Abbott Elementary has a method of mixing precise college occasions with the drama and comedy you want for a profitable sitcom.
This episode centered round Memorial and Earth Day, however we realized extra about boundaries and development.
On Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21, we lastly meet the glamorous ball of toxicity that’s Janine’s mother, performed by Taraji P. Henson.
![Main Abbott Mom - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--q2tjd8mt--/t_xlarge_l/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681303768/main-abbott-mom-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
Taraji P. Henson was an ideal addition to the present, together with her cropped fur coat and skin-tight pants — she was the antithesis of her daughter, Janine, who wears flowy, flowery clothes.
Her persona, which featured a suspiciously southern accent, was that of a swindler. Vanetta got here in on the lookout for a drink like she was in a bar as a substitute of an elementary college.
![Vanetta in classroom - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--K6OSh0Zr--/t_xlarge_p/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681303926/vanetta-in-classroom-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
We lastly witness the dynamic between Janine and her mom, which is unhealthy. Janine desperately needs to please her mom, who has ignored her for six months.
This season, we’ve seen Janine undergo a breakup, monetary struggles, and being disrespected by a dad or mum, and her mom was absent for all of that.
Janine: How did you even get in? You do not have a customer’s badge.
Mother: Oh VIPs do not want badges, child, we want refreshments — I am thirsty.
We noticed the strain within the relationship together with her sister, who Vanetta calls a loss. This stress was due to the best way Vanetta interacted together with her kids.
This season offers us perception into Janine. We all know why she’s a fixer — her mother is a multitude. She was in all probability dealing with grownup duties lengthy earlier than she was of age.
![Vanetta meets Barbara - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--9g97-8gz--/t_xlarge_p/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681303834/vanetta-meets-barbara-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
Vanetta looks as if a celebration woman. Not simply look and perspective, however that’s the place Ava acknowledged her from. She was fairly just like Ava. which can clarify why Janine does not rise up for herself with Ava.
The obtrusive distinction is that Vanetta appears happy with her daughter and fairly defensive. It was satisfying when she squared up at Ava over Janine. Janine is defenseless, so seeing her mom take that place was good.
The important thing to by no means getting your ass beat? Figuring out when somebody can beat your ass.
Ava
Ava was nonetheless impressed with Janetta. Nonetheless, the thought of Ava with a baby is terrifying. She would possible be one other Vanetta and provides her kids a mommy complicated.
Talking of Mommies, Barbara was full work mommy on this episode. She was additionally protecting of Janine. Barbara noticed Vanetta for what she was– a consumer and a scammer.
![Barbara suspicious - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--W9MPwP-a--/t_xlarge_p/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681303879/barbara-suspicious-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
Barbara listened patiently to Janine as she overcompensated for her mother. It was suspicious timing, however Barbara noticed the enjoyment on Janine’s face, and he or she was type to not crush her spirits.
Barbara made her considerations identified to her finest good friend, Melissa, who smelled a rat. And, in fact, Melissa is accustomed to these.
Barbara: I do not like this one bit; dropping in out of the blue, dancing on the identical furnishings as Ava. I obtained a foul feeling. After which her mom needs to drop that little tidbit about being late on her telephone invoice — a handy time to go to.
Melissa: Effectively, I smelled swindler the minute she walked in, that and a spicy citrusy aroma. She smelled actually good truly.
The best way your complete employees cared for Janine on this episode was heartwarming. Janine was typically the butt of jokes, however they supported her Lady Journey in unprecedented methods.
Their help performed into Barbara’s response. When Barbara and Vanetta lastly spoke on the matter, tensions obtained thick. Vanetta was defensive of her motives, despite the fact that she knew her intentions.
This conduct have to be regular for them, and Janine would have possible sacrificed her journey for her mom if she had not overheard this dialog.
![Janine's Mom - Abbott Elementary](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--t8y4TwZg--/t_xlarge_l/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681089530/janines-mom-abbott-elementary.jpg)
Barbara was prepared to sacrifice her cash to make sure Janine may take her journey, which was a grand and caring gesture. Barbara overstepped, for positive, nevertheless it was out of affection.
Barbara is aware of Janine higher than Vanetta; that a lot is obvious. Vanetta is aware of her daughter’s weaknesses, however Barbara is aware of her strengths.
Vanetta: Barbara, it is a household matter. I do not keep in mind seeing you at any of the cookouts. You do not know me.
Barbara: You are proper. I do not know you, however I do know your daughter, and she is going to show you how to out at her personal expense.
Vanetta: Yeah, effectively, I am her mom, and I introduced her into this world — at mine.
The evolution of Barbara and Janine’s relationship has been extraordinary. The place Barbara was considerably irritated by Janine’s overeager demeanor, now she delights within the respect and optimism her youthful co-worker possesses.
The crew at Abbott has all grown to respect Janine, and he or she is rising due to it. She’s not this naive character however has turn out to be a stable instructor with boundaries.
![Janine and Barbara - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--tccZmEST--/t_xlarge_p/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681304135/janine-and-barbara-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
This episode needed to occur. Janine has all the time allowed an excessive amount of. Her relationship with Vanetta is sort of a mirror picture of her relationship with Tariq. She supported him blindly as effectively, and he used her.
We noticed the depth of character on this episode; substantial development for Janine. Her compromise on serving to her mom was wonderful — nearly a method of weaning her mom off her co-dependence.
Barbara: I feel her mom is right here to get that cash!
Ava: Rattling, that is chilly.
Barbara: Thanks, Ava.
Ava: Notice to self: New approach to manipulate. Step 1: Have a daughter. Step 2: play the lengthy recreation.
Barbara and Janine’s relationship is nice now that Barbara has accepted the “Work Mother” position with love.
We additionally noticed some development for Gregory. His makes an attempt at small discuss have been futile, however he performs finest when in his consolation zones. He’s awkward, however he realized that shared pursuits may create efficient communication.
![Gregory Eddie - Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 21](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--oodJYsrQ--/t_xlarge_p/cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1681304053/gregory-eddie-abbott-elementary-s2e21.jpg)
This bears effectively for him in his pursuit of being a principal. That a part of Gregory’s character remains to be in full impact, however his character all the time performs effectively when it is genuine and never pressured.
Followers missed Mr. Johnson on this episode, nevertheless it was heavy for Janine. Janine wanted it for character improvement. Janine had so many quirks when the present began; now we see the basis of all of them.
What did you consider this episode?
Was Barbara out of line for interfering?
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Brandi Powell is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.