School is back in session! Well, almost. As season 2 of Abbott Elementary begins, we see our favorite teachers setting up during Development Week as they prepare to welcome their students back to the classroom. I’m so happy this show is back. One of my top comedies of 2021, Abbott Elementary is a big win for network television. Quinta Brunson works magic with this show, both as a writer and lead actress. I can’t wait to see what this season has in store.
In episode one, Janine appears to be doing well following her breakup with Tariq. She’s parted her hair on a different side and is ready to start the school year in style. Let’s be real, Janine was WAY too good for him. However, Janine’s first-day-back plans are ruined when she pulls up to find Ava is using the school parking lot for game day parking.
Jacob is back after spending the summer in Peru, where he took level 1 ASL courses and can’t wait to teach the others. Ava is back in fine form. Barbara hangs a little welcome sign in her classroom. She spent some of her summer on a cruise to Jamaica (where we find out there is a difference between Land Barbara and Sea Barbara), before coming home to help Ava allocate school funds to proper school projects – instead of the Bank of Ava.
It’s so sweet to see Barbara so excited about her newest student – a young boy in a wheelchair. After ensuring a ramp is installed for accessibility, she spends the episode on the hunt for a special desk. I really love that Abbott Elementary highlights the lengths some teachers will go to ensure every student feels welcome.
Melissa spent her summer in true Melissa fashion: down on the Jersey Shore with Gary, the vending machine guy. Queen. Meanwhile, Janine has focused her energy on setting up a mixer for the teachers. She’s really trying to show she’s doing great after her breakup, but cracks are beginning to show. Gregory is very excited to be a full time first grade teacher now, but he gets a little stressed trying to plan out every minute of the year in advance.
While helping Janine with some icebreakers for her mixer, Jacob notices Janine’s emails popping up on her screen: her rent is past due for the third month. Tariq used to contribute a whole 20%, but Janine doesn’t want to admit to her friends that she’s struggling a little. I love that Janine always tries to be positive and happy, but it’s great that Abbott is highlighting that it’s okay not to be okay.
Jacob goes to Gregory for help – while also letting it slip to Barbara, Ava and Melissa. Janine is adamant she’s okay, she’s great, she’s fine – but the guys know that’s not true. It’s clear Gregory has a huge schoolyard crush on Janine (managing to ask in passing if she was dating anyone new) and seeing their relationship develop throughout the show is going to be a treat.
Janine’s day goes from bad to worse: After Ava forced her to park on the road, her tyre gets clamped thanks to Tariq’s unpaid parking tickets. To make her day even WORSE, she got her days mixed up and Gritty shows up a week early. Instead of greeting the kids on their first day, he greets the teachers on theirs. Barbara sees Janine is about to break down and cry and alongside Melissa and Ava, asks Janine outright what’s wrong. Janine admits she’s struggling to pay her bills and she’s sad. I really loved this scene between the women because as much as they like to tease Janine, they really do care about her.
After Barbara tells Gregory she wasn’t able to get a special desk for her new student, he quietly locates one in the basement as a surprise. Jacob loans Janine some money to help her get back on her feet.. and finally, someone notices Janine changed her part in her hair: Gregory. It’s now officially the first school day at Abbott, and I’m so happy this little gem of a show is back on our screens. Welcome back!
