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Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 4, "Costume Contest"
Although Abbott Elementary season 4’s Halloween episode seemed set to repeat a frequent Barbara storyline, the plot went in another direction in the end. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are some of the funniest on television, but they all have hidden depths to go along with their comedic one-liners. Abbott Elementary’s Jacob is a great teacher even if he is also terminally corny and a fiend for drama, while Melissa is fiercely loyal, although she is also undeniably argumentative. Janine’s mentor, the veteran teacher Barbara Howard, might be the most interesting contradiction in the show’s large lineup.
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Barbara is simultaneously an easygoing kindergarten teacher who supports her coworkers while maintaining her boundaries and also a barely concealed control freak who can’t stand change. Early on, Abbott Elementary’s Janine assumed that Barbara’s dislike of technology must have been justified and her general distrust of change was entirely based on years of experience. While Barbara’s decades of work have contributed to her outlook, Janine has also been forced to remove her rose-tinted glasses on occasion and accept that her mentor has some major blind spots. One such spot was exposed in Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 4, “Costume Contest.”
Abbott Elementary Season 4’s Halloween Shows The Heartbreaking Truth About Barbara's Traditions
Barbara’s Pupils Truly Had No Interest In Bobbing For Apples
“Costume Contest” began with a pushy parent informing Barbara that her planned apple bobbing would not go ahead since the Halloween party activity was unsanitary. Since Abbott Elementary’s Melissa and Barbara both found this ludicrous, it seemed at first as if the over-involved PTA were being ridiculous by banning apple bobbing. However, Barbara later discovered that the kids in her class didn’t want to do the activity either, and she was forced to contend with the reality that not all of her traditions would last forever. Jacob’s obscure choice of Halloween costume inadvertently made things worse for his coworker.
Barbara angrily demanded that the children show Jacob’s costume some more respect, threatening to cancel Halloween if they didn’t.
Jacob dressed as former Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, admitting that he only learned of the television star’s political leanings after paying for the costume. Barbara was horrified that the children didn’t recognize Wheel of Fortune’s host and all the more horrified when Jacob mentioned that Sajak doesn’t even host the show anymore. This led to Barbara angrily demanding that the children show Jacob’s costume some more respect, threatening to cancel Halloween if they didn’t. The wild gesture managed to surprise Abbott Elementary’s Principal Ava, even though she often makes similarly absurd comments, and highlighted Barbara’s biggest recurring character flaw.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Forces Barbara To Move On With The Times
Barb Has Struggled With Change Before
This is far from the first time that Barbara struggled with the necessary, worthwhile change in Abbott Elementary. In season 3, episode 7, “Librarian,” she almost ruined Janine’s fellowship at the school district thanks to her aversion to the school’s new librarian and the regulations that her presence added. In season 1, episode 4, “New Tech,” she refused any help with operating complicated new tech and eventually ended up embarrassing herself by trying to demonstrate the technology in front of the entire school. These events, like Abbott Elementary’s season 4 Halloween episode, prove Barbara must adjust to the changing times she lives in.
Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm on ABC.
Character(s) Janine Teagues , Gregory Eddie , Barbara Howard , Melissa Schemmenti , Jacob Hill , Ava Coleman , Mr. Johnson , Tariq Temple , Erika , Shanae , Manny , Alex , Mr. Morton , Zach , Amber , Courtney Pierce , Maurice , Emily , Tiniest Kid , Devin , Ms. Schwartz , Ashley , Simon , Student , Warren
Release Date December 7, 2021
Seasons 4
Creator(s) Quinta Brunson
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English (US) ·