Ep 7 strikes a satisfying balance between heartfelt storytelling and character-driven nuance.
The main plot, centered on a beloved art teacher's bittersweet farewell, leans into the show's strength in emotional sincerity- Quinta Brunson's Janine feels both well-meaning and achingly human as she navigates the goodbye, even if the arc itself treads familiar "teacher impact" territory. Very much a good 7/10 territory.
Where the episode truly distinguishes itself, however, is in its B-plot: Tyler James Williams' Gregory, often the show's steady straight man, gets a rare chance to reveal hidden layers with a quietly charming subplot about gardening as escapism. His scenes... tending to tomato plants, avoiding staff chaos, and delivering a monologue about soil pH with unexpected warmth, are a masterclass in subtle character development, adding depth to a character who's often played for deadpan laughs. That was truly 9/10.
The result is an episode that's both tender and genuinely funny, with the B-plot elevating it from "good" to "memorable."
8/10: When Abbott Elemantary leans into its characters' quiet depths, it soars.
