Warning: this episode contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 13.Abbott Elementaryhas been hailed asThe Office’s spiritual successor, but one character has started a storyline that gives her much more depth than her Dunder Mifflin counterpart, Michael Scott. Janelle James as Ava is a core member of theAbbott Elementarycast. She has mainly been used as comic relief, with her ridiculous lines making for some ofAbbott Elementary’s funniest moments. Ava is funny, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that she’s a full-fledged character.Abbott Elementaryseason 4 is giving Ava the chance to explore her dramatic sidewith a new character from her past.
Alternatively, Steve Carell ledThe Officefor 7 seasons as Michael Scott, the childish yet caring regional manager of the workplace mockumentary. Though it concluded in May 2013,The Officeis still ubiquitous in the mockumentary genre. Over a decade afterThe Office’s series finale,Abbott Elementaryis proving the mockumentary trope isn’t out of style. Naturally, the two shows lend themselves to comparison thanks to their key similarities, but there are nuances to each that set them apart. Although Ava and Michael Scott are comparable characters, Ava’s storyline inAbbott Elementaryseason 4 demonstrates how she’s better developed.
Ava Gets A Serious Storyline In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 13
Ava’s Father, Frank, Appears At The Science Fair
Ava has been an incredibly independent character sinceAbbott Elementarybegan, but the reasons behind her demeanor have been given a possible explanation with the appearance of one new character: her father.Keith David joinedAbbott Elementaryseason 4as Frank, Ava’s estranged father who becomes Gregory’s (Tyler James Williams) barber by chance. Though his initial appearance is played as a joke, Ava has since indicated that she and her father are not on speaking terms. The tension mounts whenFrank comes to the school inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 13.
Abbott Elementary Season 4’s Best New Character Offers A First For Gregory Since Janine’s Last Heartbreak
Abbott Elementary season 4 introduced a new character for Ava’s arch, but he may have an even greater impact on Gregory’s personal growth.
At the episode’s start, Gregory brings Ava a check from Frank, who claims it was a donation for Abbott Elementary’s science fair. Later on, Frank shows up to talk to Ava, who intercepts him at the front desk for a brisk conversation. At the science fair itself, Ava begrudgingly thanks Frank for the donation, but it’s clear their issues are far from resolved.Abbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 13 even offers a glimpse into what soured their relationship, withAva mentioning Frank’s“other family.”The conflict explores a new, vulnerable part of Ava that makes her character even more compelling.
Michael Scott Didn’t Get A Family Storyline In The Office
The Mockumentary Failed To Fully Dive Into His Childhood
Because his primary role was to be a punchline,Michael Scott rarely had serious plots inThe Office, despite being present in well over 100 episodes. The show barely skimmed the surface when it came to his background.Michael Scott had a sad childhood inThe Office, but the mockumentary only revealed it in brief talking heads or one-off stories, failing to seriously explore his past. Though Michael sparingly mentioned his stepfather, his relationship with his biological father was never examined.
StreamThe Officeon Peacock andAbbott Elementaryon Hulu.
AlthoughThe Officeis an absurdist comedy and Michael Scott starts as more of a caricature than a character, that doesn’t mean a few serious Michael plots would have been out of place in the mockumentary. Each character undergoes extreme development throughout the series and has earnest moments. In fact, the pure comedic tone ofThe Officemade the rare serious scene that much more impactful. Michael struggling with intimacy and wanting a family could have easily stemmed from his parents, but the show never dug deep enough into his character to consider it.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Expands Ava’s Character To Be Better-Developed Than Michael Scott
Ava Is More Than Comic Relief
Abbott Elementary’s Ava andThe Office’s Michael have been compared in the pastfor their apparent incompetence that eventually gave way to pure skill and love for their jobs. Both characters begin as the bane of their employees’ existence, and both end up as irreplaceable members of the workplace. While Michael always had a whimsical if not forced levity about him,Ava never hid her disgust, judgment, or boredom. The two characters were equally static at the start, butAbbott Elementaryis taking steps to make Ava more dynamic than Michael Scott.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
By fleshing out Ava’s character and subtly pulling back the curtain to examine why she is the way she is,Abbott Elementaryis cementing its distinctive identity. Bearing similarities to such a popular title is beneficial to a point, butAva needs to continue proving that she’s more than a carbon copy of Michael Scott. Fortunately, by giving its funniest character her most serious plot yet,Abbott Elementaryis proving how immensely original it is and taking the first step to finally escapingThe Office’s shadow.
