Abbott Elementary Season 4 Plans A Show-Shaking Janine Twist
While Abbott Elementary left Janine in a rather stable position, season 3 might have subtly set her up for an exciting, and terrifying, new role. Although Janine and Gregory seem destined for a more steady future in Abbott Elementary season 4, the workplace sitcom might be laying a major turn-off for its leading lady. When the mockumentary first aired in 2021, Abbott Elementary's cast of characters captivated viewers and critics both. Since then, the show's appeal has only increased; Abbott Elementary season 3 included celebrity cameos in every second episode featuring stars like Bradley Cooper and Kevin Hart. Abbott Elementary's upcoming season 4 return is thus among the most fascinating network TV comebacks of 2024.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Might Replace Janine as Principal
Abbott Elementary seemed to be preparing a consistent fourth season for its heroine since Gregory and Janine got together after three long years of waiting at the finale. When Janine decided she would rather work at Abbott, she turned down a permanent job offer to complete her fellowship at the school system. After her protracted absence, Gregory at last felt something for Janine, but he struggled to muster the confidence to tell her until the end-of-year celebration. Janine and Gregory hooked up in the last scene of season three. The cautious couple is now in a steady state, but Abbott Elementary season 4 may ruin their future. After the events of season 3, Janine could fairly become Abbott's new principal since her time working in the school system qualifies her specifically as an administrator. In addition, for a few months substitute teachers have covered her classes, so the school board and district know the place can run without her in an active teaching capacity. For the heroine of Abbott Elementary in season 4, this would simplify life as well as complicate it.
Janine would theoretically have more authority as principal to bring about good changes to Abbott and avoid dealing with Principal Ava's financial misbehavior. But Janine's time working for the school district made it abundantly evident that in the underfunded public school system, even small changes are difficult. Although Principal Ava is blatantly dishonest, Abbott is not hampered by her low-level antics. Janine struggled to get much done in the district due to a mix of inadequate funding and unwavering bureaucracy; the same would probably be true should she become principal.
The Abbott Elementary Job Held by Principal Ava Was Not Safe
Although Principal Ava is the most underappreciated supporting character at Abbott Elementary, her employment has never been especially stable. She became principal because she had dirt on the superintendent, not because of credentials or professional experience. Ava also lost the leverage she acquired from her principal employment at the end of season 1 when the superintendent left his wife and wed his mistress. She kept her job, but there is no reason the district or the school board would believe Ava was more qualified for the position than Janine. When Janine wrongly accused a substitute teacher of being a fraud, she did cause a complaint. This implies that Janine could become Abbott's principal, albeit her own misgivings would make this less likely. Janine was shocked to learn she missed teaching her regular students when Abbott Elementary's mockumentary crew followed her on her fellowship to the district in season 3. This could prevent Janine from giving the main job top priority since it would essentially mean giving up teaching. Moreover, Janine did get a complaint from a substitute teacher about her erroneous accusation of them being frauds. This regrettable event could be held against her and could limit her aspirations in her career.
Janine Becoming Abbott's Principal Would Fix One Season 4 Plot
Ava has tried to stop Janine and Gregory from hooking on several occasions, whether out of spite, jealousy, or real concern about office relationships. This was most evident in the penultimate episode of season three when the couple nearly kissed on a field trip. Ava not only walked in on them but also advised Mr. Morton to share the tale of his failed office romance to deter the pair. Ava has shown attraction to Gregory in the past, but she also pays some HR issues more attention than others. She therefore has two grounds to be against the relationship. If Janine were Ava's boss instead of the other way around, though, this wouldn't be an issue for her. Although Melissa's Abbott Elementary season 3 romance mostly took place off-screen, Janine and Gregory's slow-burning attraction has been central to the show from as far back as its pilot episode. Abbott Elementary season 4 cannot afford to split Janine and Gregory once more. This is one reason Janine's appointment as Abbott's principal could be a good thing since it would neutralize Ava's efforts to split the couple. That said, it would complicate Ava's job.
Making Janine the Principal for Abbott Elementary Season 4 would complicate matters.
Ava is Abbott Elementary's most charming supporting actor, thus Janine would have to keep some significant part in the show even if she replaced her as the principal of the school. Janine's relationship with Barbara Howard, an older teacher she sees as a mentor and a mother figure, would also be strained should she become Abbott's main in season 4. Historically Janine has found it difficult to challenge Barbara when her mentor is in error; if she were Barbara's boss, this would become a major issue for the heroine of the show. Still, neither of these problems compares to Gregory's response to the development. Since Abbott Elementary started, Gregory has wanted to be the principal; he mentioned as far back as the pilot episode, saying he only took a substitute teaching job to finally serve as the principal. Gregory would probably agree with the aspirations of his love interest, but Janine becoming Abbott's main would change her relationship with Gregory. Since his original plan would have become useless, Gregory would probably rethink his own career path and Janine would now be his boss. For this reason, Abbott Elementary season 4's Janine the new principal might prove to be a mixed blessing for her.
