Abbott Elementary 3×03 “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs” Spoilers Ahead
Abbott Elementary Season 3, Episode 3, “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs,” unfortunately lacks actual garden shenanigans, but it’s nevertheless a solid showcase of how things are going amid all the changes at the titular school.
Janine Teagues is still working at the district, taking on her first task that’s now a bit more personal than when viewers caught up with her last week. As a proposal from Jacob, she’s fighting to get an ASL interpreter into his classroom to help a student whose hearing aids and translating tablet take too long. The task doesn’t go as planned, with constant blocks and interruptions standing in her way, but in true Janine fashion, she nails it by the end of the episode. Back at the school, Gregory Eddie has somehow become the cool teacher, while Tariq thinks he has a kid just because he’s dating one of the mothers.
Advice Backfires in Abbott Elementary 3×03 “Gregory Garden Goofballs”
It feels like we’ve already established that Gregory is the cool teacher, or rather, he should be, but it’s hilarious to get an actual confirmation, especially with how it all backfires in his face because of the advice he gives. When a student states that he’s going to buy himself a chain to wear as a gift for his girlfriend, Gregory essentially tells him how that’s wrong, not knowing that said girlfriend and all the women on campus have wanted the student to get a new chain for a while now. (I cannot believe this is an actual storyline, but alas, let’s roll with it.)
More than anything, it’s substantial proof that Gregory isn’t ready for a relationship himself because, despite the progress throughout Season 2, there’s still so much he has to learn about what’s needed in a relationship. After all, if this weren’t the case, he would’ve been all over the idea of giving in to Janine’s private recommendation that they give their feelings a shot. Regardless, it’s a good thing because, in true slow-burn fashion, it’ll ensure that when they do eventually get together, they won’t go through petty breakups for the sake of drama. As much as students can learn from teachers, the same can occur in reverse, and that’s precisely what Gregory subtly goes through.
Janine Makes a Change
Abbott Elementary 3×03 “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs” also clearly indicates something that we know is critical in school systems. It’s easy to point fingers at district workers and note that they aren’t making the necessary changes, but so many odds continue to be stacked against many different employees. This isn’t just within the education system but everywhere else. It’s a reminder that people who work in corporate areas aren’t all out to get us all, even when some are, and it feels like a neverending battle. It’s a showcase that people are fighting in the background, and in some rare cases, they make the necessary changes.
The dynamic between Janine and Manny continues to be a positive force that’s oddly a breath of fresh air in an already wholesome series. While we’ve had similar dynamics in the school, something about this feels different, which is a good thing for her character growth. More friendships like this could also continue to remind her that while she makes changes in the workplace, she doesn’t have to mold into something she doesn’t want to be.
Abbott Elementary 3×03 “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs” is still wobbling a bit against the edges of this separation, but interestingly, it’s doing plenty to ensure that when things are back as they seem, it’ll be more impactful.
Further Thoughts
- “Is no woman safe from your incompetence with the opposite sex?” might just be the greatest Barbara line spoken this season. It doesn’t matter what follows, this is gold.
- Mr. Johnson remains the best.
- Look, the one thing Tariq is right about is the fact that I, too, would go back for the Lunchables.
- But also, I’d opt out of students farting in my classroom. No. We’re good.
Now streaming on Hulu or ABC: What are your thoughts on Abbott Elementary 3×03 “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©(Disney/Gilles Mingasson)