Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 14.Abbott Elementary’s slow-burn romance may have been resolved, but season 4’s Valentine’s Day episode proves its main couple doesn’t need to stay benched. Quinta Brunson leads theAbbott Elementarycastas Janine Teagues, a young and idealistic teacher who quickly catches the eye of Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams), a substitute teacher who eventually accepts a permanent position inAbbott Elementaryseason 1. Though the two characters quickly developed feelings for each other, other relationships and situational roadblocks prevented them from getting together until the end ofAbbott Elementaryseason 3.
Despite the long wait for Janine and Gregory to become a couple, their love story includes some ofAbbott Elementary’s most heartwarming moments. Yet, after they started their relationship, it was unclear what the future held for them, considering that it ended their multi-season arc. Similar couples from popular sitcoms usually struggle with a few recurring issues where the couple plateaus, the show forces a breakup arc, or the couple loses all their charm without any tension. The mockumentary avoids the latter, sinceJanine and Gregory are both developed characters who can have independent storylines inAbbott Elementary, but their relationship still deserves screen time.
Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 14 Marks Another Milestone In Janine & Gregory’s Relationship
After A Bout Of Miscommunication, They Share “I Love You"s
After Janine sends Gregory on a smoothie run inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 14, she receives a voice note from him shortly after to warn her that the shop has changed the drink names. At the end of the message, as the smoothie shop white noise bleeds in,Gregory’s muffled voice seems to say“I love you.”Janine asks Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) for her opinion, but her mentor warns her not to get her hopes up. Miscommunication strikes when Gregory reveals Barbara’s smoothie’s name had“I love you”in its title, leading Janine to assume she misunderstood.
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At the end ofAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s Valentine’s Day episode, Gregory realizes he did accidentally say“I love you”while recording the voice note, explaining how it mindlessly slipped out because that’s how he feels. Janine records a voice note to say she loves him too, and the pair share a kiss. For the bulk ofAbbott Elementaryseason 4, the main relationship has been in the background, withJanine and Gregory even becomingAbbott Elementary’s boring couple. However,Abbott Elementary’s short and sweet Janine and Gregory plot illustrates how easily their relationship can remain interestingin the mockumentary.
How Abbott Elementary Can Keep Janine & Gregory’s Story Relevant Moving Forward Without Breaking Up
There Are Realistic Couple Conflicts They Can Dip Into
Thankfully,Abbott Elementaryhas largely avoided cliché now that its main couple is in an established relationship.Janine and Gregory’s first fight inAbbott Elementaryperfectly encapsulates how the characters can still have realistic conflict without it feeling unearned or melodramatic. Janine and Gregory love each other, butAbbott Elementarycan still utilize common issues that couples experience to add tension. Janine and Gregory might decide to move in together but disagree over who should give up their place. Alternatively, they might realize they have different ideas for the future, andAbbott Elementarycould explore how Janine and Gregory compromise.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
Janine and Gregory don’t have to be stale inAbbott Elementary, but they also don’t need to have unnecessary drama. By changing what kinds of conflict Janine and Gregory weather,Abbott Elementarycircumvents plots that other shows use to overcompensate after a couple gets together: infidelity, insecurity, or a full-blown breakup. Plus, to fulfill the will they/won’t they element,Abbott Elementaryhas teased a couple to be Janine and Gregory’s replacement. Instead of needlessly having Janine and Gregory separate just to inevitably come back together,Abbott Elementarymust continue respecting the couple without ignoring them narratively.
