Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 18, “Audit.”
AlthoughAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 18’s twist ending came as a shock, the workplace mockumentary sitcom has been setting up the revelation for some time now.Abbott Elementary’s cast of charactersare all funny, but some of the sitcom’s stars have received more screen time than others in its fourth outing. AsJanine and Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryrelationshipfinally stabilized and the pair became a couple, this opened up space for the series to focus on supporting characters. In particular, one character who always displayed a lot of potential for growth came into focus.
While Janelle James’s Principal Ava Coleman was originally introduced as a shamelessly corrupt, petty, and close-minded character, she won over viewers as she softened up and started to support her staff more. A major turning point came at the end of season 1 when the teachers were genuinely worried by the prospect of Ava losing her role as their principal. For all her flaws,Abbott Elementary’s Ava remained lovable, and the sitcom only made her more likable as the show continued. This made season 4’s golf course storyline a worrying development as far back as the premiere.
Ava Gets Fired From Being Abbott Elementary’s Principal Explained
Ava Lost Her Job Due to Bribes From The Golf Course Developers
ThroughoutAbbott Elementary season 4,Ava and the teachers accepted a huge amount of bribes from the developers of a local golf courseso the under-resourced school would finally be able to receive the supplies it needed. This was obviously a morally questionable choice, but it was notable that Barbara, Jacob, and Melissa were the first staff members to entertain the notion, rather than Ava. That said,Abbott Elementaryseason 4 saw Ava adda walk-in wardrobe to her office, so it is fair to say that she certainly reaped the benefits of the shady developer’s largesse.
The teachers and Ava scrambled to hide their ill-gotten gains from the district’s inspectors.
This all came crashing down in episode 18, “Audit,” an outing that lived up to its threatening title. After Ava’s jealous sorority sister and fellow principal, Crystal, became suspicious about Abbott not needing basic supplies from the school district, Ava admitted that she had been taking bribes from the developers. Soon after, Janine’s former colleague in the district, Manny, warned her that the district would soon be sending someone out to audit the school and ensure they weren’t accepting undeclared donations.
Of course, the staff had collectively blackmailed the developers for everything from a new scoreboard to Ava’s walk-in wardrobe, to a new set of ovens in the cafeteria, to new spellers. It was this last item that ended up causing catastrophe in “Audit,” as the teachers and Ava scrambled to hide their ill-gotten gains from the district’s inspectors. They succeeded, but the developer’s smarmy lawyer, who acted as a liaison with Abbott, arrived and loudly announced that he had more bribes just as the inspectors prepared to leave. Faced with blatant evidence, the district demanded to know who was responsible.
Ava’s Firing Shows How Much She Has Grown As A Person
Ava Taking The Blame Proves She Has Matured Over The Years
Ava took full responsibility for the bribes that the school received from the golf course developers, even though many of her fellow educators were involved in the scheme. WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4 episode 17’s karaoke storywas the show’s most light hearted, low-stakes outing in some time, the following episode ended in tragedy as Ava was promptly fired on the spot by a crestfallen Manny. Ava mistakenly believed that her position as a principal made her harder to fire than the teachers, but the inspectors clarified that it was much easier and more straightforward to let a principal go.
Chris Perfetti
Jacob Hill
Ava took her dismissal in her stride, facing it with the same tough confidence she always projects out into the world. However, the larger circumstances of the firing prove just how much she has changed as a character over the years. Ava took the fall for the entire faculty since she didn’t want them to face consequences for her mistake, and she only faced consequences in the first place because of her generosity. In season 4, episode 14, “District Budget Meeting,” Ava instructed the district to split Abbott’s funding among other, needier schools thanks to their comparative financial comfort.
What Ava’s Firing Means For The Rest Of Abbott Elementary Season 4
Abbott Elementary Now Needs A New Principal
WhileAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s Melissa plotwas the most surprising moment in the show’s recent outings, the ending of “Audit” has the potential to profoundly increase the show’s stakes going forward.Abbott will need to replace Ava as the titular institution’s principaland fast, since the inspectors demanded she clear out her desk immediately. There was no question of her acting as principal while the district sought out a suitable replacement, meaning a new principal will most likely be introduced as early as the next episode.
It is tough to predict who this new principal will be, as it could be an existing member of staff, but it could also be a new arrival. While Janine’s love interest originally wanted to become Abbott’s principal as soon as possible,Gregory’sAbbott Elementaryseason 4 storylinesaw him take on not one, but two new jobs to remain financially solvent. Although he would likely love the pay rise that comes with becoming principal, it might no longer be possible for him to leave his three existing jobs.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Is Finally Redeeming Its Worst Character
Abbott Elementary has one supporting character who seemed to have no redeeming qualities, but season 4 proved that even they could improve in time.
Meanwhile, Janine could become Abbott’s new principal, but this would take her away from teaching, which is exactly why she had already turned down a permanent job at the district. Similarly, Barbara has the seniority and good standing to become principal, but she has never had any interest in transitioning to an administrative role.
It’s Safe To Say That Ava Will Return To Abbott Elementary, But How?
Ava Could Be Reinstated Or She Could Retrain and Return As A Teacher
Despite all ofJanine and Barbara’sAbbott Elementarycharacter growth, it is fair to say that season 4 must bring back Ava as the school’s principal.Abbott Elementaryneeds Ava despite (and because of) her flaws, and Manny even noted that her unconventional skills had improved the school’s test scores in the years that she held the position. As such, it is not a question of whether Ava will return, but when and how.
Abbott Elementaryseason 4 needs to find a way to honor Ava’s changing character when the sitcom brings her back to the eponymous school.
One easy way to bring Ava back would be for her replacement to be even more corrupt and incompetent, or for Ava to dig up even more substantial dirt on the district. However, while both of these options would be fun, they don’t reflect how much Ava has grown as a person and a principal during her time at Abbott. As such,Abbott Elementaryseason 4 needs to find a way to honor Ava’s changing character when the sitcom brings her back to the eponymous school.
