Abbott Elementary’s ringworm plot sets up a much-needed change for James

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 2

Although the show got away with not giving him much focus in season 3, Abbott Elementary Season 4 needed to give Jacob a clear purpose, and episode 2 did just that. Abbott ElementaryThe entire cast of characters is hilarious, but the show requires different things from each of them. Since Ava is a major supporting character, the show needed to humanize her wild nature as early as season 1, episode 9, “Step Class,” when her poignant family life was revealed. in contrast, Abbott ElementaryMr. Johnson’s only gets better as his increasingly cartoonish subplots become wilder and far-fetched.

Jacob plays an interesting role in this regard, because the independent corny teacher is sometimes treated as a walking joke and sometimes transformed into a more empathetic figure. In Season 2, Episode 3, “Story Samurai,” the mockery of the titular storytelling group’s ability is portrayed as a slight against James, who can’t help being corny. However, in season 3, episode 5, “Breakup,” Jacob’s breakup with Zach is much less sympathetic, and he comes across as a comically toxic partner who is unable to confront his feelings. Janine and Gregory S Abbott Elementary Romance did not help the inconsistent image of him.

James needs a purpose after Janine and Gregory reunite at Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary Season 4 shifts Jacob’s role

Throughout much of season 3, James essentially functioned as Janine and Gregory’s cheerleader while the pair struggled to come to terms with their shared feelings for each other. In outings like season 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott,” James’ role consisted mostly of getting Janine and Gregory to admit their mutual attraction when he tried to set them up. however, Jacob is a great teacher despite or maybe even because of his gaitAnd Abbott Elementary Lost track of this as his role was reduced to a third wheel in setting up the central romantic relationship of the workplace sitcom.

Fortunately, season 4, episode 2, “Ringworm,” resolves this issue. The episode centers on Jacob as a student of his reveals that he has the eponymous fungus and Jacob must figure out how to deal with the potential outbreak. While Abbott Elementary The Season 4 premiere highlighted Ava’s growth since the first season of the show, this outing proves that James has changed as well. Since he taught his students the meaning of the word “Draconian” Before the outburst begins, Jacob soon finds himself guilty and hypocritical for restricting their bathroom breaks. This brings disaster, but Jacob still saves the day.

Abbott Elementary’s ringworm breakout gives James the perfect personal narrative

Abbott’s corny teacher stood by his students and solved the ringworm outbreak

Jacob is more than a “Third wheel“In Gregory and Janine’s relationship now that they are together and he is single, and “Ringworm” proves that its subplot no longer needs to center on them or his relationship, but rather on Jacob himself. Jacob eventually volunteers to look after the children. With ringworm, resulting in him somehow contracting the worst case of the fungus imaginable in the episode’s ending. Abbott Elementary Season 4 proved that the show has plans for James beyond his relationship with Gregory and Janine, despite his undeniably unfortunate illness. now, Abbott Elementary Season 4 can maximize Jacob’s character potential.