While it was exciting to see Ava take Janine’s side after the breakup in last week’s “Night Out,” there’s something even more comforting about Barbara being the reason to reunite her and Gregory in the Abbott Elementary Season 5 penultimate, “Ava & Fest.” It’s a full circle moment in more ways than one that ultimately showcases that Barb is the motherly figure Janine’s always needed, and it does a beautiful job of shining light on their relationship as well.
As mentioned before, Janine and Gregory’s breakup in “Trip” isn’t hard to understand. In fact, it’s incredibly easy, both from an outside perspective and while looking at exactly who these characters are on the show. Miscommunication like this, backed by the beliefs that they both harbor because of their parents, is enough reason to take something seemingly small and blow it through the roof.
Janine tells Barb that she’s been taught that “when men don’t give you what you want when you tell them it’s important, you walk away.” It’s Barbara who tells her that’s not how real relationships go and that her decision to hold onto this based on her mother’s words (and failed relationships) isn’t the way to deal with the conflict in her own. At the same time, Gregory’s been told that if a woman wants to walk away, you let them, which is the complete opposite of what a man should do when he wants to fight for a woman he loves instead.
Relationships are about compromise and understanding. They’re about communicating your desires to your partner and hoping that you’ll both meet each other halfway. They’re about listening to each other and chasing each other come hell or high water when they’re your partner. Janine didn’t walk away because she stopped loving Gregory. If that were the case, we’d be having a completely different conversation right now.
She walked away for the same silly reason he didn’t chase her. Neither of them was expressing their wants properly, leading to this momentary rift that everyone hated because they’re too good with each other not to pull through conflict.
In truth, it would’ve been completely normal if this conflict bled into Season 6 because sometimes, these matters do go on longer than they should. But the fact that the show has other plans for them is everything we need to have a modicum of hope left on our screens. Because these two would miss each other. They’d crumble in the silence, in and out of work, because they aren’t just dating, they’re best friends. They’ve always been best friends. They’ve always been each other’s person, which is why they should’ve been able to work through this, and why it makes sense that they do.
They were never the type of couple to drag it on further, and Barbara playing a role in allowing them to realize is so much bigger because of her importance to Janine. It gives her the hope necessary to know and believe that this relationship isn’t just something that can end, but it’s something that will endure. It’s something they’ll fight through and continue to fortify because their love for each other is bigger than anything either of them has known. But also, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson and his means of meddling continue to be the most surprising beats of joy on the show, and it makes my heart squeeze every time.
Now streaming on Hulu or ABC: What are your thoughts on Janine and Gregory’s scenes in Abbott Elementary‘s “Ava & Fest?” Let us know in the comments below.
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