Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 20’s Genius Gregory Callback Complicates Ava’s Future

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 20, “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift.”

Instead of proving Ava needed to return as soon as possible, Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 20’s clever character comeback complicated her and Gregory’s shared story. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are all funny, unique, and lovable, but it is their unexpected quirks that make them memorable. When Abbott Elementary’s smooth-talking guest star Manny was first introduced, the slick district employee seemed like an obvious romantic rival for Gregory as the teacher tried to woo Janine.

Instead, Manny ended up becoming an unexpectedly kind, sincere mentor to Janine and a surprisingly solid support to Abbott Elementary‘s embattled principal, Ava. Although he couldn’t save Ava’s job, he did stick his neck out by helping the school’s staff hide the bribes the faculty received from shady local golf course developers. Similarly, although Ava’s firing in Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 18 seemed like it was setting up a predictable plot for Janine’s love interest Gregory, episode 20, “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift,” took this story in an unexpected new direction.

Darnell’s Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 20 Return Highlights That Gregory Is A Great Principal

Langston Kerman’s Darnell Threatened Gregory Again

Already, episode 19, “Music Class,” proved that Gregory could be Abbott Elementary’s next principal whenever Ava retires. Ava’s dismissal is unlikely to last for more than a few episodes, and Gregory has wanted to run the school since he first began working as a substitute in the pilot episode. The obvious twist would have been to reveal that Gregory was terribly suited to working as a principal, which would set up Ava’s inevitable return to the role.

However, Abbott Elementary didn’t go with this predictable storytelling route in “Music Class” or “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift.” Instead, Gregory remained a stellar replacement principal even when he was threatened by a parent during the annual open house in a canny callback to season 4, episode 5 “Fight.” In that outing, guest star Langston Kerman’s immature parent Darnelle first threatened to fight Gregory over his influence on his young son. Gregory convinced Darnelle that they both had a role to play in ensuring his son’s school success, and Darnelle backed down on the condition that his son’s grades improved.

At first, it seemed as if Darnelle’s return would be used to prove that Gregory buckles under the pressure of playing principal and would be better off remaining a teacher. This would facilitate Ava’s return as Abbott’s principal, but would feel like a betrayal of Gregory’s prowess as an educator. As such, the clever twist in “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” is that he proves able to stand up to Darnelle and shows he would be a great principal by excelling at the open house without any preparation.

How Gregory’s Newfound Development Will Complicate Ava’s Return To Abbott Elementary

“Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” Saw Him Handle The Open House Perfectly

Despite demanding parents, no preparation, a physical threat from Darnelle, and a withering encounter with his ex-girlfriend Amber, Gregory continues to excel as an interim principal in “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift.”. This is particularly surprising, since the assumption is that the episode would set him up for failure to prove Ava is the better principal. Since Ava’s absence was always unlikely to last more than a few episodes, Gregory’s principal role seemed sure to end quickly in season 4.

Instead, Gregory held his own and ended up getting Kerman’s irate father on his side, proving that he almost certainly would become Abbott’s principal someday. While Ava’s Abbott Elementary season 4 arc would be incomplete without her regaining the role, this doesn’t mean she will remain Abbott’s principal forever. Instead, she should recognize Gregory’s potential and start preparing for the day that she eventually decides to move on for herself, instead of being forced out by the district.

Abbott Elementary Can Still Take Advantage Of Both Gregory & Ava’s Leadership Skills

Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 20’s Character Comeback Foreshadows A Future Twist

“Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” ends with Ava deciding to return as principal, so it is strange and surprising that Gregory didn’t end up deciding he couldn’t handle the pressure in the episode’s ending. Gregory is unlikely to challenge Ava’s return to the role, both because he tried to convince her to return in “Music Class” and because his love interest, Janine, is invested in Ava regaining the role.

However, Abbott Elementary should expand on Gregory’s unexpected and intriguing success as the school’s interim principal once Ava returns. Since Gregory’s second Abbott Elementary job is incredibly taxing, Ava could give him a pay rise and make him vice principal. This would allow Gregory to work one job and see the duo working together more, making them more of a mentor/mentee pairing. This could prove to be a promising dynamic shift after Ava is inevitably reinstated as Abbott Elementary’s principal before the end of season 4.

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Abbott Elementary

9/10

Release Date

December 7, 2021

Showrunner

Quinta Brunson

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  Quinta Brunson

  Janine Teagues

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  Tyler James Williams

  Gregory Eddie