S04.E05: Dad Fight

[chitowngirl]

Gregory forms a bond with one of his students, but the student's dad becomes jealous of their relationship and seeks a confrontation; Melissa suffers a fall but avoids receiving medical attention for the injury.

[Annber03]

Aw, good for Gregory. I'm not surprised he refused to fight in the end, mind, but I love the way he made his point to the dad. And I loved his interaction with the kid. Especially at the end. That was really sweet. 

I loved everyone discussing how Gregory should fight him, though. And Janine's reaction when Gregory told her he was going with Jacob's plan "That does not help me feel any better...". 

Also liked how the whole thing with Barbara and the money got tied into the fight :p. 

[kathyk2]

I'm glad Gregory didn't need to fight I thought Jabari's mom was flirting with him. Barbara was annoying me there was no need to not pay Janine back. Melissa was so stubborn but she's a great physical comedian.

[Galileo908]

Loving Janine miffed over Barbara owing her five bucks while she owes $300 to Jacob for whatever reason.

"Who's getting their ass whooped?"
"Gregory."
"Bout time."

Mr. Johnson killed me this week.

Jeez, Gregory facetimed his dad for advice for the fight, he's desperate. And of course he was the bigger man and had the mature response to the fight. "He's always trying to start something successfully" got to me, I don't know why, but it did. And BARBARA swung at him?! Somehow, not surprised. I loved Ava just taking bets, and Melissa trying her best to scoot her way to the fight.

And Jacob...you're trying. Your heart's in the right place. He doesn't want a Fresh Prince to happen to Gregory because he can't afford to move to Bel Air.

1 minute ago, kathyk2 said:

Barbara was annoying me there was no need to not pay Janine back.

It almost seems like trolling to me. She knows Janine will always be a doormat to her when it comes to this.

[kathyk2]

10 minutes ago, Galileo908 said:

Loving Janine miffed over Barbara owing her five bucks while she owes $300 to Jacob for whatever reason.

"Who's getting their ass whooped?"
"Gregory."
"Bout time."

Mr. Johnson killed me this week.

Jeez, Gregory facetimed his dad for advice for the fight, he's desperate. And of course he was the bigger man and had the mature response to the fight. "He's always trying to start something successfully" got to me, I don't know why, but it did. And BARBARA swung at him?! Somehow, not surprised. I loved Ava just taking bets, and Melissa trying her best to scoot her way to the fight.

And Jacob...you're trying. Your heart's in the right place. He doesn't want a Fresh Prince to happen to Gregory because he can't afford to move to Bel Air.

It almost seems like trolling to me. She knows Janine will always be a doormat to her when it comes to this.

It's mean Barbara knows Janine sees her as a role model. I'm sure Janine's mom borrowed money from her without paying it back.

[Blakeston]

I loved the Gregory stuff, but watching Melissa hobble around wasn't funny to me at all (even though Lisa Ann Walter portrayed it brilliantly). It was just painful to watch.

Quinta showed that she deserved her acting Emmy with her delivery of "Are we even friends on Venmo?" (or something to that effect).

[peeayebee]

When Darnell saw Gregory mumble something to the camera, I loved when he said, "You think you Deadpool."

Favorite part:

Janine: A parent wants to fight Gregory.
Ava: A West Philly, Darnell, wants to fight Gregory.
Jacob: That's how 'Fresh Prince' began. We can't lose Gregory to Bel Air. (gestures at Gregory's clothes) He can't afford it.

Langston Kerman (Darnell) is always pretty to look at. However, I really don't get how his threat got this far. Maybe the teachers just didn't want to antagonize parents or upset their students, so they let it go this far. I was thinking if Darnell actually hit Gregory (who wouldn't hit back), then he could get charged with assault. I'm obviously overthinking this. It's just a sitcom.

I wasn't amused by Barbara not paying Janine back. I hoped it would turn out that Barbara just forgot. 

I also didn't find Melissa's storyline funny. 

[DearEvette]

This was a fun episode, so chaotic and so many great lines. And left me with awwwws at the end.

Janine: "I would never forget if I owed somebody money"

Jacob: "Well that's interesting because you owe me $300."

Janine "And guest what? I think about that everyday,."

Snort.

Also Darnell had some great lines:

Darnell: "I heard you gave my son a pencil."  -  Just the way he said it...

Darnell: " We think my cousin's cousin might be gay."

And how the whole first conversation between Darnell and Gregory went off the rails...

And all of Janine's talking heads about that damn $5.00

8 hours ago, Blakeston said:

Quinta showed that she deserved her acting Emmy with her delivery of "Are we even friends on Venmo?" (or something to that effect).

Absolutely!

And where the hell did  Tariq come from? LOL

Gregory was the MVP, from his first interaction with Jabari at the top of the show, to his hard-eyed speech to Darnell at the end to his last talking head. It has been so nice to see his growth as a teacher.

Honestly, I could relate to the Melissa story.  I slipped and got what I thought was wrenched ankle. I ace bandaged it and limped around work for about two days when on of my co-workers was like... 'Girl would you please put us out of your misery and go see about that.'  The thing is, It didn't really hurt that much, but was just kinda achy and I didn't want to put weight on it.

I went to an ortho and he took x-rays and came back and said 'Yeah, you have a lower leg fracture.' It was almost like, him saying it was actually broken gave my body permission  to acknowledge it hurt! LOL.  I remember looking at him and saying 'Oh my god it hurts now.'  Next day I showed up in a cast and crutches.  So yeah, I get it.

[peeayebee]

My SIL went thru the exact same thing. She fell and thought she just twisted her ankle. I think it was a month before she went to the doctor. Yup, the bone above her foot was broken.

[txhorns79]

5 hours ago, peeayebee said:

Langston Kerman (Darnell) is always pretty to look at. However, I really don't get how his threat got this far. Maybe the teachers just didn't want to antagonize parents or upset their students, so they let it go this far. I was thinking if Darnell actually hit Gregory (who wouldn't hit back), then he could get charged with assault. I'm obviously overthinking this. It's just a sitcom.

I had asked a teacher friend what would happen if a parent threatened a teacher.  She said her first stop would be either the vice principal or principal to let them know what happened and to fill out a report.  Depending on the type of threat, the next call might be the police.  A letter would go out to the parent advising them they were not welcome on campus for the rest of the school year and that any further communications between the teacher and the parent go through the vice principal.    

Edited November 7 by txhorns79

[peeayebee]

Yes that all makes sense. But it doesn't make comedy. 😀

[ItCouldBeWorse]

14 hours ago, Galileo908 said:

Loving Janine miffed over Barbara owing her five bucks while she owes $300 to Jacob for whatever reason.

In the premier of season 2, after breaking up with Tariq, Janine fell behind in rent and Jacob saw a rent-due notice.  Then her car got booted because of Tariq's unpaid parking tickets. "Jacob loans Janine money for her rent and to get her car back, claiming he was going to use it on student loans, but his confidence that the president will implement loan forgiveness is what encourages his kind deed." https://www.tvinsider.com/1061838/abbott-elementary-season-2-premiere-reaction-gritty/

If Janine had been giving Jacob $20 or even $10 from every paycheck since then, she'd have paid him back long ago.  It should bother him every time they eat out or go to a bar together, but he loves her even more than she loves Barbara.

3 hours ago, peeayebee said:

I wasn't amused by Barbara not paying Janine back. I hoped it would turn out that Barbara just forgot. 

I thought she did forget, and was annoyed at Janine for being passive aggressive instead of just reminding her.

2 hours ago, DearEvette said:

And where the hell did  Tariq come from? LOL

His girlfriend's son, who was in Barbara's class last year, is in Gregory's class this year. That's why Tariq said that Gregory had "drafted" him ( I don't think he was kidding.)

[txhorns79]

31 minutes ago, ItCouldBeWorse said:

It should bother him every time they eat out or go to a bar together, but he loves her even more than she loves Barbara.

I'd probably say it's more that he is not particularly confrontational when it comes to his friends, even when he has a legitimate problem, and would rather let things go than bother Janine. 

[Sailorgirl26]

Orlando Jones as Gregory's father remains some of the best tv casting ever in terms of resemblance and believability. 

[MicheleinPhilly]

I felt Melissa's struggle. I have wonky ankles (both of them) and am constantly twisting them and shaking it off. My worst ever was walking to my Uber to take me to the theater. When I FINALLY went to the hospital the next day with my ankle looking like it had swallowed a baseball, the doctor said, "Why didn't you come in as soon as this happened?" Me: "Because I had tickets to Hamilton." 

I want to eat Jabari's face, he is so stinkin' cute. 

[JeanJean]

I love Gregory so much.

I really appreciate that the show isn't doing the familiar "relationship drama continues" that a lot of shows do, sometimes well (Cheers), sometimes not.

[Empress1]

There was a Girlfriends reference - one of the characters on that show, Maya, had a son named Jabari. Jabari’s father (he & Maya were married when the show started, split up, and then remarried) was named Darnell. I’m positive that was intentional.

Janine loves her some Gregory. “He’s like really strong.” So cute to see her all giddy.

[kathyk2]

4 hours ago, JeanJean said:

I love Gregory so much.

I really appreciate that the show isn't doing the familiar "relationship drama continues" that a lot of shows do, sometimes well (Cheers), sometimes not.

I appreciate how they are in love but not over the top.

[Galileo908]

7 hours ago, ItCouldBeWorse said:

In the premier of season 2, after breaking up with Tariq, Janine fell behind in rent and Jacob saw a rent-due notice.  Then her car got booted because of Tariq's unpaid parking tickets. "Jacob loans Janine money for her rent and to get her car back, claiming he was going to use it on student loans, but his confidence that the president will implement loan forgiveness is what encourages his kind deed." https://www.tvinsider.com/1061838/abbott-elementary-season-2-premiere-reaction-gritty/

Yeah, I forgot about that. (Also, Reddit's thread reminded me about that, too)

[kathyk2]

1 hour ago, Empress1 said:

There was a Girlfriends reference - one of the characters on that show, Maya, had a son named Jabari. Jabari’s father (he & Maya were married when the show started, split up, and then remarried) was named Darnell. I’m positive that was intentional.

Janine loves her some Gregory. “He’s like really strong.” So cute to see her all giddy.

Gregory is a prince compared to Tariq Janine isn't used to being treated kindly.

[Galileo908]

7 hours ago, txhorns79 said:

I had asked a teacher friend what would happen if a parent threatened a teacher.  She said her first stop would be either the vice principal or principal to let them know what happened and to fill out a report. 

 

7 hours ago, peeayebee said:

Yes that all makes sense. But it doesn't make comedy. 😀

To quote Ava: "Y'all forget I'm me!"

She was literally taking bets in the parking lot!

[EtheltoTillie]

UO:  Barbara is officially my least favorite character. 

[mrsbagnet]

17 hours ago, peeayebee said:

Langston Kerman (Darnell) is always pretty to look at.

I love Langston Kerman, so I just about squealed when he popped up on my TV. His smile, even when it's a threatening fake smile, is beautiful. Plus, he's always funny.

My favorite small moment was the "Alright, now" exchange between Gregory and Tariq at the beginning. It from "we cool" to "we not cool" and then back to "we cool."

[Crashcourse]

9 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

UO:  Barbara is officially my least favorite character. 

In the beginning, she was my favorite character.  Then she became so self-righteous.

I'll add Mr. Johnson to that list.  In the beginning, he was a funny curmudgeon.  Now, he's a creepy curmudgeon that I wouldn't want my kid to be around. 

[kathyk2]

11 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

UO:  Barbara is officially my least favorite character. 

I think Barbara doesn't like that Janine doesn't need her anymore. She complained about Janine but she made her feel important. Barbara is annoying when she doesn't get what she wants.

[Joimiaroxeu]

What is an AI swing assessment?

Darnell lets Jabari watch Power with him. The show where, among other horrific things, people killed their fathers. Yikes.

I was waiting for a "I got 5 on it" reference and Barbara delivered. But clearly she hasn't actually listened to the song because it's so not about betting.

Ava said she's got reflexes like a cat owned by Jackie Chan. Still trying to figure that one out. Every cat I've known has been way faster that Jackie Chan, especially when they're still kittens.

[bettername2come]

I love Jacob's fight outfit. Gregory being willing to go along with Jacob's plan shows how desperate he was to solve the situation.

Jabari is adorable. Barbara swung on Darnell?

Janine gushing about Gregory being strong was cute. 

On 11/10/2024 at 8:34 PM, Joimiaroxeu said:

Ava said she's got reflexes like a cat owned by Jackie Chan. Still trying to figure that one out. Every cat I've known has been way faster that Jackie Chan, especially when they're still kittens.

I have to imagine this as you start with the base level of natural cat talent and then build from there with Jackie Chan's training.

[tennisgurl]

Jabari is so stinking cute! His dad is a petty asshole but he sure is pretty. I am really enjoying Janine and Gregory as a couple, they're just as sweet as I wanted them to be.

[DearEvette]

I did a re-watch and am laughing all over again how every single conversation Gregory had with Jabari's parents went from 0 to 100 in no time.  In the Darnell's case it was escalating with (comic) violence but in Lisa's case it was escalating levels of appreciation.  LOL

And during the fight meet up... When Jacob accuses Gregory of making a homophobic slur, the reaction of HIS FRIENDS and GIRLFRIEND has me howling:

Barbara: Gregory!

Ava: (Looks disgusted)

Janine: (Aggrieved) I didn't know!

Tariq: (Disappointed) You have regressive views!

Like... they knew beforehand Jacob was gonna fake up a beef and they know Gregory.   The absurdity of their reaction is so funny.

and then when Darnell says 'Now I gotta fight you for Jabari, for me, for him AND for Frank Ocean'. Barbara gasps dramatically.  And my husband said 'knowing Barbara she probably thinks he means Billy Ocean." 😂

[Ilovepie]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I hated this episode, maybe my least favorite of any episode. I didn't find it funny that a parent was threatening to assault a teacher, and it was made worse for the fact that all of the rest of the teachers and staff thought it was amusing. I know this is a comedy, but the plots this season have been really out there in the realm of not realistic at all. 

[Harvey]

After yesterday I’m so glad to be watching Abbott tonight! This show brings me so much joy in this time of uncertainty.