Abbott Elementary Recap: Relationship Replay

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Instead of grumbling, I must say that this season has been overflowing with kid-focused events at Abbott Elementary, highlighting the precious talent that embodies the “elementary” aspect of the school. However, the grim truth about our struggling public education system frequently emerges in episodes filled with school-related content. Tonight, we’re fortunate to have a break from it all as Barbara arranges a karaoke night for the staff to unwind. Unsurprisingly, given her vocal prowess, she selects this off-work activity for the team, and I’m glad she did because the episode is brimming with laugh-out-loud performances and after-hours antics.

Music plays a crucial role in “Abbott,” serving not only as a mood setter but also as a reflection of specific cultural aspects that the show celebrates. The show’s soundtrack features a diverse range of artists, from Missy Elliot and Boyz II Men to Cardi B and Jazmin Sullivan. For instance, characters like Ava grooving to “Back That Azz Up,” students referring to Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” as an “oldie,” or the staff dancing to “Wild Wild West” in the iconic cold open are all examples of how music has become almost a third character on the show. The karaoke club outing further emphasizes “Abbott’s” affection for using music to narrate stories, with their song choices adding humor (Mr. Johnson should consider releasing a full version of “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”) and emotional depth as the characters navigate their personal relationship issues.

Without children around, adults are free from the task of maintaining order, allowing for episodes without students to reveal a more sensitive aspect of the characters. For Ava, whose protective barrier is her office fortress and leadership role, this vulnerability surfaces during her first date with O’Shon. Throughout the season, their relationship has been building gradually, but once they leave the school, their connection seems to fade as Ava’s defensive nature creates a barrier. At the restaurant, she counters his efforts at bonding with sarcasm and cynicism, maintaining a cool yet somewhat hostile conversation (commenting that a man giggles a lot isn’t particularly flirtatious).

In a straightforward manner: Confident O’Shon, eager to move things forward, requests the check, abruptly ending their time together, stating he doesn’t wish to squander hers. Caught off guard, Ava tries to disguise her surprise, suggesting they share a playful banter was their usual dynamic. However, O’Shon yearns for a more meaningful bond. As they stand waiting for Ava’s ride, she attempts to lower her defenses by resurrecting one of the conversations O’Shon had initiated earlier, mentioning how family outings to chain restaurants as a child now remind her of the triggering queso dip. Although these memories once brought joy, after her father started another family with a waitress, Ava grew resentful – in her own words, “Queso dips are quite uncomfortable for me now.” This glimpse into her emotional life reels O’Shon back in, prompting him to say, ” frankly, I’m not a fan of queso dip, so it shouldn’t be an issue on our next outing.” Eventually, Ava gets into the flirtatious vibe, suggesting their date doesn’t necessarily have to end there, inviting him to karaoke – but not before poking fun at his car, inquiring about its previous owner, a divorced lesbian.

On their second attempt at dating, Ava and O’Shon decide to visit a nightclub, where their teacher colleagues have been enjoying themselves, growing more tipsy as they handle personal issues. Despite her excitement for her upcoming duet with Gregory, singing “Always on Time,” Janine steps up to support him when he can’t make it due to his rideshare duties. She spends the evening anticipating his arrival, moving their turn lower in line with each passing moment. Remaining optimistic, even with a hint of nervousness, Janine encourages Jacob to talk to a clubgoer named Elijah, portrayed by comedian Jaboukie Young-White.

After parting ways with Zach and a brief fling with paramedic Avi, Jacob’s romantic life took a back seat for some time. However, it wasn’t until he unexpectedly bumped into his ex at the karaoke club that he recognized how much he had overlooked his personal life. Since we hadn’t seen Zach since their breakup, his jovial presence with a new partner at the club was unsettling for Jacob. He tried to steer clear of the likely uncomfortable encounter. However, with some prodding from Melissa and Barbara, Jacob found the courage to approach Zach. To his surprise, Zach shared that he had found a new partner, moved to his desired neighborhood, and was launching a one-man show titled “Got Out” – a comedy even funnier than its original title we heard last season, which was essentially “Fleabag with an F”).

When Jacob finds himself unable to add much else to the catch-up session except “Melissa got a guinea pig,” he begins to question his own choices, spiraling into self-pity. With clenched teeth, he tells his coworkers he’s okay before grabbing the microphone and launching into a performance of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” that deserves an Emmy for Chris Perfetti and bumped my rating from four stars to five. His impassioned performance prompts Barbara and Melissa to ask him about his emotional state. Jacob admits his feelings of envy towards Zac’s post-breakup accomplishments, explaining they make him feel stuck. He mentions some of his successes, such as helping RJ and securing a consulate for the school, but Barbara reminds him that life is more than just work. Inspired by her advice, he bravely approaches Elijah, using a cheesy yet endearing method to get his number.

While the party is lively at the karaoke bar, Gregory works as a rideshare driver in a methodical manner, complete with a well-prepared greeting, snacks, phone chargers, and “Gregory’s Fun Games” to amuse his diverse passengers. However, when Friday night surge prices skyrocket and he must decide between taking more trips or rushing to the bar for his duet with Janine, he finds himself torn between his practical nature and his budding romance. He contacts Janine, assessing how upset she’d be if he missed karaoke, but even as she attempts to hide her feelings, urging him to take the rides, he detects a hint of disappointment in her tone. As the fare for the rides gradually increases, ever-optimistic Janine tenaciously tries to perform “Always on Time,” stating she has plenty of practice as a devoted “High School Musical” fan. But just as Janine prepares to launch into a lengthy Ja Rule verse, Gregory enters the bar, snatching the microphone and supporting her performance. Finally, Ava and O’Shon arrive at the club, and they are granted the responsibility of selecting the final song. Collectively, they choose “What Would You Do” by City High, with everyone joining in, affirming Gregory’s choice to spend time with his cherished family that we all enjoy watching.

Teacher’s Notes

Among all the memorable instances from the entire season, my top pick is Ava’s encounter with Zach’s new partner, Wyatt. This interaction recalls Ava’s initial surprise when she learned that Jacob was dating a person of color, an incident that gave rise to one of Abbott’s iconic jokes (“Actually, it’s pronounced Zach.”). Instead of saying “Black?!” like she did upon first meeting Zach, this time she exclaims “White?!”, to which Wyatt replies, “It’s actually called Wyatt.

I’m quite fond of the supporting characters in Abbott’s work, particularly Erika and Simon who portrayed a toxic couple so authentically, reminiscent of pairs you often encounter. Here’s hoping there’ll be more of Jaboukie as well!

• Finally, here are the funniest lines of the episode:

Ava and Barbara on Janine’s friend Erika coming to karaoke:

Ava: “I find it hard to believe that you’re making your friend return something to a district employee, merely for the sake of winning their favor.”

Barbara: “She is free to visit…as condition that she does not return it in any direction.

Jacob on why Zac turned down his mic: “He said my voice only worked in theory.”

Erika questioning Gregory: “You’re curious about me and my partner, but haven’t you ever wondered about your own life as well? I can’t help but notice that you’re still in the ‘Lego’ stage of construction.

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2025-03-13 06:56