8 Best Abbott Elementary Plot Twists (So Far)

8 Best Abbott Elementary Plot Twists (So Far) By  Layne Gibbons Published 23 minutes ago Layne is a longtime contributor for ScreenRant and other Valnet brands. Her main focus is entertainment in pop culture, sitcoms, and reality TV.  Layne always knew she had a passion for writing and has her Bachelor's in Communications, a Minor in Marketing, and a Master's in Administration.  When she isn't writing or editing about the latest in the entertainment industry, she's typically spending time outside with her family. Hiking, walking, or jogging with her kids is where she wants to be. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or anything Bravo-related, she's your gal. She loves rewatching reality TV shows like The Real Housewives and Southern Charm, but she adores watching sitcoms like Abbott Elementary, The Big Bang Theory, and Parks and Recreation.  Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Abbott Elementary’s plot twists and turns are what make each season better than the next. The character development is some of the best seen on TV, with each character learning and growing to become a better version of themselves, with some hilarious moments along the way.

Each episode of Abbott Elementary features a setback that the teachers must overcome. Some have been small, like the teachers giving up their phones for one school day in “No Phones,” while others have been big, like a disparaging ad campaign in “Attack Ad.” The biggest plot twists are those that alter the characters’ futures and have the potential to change the direction of the series.

Ava Coleman Was Hired, Fired, And Then Hired Again

Ava looking off camera on Abbott Elementary

Ava Coleman’s (Janelle James) career as a principal has multiple plot twists attached to it. It was surprising to find out how she initially got her position, before another twist came, and she lost her job, only to be reinstated.

In “Ava vs. Superintendent,” it was revealed that Ava became principal after catching the superintendent of the school district having an affair. He offered Ava a job to keep her from airing his dirty laundry, but she didn’t let him off the hook that easily. Ava made his life chaotic as a way to get the things she needed for school.

She wasn’t fit for the job, but she slowly learned what it took to be a caring and present principal. Just as the characters got used to her professional style, another plot twist erupted: Ava was fired from her position after taking the fall during a bribery scandal. Although Ava wasn’t at the forefront of the bribing, she took the hit instead of her staff.

Shortly after being fired, the plot thickened again when the school district reinstated Ava as principal after the community rallied around her. Ava was selfish and impulsive, but she cared for the students and their families.

Although it didn’t initially seem like Ava cared about being principal, the plot surrounding her career was a twist because it proved not only did she like her job (and wanted to keep it), but she was also good at it.

Janine Teagues's Relationship With The School District

Janine smiling on Abbott Elementary

The first season of Abbott Elementary shed light on the frustrating relationship between the district and the school: the school was quickly falling apart with dated furnishings and little to no resources, and the district did very little to help.

Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) was vocal about fighting for Abbott's rights and went against the district to make a difference. Eventually, Janine's ideas were so inspiring that she was offered a job at the school district. This meant that she had to choose between teaching her students and making changes at a higher level.

The job offer was a big plot twist, considering she was so dedicated to being present for her students. It also put a pause on Janine's romantic relationship with fellow teacher Gregory Eddie (Jesse Tyler Williams). But the twist became bigger when she actually accepted the role and was no longer a part of Abbott Elementary's day-to-day life.

Luckily, Janine realized that while she loved making a difference for the school district, she missed being a teacher more. By the end of season 3, Janine was back to teaching.

Melissa Turned Down Gary's Proposal

Bruno D'Amato's Gary kneels before Lisa Ann Walter's Melissa in Abbott Elementary

At the end of season 1, Melissa started dating the school's vending machine producer, Gary. It took a lot of courage for Melissa to put herself out there again after her divorce, but Gary seemed like a real winner.

Their relationship wasn't fully dissected in season 2, but Melissa appeared happy. By the start of season 3, the two were still going strong, but there was a slight disconnect: Gary wanted to get married, and Melissa didn't.

After being divorced once, Melissa made it clear to Gary that she never wanted to get married again, and it would take a miracle for that to happen. Gary understood, but still proposed with the help of Ava's favorite football player, Jalen Hurts.

It was a surprise that Gary proposed after Melissa was so adamantly against marriage, but it was an even bigger twist when she denied the proposal in front of the school and some of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite being a great pair, Melissa chose to follow her truth instead of marrying to please someone else. Now in season 5, Melissa made the right decision as she's happily dating again and focused on her career.

Janine Teagues Broke Up With Tariq Temple

Zack Fox as Tariq Temple in Abbott Elementary

In Abbott Elementary season 1, it was revealed that Janine had a long-term boyfriend, Tariq Temple (Zach Fox). The two had been together since they were teenagers. The only problem was that Janine did all the heavy lifting in the relationship, and Tariq offered her very little in return.

Janine's co-workers all saw how much she had to offer in her relationship and felt that she should be leave Tariq to find someone who appreciated her efforts.

Janine's loyalty and inability to give up on something made it hard for her to see herself outside of her relationship. However, by the end of season 1, she realized that she wanted to focus on herself instead of the weighted relationship.

The plot twist came at the start of season 2 when Janine announced that Tariq had moved out, and she was happily single. Although she was sad, she knew that her job as a teacher needed her full attention.

Breaking up with Tariq was the right choice, as Janine's career and personal development skyrocketed after she was able to focus on herself instead of a partner.

Janine Teagues And Gregory Eddie Both Turned Each Other Down

Janine and Gregory looking at each other on Abbott ElementaryImage: ABC via MovieStillsDB

It was obvious from the premiere episode of Abbott Elementary that Janine and Gregory had chemistry. Gregory was a new teacher, and Janine did her best to make him feel inspired and supported at Abbott. Janine's passion was attractive to Gregory... until he realized she was in a relationship with Tariq.

Eventually, Gregory started dating, and Janine watched from the sidelines. However, in the episode "Valentine's Day," Janine found out that Gregory had feelings for her, even though he was dating someone else. It wasn't until the season 2 finale that Gregory finally admitted to having a crush on her.

In a shocking plot twist, Janine turned Gregory down. She admitted she reciprocated his feelings, but felt she needed to be single so as not to ruin their friendship. The revelation that the show's main twosome wasn't going to be together was a shock.

The plot twists continued when Janine had a revelation that she still had feelings for Gregory and wanted to pursue them. Shockingly, Gregory turned her down. Eventually, the pair let down their guards and decided to give their relationship a chance, and were officially a couple by season 4.

Ava Coleman Said Goodbye To Her Single Life

O'Shon and Ava on Abbott ElementaryPhoto: ABC via MovieStillsDB

Part of Ava's charisma in the early seasons is that she was confidently single. Ava was bold and optimistic in relationships, flirting with single dads and talking about the celebrities she had been with.

In season 2, it was revealed that Ava was dating former NBA legend Andre Iguodala​​​​. In fact, she shared that they had been in a relationship for five years, despite also seeing other people.

Her relationship with Iguodala​​​​​​ appeared to fade, however, when she met Abbott's IT guy, O'Shon. It was clear from the start that the two had a connection, but their relationship started poorly. Ava's love for attention and nice gestures rubbed O'Shon the wrong way. They liked each other, but had different expectations from their partners.

Now in season 5, the two continue to make their relationship work and are in a better place. However, it's a plot twist that Ava chose to be in a relationship with someone who wasn't a six-figure-making celebrity. It's also surprising that she's far more loyal to O'Shon than she ever was to Iguodala​​​​.

Melissa Schemmenti And Jacob Hill Move In Together

Melissa and Jacob from Abbott Elementary

A hilarious plot twist that soon became a beloved part of Abbott Elementary is when Melissa and Jacob move in together. The two characters couldn't be more different, but it's their differences that make them a great pair of friends and roommates.

Melissa is thick-skinned and no-nonsense. She's a passionate friend and teacher, but isn't afraid to get her hands dirty or do something shady for those she cares about. Jacob, on the other hand, is soft-natured. He's quieter, sympathetic, and a deeper thinker than Melissa.

Together, they are the duo that Abbott Elementary fans weren't expecting to become close. Living together brought them closer, and small glimmers of their lives as roommates have made some of the best moments in the series.

Ava Coleman's Redemption Arc

Custom image by Milica Djordjevic

Ava Coleman's redemption arc is a big plot twist that changed the way her character was perceived. Ava was made out to be the villain in season 1 because of her selfish antics, but that slowly changed by season 5.

While the rest of the school's teachers were focused on making Abbott Elementary a better place for its students, Ava was more concerned with personal gain.

The perception of Ava started to change when she let her co-workers into her life outside of school. In "Step Class," Janine learned that Ava had a close relationship with her grandmother, who had just moved into a home for seniors. For the first time, Janine realized Ava had love for others outside herself.

In later Abbott Elementary episodes, Ava revealed that life hasn't been easy for her. She's had to fight for everything she's had to be taken seriously. She didn't have a great relationship with her father growing up after he abandoned their family, and that altered her view on relationships. Overall, Ava's redemption rounded out her character for the better.

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Like Follow Followed Abbott Elementary TV-PG Comedy Mockumentary 9/10 98 8.5/10 Release Date December 7, 2021 Network ABC Showrunner Quinta Brunson Writers Quinta Brunson

Cast

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• Quinta Brunson Janine Teagues
• Tyler James Williams Gregory Eddie

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• Abbott Elementary

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