Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 16, “Books”
WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 16 brought back two of Melissa’s love interests, one character’s return prompted the teacher to reconsider her relationship with the other.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactershave all grown and changed over the show’s first four seasons.Janine and Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryrelationshipis arguably the most obvious instance of this character growth, but the central couple are far from the only ones who have leveled up in the titular institution.
WhileAbbott Elementary’s Principal Avastarted out as an unqualified, openly corrupt bully, she has gradually grown into a surprisingly talented educational leader with some genuine skills to teach other principals. Granted, she remains pretty corrupt, but she also stands up for her staff and for other under-resourced schools. Similarly, Barbara has grown less fearful of technology and Jacob has left a toxic relationship with his long-term boyfriend. However, Melissa’s character journey is one of the show’s most intriguing stories.
Gary Returns In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 16 With A New Romance
Melissa’s Relationship With Captain Robinson Returns In Season 4 Episode 16
InAbbott Elementary seasons 1 and 2, Melissa shared a tentative romance with Gary the Vending Machine Guy. This sweet storyline seemed to be heading to a happy ending, but there was one major snag. Melissa always said that she never wanted to get married, and Gary could never quite get his head around that. This issue came to a head in season 3’s premiere when Gary proposed in front of Melissa’s entire class and was swiftly rejected in what might beAbbott Elementary’s most uncomfortable scene ever.
“Books” pays off Melissa’s original romance with Gary by revealing he is marrying someone else after the pair broke up over his disastrous season 3 premiere proposal.
Melissa and Gary broke up soon after asAbbott Elementaryfocused on Janine, Gregory, and Ava once again. However, the past comes to pay Melissa a visit in season 4, episode 16, “Books,” when Gary the Vending Machine Guy returns to the eponymous school with big news. “Books” pays off Melissa’s original romance with Gary by revealing he is marrying someone else after the pair broke up over his disastrous season 3 premiere proposal.Gary’s return prompts a major change in Melissa’s love lifeas she realizes that her low-commitment relationship isn’t what she wants anymore.
How Gary’s Return Improves Melissa’s Stagnant Relationship In Abbott Elementary
Gary’s Comeback Pushed Melissa To Reconsider Her Current Relationship
ThroughoutAbbott Elementaryseasons 3 and 4, Melissa has been casually hooking up with guest star Mike O’Malley’s recurring character, Captain Robinson. The fireman was seen throughout season 3 and returned in season 4’s Christmas special, but his relationship with Melissa was always a no-strings-attached setup. That is, until the events of “Books.” Melissa asked Captain Robinson to attend Gary’s wedding as her plus one, but he said he regrettably had a date with another woman that night.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
WhileAbbott Elementary’s Ava changeshave been pretty substantial, seeing Melissa get genuinely upset and jealous over this was one of the sitcom’s most surprising twists in a while. Melissa needed Gary’s comeback to commit to a new romance, and seeing Gary happy pushed her to change her relationship with Captain Robinson.The teacher decides to be exclusive with Mike O’Malley’s recurring character at the end of “Books,”providing this unconventionalAbbott Elementarylove story with a happy conclusion.
Why Captain Robinson Is A Better Fit For Melissa Than Gary
Gary’s Desire For Commitment Didn’t Fit With Melissa’s M.O.
At first glance, it might seem pretty ironic that Gary and Melissa broke up over an argument about commitment, but Melissa realizes she wants more commitment from Captain Robinson because of Gary’s return. However, this isn’t as confusing and contradictory as it might initially seem. Melisa was clear with Gary that marriage was something she didn’t want, but she wasn’t averse to other forms of commitment. Similarly, Gary made it clear that marriage was a non-negotiable for him, and he hadn’t realized just how averse Melissa was to the idea.
Captain Robinson never said that he feared commitment or wanted to avoid it, and he was happy with the thought of becoming exclusive when Melissa suggested it.
Since Melissa didn’t want to deal with a tragic divorce like the oneAbbott Elementary’s Mr. Mortonwent through in season 3, she understandably opted to end this incompatible relationship. In contrast, Captain Robinson never said that he feared commitment or wanted to avoid it, and he was happy with the thought of becoming exclusive when Melissa suggested it. Thus,Melissa and Captain Robinson’s romance makes more sense than her relationship with Gary the Vending Machine Guy ever did, since thisAbbott Elementarycouple want the same things from their relationship.
How Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 14 Cleverly Avoided A Major Issue With Newer Sitcoms
Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 14 managed to make room for the show’s most underrated supporting star, thus avoiding a hated sitcom problem.
Gary and Melissa’s issues ran deeper than just her rejecting his proposal. She was fundamentally averse to the idea of marrying thanks to her negative associations with marriage, and Gary felt the opposite way. There is no similar discord between her and Captain Robinson, and she shares a more open, honest connection with Mike O’Malley’s fireman than she did with Gary. As such, thisAbbott Elementarycouple is set up for success heading into the latter half of season 4.
