Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 17, “Karaoke.”
Now thatAbbott Elementarybrought up Ava’s estranged father at a pivotal point in her romantic subplot, I really need the sitcom to improve her relationship with Keith David’s recurring character.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactersare all compelling in their own right, but it is fair to say that the mockumentary sitcom’s first three seasons were primarily concerned with one central duo.Gregory and Janine’sAbbott Elementarylove storywas the show’s main focus in its first three outings until the duo got together officially in season 4’s premiere.
Now,Abbott Elementaryfinally has room to navigate the personal lives of supporting characters without always reverting its focus back to the central couple. This means thatAbbott Elementaryseason 4 brought back Melissa’s romancewith Captain Robinson, and the show has also given Jacob’s personal growth more focus in recent outings. However, it is Principal Ava who has beneftted most fromAbbott Elementary’s focus shift. Throughout season 4, she has grown into a better principal than anyone ever expected her to become, and she has started to mature personally as well.
Ava’s Date With O’Shon Reveals More About Her Relationship With Her Father In Abbott Elementary
However, the limitations ofAva’sAbbott Elementarycharacter growthimmediately became obvious when she finally went on a long-awaited date with the school’s IT guy, O’Shon. Transfer her usual sarcastic banter to the context of a date, and she seemed to straight up hate O’Shon. This eventually resulted in her love interest asking for the check. Luckily, as this disastrous date came to a close,Ava opened up about her father which convinced O’Shon she really was interested in himand salvaged the chemistry the duo had been building throughout season 4.
This scene made me more certain than ever that Keith David needs to return as Ava’s estranged father Frank later in season 4.
While I was glad to see Ava reveal her more vulnerable side after cynically mocking O’Shon throughout the rest of their date, this scene made me more certain than ever that Keith David needs to return as Ava’s estranged father Frank later in season 4. Much likeJanine’sAbbott Elementarycharacter growth required herto make the first move and tell Gregory how she felt, Ava’s inability to connect with O’Shon outside snide jokes was clearly a defense mechanism. Ava effectively admitted that she struggled with opening up and this was enough to keep O’Shon invested in their shared connection.
Abbott Elementary Needs To Devote Time To Tackling Ava’s Relationship With Frank
Ava’s Father Frank Appeared Earlier In Abbott Elementary Season 4
David’s garrulous barber seemed eager to reconnect in his earlier appearances onAbbott Elementary, and he even funded the school’s science fair. However, Ava remained distant. Ava and her father need to reconcile inAbbott Elementaryseason 4 as Ava’s emotional distance almost ruined her romance with O’Shon, but the sitcom hasn’t devoted significant screen time to tackling their relationship yet. Considering evenAbbott Elementary’s most hated charactergot a shot at redemption at the science fair, it seems fair to say that Frank can be forgiven.
Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 14 Highlights Its Biggest Character Change
Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 14 proved that the hit sitcom’s breakout star has changed immeasurably since they were introduced a few years ago.
Crucially, Ava doesn’t need to forgive her father to make him feel better. The mask of cool, aloof wit that she used to keep O’Shon at a distance early on in their date clearly threatened to ruin a promising relationship for her, so it is for her own sake that she needs to move on from Frank’s failures as a father. However, this will requireAbbott Elementaryseason 4 to bring back David’s character for a reunion.
