The Addington School District is a well-funded and up-to-date school district with a computer lab for the students. Melissa’s hated sister works there? ..
The Abbott teachers are jealous of Janine, but they insist the Abbott is just as good as Addington. Still, they want to make the students feel just as special. So Janine proposes that they redirect their limited grant funds away from basic necessities like cleaning supplies and toward a computer for the library.
Ava can tell that the faculty all disagree on how to allocate the funds, so she organizes a panel of “sharks” to listen to their presentations and decide how the money should be spent.
Gregory is avoiding Barbara like the plague. He wants to break up with her daughter, Taylor, but doesn’t want Barbara to be angry with him. Jacob convinces him to “peter out” in his relationship with Taylor so things can resolve themselves.
Janine rehearses her presentation for the shark tank in front of Gregory. He advises her to limit the theatrics, and she thanks him. She says that’s why she came to him–he’s honest. Gregory realizes she’s right. He is honest. And why should he change that?
He decides to talk to Barbara about his relationship with her daughter, but Barbara tells him first that Taylor is planning on breaking up with him. All along, Barbara has been the one to “peter out” in their relationship. ..
Ava and her panel discuss the faculty’s presentations and the cafeteria workers’ requests for better kitchen equipment. Janine gives the most flashy presentation and ends up winning the grant money.
As she celebrates her grant money, she’s interrupted by students causing a scene in the cafeteria. All the teachers rush in to find the place overrun by mice. It looks like the grant money is going to have to pay for an exterminator.
Janine is heartbroken after her attempt to make the Addington kids feel special backfires. Ava comes up with a plan to make Janine feel better. ..
After taking care of the infestation, Abbott will have a lot of money left over. They will be able to rent a water-ice truck to take care of the kids. The kids love it!
Jacob tells Janine about Gregory and Taylor’s breakup. Janine grabs Gregory some water ice. He thanks her and tells her he’s going to be okay. ..
The Episode Review
In this episode of “Abbott,” the school principal is getting back into the swing of things. So far, it seems like she’s doing a good job. However, there is a bit of a saccharine feel to it all. But despite that, the comedy still shines through.
Janine’s journey to accepting what makes Abbott different from Addington (as well as the challenges that status poses) challenges the real state of school systems–even if her arc ultimately ends somewhere warm and comforting.
Abbott Elementary is a comfort watch. As for myself, I’ll be most comforted when Gregory and Janine finally wake up and realize what’s right in front of them. ..
