Despite Abbott Elementary’s Big Tease, ABC Isn’t Done With Barbara Yet

SPOILERS AHEAD for Abbott Elementary season 5, episode 1.Abbott Elementary has teased an original character’s eventual departure since 2021, but they’re not going anywhere in season 5. Since the show first debuted and helped save the mockumentary genre, it’s been a staple on ABC’s primetime Wednesday night schedule. Furthermore, Abbott Elementary’s star-studded cast create a true ensemble for the comedy, ensuring no character gets left behind.

The familiar favorite continually worked to perfect its formula, introducing hilarious Abbott Elementary side characters and comforting Holiday episodes that make the ABC comedy feel like a timeless classic. Though the effort of creator and lead actress Quinta Brunson is palpable, one Abbott Elementary plot always felt inevitable and predictable— until the season 5 premiere turned it on its head.

Abbott Elementary Once Again Teases Barbara’s Retirement (But With A Humorous Twist)

Season 5 Started Out With A Bang For Barbara

Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti talking to Sheryl Lee Ralph's Barbara Howard in the Abbott Elementary season 5 premiere. — Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti talking to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Barbara Howard in the Abbott Elementary season 5 premiere.

Out of the tenured staff at Abbott Elementary, none are as knowledgeable as Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Barbara Howard, who has been teaching kindergarten for decades. Besides being a mentor and de facto mother figure to Janine Teagues (Brunson), Barbara’s age has always been fuel for conflict, with Abbott Elementary seemingly setting up Barbara’s retirement multiple times.

Yet, unlike season 4, when she broached the topic with best friend Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) in an almost contemplative manner, the Abbott Elementary season 5 premiere turned Barbara’s retirement into a joke— literally. When Melissa asks if Barbara will take her terrifying middle school class, the elder teacher simply replies: “I’d rather retire.”

New episodes of Abbott Elementary air Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC and can be streamed next-day on Hulu.

The humorous twist on her rumored exit signals to viewers that Barbara’s retirement is so unlikely, it’s reached the point of a running gag. Whereas previous seasons made it seem like Barbara leaving was the unavoidable elephant in the room, it’s now a tongue-in-cheek, self-referential wink at the audience, assuaging fears of her departure.

Beyond comforting fans who expected Sheryl Lee Ralph would leave the show, Abbott Elementary season 5’s premiere set itself up for future success by taking Barbara’s character in a new direction. Part of what made the retirement rumor so credible was that for years, Barbara feared change. In Abbott Elementary season 5, episode 1, however, she showed tremendous growth.

Barbara’s Character Development Has Only Just Begun In Abbott Elementary

She’s Breaking The Narrative Cycle She’s Been Stuck In

Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph), Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis), Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter), Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti), and Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) crowded around a laptop in Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 21.

From her identity crisis after a student dresses up as her on Century Day to her boycotting new programs because they interrupt her routine, Barbara has taken an almost antagonistic role whenever something new exposes her age. It makes her a realistic portrayal of overly-traditional teachers, but the lack of dynamic development also makes her a static character at times.

Luckily, Abbott Elementary season 5 is poised to offer Barbara the character development she has always deserved— which means she can’t leave the school yet. After taking over an extracurricular music class from Jacob (Chris Perfetti), Barbara seems to have a rejuvenated passion for teaching. In stark contrast to the mockumentary’s past four seasons, Barbara is even embracing change.

As mentioned in the season 5 premiere, Barbara researched modern popular music for the sake of meeting the students where they are. It’s a touching gesture, but certainly a surprising one, considering unfamiliarity has always been Barbara’s biggest source of discomfort. The willingness she expresses to understand the children’s interests, however, is a testament to her character’s growth.

Abbott Elementary season 5’s new teacher further proves Barbara is not the same teacher she used to be. Luke Tennie’s Dominic joins the cast as one of Barbara’s former students, which Janine immediately clocks as dangerous. Throughout the episode, Janine prepares for Barbara to spiral over her age, only for her mentor to shockingly take it in stride.

Nonetheless, Barbara’s character development isn’t done. She may be in a great position now, but Abbott Elementary season 5 needs to demonstrate Barbara can handle change when she isn’t the one controlling it. If she reverts to her former self at the first sign of adversity, Abbott Elementary will need at least another season to resolve Barbara’s overarching storyline.

Could Barbara Still Retire In Abbott Elementary Season 5?

The Mockumentary Has Other Conflicts On Its Plate

Sheryl Lee Ralph smiling as Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary season 5.

Of course, Abbott Elementary could realistically use Barbara’s career as a twist at any moment. Ava (Jannelle James) being fired in season 4 proved the mockumentary is willing to take big swings, even if it threatens the character’s future at the titular school. Ava earned her job back eventually, but Barbara may have an epiphany that it’s time to retire.

Regardless, I doubt Abbott Elementary season 5’s story will focus heavily enough on Barbara for a retirement twist to be truly earned. Unlike Ava— whose arc was preceded by years of poor management— Barbara is arguably in the best place she’s been since Abbott Elementary began. Consequently, I can’t imagine her giving that up any time soon.

Plus, it’s far more likely that Melissa or Gregory (Tyler James Williams) will be Abbott Elementary’s unofficial “main” character in season 5. Melissa will be tested by her new middle school class, while Gregory’s time as interim principal and financial struggles left the door open for a big change. Abbott Elementary’s overcrowding problem will also take up valuable screen time.

There’s always the possibility that Abbott Elementary will write Barbara off when people least expect it, but Quinta Brunson has proven this show is rooted in integrity as much as it is in entertainment. If Barbara ever does leave Abbott Elementary, I have the utmost faith it will conclude a masterful storyline rather than be played for shock value.

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