I was ready for the laughs and last night’s premiere of Abbott Elementary did not disappoint. The crew is back together for a new school year and there are quite a few changes going; like the new PGA Golf course being built which is great for the city, right?
Ava, being Ava, sees a child who isn’t the demographic she’s been accustomed to waiting on a bench in front of her office and quickly runs to tell the others she saw a ghost (Ava, please). As she’s walking back with the others to show them her “ghost” the child’s parents are now there to which Ava says “they’re multiplying”.
It was a hilarious way to show how some people deal with gentrification; it could be a bit confusing at first until you realize what’s actually happening and then you adapt. Unless you’re Mr. Johnson who thought that they were being audited.
“Back to School” - ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Pictured: Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, and Janelle James as Ava Coleman. Photo: Gilles Mingasson/Disney © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Janine fills us in on what’s going on between her and Gregory (they finally kissed last season and we all cheered!). They’re still together (the break up gag messed with my emotions for five seconds) and going strong but apart from Jacob, they don’t want people to know they’re together yet. Major fail on that part though because they’re not as subtle as they think they are. Everyone knows!
The golf course construction is causing trouble for the school: broken water pipes, traffic to and from the school, and an increase in bugs and rodents. Barbara and Melissa bring these concerns to Ava and in true Ava fashion, she tells them she has no control over it and redirects them to be ready to present proposals for the back to school staff meeting.
“Back to School” - ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Pictured: Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie and Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues. Photo: Gilles Mingasson/Disney © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Janine and Gregory are talking to the hallway and Ava looks jealous (we all know she had a thing for Gregory since day one), but is distracted when two students confront her. They want to fact check whether or not Janine and Gregory are dating for their podcast. Now if the students know about them, it may be time for them to confess.
Janine notices Mr. Johnson is watching her and Gregory and thinks that they should be more careful (oh love, too late for that), but Gregory thinks they should tell their coworkers. She’s hesitant and doesn’t want anyone in their business and doesn’t want to get HR involved either.
Ava, realizing that Janine and Gregory aren’t going to confess to dating on their own, she calls in HR to help speed things up. When Ava and HR stop by their classrooms, Gregory is ready to at least start letting HR know, but Janine puts that to a halt saying there’s nothing she has to say. With how she reacted, Gregory is afraid that Janine isn’t into the relationship as much as he is.
“Back to School” - ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Pictured: Ben Onyx Dowdy as Human Resources Emplyee and Janelle James as Ava Coleman. Photo: Gilles Mingasson/Disney © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
They can’t hide for much longer though because when Gregory brings Janine the notes for her presentation she left at home (in front of everyone) the questions start to spill: whose keys are those? Do you like cinderella? What about the keychain that spells Janine’s name? They fumble through each response until Mr. Johnson claims they are selling drugs, with HR right there, and Janine says… what she said. Cats out the bag now!
“Back to School” - ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Pictured: Ben Onyx Dowdy as Human Resources Emplyee and Janelle James as Ava Coleman. Photo: Gilles Mingasson/Disney © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Gregory confronts Janine about what’s been on his mind. How he thinks that she’s not into their relationship. She tells him she’s scared that what they have won’t work out and she really wants it to work out. Making things official in the past didn’t go so well for her. I love how Gregory reassures her, making her feel safe in their relationship. Janine is ready to let HR know. Crazy part is the entire episode, it’s this huge thing with letting HR know and how that will impact them moving forward which is probably why Janine started from the very beginning (like when they first met). HR didn’t need all of that; the only thing that was needed was confirmation they were together and a signature (All that fuss for something so small).
If this episode is any indication of what we can expect this season then I will be seated every single week. What’d you think of the season premiere of Abbott Elementary? Share your thoughts below or connect with me on X/Twitter @chenfordhugs
