‘Abbott Elementary’ Is Always Better When This Duo Works Together

Abbott Elementary seems to work best in pairs. Just like students teaming up for a science project, most Abbott episodes see two teachers partnering up to tackle different plots. Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) often sit side-by-side. Although they like to deny their chemistry, Gregory (Tyler James Williams) and Janine (Quinta Brunson) will never turn down the opportunity to work together. Jacob (Chris Perfetti) once raised a cat with Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis).

But in the fifth episode of this season, Abbott does a 180 on these pairings to offer up some of the best duos of all time. Gregory and Jacob pair up over an emotional crisis, and are occasionally third-wheeled by Mr. Johnson. Melissa and Janine work together to fix a bad classroom. And the best of them all: Barbara asks Ava (Janelle James) for some advice regarding her church choir.

Barbara’s dynamic with Ava is marvelous. Whereas Ava is chaotic, unhinged, and self-centered, Barbara is put together, thoughtful, and…also a little bit self-centered. (Barbara just knows how to hide that personality trait better than Ava.) When Barbara goes looking for a new place for her church choir to practice, Ava offers up a solution: Why not use the Abbott Elementary gym?

Read more at The Daily Beast.