Although Janine and Gregory’s love story was the heartwarming core ofAbbott Elementaryseasons 1-3, a vital line change ensured the show’s best new couple have an equally exciting future after season 4’s finale.Abbott Elementaryseason 4’s endingleft Janine and Gregory in a pretty solid, stable place. Series creator and star Quinta Brunson, who plays Janine, even commented on how rare it was to see a happy couple onscreen without pointless drama and conflict jeopardizing their relationship.
However, the rest ofAbbott Elementary’s cast of charactersalso needs story focus and screen time, so this wasn’t the only love story the show told in season 4. AlthoughAbbott Elementary’s Chris Perfettionly got a minor background hook-up in episode 17, “Karaoke,” Janelle James finally got a sustained moment in the spotlight as the titular school’s unpredictable principal, Ava Coleman. Ava was first introduced as an openly corrupt bully back in season 1, but she has gradually revealed herself to be a surprisingly effective and oddly supportive leader and educator since then.
Ava & O’Shon Are Abbott Elementary’s Best Replacement For Janine & Gregory
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Centered On Principal Ava Finding Herself
ByAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s ending, the school’s faculty, students, parent-teacher association, and even local business owners were all banding together to pressure the district into reinstating Ava as principal. It was a major win, but unfortunately, one that her newfound love interest, O’Shon, wasn’t there to celebrate. O’Shon made this up to her in the season 4 finale with a pair of expensive earrings, but Ava was horrified to find she hated the gift and didn’t have the heart to tell him.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
Eventually, Ava came clean and O’Shon was unbothered, proving the pair have a future together heading into season 5.Ava and O’Shon could becomeAbbott Elementary’s new Janine and Gregorynow that Janine and Gregory have already negotiated the many pitfalls of early dating and the newer couple are just benign to face them. However, only one line alteration from the season 4 finale ensured this possibility.
How 1 Line In Abbott Elementary Season 4 Set Up A Better Future For Ava & O’Shon
Janelle James Changed Ava’s Big Abbott Elementary Season 4 Finale Line
In an interview withVariety, James told the magazine that she altered a vital line in the finale’s O’Shon/ Ava scene since it didn’t feel fitting. Originally,Abbott Elementary’s bittersweet season 4 finale saw Ava say “Maybe you want to go out with me long term," to O’Shon when speculating on their future. Since the episode already centered on the typically outspoken Ava worrying about how to tell her boyfriend she didn’t like his gift, this could have been a pretty painful overnight character change for the formerly blustery, uber-confident principal.
Abbott Elementary season 4’s finale line was perfectly judged as Ava’s confidence and vulnerability were well-balanced in the final moments between the duo.
James turned the line into “Maybe I’ll keep you long term” as Principal Ava’s actor injected the character’s confidence into the ill-fitting original quote.Abbott Elementaryseason 4’s finale line was perfectly judged as Ava’s confidence and vulnerability were well-balanced in the final moments between the duo. The change in line gave Ava agency instead of leaving things up in the air for both of them and kept the sitcom’s focus on her.
How Abbott Elementary Can Keep Ava & O’Shon’s Story Interesting
Ava and O’Shon’s Romance Opens Up New Story Possibilities
Ava’s arc saw her mature and grow in season 4, soAbbott Elementaryseason 5must now take Ava’s story somewhere fresh. Ava and O’Shon should get more serious in season 5 since this would present the biggest conflict and therefore the biggest potential growth for the pair.
Ava has repeatedly proven that she doesn’t like getting serious in romantic relationships, owing at least in part to her bad relationship with her father, who abandoned her. However, her estranged father Frank started to make amends in season 4, and she now has a loving partner and a strong support network in the eponymous school. Thus,Abbott Elementaryseason 5 is perfectly positioned to grow her story further with this new development.
