Abbott Elementary Review: Desking (Season 1 Episode 11)
Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 11, “Desking,” is bound to go as viral as the desking challenge itself. It is that good.
The episode’s strength comes from the fact it features the entire lead ensemble solving the problem of the deskers.
When Ava exclaims, “Black?!” upon meeting Jacob’s paramour, and he corrects her, “it’s pronounced Zach,” all the main characters are there to react. It is a hilarious joke that sets up the individual characters to shine.
Barbara gives Ava “the look.” Janine digs herself into an ever-deepening dorky hole. Jacob’s storytelling habits are revealed as an aspect of his personality he works on.
Who doesn’t love a couple who gently help each other be better communicators!
Other characters who don’t have lines still make us laugh with their facial expressions and body language.
The episode is peppered with scenes like this and the result is a half hour that is deeply saturated with very funny, highly characterizing content. “Desking” accomplishes as much development and bonding for the ensemble as three episodes put together!
I have mentioned in past reviews how much the custodian Mr. Johnson adds to the show, such as on Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 9, “Step Class.”
Let’s dig into that a bit because he is a central character on “Desking.”
Mr. Johnson could easily be a quirky side character, who pops in here and there to add some strange. But under the careful leadership of Quinta Brunson, both as the main lead and creator, Mr. Johnson is included in the core team of characters on the show; He isn’t sidelined.
Not only is he a key part of the conversations between the staff, he is always just as included in the students’ lives. He matters and is as relevant to the school’s success as the teachers.
The inclusion of the school custodian as a central character is no laughing matter (except when he’s fall-out-of-your-chair funny, or course).
Custodians and other school staff who aren’t at the front of a classroom aren’t often featured as meaningful members of the school community. I can’t recall another time I’ve seen a custodian on a workplace show be given respect, without any special, “this is where they earned respect” moment.
This is important. Students aren’t just learning academics when they’re at school. They are learning who to look up to, who deserves accolades, and how to be in a community.
When custodial, food services, or paraprofessional staff are treated like decentralized or ornamental fixtures at a school, students learn that they are not as valuable or important as teachers or administration.
The kids at Abbott Elementary are learning that Mr. Johnson is capable, invested, present, and valuable. Lucky kids!
Audiences learn from TV shows too. Who gets to be the main character informs us of who has story worth telling.
As students of Abbott Elementary, the show, we learn that Mr. Johnson is worth using precious storytelling minutes on. Gregory is going through a difficult time letting go of what he expected to be his future.
Mr. Johnson is his mentor. While, yes, he is quirky and unexpected, he is also grounded. He gives good, heartfelt advice.
Compare him to Ava, who is in a position of power and is the more typical type of person we see as important and valuable on stories. Ava is ridiculously careless about her job. She doesn’t even know when the kids get there!
Abbott Elementary flips the script on who deserves respect at the workplace. This series has keenly established itself as a consistently hilarious and charming show.
“Desking” proves, once again, that it is also teaching us timely and profoundly important life lessons too.
Extra Credit
- Mr. Johnson calling out Gregory’s infatuation with Janine as “interesting” makes me giddy giggle.
- Barbara calling her “Jojo Seabass,” has me in tears.
- Janine and that juice box also has me in tears!
- The kids are back and they do not disappoint. The casting director on the show deserves a ton of credit for finding so many skilled kiddos.
- Can’t we have more than 13 episodes? I’m not ready! I need more time to study!
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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Janelle Ureta
Janelle Ureta is equal parts Veronica Mars, Raven Reyes, and Rebecca Bunch, but she aspires to add some Tammy Taylor to the mix. An attorney turned teacher, Janelle believes in the power of a well-told story. She is currently exploring how to tell short stories, 140 characters or less, on twitter. She loves to talk about TV, and right now she can't shut up about Timeless, Dear White People, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, or Younger.