Review: Abbott Elementary, "Attack Ad" | Season 2, Episode 7
“Mr. F.A.D.E.” and the privatization of public education are coming for Abbott
When it comes to a sitcom like Abbott Elementary, mustache-twirling villains aren’t exactly the go-to antagonists. For example, as I’ve written before: Janine’s terrible ex-boyfriend Tariq wasn’t an unrepentant bad guy, even though he clearly was a man-child and definitely wasn’t the guy for Janine.
“Attack Ad” officially closes the door of Janine/Tariq, as her ex returns from New York to pick-up the rest of his things. (For those doing the math, Tariq paid 20% of the rent and left 90% of his things at Janine’s apartment). It was in my review of the season premiere that I wrote about how Abbott Elementary avoided making Tariq irredeemable while still making clear why he wasn’t the right guy for Janine. “Attack Ad” really skirts that line at times with Tariq’s return, in moments like him not remembering her favorite movie and clearly trying to make a move on her (with the eventual reveal that he has a new girlfriend). But the episode still keeps the things about Tariq tha…