‘Abbott Elementary’ Hit New Heights in Season 4 Thanks to a Cast of Scene-Stealers

This is a review for episodes 15-22 of Abbott Elementary Season 4. A review of the first half of the season can be found here. SPOILERS ahead for Season 4.

I was wondering how the Abbott writers would outdo themselves to wrap this season. The second half of Season 4 gave me more of the characters I missed along with a ton of returning ones that I didn't know I needed.

The entire season has a great continuity from start to finish. Plot lines like "Dad Fight" reached a delightfully tense conclusion as Gregory (Tyler James Willilams) and Darnell (Langston Kerman) came to an understanding about Darnell's son, Jabari. The school district went from ominous outside force to a full-fledged villain by season's end.

Interestingly, Janine (Quinta Brunson) took more of a backseat role this season. Sure, her romance with Gregory had some flashes, especially in the finale, but Janine was more of a vehicle to move the plot forward — which isn't a bad thing. But overall, this season set out to flesh out the supporting cast — and they did not wince at a chance in the spotlight.

We saw Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) grapple with becoming a grandmother. Jacob (Chris Perfetti) tried to get over his ex (and replace him with a certain Jaboukie Young-White) and waited for an excuse to smack Mr. Morton (Jerry Minor). Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) realized she doesn't want casual relationships anymore, even if she had to ask Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) to break the law to get there. Gregory finally got to fulfill his dream of being (interim) principal. Much to my delight, Tariq made a spectacular return in the second half of the season.

Zack Fox is hilarious in every scene he's in, from trying to get your favorite non-reader's favorite book, The 48 Laws of Power, added to the library's circulation to rallying the PTA against the school district. We even saw the school secretary, Dia (Pam Trotter), get a lot more screentime.

Season 4 was also full of cameos from some of my favorite sitcom actors and plenty of surprises. Jim Rash, the iconic Dean on Community, made an appearance as a school district auditor. They got Jill Scott to not only make an appearance but sing. Hello?! Never doubt the power of church lady networking. These characters made the most of their additional screentime, enriching the season with great lines and subplots. However, one character stole the show in Season 4.

Ava (Janelle James) had the strongest character arc this season. She came to terms with her estranged father in her own way. She started seeing O'Shon (Matthew Law) — which means we all get more screentime with that fine man — and slowly let her guard down. We saw her being uncharacteristically unselfish for her staff and even other schools in the district. She stuck her neck out for the people she cares about (even if she'd never say that to them). Throughout it all, Ava never faltered or lost the "and what of it?" confidence she's exuded since the pilot. Janelle James made herself a household name with this role and she still has room to climb.

As always, the episodes span a number of topics relevant to teachers and this particular moment of American culture. Themes in season four included but were not limited to: teachers working two jobs to get by, book banning, the exploitation of Black and Brown kids for PR, gentrification, how teachers will move mountains for their kids, and school budget requests.

And throughout those trials, the students show up for them in touching ways. Episode 21, "Riot", is a perfect example of this. When the main cast was suspended for admitting they blackmailed the golf course for new supplies, the kids staged a walkout and protest. They caused enough of a scene that the district steps in. Then we get our own Abbott Elementary Avengers: Endgame portal opening moment. Everyone you could think of entered the gym to defend the teachers. It got to the point that Mr. Johnson had to ask just how many doors are in the gym. This question remains unanswered.

Speaking of Mr. Johnson, he keeps up his momentum as a scene-stealing force. William Stanford Davis had incredible delivery and timing throughout the season. It doesn't matter if he's distracting people with the history of "excuse me" or lying about one of the dozens of jobs he's held in a past life, the audience is always left hanging on his every word.

You can tell how comfortable the writers have gotten four seasons in — with a fifth already confirmed. Little details take this show from enjoyable to must-see TV; the cold opens, the one-liners from students, the subplots. This is the Abbott Elementary writers' room at its most powerful. There is a particular scene where Tariq is explaining why his son reads him bedtime stories that took me out. 

The penultimate episode, "Riot," could've easily been the finale but we got one more episode that culminated with the teachers playing one another in a student-written play. It was delightful to see how the students see their favorite teachers. You can see how much they love having them in their lives by the ease with which they roast them. 

This season gave me everything I wanted and then some. The writers touched on timely topics that will make this series into a sort of time capsule for public school teachers and viewers alike. I wanted to find something to critique, but this season was a great time. There's even a greater through line from start to finish than previous seasons. You don't need to crack a Survivor-themed organizational system to find something to love about this show in this moment. 

Season 5 can't come soon enough.

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