Abbott Elementary’s “Smith Playground” Spoilers Ahead
We get it. Abbott Elementary isn’t going to bring Gregory and Janine together anytime soon. Yet, it’s hard not to wonder at this point if it’ll even happen and whether the showrunners are trying to slowly push us toward not caring. The prospect would’ve been frustrating at the beginning of the season, but at this point, I might even prefer it.
Comedies do this often. Parks and Recreation threw Ben Wyatt and Leslie Knope from one wringer through another. The Office drew out Pam Beesly and Jim Halpert’s relationship, too. Brooklyn Nine-Nine did the same with Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago. But something about the occurrences in Abbott Elementary’s “Smith Playground” almost feels permanent.
It’s odd that Gregory was so sure about asking Janine out, but one conversation about a failed workplace relationship, and he’s back to square one. While his fears are entirely understandable, and it’s a massive risk to take, it’s worth noting that every situation is unique. It feels bizarre that they’re both suddenly drifting apart from one another, yet at the same time, it’s felt like this for a while. Maybe it’s knowing that Tyler James Williams doesn’t want to see them together because as he said at the Jennifer Hudson Show, “I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship.”
If you’ve been reading content at Lady Geeks for a while now, you know we hate that type of argument. We’ll take any argument against a relationship blossoming, but the belief that genuine and fully platonic relationships aren’t thoroughly present on TV entirely dismisses some of the great relationships we often scream about. Furthermore, this belief isn’t refreshing or nuanced. In fact, it’s deeply frustrating, and every time we hear it, it’s hard not to be fully pushed out of the story.
It’s hard to sell chemistry and true joy in a relationship when one half believes they shouldn’t be together. Simultaneously, what we have been getting with Janine and Manny has been riveting, too. While the final decision isn’t entirely up to Williams, the series drawing out Gregory and Janine’s slow burn makes it difficult to believe that forever is even in the cards for them. It could be due to the shorter season and the lack of screentime we’ve been getting while Janine was at the district, but it feels like the curveball that’s preparing us to detach.
Abbott Elementary’s “Smith Playground” didn’t need to pull the strings on Janine and Gregory again, but it chose to center their relationship again. It’s either nudging us toward an eventual endgame with a “third time is the charm” point of view, or it’s hinting us to let things go. Either way, it’s a bit frustrating to witness it. Janine is my favorite character on this show, and I want her to be happy more than anything. If that means finding love and a partnership with Gregory, then great. But if it’s Manny or someone else, beautiful. I just need her to know that she is consistently valued and adored. She deserves that much.
Related Content: Slow Burn No More – Abbott Elementary’s Janine and Gregory Are Official
Now streaming on Hulu or ABC: What are your thoughts on Janine and Gregory in Abbott Elementary’s “Smith Playground?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson)