied earlier. This unexpected maneuver from Ava, unpredictable even to Crystal, is met with gratitude. Their sisterly exchange is tinged with passive aggressiveness until Crystal ups the stakes, ironically remarking on Abbott's privileged access to resources without district aid, and bestowing upon Ava an ambiguous peck on the cheek, laden with significance.
Realizing Crystal has onto her scheme and blackmail, Ava grabs Jacob by the neck, whispering menacingly about his deceitful choice and her impending quest for a scapegoat to restore order. Manny then warns the Abbott staff of the district's irritation over their stunt, cautioning them to behave as they brace for impending scrutiny. Despite the looming threat of retaliation, Abbott exits Budget Day with modest victories for the district's students, which Gregory heartfeltly celebrates. Janine, irritated by Gregory's incessant proclamations of love not directed at her, confronts him with the audio message, revealing her hurt. Gregory halts her, admitting the slip was accidental; he had planned to confess at dinner but couldn't wait any longer. With their hearts laid bare, Janine reciprocates his love through an adorable voice note, concluding with playful anticipation for their Bone Town escapade!
