Or at least half of one.
But it turns out that a lot has happened.
), and she returns determined to be a more responsible principal.
Quinta Brunson and Ryan O’Flanagan on ‘Abbott Elementary’.Gilles Mingasson/Disney
But he put a period on that and has moved on!
But Melissa never wants to get married again, leading to a mutual break-up.
Gilles Mingasson/Disney
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Lets start with the time jump.
The cast of ‘Abbott Elementary’.Gilles Mingasson/Disney
So this was our way of having our cake and eating it too.
We’re explaining that you did miss a lot, but here’s why can’t you see that.
It felt too obvious and we were tired of the word strike.
We always wanted to tell a story in season 3 about Janine going to work for the district.
It was going to be a much slower burn.
What was behind this idea to have Janine go to the district and pursue this fellowship?
Is that a position she’ll be in for the rest of the season?
In the second season, we talked a lot about charter schools.
We tried to get into the guts of those.
Through both the first two seasons, the district has always been the bad guy.
We wanted to show what it was like to get things done at the district.
You’re dealing with one-on-one individuals.
There’s a different place to go if you want to do that."
What is she going to learn about herself when she’s at the district?
That will be really interesting for her growth as a character.
He initially seemed really bummed by her choice.
So what’s behind this change of heart?
HALPERN:It’s his growth as a character.
He told her how he felt at the end of season 2.
She said she wasn’t there.
Then three months later, ostensibly, she’s like, “Actually, you know what?
I think I’m there.”
Gregory from season 1 would’ve been like, “Great, let’s do it.”
He’s trying to move forward in his life and grow as a person and learn about himself.
But it would’ve felt false.
I would’ve lost a little respect for the character.
Is it fair to say that deep down, he still has non-platonic feelings for her?
SCHUMAKER:He really loves her as a person.
Part of him isn’t really allowing himself at this moment.
He is a guy who is very much about self-control.
They have this moment of reconciliation five months in the future.
She assures him she didn’t take this district job because he rejected her.
Is she lying a little bit though?
She’s really not.
She’s absolutely not lying.
She really didn’t take that position because of what he said.
She took it because this was a really exciting opportunity for her.
She had already made that decision before she sat down with them at that bar.
But I don’t think it factored into her decision.
At least we hope that that’s not what the audience comes away with.
It was really fun seeing Ava as this more rules-focused, by-the-book version of herself.
Might that version pop back up at some point, or has she been completely successfully reprogrammed?
HALPERN: She’s been reprogrammed.
She’s done with all that.
SCHUMAKER:Juvenile is too powerful.
Melissa and Gary’s romance ends because they want different things.
Why’d you go and break our hearts like that?
What can you tease for them this season?
HALPERN:Jacob also is going to go through some bigger emotional things this season.
Not only are Janine and Gregory in their 20s and messy, so is Jacob.
Her spirituality is a subject that we touch upon this season.
For a show set in Philly, you landed the most epic of cameos in Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
How did that come about?
It was a very seamless process.
Honestly, it was such a gift.
And then we had Jason and Brandon as well.
It was a snowball effect once we got Jalen.
He and the Eagles organization were instrumental in making this all happen.
We filmed it all live.
SCHUMAKER:If this somehow getsAbbottcloser to winning a Grammy, Im very happy.
HALPERN:We wantAbbottthe show to win an EGOT.
I dont know how that happens but if corporations can be people, so can shows.
Can you tease next weeks episode?
HALPERN:This is an episode that begins Gregory’s real arc in the season.
Abbott Elementaryairs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
