Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 22, “Please Touch Museum.”
While it was fun to see Orlando Jones reprise the role of Martin Eddie inAbbott Elementary’s season 4 finale, I was surprised by just how poignant the character’s return soon proved.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactersare all funny, but the workplace sitcom can still benefit from occasional guest stars. Although season 4 of the series mostly eschewed the A-list guest stars that appeared in season 3, like Kevin Hart and Bradley Cooper,Abbott Elementarydid bring back some iconic supporting characters.
Both Josh Segarra’s Manny and Martin O’Malley’s Captain Robinson returned in season 4, as did Orlando Jones as Gregory Eddie’s father. AfterAva’sAbbott Elementaryseason 4 character arcwrapped up in the preceding outing, episode 22, “Please Touch Museum,” began with her taking over as Abbott’s principal once more. Gregory was demoted back to his role as a teacher just in time to chaperon the trip to the titular attraction, a role he shared with his father Martin.
Gregory’s Father Surprised Him In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 22
According toPhiladelphia Magazine, “Please Touch Museum” was shot on location in the real-life Please Touch Museum. However, the stoic Martin initially seemed unmoved by the location’s frivolities and the antics of the many children surrounding him. Hilariously, Janine tried to pass herself as a stiff, emotionless authoritarian like Martin to get his approval, only to lose face when she comforted a student after a fall. Eventually, Janine’s gambit broke down when she refused to deny that trees have souls, prompting a disapproving stare from Martin.
Gregory’s father bringing up the memory of his mother made their finale reunion bittersweet.
However, Martin proved that he wasn’t the man Gregory remembered when Janine defended her levity. Getting into the swing of things,Martin suddenly became unexpectedly jovial and light-hearted, leading Gregory to wonder what had changed.Abbott Elementary’s Gregoryis a cautious, self-serious character, and he has often credited his father with his stiffness. Seeing Martin cut loose came as a shock for his son, but I couldn’t believe how moving Martin’s eventual explanation proved.
When Gregory confronted his father over his apparent personality switch, Martin admitted that his son rarely saw Martin’s lighter side during his upbringing. He conceded that life as a single father brought out his tougher side and told Gregory he always had a sense of humor, but Gregory’s late mother had always been the one who brought it out of him. In the finale’s sweetest moment, Martin noted that Janine was a great woman and told Gregory that he saw something of the kind demeanor of Gregory’s late mother in his love interest.
Martin Revealed That Janine Reminded Him Of Gregory’s Mom
If Martin sees a similarity between Janine’s upbeat idealism and the attitude of Gregory’s mother, this is likely part of the reason why Gregory is drawn to her.Gregory’sAbbott Elementarystorystarted with his crush on Janine, which dates all the way back to the pilot. Even back then, Janine was inadvertently leading Gregory to emerge from his father’s shadow. Gregory initially only wanted to work at Abbott to become its principal, but when he learned that he wouldn’t be replacing Ava anytime soon, he felt compelled to stay since he was infatuated with his co-worker.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
As Gregory continued working at Abbott, he came to like teaching more and more and moved past his obsession with a principal job.Janine accidentally got between Martin and Gregorywhen Gregory’s interest in her led him to realize that he didn’t care about becoming principal, so it was fitting that she also inadvertently brought the father/son duo together by exposing Martin’s lighter side. AlthoughGregory became Abbott’s principal in season 4while Ava was temporarily fired, his father has since seemingly made peace with his son’s love of teaching.
What To Expect From Gregory & Janine’s Future In Abbott Elementary Season 5
Janine & Gregory’s Relationship Is Better Than Ever One Year On
Abbott Elementaryseason 4’s finale pulled off an impressive sitcom achievementas, a year into Gregory and Janine’s relationship, the show neither broke them up nor got bored with them. FromThe Mindy Project’s Mindy and Danny toNew Girl’s Nick and Jess, sitcom history is littered with iconic couples who have incredible chemistry until they get together. The show then scrambles to break them up to bring back some drama and tension, ruining the original spark in the process.
SinceAbbott Elementaryseason 4 had O’Shon and Avato focus on, the sitcom didn’t have this issue with Janine and Gregory’s relationship. It is neither stale nor suddenly plagued by sudden, silly problems, unlike many sitcom love stories. Instead, as Martin’s role inAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s finale proves, the couple are stronger than ever heading into season 5.
