Abbott Elementary Season 3 Beginning Was Disappointing for a Simple Reason

Summary

• The recent release of Abbott Elementary Season 3 has proven to be quite upsetting.
• The sitcom's 'antagonist' was supposed to be given a character development at the end of season 2.
• The first episode of the third installment showed both the character's evolution and his fall back into the cheesy comedic trope.

The late 2000s brought us such masterpieces of comedy as The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family. While they were very different story-wise, these fan-favorite sitcoms had one thing in common. They were all mockumentaries.

After the end of MF in 2020, this genre of comedy seemed to have faded away. Fortunately, it was reintroduced to audiences with the release of Abbott Elementary in 2021. Since then, the ABC sitcom has spanned three seasons, with the third currently airing, winning multiple Emmys and earning plenty of recognition from viewers and critics.

And with the third installment having just premiered, people are looking forward to an exciting season. However, the beginning has already proven to be disappointing.

Abbott Elementary's 'Antagonist'

Abbott Elementary, set in the Philadelphia public school of the same name, follows the personal and professional lives of the teaching staff as some cameramen film them for some kind of documentary. Since the series' debut in 2021, it has provided audiences with plenty of comic relief thanks to its memorable and charismatic characters. But there was one character who didn't seem to be properly developed.

Principal Ava Coleman, played by Janelle James, is arguably the least likable character at Abbott Elementary. Selfish, completely unqualified, and unreliable, she is the worst person to run the school. As we learn later in the show, she got her position by blackmailing the superintendent from the city's Department of Education.

However, by the end of Abbott Elementary's second season, we saw a less self-centered version of Ava, who lost most of her pretense and showed vulnerability when she realized she might lose her job. It was during this time that she actually started to care about her job and showed a willingness to change.

Reversed Character Development

Season 3 surprised viewers with a new Ava. Abbott's principal had taken a summer course in educational management and realized she'd been doing everything wrong. Now, Ava wanted to excel at her job to make sure the kids were getting the best education possible under the circumstances.

Principal Coleman became strict and highly professional, she didn't let a bad word or suggestive comment about Gregory out of her mouth, and she ruled the school with a rod of iron, pushing the teachers to do a better job. This seemed like important character development, and it was exciting. More importantly, it added nuance and depth to the character.

Still, it didn't take much to reduce Ava back to the comedic trope she was. While the teachers' attempt to seduce her with money, an excuse to skip work, and Gregory's flirtations failed, it was enough for Principal Coleman to listen to her favorite song to make her shed her new persona. Thus, a single listen to Back That Thang Up by Juvenile brought back the old obnoxious, albeit hilarious, Ava. And it was extremely disappointing.

The next episode of Abbott Elementary's third season will premiere on February 14th.