Abbott Elementary Review: Ava vs. Superintendent (Season 1 Episode 12)

The penultimate episode of the best new comedy of the year, Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 12, “Ava vs. Superintendent,” showcases the lasting bond the school family has grown over the season. 

While not as laugh out loud funny as Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 11, “Desking,” it does an excellent job of exploring the anger the characters have at working within a system that is rigged against their students. 

Anger is a tricky thing to portray on a workplace comedy. In general, anger is a dark emotion that comes with dark consequences. 

To soften the darkness of anger, many comedies have characters direct it at silly or inconsequential things.

Abbott Elementary is different. It takes on the corrupt and broken education system and allows its characters to be good and mad about how they have to play the game to be a part of the system. Their anger and resistance isn’t funny, but it does provide the foundation for the humor on the episode. 

Janelle James as Ava has already showed how she can be simultaneously deeply vapid and tender-hearted. Like on Abbott Elementary Season 1 Episode 9, “Step Class,” Ava is who we think she is and that in no way precludes her from being a thoughtful and observant leader. 

It is kind of amazing, really.

Ava isn’t punished for being woefully unprepared for any kind of substantive presentation on test scores and other standard benchmarks. Those are standards put in place by the very system that is the subject of anger, after all. 

Instead, she is shown as an imperfect champion for the students. It is truly significant that she considers the fit of school uniforms and lotion for kids’ legs. Looking back at elementary school, fitting in and feeling belonging was so much more salient that scores on standardized tests. 

Don’t get me wrong, Ava isn’t some secret Santa Claus. She spent field trip money on rims!

Yet, it is undeniable at this point that Ava is a good principal. What a delightful, warm, and wild conclusion. 

Perhaps the most important single moment on the episode is when Ava admits, with uncharacteristic vulnerability, that she likes her job. She wants to be there. 

Again, this can not be overstated in impact. We get to see educators who Want To Be There. They like their students and they like their work. 

How simple and yet, how special. It feels so darn good to watch. 

Abbott Elementary has really struck a chord and the unquestioned and consistent love of education and for these students is the most important factor. 

The magic that comes from the love for students is also why the Barbara vs Melissa conflict doesn’t totally work on the episode. 

Melissa gets in the mud and Barbara is not into that. She keeps it clean.

These are two veteran teachers who know each other well. It doesn’t track that something like this, a personal insult with assumptions about being better than someone else, would cause a real rift. 

These women have shown us over and over how they fight to give their students the absolute best in the manner that is most aligned with who they are. 

It isn’t believable that Melissa would get easily offended by Barbara being herself. And, it takes the focus away from their common goal and places it onto their egos, which just isn’t the same vibe of the rest of the show. 

All the conflicts are situated within the school conflicts. Heck, even Gregory and Janine’s romance is firmly situated to be in the best interests of the students. 

The disagreement does help us see Barbara and Melissa as multi-dimensional and sensitive people. They have feelings and identities outside of school. 

It also gives us that excellent garden scene between Barbara and Jacob. 

Ultimately, though, it would have been more fruitful for Barbara and Melissa to engage in a conflict that was more mindful of their veteran status. For example, they could have had a bit of a competition in how to convince the board member to award the grant.

The conflict as it is on the episode is too basic for these incredibly experienced and complex women. 

This little thirty minute show is a powerful and important piece of media after just twelve episodes. We are lucky to have it on our screens and if there is any justice, we’ll have it to learn from for many years to come. 

Extra Credit

• Janine getting in a hit and run, where she was in her car and hit by a “delirious jogger,” makes me laugh for full on minutes. Minutes!
• This episode gives us super sexy energy between Gregory and Janine and I am here for it! Nerds can get it, too!
• Episodes without the kids are simply not as good. 
• The list of qualities Ava lists as what Gregory needs as a teacher is worth reviewing. It is actually very touching and a nod to all that teacher do. Welcome to the team, Gregory. 
• Mr. Johnson is sorely missed on the episode. 
• Ava really does give a charcuterie experience. Delicious. 
• I. Am. Not. Ready. For. The. End.

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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