Abbott Elementary Season 4 Must Continue Its Most Satisfying Character Evolution

While Abbott Elementary season 4 has a lot of storylines to revisit, the workplace sitcom must find time for its most compelling character arc. Abbott Elementary’s entire cast of characters are engaging and hilarious, and the show gives everyone a chance to shine. While the teachers are the soul of the series, both the suave custodian, Mr. Johnson, and the ludicrous Principal Ava are consistent scene-stealers. Even the eponymous school’s students often get a scene in the spotlight. However, despite this democratic writing style, Abbott Elementary has found time to highlight the growth of one central star in particular.

Quinta Brunson pulls double duty as Abbott Elementary’s creator and its star, so it is no surprise that her character Janine is the most important figure in the mockumentary. Abbott Elementary season 4 must continue her compelling character growth after the first three seasons of the series slowly and subtly changed her personality for the better. While a lot of sitcom characters become steadily more exaggerated, over-the-top, and unrealistic as time goes by, Brunson’s Janine Teagues has reversed this trend. In contrast, Janine has grown more complex, confident, and compelling thanks to the challenges of Abbott Elementary’s first three seasons.

Janine Has Gradually Changed Over The Course Of Abbott Elementary

Janine’s Abbott Elementary Character Arc Improved Her Self-Confidence

Although the series doesn’t draw attention to this, Abbott Elementary’s heroine Janine has grown much more confident since the show started. Back in season 1, Janine was the butt of Principal Ava’s jokes in a way that felt outright mean-spirited, since she was too meek to push back against her boss’s bullying. Similarly, she was often overruled or exploited by her mother, colleagues, and her boyfriend, Tariq, thanks to her passive attitude. Gradually, Janine’s character shifted and grew until these problems became a thing of the past. Abbott Elementary season 4 Janine storyline can make her more confident than ever.

After breaking up with Tariq at the end of season 1, Janine becomes more assertive and self-confident. By the time she took a fellowship at the school district early in season 3, Janine was treating Ava as an equal and more than capable of clapping back at her insults. Finally, the season 3 finale saw the show’s heroine hook up with Gregory, something that her caution, shyness, and lack of confidence held her back from until now. Abbott Elementary season 4 can continue Janine’s subtle growth at the same consistent pace as these earlier outings, rounding out her character.

Janine Still Has Room To Grow In Abbott Elementary Season 4

Gregory and Janine’s Relationship Could Improve Both Characters

While it has been fun to see Janine grow, there is no doubt that she still has a lot to learn. Abbott Elementary’s riskiest season 3 episodes revealed that Janine smoked marijuana nightly to deal with her stress and anxiety. While this character detail was a fun, humanizing note, the revelation that Janine feels overwhelmed by stress every day proves just how high-strung the heroine still is. Brunson’s protagonist could loosen up in season 4 after spending seasons 2 and 3 standing up for herself, as this would allow Abbott Elementary’s heroine to grow even more.