“Abbott Elementary” - Season 2, Episode 3 Review
Episode three of “Abbott Elementary” includes something many viewers were waiting patiently for: more screen time for Lisa Ann Walter.
In this episode, Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) tackles a bigger workload, and a group of performers from Jacob’s (Chris Perfetti) past pay the school a visit.
In the season premiere, the audience learned that Melissa was going to be teaching an extra 10 third grade students along with her regular second grade class. She seemed stressed about it in the last few episodes, but in this one this really comes to the forefront.
Melissa has been saying so far that she doesn’t want a teacher’s aide to help her out, and Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) has been saying that if anyone can handle it, it’s Melissa. Eventually we learn that this encouragement from Barbara was only making Melissa more determined to not ask for help.
Asking for help can be hard, but in this episode there is a really nice moment between Barbara and Melissa in which Barbara tells Melissa that if she needs help, there’s no shame in asking for some.
This sweet moment between the two of them allows both of these veteran actresses to show off some of their more emotional talents, which isn’t always common in a comedy show like this.
Near the end of the episode, Melissa tells Ava she wants the aide for her class. At the very end we are introduced to her, and it is clear that she will be a big part in upcoming episodes.
The other main thing happening in this episode is that a group of performers called the Story Samurai are coming to the school to put on a show. We quickly learn that this is a group of people that Jacob used to tour with.
The audience also gets a fun nod to writer and lead actress Quinta Brunson’s former job at Buzzfeed, as she enlisted another Buzzfeed alum, Zack Evans, to play one of the Story Samurai.
Jacob is really excited that the Story Samurai have come to Abbott, and he even agrees to perform on stage with them. Everyone encourages him to do this because they want to see him make a fool of himself, but Janine (Brunson) feels guilty and tries to convince him not to do it.
When Janine tells Jacob she doesn’t think he should perform with them, he is upset by this, but he agrees.
Eventually, he ends up on stage with them anyway, and the students end up loving his performance. Jacob tells his coworkers that he knows he’s corny, but he doesn’t care because his students like him anyway.
Chris Perfetti is usually a bit overshadowed in this show, which is understandable with such a great ensemble cast. This episode really allows him to shine, however, and we get some really good moments from him, especially between him and Quinta Brunson.
Another exciting moment in this episode is a hint of Janine and Gregory’s (Tyler Jackson Williams) slow burn romance. Gregory knocks on her wall in the middle of class just to say hi to her, which was just adorable.
This episode of “Abbott Elementary” continues to make viewers even more excited for the rest of the season and the future of the show.
Rating: 4/5
Izzy Charboneau is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.
