Abbott Elementary “Ava vs. Superintendent” Spoilers Ahead
The stakes were high on this week’s episode of Abbott Elementary, but the verdict isn’t that surprising. Ava isn’t going anywhere despite being woefully unfit to be the school principal, and though the superintendent won’t be providing them with the extra funding they need, Barbara ultimately convinces someone in the committee for a grant, knowing she’s wrongfully using church money.
Elsewhere, Gregory Eddie continues to come for all our hearts, a brief rift ensues between Barbara and Melissa, and Jacob is as stressed as most of us are. Abbott Elementary’s “Ava vs. Superintendent” is a fantastic half-hour of television.
Thanks to “Open House,” we’re all fully aware of how Ava got the principal’s job, but when she needs to prove that she and are worthy of grants, it’s somewhat of a failure. Ava isn’t fit to be a principal. Both the teachers and the audience knows this, but behind her carefree, selfish heart is a woman who cares a tiny bit. At the end of the day, Ava does want this job. It’s not a matter of it falling into her lap, but a part of her enjoys it despite the fact that she often focuses on all things but the school.
It’s why she approaches Janine and Gregory to help her because she is aware that in order for them to have all the funds that they need, the meeting has to go well. But by the end of the episode, no one could accompany her, forcing her to demand that the committee listen to what she had to say. It’s not a great win for sure, but at the very least that she gets to keep her job. Though if it weren’t for Barbara agreeing to Melissa’s idea about influencing the committee member from her church, then the school wouldn’t have the necessary funds they need.
Ava vs. Superintendent: When You’re The One Asking
If you heard high-pitched screams after Abbott Elementary’s “Ava vs. Superintendent,” it was this writer reacting to Gregory Eddie’s, “it’s a lot easier to say yes to things when you’re the one asking.” In last week’s episode, “Desking,” a single look told us that there’s undoubtedly more brewing inside of him, but this moment as they waited for Ava cemented it.
Gregory doesn’t just speak these words aloud, but he treks a bit closer to her with a subtle glint of awe in his eyes, which Tyler James Williams emotes with such subtlety that it was mesmerizing. And now that Gregory is staying in Abbott as a full-time teacher, we could expect more than just calls to HR. (Or at least, we hope.) None of this is about Ava or the job for him. As much as he wants it, this moment is about his feelings for Janine and wanting to be closer to her. He isn’t doing this for the job he could’ve had, but because Janine asked him to, proving that it’s all easier to bear because of her.
The events of “Ava vs. Superintendent” could either give us a more explosive finale or a quieter one. But feelings are heightened, the verdict is clear, but it’s not the end, and above all things, these teachers care deeply for each other, and embracing their work family is permanent.
Now streaming on Hulu or ABC: What are your thoughts on Abbott Elementary’s “Ava vs. Superintendent?” Let us know in the comments below.