“Abbott Elementary" Season 5 Episode 1 Review

It’s back! Wednesday nights just got brighter with the return of Abbott Elementary, and the Season Five premiere proves once again why this Emmy-winning comedy remains one of the sharpest and most heartfelt shows on television.

Created by Quinta Brunson, who also stars as the endlessly optimistic Janine Teagues, the series debuted on ABC in 2021 and quickly became a cultural touchstone.

Over its first four seasons, Abbott has grown from a clever workplace sitcom into a warm, layered portrait of teachers navigating the challenges of an underfunded Philadelphia school. By the end of Season Four, the Abbott staff felt more grounded than ever, setting the stage for fresh storylines this year.

The premiere opens with quintessential Abbott chaos: stale doughnuts, a collapsing roof and a district-mandated development day. From there, the episode weaves together several storylines that highlight both the teachers’ quirks and the show’s knack for heart.

Barbara is eager to continue with the music club, while Melissa faces the unexpected challenge of teaching middle school math. Ava announces that she and O’Shon, the IT rep, are happily in love — and that the district is introducing a team-building day led by “Saturday Night Live’s” Mikey Day.

Meanwhile, Janine struggles with her identity after realizing Barbara has a new mentee — the school’s newest fourth grade teacher, who was once Barb’s student. In turn, Janine tries to adopt a “grumpier” persona, which doesn’t quite land as she is literally wearing a necklace that says “kindness,” providing some of the episode’s best irony.

Other storylines land with equal charm. Mr. Johnson reveals he never learned how to ride a bike, prompting Gregory to teach him in a series of sweet, awkwardly hilarious scenes. With Melissa moving grades, she practices for her new students with Jacob and Morton role-playing as middle schoolers — which delivers some of the sharpest one-liners of the episode. And yes, Jacob and Morton’s ongoing feud is alive and well.

When Mr. Johnson inevitably takes a spill during team-building, despite Gregory’s promise not to let him fall, Janine dryly remarks, “New year, same ol’ Abbott.” Barbara, ever the voice of wisdom, reassures Melissa that she can handle her new assignment and offers the new fourth grade teacher some guidance. He is grateful but hesitant to keep bothering her, so he finds unexpected mentorship from Janine — signaling her own growth.

The episode ends with a triumphant moment of the entire staff rallying behind Mr. Johnson as he finally learns to ride a bike — a perfect showcase of the trust and community that make Abbott Elementary thrive. It’s a clever reminder that even when the district doubts them, these teachers succeed in their own unique way.

Like the best episodes of Abbott, the premiere balances laugh-out-loud comedy with subtle emotional beats. It sets up potential arcs for the season — including Melissa’s doubts about teaching middle schoolers, Janine’s evolving sense of identity and the district’s ongoing meddling — while still delivering a satisfying story. The closing gag about Abbott possibly losing air conditioning for the semester is classic Abbott: just when things are looking up, the school faces yet another obstacle.

While it will be exciting to see the students back in action, this episode cleverly highlights what teachers juggle behind the scenes before the kids even arrive.

Overall, it’s a strong season opener — funny, heartfelt and a perfect reminder of why fans fell in love with the show. — Madison Rush

Madison Rush is a fourth-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.