Review: Abbott Elementary, "Fight" | Season 2, Episode 12
A stellar episode brings “Black boy joy” and schoolyard scuffles
“Janine seeks advice from her colleagues.” That is the Hulu description for this week’s Abbott Elementary episode, although it could technically be the Hulu description for every episode of Abbott Elementary. After all, Janine seeking advice from her colleagues is the natural progression of the series’ plot, as she inevitably bungles things up with her toxic positivity or inexperienced enthusiasm. But like with “Read-A-Thon,” “Fight” is an episode that thankfully isn’t concerned with overly highlighting Janine’s flaws. Because while this week’s lesson that Janine ultimately has to learn is connected to a personal problem she’s refused to confront over the years, said problem isn’t actually a hindrance to her work as a teacher. Certain plots this season have struggled to balance Janine’s flaws with her well-meaning nature and ability as a good teacher, but “Fight” is not one of those episodes.
In terms of Janine’s approach in this episode to trying to stop the friction be…