Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 9.
One ofAbbott Elementary’smost captivating storylines has been the “will-they-won’t-they” dynamicbetween Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams). The show has built their relationship over four seasons with subtlety, nuance, and plenty of tender moments—from their bathroom meet-cute to admitting their feelings for each otherduring a sleepover at the Franklin Institute—that have left viewers emotionally invested. The Season 3 finalegave Janine and Gregory’s ongoing relationship the big push it neededby finally bringing the two together, but Season 4’s latest episode “Volunteers”—Abbott Elementary’s crossover episode withIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—missed out on a major opportunity for the coupleby returning to the show’s familiar dynamic.
It’s Janine vs. Dee on ‘Abbott Elementary’s Crossover With ‘It’s Always Sunny’
The long-anticipated crossover with theIt’s Always Sunnycastsees The Gang descend on Abbott Elementary as court-ordered volunteers. While Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) teaches Charlie (Charlie Day) to read and Mac (Rob McElhenney) helps Ava (Janelle James) acquire a new scoreboard for the school, Janine and Dee (Kaitlin Olson) get along like a house on fire — that is, until Dee reveals that one Gregory Eddie has caught her eye. Dee’s crush on Gregory justifiablyawakens something of a green-eyed monster in Janine, which leads her to confront Dee, who informs Janine that she loves Gregory and plans on letting him know as soon as she sees him.Gregory intervenes and reassures a pretty riled-up Janinethat he is with her and wants to be with her, and the conflict essentially ends there.
Janine’s heightened state of emotion—read:a huge reminder of how she truly feels about Gregory—was a great opportunity for the couple to say their ‘I love you’s, butthe show passed over an opportunity to move the couple forward. It’s true that huge, series-defining moments rarely happen incrossover episodes that serve as a wink and nod to viewers, but Dee saying that she loves Gregory is so on the nose that it’s hard to ignore. The conflict could serve as a setup for the couple later in the season, andAbbott Elementary’s writers have likely planned a special moment for Janine and Gregoryto eventually drop the L-word, as most of the couple’s defining moments happen outside the school, but this doesn’t change the fact that the “will-they-won’t-they” aspect of their relationship is starting to run its course.
‘Abbott Elementary’ Has Already Taken Its Time With Janine and Gregory
Three (nearly four) full seasons of swoon-worthy moments between Janine and Gregory have laid a strong foundation, but continuing to keep their relationship in limbo for extended periodscould risk stagnation for the characters or fatigue among viewers.Abbotthas finally brought the two together, andwhile slow-burn storytelling has its merits, there have already been plenty of delays in Janine and Gregory’s journey to happy couple.It’s still unclear what the show intends to do with the couple; send them downthe Ross and Rachel route(on-and-off before eventually ending up together); or the Jim and Pam route (pretty steady for the rest of the show’s run); or chart a new course completely their own. Regardless,Janine and Gregory moving forward doesn’t necessarily mean throwing them into a perfect relationship, but viewers need progress and payoff to remain fully invested.
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Abbott Elementarymay continue placing road blocks in front of Janine and Gregory, but ideally they will do soin order to explore character motivations and enhance the show’s central theme of growth. Examining how Gregory’s need for control and discomfort with vulnerability impacts his ability to navigate a relationship with someone as open-hearted as Janine—or even how Janine’s tendency to put herself lastimpacts her ability to prioritize a romantic relationship—might make the slow launch of their relationship more impactful, but as it stands,the typically lighthearted show doesn’t seem to be headed in this direction. Additionally, while it was fun to see Janine get territorial over Gregory, allowing her insecurities to get the better of her again feels like a step back overall for her character.
This is certainly not to say that Janine and Gregory’s relationship has become stale. Overall,the couple’s “will-they-won’t-they” journeyand the creative ways the writers have built anticipation have been refreshingly grounded, from Janine’s break-up with Tariq (Zack Fox) toGregory’s jealousy over Janine’s friendship with Manny(Josh Segarra). But, with the relationship serving as one of the show’s major through lines,advancing Janine and Gregory’s romance is crucial for maintaining the show’smomentumand deepening the emotional resonance ofone of television’s greatest couples.
New episodes ofAbbott ElementarySeason 4 premiere Wednesdays on ABC and are available to stream next-day on Hulu.
Abbott Elementary
A workplace comedy centered around a group of dedicated teachers - and an oblivious principal - in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life.
