A.P. Bio Season 3 Review: Fast Times at Whitlock High

The fall season is looking a bit slim this year. With most shows still shut down in the middle of a seemingly endless pandemic, we’re left with a slate of TV movies and other specials filling in just a handful of actual series.

One of those series is a show only granted new episodes after being picked from the ashes of cancellation. When NBC axed A.P. Bio two seasons in, fans took to social media in an effort to save the show and got their voices heard.

In creating a new streaming service called Peacock, NBC found itself in need of additional content. With a small but devoted fan base already speaking out, there was more than enough reason for them to use this new outlet to save the show.

What makes fans devoted enough to campaign on A.P. Bio’s behalf? Admittedly, this is the kind of show that has to grow on you. After all, its main character is so bitter about the loss of his illustrious career that he takes it out on bright students who just want to learn biology.

This hasn’t really changed. From the very first episode, Jack (Glenn Howerton) promises this won’t turn into some movie where a cynical teacher winds up becoming a wholesome educator thanks to a ragtag group of eager students. To this day, he can largely be described as a jerk.

Yet what the writers have done so effectively is to erode those edges just enough that we do get wholesome moments from these not-so-wholesome characters. I’d even go so far as to call some of them heartwarming. (Don’t tell Jack I said that.)

It’s a trend that’s been building for two seasons now, but we really see it fleshed out in season 3. From Heather sealing her crown as Jack’s top wing woman to everyone supporting Anthony at a wrestling match, he cares for these students more than he’ll ever say aloud.

Even in its kindest scenes, though, A.P. Bio never loses its humor or dulls the edge that humor has. The season finale, a loose parody of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, encompasses everything both wicked and reluctantly sweet about the show.

As is perhaps unavoidable for a show of this nature, there are times that goes too far into cringey, lowbrow territory of comedy aimed at a college frat crowd. Yet despite my second-hand embarrassment, I know plenty of people will laugh uproariously.

The Peacock censors are a little more easygoing than the ones on NBC and so, as promised, there are moments when the humor is a bit darker and more adult even than what we’ve already come to expect. There’s also a lot that’s just plain weird, though (mostly) in a good way.

Here I refer to the episode “That That That”. I’ll give you just two hints of commentary/warning: first the abundance of The Shining references, and second that “That That That” is a direct quote from the episode, yelled on repeat through a loudspeaker into an empty school.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about A.P. Bio is its ability to give personality to so many characters. A typical sitcom would settle for six adult leads- Jack, Ralph, Helen, Stef, Mary, and Michelle. But here we have a classroom full of students as well.

There are those who get more screen time. These are the ones we’ve already gotten to know best over the past two seasons. Still, everyone gets at least a few moments to shine, and not one of those moments fails to be hilarious.

Not yet mentioned but no less important is Lynette, Jack’s love interest and likely the single most important reason he’s softened his stance on Toledo. Sometimes all it takes it someone who can appreciate otherwise troubling personality traits.

Lynette may also be the one person whose screen time does feel too short, though she does feature in the last two episodes. From where we stand now, she’s becoming the most important person in Jack’s life. I’d at least like to see some significant step forward in their relationship.

We’ll have to wait and see whether Peacock’s revival succeeds to know whether such moments will be able to play out in future seasons. We do know that the writers, actors, and showrunners have plenty more to give us if the decision-makers are willing.

A lot will depend on ratings, so this is a good time to watch A.P Bio from the start. Chances are, it’s type of humor will either pull you in or push you away in just a few minutes. Give it a shot either way. There are tons of rewarding moments along the way, and season 3 as has many as ever before.

 

What did you think of this season of A.P. Bio? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A.P. Bio is available to stream through Peacock

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First Look at ‘A.P. Bio’ Season 3