Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 1
Although Abbott Elementary could have dragged out one major plot point, season 4, episode 1 instead took the perfect approach. Abbott Elementary season 4’s return was highly anticipated for numerous reasons. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are some of the funniest on television, and their chemistry made the show a critical hit and a ratings success. Abbott Elementary’s sharp writing and incisive social satire ensure it is more than just a warm workplace mockumentary, and the hilarious interplay between the heroes make it an iconic sitcom while allowing the show to address real issues.
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However, while Abbott Elementary’s funniest moments are central to its success, there was one storyline that had viewers tuning in for season 4 above all the rest. Janine and Gregory’s romantic relationship has been central to the appeal of both characters since the show’s pilot, as the cautious teachers tentatively approached their shared attraction throughout the show’s first three seasons. Between the pilot and season 3’s finale, Gregory and Janine tried addressing their shared attraction, dating other people, working in different places, and being friends. Season 3’s finale saw them finally hook up.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Didn’t Hide Janine and Gregory’s Relationship
The Sitcom’s Lead Couple Finally Got Together In Season 3’s Finale
After the show spent so long bringing the pair together, it was reasonable to fear that Abbott Elementary season 4 would make Janine and Gregory hide their relationship for ages. Abbott Elementary season 4’s trailers highlighted the return of Ben Onyx Dowdy’s HR rep, Warren, and the final two episodes of season 3 proved that Ava didn’t approve of Gregory and Janine dating. Even if the season 4 premiere clarified that they were together, there was a very real, justifiable fear that plot machinations would have stopped them from making their relationship public for the sake of drama.
The outing wisely ended with the couple acknowledging their relationship status to their colleagues.
At first, season 4, episode 1, “Back to School,” played right into these fears. Abbott Elementary made it seem like the pair had called it off again, so it was a major relief when the series revealed Gregory and Janine were just messing with the documentary crew. Mercifully, they were finally, happily together. The rest of the episode’s story saw Janine struggle with telling their coworkers, but the outing wisely ended with the couple acknowledging their relationship status to their colleagues. Janine and Gregory’s Abbott Elementary season 4 story is off to a great start thanks to this wise story choice.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Avoided One Tired Trope
Gregory and Janine Didn’t Hide Their Relationship For Long
There could easily have been an entire season of Gregory and Janine trying to hide their relationship status from both the documentary crew and their colleagues for numerous reasons. Ava made it clear that she didn’t approve of their relationship, and she previously expressed her attraction to Gregory, so this could have justified this tiresome storyline. Similarly, Warren disliked Janine when they worked together in the district, so he could have been seeking to punish her office romance to settle a grudge. Fortunately, Abbott Elementary avoided both these tired, overly familiar plots when Gregory and Janine simply revealed their relationship.
Abbott Elementary
airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm on ABC.