LydiaMoon1

I'm glad Fellowes "saddled" Peggy with this potentially meaty storyline. I prefer that she have a mysterious husband, a secret baby, family conflict, class rivalry, career ambitions and star-crossed love to watching episodes of Peggy popping into rooms simply to hand letters to Ms. Van Rijn or follow that simple-minded Marian all around town.

I am a native Southerner. That Foghorn Leghorn-sounding fool gets on my last nerve. His over-baked accent makes my ears bleed. Poor Gladys. If, instead of finding true love, her destiny is to be the wife of a gay man, I think Mr. Adams would treat her far kinder than Oscar (who is nothing but a selfish user). I hope this episode means we'll be spending more time with Peggy, her family, and her storyline. Interesting that Armstrong wanted to spill Peggy's secrets in order to get her fired. This show's how backwards some people's so-called morality can be. If Peggy had indeed been a single mother, that should be seen as even more reason for her to work. What would firing her do but starve her and her child? I know. I know. Armstrong's real motivation is that she is a rabid racist. Rationality need not apply. This episode feels like we've finally stopped world-building and establishing characters and back stories. Now maybe we can get to some good, juicy storytelling. I hope so, anyway. Peggy's story is a great start.

I couldn't understand if he went to a relationship/confidence coach or was one. And then his story of how he got his heart broken at 18 seemed off. It was his high school girlfriend he had since 5th grade? That's not high school. And he learned he was broken up with when she updated her FB status to being in a relationship with her ex. Was the ex her 4th grade boyfriend? Yeah, his heartbreak story didn't make a bit of sense. Besides, he's old enough to have gotten over his high school (or was it middle school(?)) drama by now. Come on, grown man. Blaming your inability to maintain healthy relationships on some poor little middle school girl doesn't come close to explaining your epic levels of pathetic.

So here's my assessment of Episode 2: Miss Remy looked even more beautiful this episode than in the pilot. I loved her dresses so, so much. That lavender and lime outfit she wore at the picnic was fab-u-lous. I never would have put that color combination together but, man, it worked. I loved all her of the outfits though, as well as the outfits for the rest of her family and the men. The clothes are the best part of this show. The last dance eliminations: Mr. Luxe-That hairstyle alone was reason enough to eliminate him. Not sad one bit to see him go. Mr. Kessler, or, as I call him, if background noise was a person. Just saw an interview with him where he said he was back home in Florida living with his parents now. No surprise there. As for the remaining contenders: I continue to like Mr. Bochicchio I like Mr. Hunter I like the Teacher Don't like Fabio-When he decided to "impress" her parents by taking off his shirt, I rolled my eyes. Like, boy, nobody asked you for a 3some. Put your midriff away! Idiot. Can't stand that singer, and I'm using the word "singer" loosely. Every time he starts that one-note warbling, I want to punch him in the throat. Mr. Chapman reminds me of Ron Perlman from his Beauty and the Beast days. I don't like or dislike him yet. Ms. Remy seems to like him though. He seems a little intense. There's that English(?)/Irish (?) fellow that was spared elimination. I keep thinking that if they put him in a green outfit and top hat, he'll look like a wee little leprechaun. I like Mr. Cones.....as a friend. He'll probably make a decent husband for somebody someday, just not Miss Remy. I don't mind her keeping him around a little longer though. He's kinda fun. Mr. King-Sad story about his mother and brother. Seems like a nice enough guy. Also, seems like a pity date. Lastly, there's Captain Kim. Mr. Confidence Coach didn't seem too confident there at the end. Maybe he needs to coach himself. So far, I think the show's host is the most attractive man on the show. Too bad he's already taken. ETA: Oh, I almost forgot the guy with the beard, although I don't feel strongly about him one way or another. I don't find him objectionable though. I guess that's something.

True. There was something seriously wrong with that doctor. I also really disliked Fabio. He's not as hot as he thinks and, let's be real, he's a "personal trainer". Isn't that reality code for underemployed? Glad she got rid of the Content Creator too, because that's just code for UNemployed. Personally, I'm waiting for the dating show where the women can eliminate all of the personal trainers, online fitness coaches, content creators, actors, and models right up front. Of course, if they did that for this show there would hardly be anyone left. And former Air Force Captain Kim's bio describes his profession as a Confidence Coach For Men? WTF is that??? Lawd! They are doing my girl so dirty. 95% of these dudes are broke bums.

For real. It surprised me to see Mr. Fortune put his arm around Peggy's waist at the lighting. When did they get close enough for that to happen? Oh, that's right. I wouldn't know because Peggy's storyline is almost entirely off-screen. God forbid we take a break from bland, boring Marion, the thoroughly unpleasant Miss Turner, and Bertha The Relentless long enough to give Peggy some screen time. And could they have made Turner's firing any duller? When she was in George's bedroom, I just knew that Bertha was going to walk in an give me some long-awaited drama. Instead I got nothing. *sigh* I loved Agnes and Ada's conversation at the beginning and Agnes being deliciously petty to Bannister and the whole Edison sequence at the end. The final scenes of the episode were the best by far. LOVED the carriage picnics and the lighting of the building. What a marvel that must have been for people during that time. I would have even loved to have seen Peggy interviews of the people in the crowd sprinkled in here and there to give us more of a feeling of time and place. They could have ditched all that stuff in the middle. Which brings me to my biggest beef with this show. They linger on everything that I find dull and barely give any attention to the parts I find interesting. It's a problem.

I haven't watched this show for a long time, but i did catch it last night (mostly because there was nothing else on). What's with the blonde doctor who was working with the dyslexic patient and had the homeless mom? She looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown the entire hour. Her face was scrunched up in almost every scene, like she was two seconds away from hysterics. I found it really uncomfortable. Was that just her style of "acting" or was her behavior due to storyline?

Puh-leeze. IRL, Jacob would drive me crazy. I think he's well-intentioned and I like the guy but, he's a clingy, irritating, overeager, wannabe-down liberal with a serious white savior complex. He's instantly declared Gregory as his best friend and attached himself to Gregory's hip without any invitation. In fact, he's never even bothered to ask Gregory if he wants to be his friend. He just colonized the whole friendship. Jacob being gay is the least objectionable thing about him.

Exactly. The added layers make Ava's character less one-dimensional. It was nice seeing her finally engage with the kids. Oddly enough, I think she really found her friend group with the step team girls. They all seem about the same age. The look on Jacob's face when Gregory said that fruit shouldn't be hot. And why does Jacob not understand that Gregory don't like him? His cluelessness is sending me. Besides, I didn't tell you to drive to Bmore to buy pizza. I ain't reimbursing nothing. Know what else sent me? Gregory eating his boiled chicken sandwich while doing sit-ups in the car. Yes, baby. You are a little weird. That custodian is a gem. Gregory agreeing to go eat pizza with Janine was a really sweet touch. I wonder if Janine will ever know the sacrifice he made to be with her.

Agreed. I was appalled.

Actually, Tariq is quite awful. He is not Janine's BF. He is her dependent. He didn't even secure the school gig for himself. Janine arranged it for him. He barely helps with the bills. He drives her car around all day while she works. She shoulders all of the burdens of the relationship while he enjoys an extended childhood. Men like him are energy vampires who suck the life out of any woman who deals with them.

IKR? ITA on all counts. Janine's neediness was off the charts so much this episode that, for the first time, I didn't mind Ava roasting her. She earned it. Her whole "we're family" spiel had me rolling my eyes. Whether it's companies or coworkers, I honestly hate when people push the notion of "family" at the workplace. If we manage to have a good, functional working relationship and a harmonious workplace atmosphere, that's more than enough for me. If deeper relationships develop...cool, but let it happen organically. Besides, just as Empress1 said, 99% of the time, when an employer says “we’re like family here,” they’re going to exploit the hell out of you. Of all people, I didn't think Jacob would be the one to have to explain the obvious to Janine. Like girl, your 8th grade BF hasn't developed beyond the 8th grade. Maybe it's time to move on. Well done, Jacob. Like I said last week, Abbott Elementary pulls Gregory in further and further every week. It was nice to see him loosen up and see him and his students having fun. Ava never fails to deliver.

My problem with Janine's clothes is actually all of the above. Her clothes are big and shapeless AND they clash. She always looks like she dressed in the dark after raiding the donation box on the corner. I highly doubt that Janine's wardrobe is a reaction to the audience. The show has been very deliberate about Janine's wardrobe from the very beginning. A character's clothes, along with their actions, tell us who they are. I think a poster said last week that they thought that Janine dresses like her ideal of a teacher. I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, we find out that she's actually dressing like her favorite teacher from her childhood (who just happened to be 50 lbs. heavier and 5-inches taller). So could I. After meeting Janine's boyfriend and best friend, she seems less like a Philly girl to me and more like she was actually raised on the Island of Misfit Toys. Her awkward phase is lasting a really long time.

I'm all for Olivia taking her own future into consideration and doing what's best for her. If Jr. is the one for her, the relationship will withstand the time and distance. If not, I'm sure they're plenty of eligible bachelors at Yale.

Although she redeemed herself in the end, this is the first episode where Janine felt a little pathetic to me. First, it was her broke bum BF. Now, we meet her so-called best friend Zahar, who would leave her standing outside while she went inside and partied... and Janine thought that was okay? Do better, Janine. I'm glad she's making real friends at Abbott Elementary. When Melissa took her earrings off after Zahar used her books to make her ugly art project, I wish they hadn't cutaway from the confrontation. When they picked it up later in the hall, Melissa's anger felt really diluted. Of course, I didn't want Melissa to punch the Art Teacher in front of the kids, but I was hoping for her to at least lunge at her. After destroying all of the books Melissa bought, Zahar deserved to get zat azz whooped! Barbara and Jacob bonding was cute. Love that Greg, Mr. Above-It-All short-term substitute teacher, is slowly being pulled into the web of Abbott Elementary more and more every week. How ironic that he hates gardening but felt compelled to save Barbara and Jacob from themselves and save the plants from Barbara and Jacob. Poor Jacob. I knew as soon as he brought in that grilled zucchini that it was all going in the trash. He meant well, but that's a big no-no.

Really? This is where the writers see Diane in 2045? What a downgrade. By 2045, he'll be a washed-up has been. I see Diane as either the wife of a tech trillionaire, the wife of the dictator of a developing country, or (most likely) DIANE will be the dictator of a developing country. Not a doubt in my mind.

"Now you have ZERO potatoes"!

Well, look at Gregory actually taking a real interest in the school, the children, and its programs for once. Welcome to Abbott Elementary, G! Ava Eva Coleman, huh? I think I'll call her Ava Evil Coleman. She really needs to stop pulling children out of class. Leave it to the smart kid of offer up a dose of realness to Ava. Lovely little Sidney? When she told the snake to "fly, little birdie"? I thought, "I'm glad God made you pretty 'cause he didn't make you smart". Although, she did catch on to addition and subtraction in the end. I was proud of her. Love how impressed the custodian was with Malcolm (or entirely different reasons than everyone else, of course). Still love Janine's enthusiasm, but..again. What is she wearing? Jacob? Lordt! I don't think I'd have the patience.

I'm so pleased that the ratings for this show are doing so well. It's such a welcome break form Hollywood's current obsession with dark, edgy characters and elevating the villain in every movie and TV show. How nice to watch sweet people doing their best to do good in the world. It's so refreshing.

Interesting that you made this comment. Watching the episode, it was obvious that Courtney was bored academically. I kept wondering why she wasn't promoted to a higher grade instead of just transferred to another class. ETA: I'm glad the resolution at the end of the show was to advance Courtney. Not surprised that Ava (and Essence Fest) was the reason Courtney wasn't promoted sooner. The child actors on this show are VERY impressive. I enjoy this show so much. I look forward to it every week.

Awww. This episode was more sweet than funny. I still loved it, although someone does need to explain to me why Ava pulled that child out of class to use him as an audio book. Lordt! Girl is shameless. The way Barb was feeling about that new tech? Same, girl. Same.

I'm a big fan of Barbara as well, but, I gotta say, that custodian is up there near the top too. Loved the running joke about the donation being trash.

Understandable. I would never want to deal with someone like her irl. Yeah. That was sweet.

The minute Ava offered to make a video for Janelle and asked her "do you twerk?", I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Didn't realize it would drop on an unsuspecting Barbara though. I'm glad Barbara never actually saw the video of her being portrayed as old and downtrodden. The Principal at Abbott Elementary knows no shame. She sure does. Her portrayal of Principal Coleman is comedy gold.

Someone like Barbara probably had multiple offers to become Administration. I can see her turning every one of those offers down. She clearly loves teaching and loves the schoolchildren. #2 favorite quote of the episode was Barbara to Janine when Janine first walked into the teachers' lounge. "What are you wearing?" I was thinking the same thing. #1 favorite quote of the episode was when Janine passed out and Principal Coleman said: "She's pale like a zombie. They eat the hot ones first. Let me back my tasty ass up." I hollered.