Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 12.Just when I thought I couldn’t loveAbbott Elementarymore, season 4 explored a dynamic between two of its best characters that I’d never considered before.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactersis one of the greatest ensembles on television, but certain ones have always meshed with some of their coworkers better than others. Nonetheless,Abbott Elementarynever limits itself, and it showed when Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) and Ava Coleman (Janelle James) ended up in a scene together during “Girard Creek.”
I shouldn’t be surprised thatAbbott Elementaryfound a totally new relationship to experiment with, but that’s yet another testament to the pure skill of creator and star Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues). Season 4 has already pushed the boundaries of the mockumentary, including a franklybizarre crossover betweenAbbott ElementaryandIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. TheIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiagang shouldn’t be allowed within 100 feet of a school, but that’s whatAbbott Elementarydoes best: it takes something that shouldn’t work and makes pure magic out of it.
Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 12 Pairs Up Melissa & Ava For The First Time
The Two Plan A Truffle Heist
During Abbott Elementary’s“field trip”to its neighboring golf course, Ava and Melissa end up at the pasta bar at the same time while the server shreds fresh truffles onto their plates. After a brief but loaded discussion about how expensive the rare truffles are,Ava and Melissa turnAbbott ElementaryintoOcean’s 11by planning an impromptu heistto steal the absurdly overpriced mushrooms. While I had never thought of thievery being a plotline that was missing inAbbott Elementary, the hilarious pairing between Melissa and Ava has me rooting for a wholeRobin Hoodremake in season 5.
Melissa and Ava name-dropOcean’s 11and a host of other heist movies while discussing their plan.
The principal has been a significant figure in the new season, withAbbott Elementarysetting up Ava and O’Shon (Matthew Law) as its new slow-burn couple. Despite her long-overdue love interest, Ava also needed new friends, andAbbott Elementarydelivered an unlikely but incredibly dynamic match. On the other hand,Abbott Elementaryseason 4 expanded Melissa’s family, but she hasn’t had a real shake-up since Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) moved in with her duringAbbott Elementaryseason 3. They both needed something new, and I’m so gladAbbott Elementarylet them find it in each other.
Why Melissa & Ava’s Team-Up In Abbott Elementary Season 4 Is So Good
It’s A Brand New Dynamic For Both Characters
Although Melissa and Ava are both complex characters, their closest relationships are fairly straightforward. Melissa and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) have been best friends since theAbbott Elementarypilot, and Ava has largely kept her distance from her employees (aside from her ogling of Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie). There’s nothing wrong with having easy, reliable friendships set in stone, but exploring more unique pairings can expose untapped potential. The momentAbbott Elementaryhad Ava and Melissa interact one-on-one, I realized how perfect their friendship could be, and I sincerely hope the ABC hit continues pairing them together.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 May Have Secretly Hinted At An Original Character Leaving (& I’m Already Devastated)
The cast of Abbott Elementary has been key to its massive success, but a line in season 4, episode 10 has sad implications for one teacher’s future.
Something aboutMelissa and Ava’s dynamic inAbbott Elementaryjust clicks.Abbott Elementaryhas many heartwarming moments, but Ava and Melissa are the two who stray farthest away from the show’s wholesome tone (in the best way possible). At the same time, they’re responsible for some of the absolutefunniest moments inAbbott Elementary. The more I think about Ava and Melissa as a pair, the more it makes sense. Melissa deserves someone to utilize her sketchy mob ties, and Ava needs a friend to enable her pettiness. In a way, it’s a toxic relationship but entertaining all the same.
Abbott Elementary Exploring Fresh Character Dynamics Is Good For Its Future
The Possibilities Are Endless
I’ll admit that whenAbbott Elementaryseason 5 was confirmed, I was equal parts excited and nervous. The mockumentary has been a full-blown phenomenon since 2021, which makes it easy to worry about the show running out of new storylines to explore. Truthfully, I always had faith thatAbbott Elementarywould continue its sensational run without redundancy, but the Ava and Melissa team-up showcases one simple trick to ensure the show never goes stale: continue embracing the unexpected.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
One of my favorite parts ofAbbott Elementaryis that I can never fully predict where a plotline and its main characters will go.Abbott Elementaryseason 4 gave Gregory a friendlong after I gave up hope of him having a relationship outside of school. While I’ve always thought the elementary school’s janitor was a hidden treasure,Abbott Elementaryseason 4 highlighted Mr. Johnson’s importance. Just when I think I’ve noticed something new,Abbott Elementaryproves it’s one step ahead. Plus, the wonderfully detailed and diverse characters prove thatAbbott Elementarycan always spice things up.
