This Is the Best Season Yet

Abbott Elementary‘s third season (shortened attributable to final 12 months’s WGA strike) ended on a cliffhanger as academics Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) lastly kissed after her end-of-school occasion. It was thrilling information for followers of the present—like myself—who had been ready oh-so-patiently for the pair to lastly join. That’s a part of the enjoyment (and frustration) of watching a sitcom, because the will-they-or-won’t-they of a seemingly good couple develops over a number of seasons. Whereas it appears we’ve lastly reached the start of Janine and Gregory’s relationship, there was no assure they’ll be collectively by the point Season 4 begins.

In any case, one other well-known sitcom—The Workplace, a key affect for Abbott Elementary—had fan favorites Jim and Pam lastly kiss within the Season 2 finale, “On line casino Night time,” earlier than in the end transferring their relationship backwards for a complete season. That episode was shot by Randall Einhorn, who directed Abbott Elementary‘s Season 3 finale, “Get together.” So there are many causes to be frightened.

Whereas I received’t spoil it right here, the primary episode of Season 4, “Again to College,” which premieres Oct. 9, delivers a definitive reply on Gregory and Janine’s romance. You’ll be able to make certain that whether or not or not they’re collectively, the Janine-and-Gregory dynamic will proceed to be a key a part of the present’s latest season. Abbott faces loads of different points within the premiere, although, significantly the event of a brand new golf course in West Philadelphia that brings a white household to the varsity and will have important implications for the coed physique’s demographics. It’s additionally inflicting loads of hassle with the campus’s infrastructure, together with water and electrical energy, resulting in loads of gratifying antics, together with some significantly undercooked hen nuggets.

Talking of gratifying, Abbott Elementary was so persistently nice for the primary two seasons that the third-season stoop felt inevitable. It was nonetheless enjoyable, but it surely felt in every single place, attempting to deal with too many unfastened threads and shedding a few of the luster of the office itself, which offered its best comedy.

But when the primary two episodes of Season 4 are any indication, we’re primed for an enormous rebound. The truth is, we could also be trying on the most entertaining go-round but. The main target is solely inside Abbott, permitting the solid’s chemistry to shine. Episode 2, a few potential ringworm outbreak, is as stable as an ensemble comedy can get. There’s a wonderful factor about sitcoms, the place the extra you get to know the characters, the higher—and funnier—they get. That’s actually true throughout the board in Abbott Elementary, and these early episodes take advantage of each key character.

Gilles Mingasson/ABC

The writing right here is sharp as ever, with Brunson and her crew possessing a transparent understanding that the present is rarely sharper than when the entire solid will get to play off of each other.

Lisa Ann Walter weaves each line studying into gold because the tough-exteriored but loving second-grade trainer Melissa Schemmenti. Janine’s bestie Jacob (Chris Pefretti) continues to be navigating his life as a single homosexual man, and his nervous power performs off his colleagues completely, whereas kindergarten veteran Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) will get extra pleasant with every passing episode.

Final season’s MVP, principal Ava Coleman (an ideal Janelle James) nonetheless will get the perfect traces, significantly in her shock over a white household coming to the varsity. Her tone-deaf perspective performs superbly off of Janine and Gregory’s tremendous critical approaches to their work.

Whereas the varsity hijinks all the time present loads of laughs, it is the human factor of Abbott Elementary that’s all the time been strongest. Fortunately, Season 4 understands that nicely, preserving the character dynamics on the forefront of each gag. It is a present that respects the heck out of its characters, simply because the writers clearly present reverence for the world of instructing. There are few experiences extra joyful and satisfying than watching Abbott Elementary, and Season 4 retains that feeling going sturdy.