Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 3, “Class Pet”
Not only didAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 3 introduce a surprising new romantic subplot, but the sitcom did this via an unexpected parody of a classic ‘90s teen movie.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactersall have their respective romantic entanglements, and the show has mined these for both comedy and drama over its first three seasons. Jacob’s breakup with Zack was a surprisingly sad season 3 storyline, while Melissa’s rejection of Gary’s proposal stands out as one ofAbbott Elementary’s biggest twists ever. Meanwhile,Janine and Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryromancepractically defined the show’s first three outings.
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However, there are a few major characters whose love lives haven’t been thoroughly explored in the series.Abbott Elementary’s reliably hilarious custodian Mr. Johnsonhas kept his love life a secret, although, knowing the janitor’s wild life, there is sure to be a zany story hidden there. Barbara’s steady marriage to Gerald fits her character’s no-nonsense demeanor, while Principal Ava’s outrageous antics mean that any romantic subplots she is involved in usually center on her pursuing a less-than-willing target. ThroughoutAbbott Elementary’s first three seasons, Ava often unsettled Gregory by trying to coax him into an office romance.
Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 3’s Ava Romance Parodies She’s All That
Ava Refused To Acknowledge O’Sean’s Attractiveness
However, although this running gag provided a lot of laughs,Principal Ava hasn’t had a serious multi-episode romance of her own inAbbott Elementary’s first three seasons. This might change thanks to the unexpected events of season 4, episode 3, “Class Pet.” In this episode, a strikingly handsome IT guy named O’Sean is tasked with updating Abbott’s new computers. The only problem is that these state-of-the-art computers were received not from the district, but as a bribe from the crooked developers building a golf course near the eponymous school.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s golf course plotwas always going to prove central to the show’s story, few viewers could have predicted how it played out. Jacob, Melissa, Barbara, and Ava accepted the computers as a “Gift” from the developers, knowing it was really a bribe in exchange for not reporting the building company’s shady dealings. These computers need to be set up by a professional, resulting in the conventionally gorgeous O’Sean arriving and immediately growing suspicious of the new tech. Even though the IT guy had the rest of the staff swooning, Ava ignored him.
Ava & O’Sean’s Abbott Elementary Season 4 Plot Flipped A ‘90s Rom-Com Cliche
Ava Put On Glasses To See Things Differently
Ava obstinately refused to see O’Sean’s appeal since “He wears glasses,” a hilarious line that called to mind a classic ‘90s teen movie.Principal Ava’s relationship with O’Sean mirrored the plot of 1999’sShe’s All That, wherein Freddie Prinze Jr’s shallow jock Zack is shocked to discover that Rachel Leigh Cook’s underprivileged, artistic Laney Boggs is beautiful as soon as she is of her paint-spattered overalls. In a cute subversion of the classic scene where Zack takes off Laney’s glasses and realizes she is secretly stunning, Ava put on glasses while listening to O’Sean speak and was finally struck.
All of O’Sean’s obvious attempts to flirt with Ava went over her head.
While Janine and Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryromancewas a slow-burn affair thanks to the pair’s shared cautious attitudes, O’Sean and Ava’s romantic frisson was a different story altogether. Jacob wasn’t shy about his blatant attraction to O’Sean and Barbara noted how attractive he was too, but all of O’Sean’s obvious attempts to flirt with Ava went over her head. Even O’Sean’s promise to give Ava his personal phone number in case of any computer emergencies prompted a disinterested “Whatever” from her, while Abbott’s librarian Rosalyn was busy turning up the thermostat to get the IT guy to disrobe.
Why Ava & O’Sean’s Abbott Elementary Romance Is Perfectly Timed
Ava’s Dynamic With O’Sean Replaced Janine And Gregory’s Tension
O’Sean was attracted to Ava even though she was seemingly the only person in the school who wasn’t interested in him, with even Mr. Johnson humming a song from theShe’s All Thatsoundtrack as he swooned over the IT guy. This dynamic was perfect since it forced O’Sean to work even harder at winning over the oblivious principal, and his promise to keep the school’s tech up to scratch means he now has an obvious reason to regularly revisit Abbott in the future. Ava’s apparent disinterest means the sitcom now has a developing romance full of tension and conflict, which is great news.
SinceAbbott Elementary’s season 4 premiere revealedJanine And Gregory were dating, the pair are now finally able to get some peace after years of near-misses and constant sexual tension. This is good for their growth but leaves the sitcom without a compelling source of romantic tension. Fortunately, Ava’s frisson with O’Sean meansAbbott Elementarynow has a perfect replacement for the duo’s dynamic.
