Zoo Balloon

It's been a long time since I've had such a pleasant surprise with anything as I've had with "Abbott Elementary." Not only is this show incredibly hilarious and has managed to keep the mockumentary format alive for a few more years, but it's also a great insight into the hardships that certain schools go through; not only in the U. S., but in the whole world. It's very relatable in that way. And this episode found ways to continue that outside of the school setting. This was definitely a great finale to a great season that once again shows the importance of our teachers.

In the hectic nature of the school year, excursions were always the best experiences. In my school days, we went to see zoos around the country as well, so this definitely felt relatable, although a lot of the experiences in it weren't really related to the school at all. This episode, more than any before, took time to focus on a few characters and their personal issues with Janine facing a possible move to New York and Mrs. Howard facing her own immortality. All of that wraps up a season of wonderful character arcs and binds that harsh truth that nothing lasts forever into the mix of everything going on wonderfully. However, as our characters are faced with certain things that do seem to last longer, it leads into a wonderful finale that includes a heartwarming ode to the teachers that are the heroes of our everyday life. Quinta Brunson is a treasure to have made a show that honors those hard workers so much, and while this episode spent little time at the actual school, it felt like the perfect homage to the profession and how hard it can be. And speaking about Brunson, this also felt like the episode where she really broke out as an actress as well. She's been great throughout, but here, all the ridicule that she has faced over the season comes into play in a wonderful moment between her and her boyfriend that just shows Brunson's insane gifts as a performer. Hopefully, she'll give herself more moments like that when the second season rolls around.

"Zoo Balloon" wasn't the season's strongest episode, but it was the perfect homage to the profession that this show continues to show its love to. It was also the brilliant showcase that Brunson has deserved ever since the beginning, as well as a nice wrap-up of a lot of character arcs, although leaving the door open for the second season.

I've loved this show from the first episode, but this episode will always be special to me. I lost my mom four days ago, and one of the things I've been doing to make it through is rewatch episodes of this show. This episode is the first to air since my mom's passing, and the messages of strength, determination, and change in this episode hit really close. Like Janine says, "I'm going to be ok."

Though I knew about the show, and probably would have gotten around to it, it took "Abbott Elementary" appearing on the Guardian's top TV of 2022 list for me to get around to starting it. Whilst I as initially a bit nonplussed at the start, once the show settles into its characters, I thought it picked up pretty quickly,

On his first day as a substitute teacher at Abbott Elementary, a school in Philadelphia where he'd applied to be head teacher, Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) discovers that there is a documentary film being made about the school, but also that Ava Coleman (Janelle James) who beat him to the post, is laughably unprepared and largely uninterested in the role. Despite a lack of investment, Eddie discovers a teaching team trying to help prepare their students as best they can. One teacher, the endlessly optimistic Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) particularly catches his eye.

Reading that back it's strange that I've framed the show as being more about Eddie than it really is. It's a workplace ensemble comedy, like so many others before it, and I suppose if it really has a lead, it's Brunson herself, who is also the shows producer and creator. The first few episodes were fine, if perhaps a bit tepid. It's definitely another show locking into that wholesome positive vibe that sitcoms have these days. I initially worried that Ava would be the shows Gina from "Brooklyn 99". Though I like Chelsea Peretti I felt that she was too wacky and unbalanced the show, fortunately they ground Ava a bit quicker than that and when the show picks up after the first few, she's one of the highlights.

It ticks all the boxes for a popular sitcom. There's even a will they/wont they romance at the heart of it. I'm a bit concerned that the second season ups the number of episodes to 22. I understand the reasons for it, but I feel it might dilute the show too much - we'll see though. This first run won me over in it's back half and I certainly carry on with an optimistic mind.