Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 12.Just when I thought I couldn’t love Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters is one of the greatest ensembles on television, but certain ones have always meshed with some of their coworkers better than others. Nonetheless, Abbott Elementary never limits itself, and it showed when Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) and Ava Coleman (Janelle James) ended up in a scene together during “Girard Creek.”

I shouldn’t be surprised that Abbott Elementary found a totally new relationship to experiment with, but that’s yet another testament to the pure skill of creator and star Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues). Season 4 has already pushed the boundaries of the mockumentary, including a frankly bizarre crossover between Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. The It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia gang shouldn’t be allowed within 100 feet of a school, but that’s what Abbott Elementary does best: it takes something that shouldn’t work and makes pure magic out of it.

Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 12 Pairs Up Melissa & Ava For The First Time

The Two Plan A Truffle Heist

During Abbott Elementary’s “field trip” to its neighboring golf course, Ava and Melissa end up at the pasta bar at the same time while the server shreds fresh truffles onto their plates. After a brief but loaded discussion about how expensive the rare truffles are, Ava and Melissa turn Abbott Elementary into Ocean’s 11 by planning an impromptu heist to steal the absurdly overpriced mushrooms. While I had never thought of thievery being a plotline that was missing in Abbott Elementary, the hilarious pairing between Melissa and Ava has me rooting for a whole Robin Hood remake in season 5.

Melissa and Ava name-drop Ocean's 11 and a host of other heist movies while discussing their plan.

The principal has been a significant figure in the new season, with Abbott Elementary season 4 expanded Melissa’s family, but she hasn’t had a real shake-up since Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) moved in with her during Abbott Elementary season 3. They both needed something new, and I’m so glad Abbott Elementary let them find it in each other.

Why Melissa & Ava's Team-Up In Abbott Elementary Season 4 Is So Good

It's A Brand New Dynamic For Both Characters

Although Melissa and Ava are both complex characters, their closest relationships are fairly straightforward. Melissa and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) have been best friends since the Abbott Elementary pilot, and Ava has largely kept her distance from her employees (aside from her ogling of Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie). There’s nothing wrong with having easy, reliable friendships set in stone, but exploring more unique pairings can expose untapped potential. The moment Abbott Elementary had Ava and Melissa interact one-on-one, I realized how perfect their friendship could be, and I sincerely hope the ABC hit continues pairing them together.

Something about Melissa and Ava’s dynamic in Abbott Elementary just clicks. funniest moments in Abbott Elementary. The more I think about Ava and Melissa as a pair, the more it makes sense. Melissa deserves someone to utilize her sketchy mob ties, and Ava needs a friend to enable her pettiness. In a way, it’s a toxic relationship but entertaining all the same.

Abbott Elementary Exploring Fresh Character Dynamics Is Good For Its Future

The Possibilities Are Endless

I’ll it that when Abbott Elementary season 5 was confirmed, I was equal parts excited and nervous. The mockumentary has been a full-blown phenomenon since 2021, which makes it easy to worry about the show running out of new storylines to explore. Truthfully, I always had faith that Abbott Elementary would continue its sensational run without redundancy, but the Ava and Melissa team-up showcases one simple trick to ensure the show never goes stale: continue embracing the unexpected.

One of my favorite parts of Abbott Elementary is that I can never fully predict where a plotline and its main characters will go. Abbott Elementary season 4 highlighted Mr. Johnson’s importance. Just when I think I’ve noticed something new, Abbott Elementary proves it’s one step ahead. Plus, the wonderfully detailed and diverse characters prove that Abbott Elementary can always spice things up.

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Abbott Elementary continues Wednesday at 8:30 ET on ABC.