Abbott Elementary - Smith Playground - Review: BEST FIELD TRIP EVER!

So much to explore and love about Wednesday’s episode of Abbott Elementary “Smith Playground”. Jacob finally comes through for the kids and gets them a field trip to Smith Memorial Playground. Granted, they had to share the space, but he was so excited to enjoy this time with the kids and his colleagues. The fact that he managed to get this for free was exceptional, but once there, chaos ensues. While on the other side of things, we’re still in the “will they or won’t they” limbo of the relationship brewing between Jeanine and Gregory. 

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY – “Smith Playground” (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)

SHERYL LEE RALPH, LISA ANN WALTER, CHRIS PERFETTI

I live for the chaotic-ness of this show and “Smith Playground” was nothing short of it. While at the park, one of the schools there was Liberty Rings, which is where Ava’s nemesis, Crystal, works as the principal. Throughout the episode, the hostility grows between both schools where it seems that students from Liberty Rings aren’t playing fair with those from Abbott. Funny enough, you’d think it was the kids that would be left duking it out for the winning spot but no, that is left to the teachers. 

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY – “Smith Playground” – (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)

MICHAELA WATKINS, TATYANA ALI, JERRY MINOR, SHERYL LEE RALPH, LISA ANN WALTER, JANELLE JAMES, CHRIS PERFETTI

SPOILER ALERT! The teachers of Abbott Elementary won the relay race throughout the park, but who were the real winners here? The children of course, who decided that while the faculty members competed, they’d just enjoy the park together. 

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY – “Smith Playground” –  (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY

Now on to Janine and Gregory; why are they NOT together yet? We’ve seen the signs for a while now, but the writers seem to be taking their time with these two. I guess we’ll have to be patient, but can we discuss their cute moments for a bit? Like when Gregory picked up Janine’s jacket and put it on for her…their banter while Janine was telling him she didn’t like field trips because it would mean she’d miss class to which Gregory called her a nerd. They’re so awkward with each other in the cutest way; instead of asking Gregory to go on the swings with her, she asks “are you a swinger?” to which he responded with the most confused “what?” and she corrected the wording. It’s always been like this with them. 

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY – “Smith Playground” – (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)

QUINTA BRUNSON, TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS

Also, Jacob being the number one Janine and Gregory shipper makes my heart happy. He is constantly telling Gregory everything we, as the audience, have always wanted and it's for him and Janine to have this heart to heart and tell each other how they feel and we almost got that moment when they were at the big slide. SO close, until Ava came and had a conversation with Mr. Morton about the cons of dating coworkers and the possible repercussions. Janine and Gregory gave each other a look that said “maybe we shouldn’t do this” and I screamed because WHY?! We were SO CLOSE! Thanks a lot Ava and Mr. Morton.

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY – “Smith Playground” – (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)

JERRY MINOR, JANELLE JAMES, QUINTA BRUNSON, TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS

What'd you think of the episode? With just one episode left of the season, I wonder if we'll get a confession and move this relationship forward. What do you think? Let me know in the comment section! 

Valerie LaRoche

Hello! I'm Val. I'm a writer, actress, photographer, and producer from New York. I enjoy going to the bookstore, the gym, and for walks in the park. If I'm not doing any of those things, I'm home studying film and television.