Abbott Elementary Season 5, Episode 3, “Ballgame” Spoilers Ahead
Abbott Elementary is always great about honoring Philadelphia, but something about Season 5, Episode 3, “Ballgame” got me in an entirely unexpected way. Experiencing the episode right alongside Janine feels oddly right because I’m also not a baseball fan, yet watching her take it all in is likely why everything was twice as emotional.
More than that, watching Gregory’s utter glee over her dancing? I’m pretty sure my heart still hasn’t recovered from melting into a perfect puddle of goo. The way that Barbara fangirled over Kyle Schwarber? The way that, for once, I believed in Ava’s sincerity and why she wanted to be featured on the kiss cam? It’s moments like this where the show surprises you, and only the best type of comedies can manage it five seasons in.
There’s also something about how the final few moments ultimately showcase a reality that can be real. Teachers aren’t appreciated nearly as much as they should be. They aren’t always invited to big events like this, and they aren’t given the attention they deserve. But Abbott Elementary Season 5, Episode 3, “Ballgame,” is yet another reminder of why this show continues to shine. It gives us the hope necessary, and now more than ever, it’s exactly what we need.
And now for the feelsy part. Once more, with feeling: the way Gregory loves Janine is everything to me. There are so many boyfriends out there who’d be so annoyed by the fact that they need to go back to their car to return the giant tote their girlfriend brought in. So many boyfriends who’d be irritated by the fact that she isn’t into the game as passionately as he is. But that’s not Gregory Eddie, and it’s exactly why they continue to be so perfect for each other.
Gregory wants to experience things with Janine, but he also never minds when she does things her way. It doesn’t bother him that they aren’t the same person because he loves her as she is. It’s the best kind of relationship because their give and take is fully equal. They love each other’s idiosyncrasies fully, and it’s so deeply wholesome that it continues to layer the show’s appreciation for its found family in a way that works.
At the same time, Janine going with them, even though baseball isn’t her jam, is exactly how the show honors Philadelphia. It proves that showing up matters in a big way, and the small bits of normalcy that even someone like Ava wants is this sweet sign of revealing how much the show cares about doing right by the city. But really, it reminds me so much of my favorite Leslie Knope quote: “No one achieves anything alone.“
Related Content: Abbott Elementary’s Season 5 Premiere Delivers a Timely and Wholesome Message
These characters are all better versions of themselves because of the people standing beside them. And sure, Melissa messes with Jacob and Mr. Johnson continues to play his games, but human beings aren’t perfect, so we love them in spite of their ridiculous choices, too. (One last thing: justice for us short women and being called “little girls” wherever we go!)
Now streaming on Hulu or ABC: What are your thoughts on Abbott Elementary Season 5, Episode 3, “Ballgame?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Disney/Gilles Mingasson)