Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 5 Recap: Dad Fight

From the beginning Abbott Elementary School skillfully portrayed a side of culture not authentically portrayed on network television. Too often, shows miss the mark when presenting their version of Blackness by over-explaining references to viewers, becoming an unnatural caricature of the culture they are trying to present. Abbott avoids this by allowing its characters to simply exist without turning situations into a forced anthropological exposition. In fact, race is only mentioned when it is necessary for a joke or a specific plot. Conversely, writing continues Abbott gives a lot of IYKYK energy by using broad strokes to portray the black experience in a way that doesn't alienate viewers of different demographics, but still leaves little Easter eggs that are distinctly black – like in tonight's episode, where Ava and Mr. Johnson rapping together is hilarious even if you don't know the song, but it's even funnier when you realize they're rapping the lyrics to “Throw Some D's.”

When I was growing up, most of my black friends' parents shared the “If you don't start something, it won't be” ideology when it came to playground fights. My parents told me that the only way I would get in trouble for a physical altercation was if I initiated it; Defending myself, on the other hand, was not only encouraged but also expected. However, as I began attending predominantly white schools as I grew older, I noticed a difference in white adults, who often picked out Martin Luther King Jr.'s quotes advocating nonviolence at all costs. Before a Karen runs up in arms: This doesn't mean that I'm saying that defending yourself is a “black thing,” that white people don't defend themselves, or that there aren't people of other races and ethnicities who encourage their children to do so encouraging her licking back. Abbott He masterfully avoids sweeping generalizations by letting the humor stand on its own without labeling it a “black” joke – but those of us with backgrounds similar to those in the series know how deeply rooted these feelings are in our community.

Tonight, Gregory returns to his playground fighting instincts (or lack thereof) when a disgruntled father named Darnell challenges him to a fight after becoming jealous of his son's bond with his teacher. Darnell's son Jabari looks up to Gregory, which Jabari's mother Lisa points out one day when she picks him up. She tells him how much she appreciates that Jabari has a positive male role model in his life, especially because “his dad is a little…you know.” Gregory is touched by the compliment and proud of his ability to bond with a student, but Darnell is not pleased by the idea that another man could bond with his son. Darnell shows up for pick-up duty the next day and immediately questions Gregory about a pencil he lent to Jabari. He mentions how he “chats” with his son all day – Gregory says it's more “teaching” than “chatting” – and says he's trying to “understand the situation.”

Gregory tries to postpone such a discussion until a time when Jabari is not present, but Darnell insists on the confrontation, saying Jabari has heard worse as they watched Performance together all the time (poor Jabari probably just wants to watch). Bluish). Things escalate after Gregory suggests it Performance is not appropriate, which Darnell interprets as Gregory calling him a bad father. He tells Gregory to “stop chattering” and to stop handing out pencils. Gregory agrees, but mutters under his breath, “I guess I'll give him pens,” which triggers Darnell. To defuse the situation, Gregory reminds him that they literally just met for the first time, leading Darnell to believe that Gregory is implying that he is a deadbeat father. Darnell becomes increasingly unpredictable and challenges Gregory to a “parent-teacher fight night” – but not that night, because Darnell needs a haircut so he’ll be back tomorrow, and as Ava says, there’s “nothing more dangerous than a black man .” with a fresh haircut.”

As soon as the other teachers learn of a possible fight between Gregory and Darnell, they all offer unsolicited advice while making it clear that no one believes Greg will win (Jacob is horrified because that's exactly what happens). The Fresh Prince began, and Gregory “can’t afford Bel Air”). Nevertheless, Gregory firmly believes that fighting would be inappropriate because he is not an “uncivilized ruffian.” The next day, Gregory tries to approach Jabari's mother and asks if she might have mentioned him around Darnell, causing jealousy. Lisa says that she barely talks to Darnell… aside from the moments where she's mentioned how much Jabari loves Gregory and that Gregory could be a good role model not only for her son, but for Darnell as well, obviously using Gregory to do so used to make passive-aggressive swipes at her colleague. Parent. She calls the threat of physical violence “classic Darnell,” but before she gets out, she makes sure that Darnell will Follow up on the threats and Gregory should keep his head.

Tariq (whose stepson is in Gregory's class), Jacob and Janine think about how they can support their colleague. Jacob suggests staging a fake fight where he plays the aggressor while Gregory beats him up, scaring off Darnell. Janine suggests that Gregory leave school five minutes early for the rest of the year to avoid the whole situation. With nowhere else to turn, Gregory calls his father and asks for honest advice, hoping to find someone who will agree that it would be inappropriate to fight with a student's parents. Gregory thinks he's found that person when his father says there shouldn't be a fight, but then his father adds, “Eddie, men don't fight… but we do.” Do defend yourself,” he tells his son that it starts when Darnell swings first, before shouting, “Down goes Fraizer!” like my own father would.

While Gregory thinks about how to deal with Darnell, Janine tries unsuccessfully to get Barbara to return the $5 she borrowed two weeks ago, and Melissa faces an obstacle of her own when a bad fall causes one injury leads. Melissa refuses to see a doctor but limps through school, wincing with every strenuous movement. The pain is so bad that when everyone bets on the fight between Gregory and Darnell, her wounds force her to listen from across the hall because she can't be quick enough to put her money down. Instead of seeing a doctor, Melissa starts taking Jacob's ten-year-old painkillers from his wisdom tooth surgery and comes to school the next day without pain and with plenty of chemically enhanced energy from the expired pills. To prove how pain-free she is, she climbs a ladder to get to the fancy coffee sweeteners, exposing her ankle, which is still swollen and so black and blue it's clear it needs medical treatment has to, which is why her colleagues are putting pressure on Melissa to at least see the school nurse. The nurse tells her to stop wasting time and to see a real doctor before her symptoms worsen or other discomfort arises from overcompensation. Melissa ignores the advice until her back gives out when she tries to stand and she almost misses Gregory's possible fight, so she ends up going to the doctor.

When the day finally ends, the teachers gather outside to see what will happen between Darnell and Gregory. Darnell appears as promised, while Gregory agrees to follow Jacob's plan. Jacob shows up dressed like an undercover cop in a '90s TV movie, wearing a black flannel shirt, sunglasses and rolled-up sweatpants. He throws himself into his cosplay and goes way too far, saying he heard Gregory “talking nonsense about gays.” The mention of casual homophobia only makes Darnell want to beat up Gregory, especially because his cousin's cousin might be gay, so he now has to beat up Gregory for himself, Jabari, his cousin, and apparently Frank Ocean. Darnell takes off his jacket and stands up, but Gregory proceeds in the most mature and logical way possible; He says Darnell can beat him if he wants, but they're both on Team Jabari and fighting would mean disappointing an incredible boy who's doing well in school. It works, and Darnell gives in, but not without one final word: when Jabari's grades start to slip, the fight starts again. The episode ends with Melissa returning to school the next day with crutches and a cast, and Lisa congratulating Gregory on dispelling Darnell's aggression. Apparently Jabari's last teacher wasn't so prudent and ultimately chose Darnell. Thank God Janine has given up on getting her money back – Barbara has it in her hands!

• I love watching Gregory and Tariq interact now that Gregory and Janine are an established couple. Tariq's longing for Gregory's friendship and adjusting to “fatherhood” is a great running gag.

• Finally, the funniest lines of the episode:

Melissa explains what happens at the doctor's office: “You come in with a bad back, come out in a body bag… with a bill attached to it.”

Jacob: “Nothing excites me more than non-violent conflict resolution.”

Ava, after Gregory says he's not an uncivilized ruffian: “Why do you even say that? That’s the kind of talk that makes people want to beat your ass.”