Emmy Catch-Up: Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary: Season 1, Episode 6 “Gifted Program” (B+)

Here’s another idea of Janine’s that might have been good at the start but slowly spiraled out of control, even though she did have more support than in the past from her colleagues. Jacob in particular was excited to be able to be the teacher for the gifted program, though Gregory, who isn’t typically involved in anything, rightly pointed out that it would make the other students who weren’t part of the program feel like they were stupid or worthless, something he had experienced as a kid. Melissa also managed to have her fun by getting Janine eggs that she had unfortunately not specified shouldn’t hatch snakes. She was much more preoccupied with being encouraged to date the vending machine guy by Barbara, whose healthy marriage apparently only got to that place after an uncertain start many years earlier. The restaurants he was offering to take her to didn’t exude fanciness, but maybe that’s not what she needs. I did enjoy the new student Malcolm correcting Ava’s word usage and her declaring that he was much too smart as a result of the gifted program that shouldn’t continue as a result. Mr. Johnson also found a good way to put him to work, showing that he was just as skilled at cleaning as he was with test-related knowledge. Though they haven’t yet taken their friendship to a level outside of work, Gregory did get caught smiling by the camera after Janine was making fun of him on their way out, something that he wouldn’t like to admit but which is indicative of growing romantic feelings that have to come out soon.