Abbott Elementary Review: New Tech (Season 1 Episode 4)

Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 4, “New Tech,” knocks it out of the park! My crush on the show is growing even faster than Gregory’s on Janine. 

Like on Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 3, “Wishlist,” the jokes are insider focused and make me laugh out loud. 

Janine sets the episode up nicely with the joke about incorporating slang as sight words in her lessons. It’s downright cute.

Like most other jokes on the show, it also hints at a larger issue. Students’ vernacular, especially students of color, is often left out of traditional education and rejected as inappropriate. 

Janine’s efforts to meet her student where they’re at also creates a great distinction between Janine and Jacob. Janine leans into the culture of her classroom because she is a product of it herself. Jacob leans into his classroom’s culture via outside sources, podcasts included. 

The two characters are in the same stage in their teaching careers, but they represent two very different types of preparedness to teach. 

In some ways, Jacob will never and could never be as effective of a teacher as Janine because of their differences in lived experience. Janine respects her students in a way Jacob never could. It is a point that audiences will continue to chew on.

Abbott Elementary drops these nuanced realities in a light way that makes us understand an experience, while laughing along the whole episode.

Ava is absolutely hilarious on the episode and it is all thanks to Janelle James.

Yes, the writing is excellent. But it is how James delivers the self-serving dialogue that really snaps. The way she celebrates student success by making a kindergartener into her personal Audible is too much. We can not possibly hold in our laughter. 

The ABC comedy has garnered comparisons to fan-favorite The Office. It also has the huggable workplace comedy quality of Parks & Recreation. The comparisons fit Abbott Elementary’s principal. 

As a leader, Ava has the outlandishness and self-centeredness of Michael Scott, with the social media skills of Tom Haverford. She has something else special that’s all her too. 

The casting on the series is truly exceptional. Each episode proves this more, as all the actors get more comfortable and situated into their character’s quirks and traits. 

The only thing that doesn’t work on the episode is the slim amount of time with the janitor, Mr. Johnson. 

“New Tech,” gives us the first clues that Janine reciprocates some of Gregory’s growing feelings. Janine is awkward. Her very strange invitation for Gregory to join her and her boyfriend bed shopping is a sure sign that she is trying to impress him. 

Hopefully, we aren’t in for a Jim and Pam romance, where we have to wait seasons for Janine to end things with her boyfriend. But, even if we do, I will enjoy the slow burn because these two are the real deal. 

Extra Credit

• Ms. Howard shows vulnerability and we all felt that giddy high from the moment. You’re not alone, Janine!
• All these teachers like their jobs and love their students. It shouldn’t be such a rare thing to see on TV, but it really is. It’s beyond refreshing!
• Young Idris, indeed!
• Janine’s outfits are spot on dorky. Her jellybean belt is sweet and hideous. 
• Getting locked out for trying too many times to log in is a real struggle! Been there, done that. 

What did you think of this episode of Abbott Elementary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Abbott Elementary airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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