Abbott Elementary Season-Finale Recap: The Final Bell

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It’s truly impressive when individuals bend down to meet kids at their eye level for interaction, and Abbott Elementary boasts many teachers who excel in this manner, yet none can match Janine’s infectious energy. Her height, being just five feet tall, might contribute to her closeness (the height humor in the episode is hilarious), but she consistently goes the extra mile to provide an exceptional learning environment for her students and acknowledge their inherent dignity as individuals. While it may seem basic for an elementary school teacher, I applaud Abbott for its child-focused content that resonates with both kids and adults. In today’s world, we seem to be losing sight of our responsibility to safeguard children, so shows like this help remind us of their importance.

The season finale of Abbott in its fourth run serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role characters like Janine play in safeguarding childhood’s purity and enchantment. Although it doesn’t quite top last year’s “Party” as my preferred finale, it concludes what might be Abbott’s most robust season thus far on a tender note.

Janine’s unbridled enthusiasm and her commitment to valuing children, especially Black children, beyond their inconvenience, offers a valuable lesson for us all, given the escalating rhetoric towards children that is veering from sharp-tongued to outright hostile and inhumane. In a society where children are often marginalized as secondary citizens who should be seen but not heard, Janine presents a refreshing viewpoint on young ones.

However, while her cheerful demeanor serves her well as an educator, the dynamics shift when she becomes the serious girlfriend of Lieutenant Colonel Martin Eddie’s son.

Martin Eddie is well-known for his straightforward demeanor and general lack of enthusiasm for amusement; upon receiving Mad Libs as a birthday gift, his father made him select words that “made sense,” stating that Mad Libs encourages disobedience. When he offers to assist in chaperoning the school’s field trip to the Please Touch Museum during his visit, Janine gleams with excitement at the prospect of meeting her boyfriend’s father for the first time. She attempts to impress the veteran by learning military time and jargon, but Gregory advises her to be herself, asserting that he rarely enjoys others’ company. However, is Janine so easily deterred? She strives to become a person whom Martin would admire by wearing Gregory’s gray blazer and fully embodying the persona of an “Eddie man.

With a drab jacket concealing Janine’s vibrant attire (an intriguing symbolic touch from the costume department!), she metamorphoses into a pragmatic and stern figure, eschewing creative pursuits for solely educational tasks. When Martin presents himself using his given name, Janine requests he uses his military rank instead. She prohibits her pupils from playing carelessly and running around, expressing disdain for frivolous activities. Surprised by Janine’s altered demeanor, Gregory queries the extent she’ll go to gain her father’s approval. Just as if on cue, a student slips and injures herself. In a test of self-control, Janine battles to suppress her natural urge to comfort children. She puts up a valiant effort, though, timidly consenting to Martin’s saying that “pain is merely weakness departing.

Janine finds it difficult to suppress her inherent emotions and steps aside to “interact personally” with the student. Lowering herself to the student’s level on the floor, she assumes her old persona, using a pencil as if it were a magical wand to alleviate the child’s distress. This action causes Martin and Gregory to exchange significant looks. Later, Martin catches sight of Janine engaging in play with a student, pretending to be a “spirit of the forest tree,” amplifying her voice over the rainforest exhibit’s speakers during a downpour. This behavior leaves Martin uneasy as he contemplates that Janine might be teaching children the notion that trees possess souls. However, attempting to convince the wide-eyed kids that trees are devoid of souls goes against Janine’s resolve to uphold practicality. After all, having grown up with Disney’s Pocahontas, it’s only natural for her to believe that trees have souls!

Janine takes off her jacket and explains she’s a second-grade teacher, meaning being playful is part of her job. Martin, unexpectedly, joins in the fun, acting like a silly squirrel and astronaut. This was surprising because Martin isn’t usually playful. Gregory was taken aback seeing his father act this way, as it reminded him of his own father who never played with him growing up. It made Gregory feel confused and resentful, but also gave him a new perspective on why his father raised him the way he did.

As a cinephile, I often find myself reflecting on how some parents envision their children’s future, readying them for whatever hardships life might present. For many Black fathers of a particular generation, though, their past was fraught with adversity, making them live in a state of constant survival where emotions could mean the difference between living and dying. This resonates deeply with Martin, a military man who lost his partner when his son, Gregory, was just 9. Janine suggests that this moment could be an opportunity for a heartfelt conversation, as maybe Martin is capable of more emotion than he seems.

Caught off guard by his sudden playfulness, Gregory approaches Martin privately and shares his surprise. Trying to downplay his strict parenting, Martin recalls the memory of his stern demeanor until Gregory brings up their shared pastime of playing Mad Libs. Acknowledging his imbalance in rigidness, Martin confesses that his late wife would have encouraged him to lighten up. He admits that Janine reminds him of her, saying, “Men like us sometimes thrive with partners like hers,” suggesting that he found solace in Janine as someone who could complement Gregory to create the perfect pairing.

In an attempt to make the final field trip memorable for his upcoming students, Jacob involves Barbara and Melissa since he’s trying to win favor from Martin, who’s also a teacher. However, the tweens seem uninterested throughout the day, expressing dissatisfaction with the Please Touch Museum, deeming it more suitable for toddlers. This sentiment is further exacerbated by the enthusiasm of the younger kids. Jacob’s efforts to motivate them have limited success, considering his demographic, and the teachers can’t find anything in the museum that appeals to the eighth-graders. Even Mr. Johnson’s attempt to explain workers compensation using a fake banana slip in the grocery-store simulation falls flat. But there’s one thing that always grabs preteens’ attention: teasing or talking back to figures of authority.

The museum tour guide proposes that older students use the vacant theater to write and enact a play about their teachers. It turns out that the staff at Abbott aren’t the only ones with a sense of humor! The older classes come up with a satirical play called “The Final Bell,” which humorously recaps the year’s drama within the school district, with teachers playing each other’s roles. Barbara portrays Melissa, Melissa plays Jacob, and so on. Naturally, Mr. Johnson plays himself because, as the students say, who else could? They read from cue cards, making fun of each other using student-inspired jokes, while embracing their impressions as laughter echoes through the auditorium. This performance becomes a memorable event for the entire school.

The season concludes with teachers reminiscing about the joy and satisfaction of observing their students’ growth as they transition into high school-bound teenagers. It’s a sentiment that resonates with us viewers; we’ve watched Abbott evolve from a promising series to an Emmy-winning mainstay that I believe will significantly influence the current era of television. In an interview with Time magazine two years ago, Quinta Brunson expressed, “I aim for Janine and the characters to help people learn to love themselves more, extend grace to themselves, and recognize the value of hardworking individuals in their lives.” The fourth season accomplishes this goal magnificently, and I’m eager to see where the show will lead us next.

Teacher’s Notes

I’m overjoyed to have Ava back as principal, almost equally excited by O’Shon’s open affection towards her! The earring storyline was captivating, those accessories were quite unattractive, but Ava has certainly evolved – showcasing her courage and readiness to communicate for a strong bond. I’m eagerly anticipating the application of these skills during her “second term” as principal next season, as we delve deeper into her leadership journey.

Tonight’s jokes about Janine’s height had everyone in stitches, yet the climax that stole the show was when all the adults were feeling queasy from the rides at the museum, while Janine remained energetic and playful. It wasn’t just because her balance is similar to her students or hasn’t shifted since puberty; it was also because, deep down, Janine has a childlike spirit that we adore!

The jokes about Janine’s height had us laughing out loud tonight, but the moment that truly stood out was when all the grown-ups felt sick after the rides at the museum, while Janine continued to run around joyfully. It wasn’t merely because her equilibrium resembles her students or hasn’t altered since puberty; it was also due to the fact that beneath her adult facade, Janine remains a kid at heart, which we cherish!

• Finally, my favorite lines:

Barbara finds Melissa to be quite the multitalented individual. She’s reminiscent of an eagle soaring through the sky – adaptable, strong, and always ready to take on any challenge. Just like a fireman, she’s there when needed, providing solutions and assistance wherever they’re required. And her ability to whip up a delicious batch of marinara sauce? That’s pure magic!

Jacob as Barbara: “I have prayed to my boyfriend Jesus for this day — can you save Abbott?”

Hello everyone, have any of you caught wind of that news story that seems to be flying under the radar? It’s about the district considering closing down Abbott. As an advocate for equality, I thought I might offer some support.

Janine, making an effort to impress Martin: “Boats aren’t just for leisurely activities; their primary purpose is transporting goods and unintentionally spreading norovirus.

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2025-04-17 04:55