Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Abbott Elementary Season 4.
The fourth season of Abbott Elementary has truly been a thrilling experience since its return. With a fresh dynamic emerging between Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams), alongside Barbara?s (Sheryl Lee Ralph) contemplations about retirement, the show continues to defy viewer expectations. The latest episode takes a bold step by revisiting Ava?s (Janelle James) tumultuous relationship with her father, Frank (Keith David). Instead of opting for the conventional sitcom approach filled with sentimentality, Abbott Elementary chooses a more nuanced path, enhancing the narrative depth and overall quality of the series.
As the highly anticipated Abbott science fair approaches, Gregory informs Ava that Frank has generously donated funds from his barber shop for the event. In classic Ava style, she accepts the financial support but is filled with dread at the thought of confronting her father, revealing that their relationship is not just strained but virtually non-existent. Ava, who has faced off against the school board and even engaged in a heist with Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), surprises everyone with her reluctance to face her father, underscoring the profound impact their relationship has on her emotional state.
Viewers familiar with long-running sitcoms might expect this episode to lead to a heartwarming reconciliation. However, the narrative takes a different turn, leaving the situation unresolved as Ava grants her father mere tolerance for the day instead of true forgiveness, despite his attempts to make amends. This choice is a significant departure for the show, which typically resolves conflicts by the end of each episode. Instead, Abbott Elementary demonstrates that some issues, such as Ava and Frank’s relationship, cannot be neatly wrapped up in a thirty-minute timeframe. This approach not only reflects a more realistic portrayal of complex family dynamics but also enriches the storytelling for the show’s audience.
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‘Abbott Elementary’ Boldly Avoids Clichés in Ava’s Complex Relationship with Her Father
Historically, money has been the key to Ava?s heart, yet in this instance, it fails to compensate for the emotional scars inflicted by her father’s past actions. Although Frank?s previous misdeeds, such as having another family, are only briefly mentioned, Ava?s hesitance to delve into these issues speaks volumes. She is clearly grappling with deep-seated trauma accumulated over the years, and it is crucial to understand that she is under no obligation to extend immediate forgiveness to her father. The episode skillfully sets the stage for an evolving narrative between these two characters, but instead of forcing a clichéd resolution, it opts for an ending that resonates more closely with real-life complexities.
Furthermore, had Abbott Elementary attempted to incorporate a stereotypical sitcom resolution, it would have diminished the authenticity of Ava’s character arc, as she has no real justification to forgive her father within the confines of a thirty-minute episode. The show has consistently embraced its social responsibility, and the decision to present a more grounded reality in this episode reinforces a vital theme: not all relationships can be easily repaired, and some may remain broken indefinitely. While this may not represent the show’s most polished conclusion, it stands out as one of the most courageous and impactful narrative choices to date. By steering clear of unearned resolutions, the show not only crafts a more compelling story for one of its beloved characters but also conveys a broader, essential message about the intricacies of familial relationships. As time progresses, there may be potential for healing between Frank and Ava, but it is evident that they require more than a single episode to navigate their complex issues.
Abbott Elementary is available to stream on Hulu.
