Warning: SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 17.Abbott Elementary’s first date got off to a rocky start, but the mockumentary’s new couple is still destined for greatness. Janelle James is a mainstay ofAbbott Elementary’s cast of charactersas the eccentric principal, Ava Coleman. Though she denies her affinity for coworkers like Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson), Ava has become a key member of the Abbott Elementary work family. For the bulk ofAbbott Elementary, Ava has been delegated to comic relief without any romance aside from one-sided flirting with Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams).Abbott Elementaryseason 4 finally gave Ava a love interest: O’Shon (Matthew Law).
O’Shon, a humble and kind IT worker from the district, first appears in “Class Pet” (Abbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 3). Though Ava has undeniably contributed to some ofAbbott Elementary’s most heartwarming moments, it takes a surprisingly long time for the flirtatious principal and the smitten IT worker to set a date. Ironically,Gregory and Janine’s love story inAbbott Elementaryprogressed with them trying to help Ava and O’Shon make a move. In a sense, Gregory and Janine passed the torch to Ava and O’Shon, making themAbbott Elementary’s next developing, slow-burn couple.
Ava & O’Shon’s First Date Goes Horribly In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 17
Ava’s Defenses Are Up
Ava and O’Shon finally go on their highly-anticipated first date inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 17, but the evening is a comedy of errors. Ava’s jokingly rude persona is responsible for some of thefunniest moments inAbbott Elementary, but it’s also a clear defense mechanism for Ava to avoid opening up. He begins the night laughing off her jabs, but by the end of their meal, it’s obvious thatAva’s inability to connect with O’Shon disappointed him. As much as I love Ava, she was solely to blame for the date’s initial failure.
If Ava wants a chance at a healthy relationship with O’Shon, she has to let him in— even if that means something as trivial as picking a favorite roller coaster.
Ava refusing to let her wall down on the date was especially frustrating considering she’s arguably themost changed character inAbbott Elementary. O’Shon is the perfect person to balance her out, but even his patience only goes so far.Similar to Ava, O’Shon has a strong sense of self-respectand doesn’t want to, as he puts it himself inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 17,“waste time.”If Ava wants a chance at a healthy relationship with O’Shon, she has to let him in— even if that means something as trivial as picking a favorite roller coaster.
Abbott Elementary Salvages Ava & O’Shon’s First Date In The Best Way Possible
The Mockumentary’s Funniest Character Gets Vulnerable
O’Shon eventually has enough of Ava’s derision and calls for the check early, but he insists on waiting with her until her car arrives. In the downtime,Ava takes a leap and gets vulnerable with O’Shon to explain her behavior. When O’Shon asked about her family at the beginning of their date, it set Ava on edge because of her strained relationship with her father. The introduction ofAva’s father inAbbott Elementaryseason 4has added amazing nuance to her character, and the failed first date is evidence of how Ava and her father need resolution to move forward.
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Most details about Ava’s past have come to light accidentally or offhandedly inAbbott Elementary, further cementing the defensive nature of her character. By taking the initiative to open up to O’Shon and reveal emotional memories of her childhood, Ava proves she can let someone in, which bodes well for the pair’s future despite the sour note they started on. Ava and O’Shon aren’t the absolutebest couple inAbbott Elementaryjust yet, but the level of trust and vulnerability displayed at the end of the night is very reassuring.
Ava & O’Shon’s Romance Progress Proves They Are Abbott Elementary’s Best Gregory & Janine Replacement
They Can Be A Full-Fledged Love Story
Just like howGregory and Janine’s relationship inAbbott Elementaryis based on a mutual understanding of each other’s best and worst traits, the poor start to Ava and O’Shon’s first date could be good for the couple in the long-run. O’Shon now understands why Ava resorts to low-blows, and Ava realizes what O’Shon is really looking for in a partner. In that sense,Abbott Elementary’s new couple needed to run headfirst into conflict to set themselves up for success. It’s obvious that by dating,O’Shon and Ava will have a lasting impact on each otherinAbbott Elementary.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
That feeling of personal development and growth is what sets Ava and O’Shon apart from other romances to make themGregory and Janine’s true replacement inAbbott Elementary. Every character in the main cast has a relationship aside from Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) and Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis), but few are dissected enough to feel like a real love story. Ava and O’Shon’s prospective relationship is so interconnected with Ava’s character journey inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, it feels like a natural narrative progression and a feel-good, rom-com storyline at once.
