Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 3, “Class Pet”
AfterAbbott Elementaryspent three seasons depicting one of its supporting stars as a tough nut, season 4, episode 3 proves that they have undergone an unexpected transformation over the years.Abbott Elementary’s entire cast of charactersare hilarious, but their consistency is key to their appeal.Abbott Elementary’s custodian Mr. Johnsoncan always be relied on for some absurd one-liners or surprisingly meaningful life advice, while Jacob’s corniness, earnestness, and penchant for drama are all part of what makes him so reliably lovable, if a little annoying. Principal Ava’s lack of professionalism serves the same purpose.
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EvenJanine and Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryromance, as frustrating as it might have been, was only able to remain in limbo for three full seasons because of their believable characterization. Both Gregory and Janine were well-established as cautious characters whose risk-averse attitudes led them to be a little neurotic at times, so it made sense that they were so slow to take a chance and admit their feelings for each other. However, consistent characters can become complacent over time. Eventually, even the most beloved sitcom supporting stars need to grow and change lest they become too predictable.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 3 Proves Melissa Can Be Soft
Lisa Ann Walter’s Tough-Talking Teacher Bonds With Her Class Guinea Pig
In season 4, episode 3, “Class Pet,”Melissa got what might be her sweetestAbbott Elementarysubplot so farin a storyline that showed a whole new side to the streetwise teacher. When Janine got school district funding to buy pets for each class, Melissa was quick to shut down the idea for her second-graders. Melissa grew up without pets and didn’t want the hassle of caring for one. Janine insisted that Melissa’s class deserved at least a guinea pig, and Melissa eventually accepted this on the condition that Janine did all the care for the adorable animal.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
Unsurprisingly, Melissa instantly fell in love with “Sweetcheeks,” and tried to hide her love for the cute pet from Janine whenever she checked in. What made this subplot surprising was Melissa’s reaction when Janine explained that one of the children would bring Sweetcheeks home every weekend to learn responsibility. Melissa lied toAbbott Elementary’s heroine Janine, claiming Sweetcheeks died so that she could keep the guinea pig safe in the comfort of her own home and protect it from the well-meaning but clumsy guardianship of her second-graders.
Melissa’s Change Is Much Needed After Her Split With Gary In Abbott Elementary Season 3
Melissa’s Cute Romance With Gary Ended Sadly
What made this storyline so surprising was the fact that Melissa isn’t known for her displays of softness inAbbott Elementary. Even when she has rare subplots that highlight her sweet side, it is usually paired with a vicious edge. In season 1, episode 7, “Art Teacher,” Melissa was crestfallen when Janine’s pretentious art teacher friend destroyed brand-new books Melissa had acquired for her students as part of an art installation. However, Melissa immediately turned to violence when dealing with this issue and Janine had to physically restrain her from attacking her friend.
Abbott Elementary’s depictions of Melissa’s tough, no-nonsense personality reached their apotheosis when she rejected Gary the Vending Machine Guy’s proposalin front of a classroom full of children and visiting Career Day speaker Jalen Hurts in season 3’s premiere. LikeAbbott Elementary’s Jacob, Melissa isn’t a one-dimensional character and her decision to turn down Gary’s proposal didn’t come from nowhere, since she had already told him repeatedly that she had no intentions of remarrying. However, her inability to let him down softly was further evidence that Melissa struggles with delicacy, which her relationship with Sweetcheeks completely debunked.
What Melissa’s Change Can Mean For Her Future In Abbott Elementary
Gregory Helped The Cynical Teacher To Trust Again
Melissa’s love of the guinea pig proved that she has a secret soft side, but her decision to fake the class pet’s death was another story. This highlighted just how much Melissa struggled to trust others and how far the teacher would go to avoid letting people into her life. Melissa didn’t want the kids caring for Sweetcheeks for the same reason that she didn’t want to marry Gary, namely that she wasn’t comfortable relying on others. As Gregory pointed out, good teaching meant trusting her second-graders to take the class pet home for the weekend without killing it.
Melissa’s newfound openness means she may get more character focus as Abbott Elementary season 4 continues.
This was tough for the trust-averse Melissa, and her ability to trust the children proved that she had grown since she turned down Gary a year earlier. AlthoughJanine and Gregory’s relationshipkept the sitcom busy for most of its first three seasons, the pair’s relative stability now offers the series more room to explore the rest of its supporting cast’s stories. Melissa’s newfound openness means she may get more character focus asAbbott Elementaryseason 4 continues.
