Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 18, “Audit.”

I was always aware that Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters continued with their wacky subplots, I couldn’t quite predict the show’s next big twist.

While Ava’s character growth throughout Abbott Elementary season 4 was hard to miss, I didn’t think that it was necessarily going to end badly. It was a surprise when Manny said that Ava should give a public speech on her methods as a principal, and an even bigger surprise when the speech proved a huge hit. It was equally unexpected when Ava demanded that the school district split Abbott’s funding across other under-resourced schools, drawing attention to both the district's uneven distribution of funds and her own school's financial comfort in the process.

Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 18 Ended With Principal Ava Getting Fired

Abbott Elementary’s Best ing Star Took The Fall For Her Staff

Despite all of this, I can’t believe Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 18, “Audit,” actually ended with Ava getting fired. I knew that Ava installing a walk-in wardrobe in her office was objectively a bad idea when she knew both her old rival Crystal and the district would be watching her expenses closely, but I was certain that the ever-wily Ava could talk her way out of it if her scheming was ever uncovered. Indeed, for most of “Audit,” Ava successfully tricked the school district’s inspectors into thinking Abbott was just as underfunded as ever.

Ava saved everyone else from disciplinary action by claiming only she took the bribes, but she was stunned when this selfless act resulted in her immediately getting fired on the spot.

By hiding all the fancy equipment that the golf course developer’s bribes paid for in Ava’s secret basement bathroom, the teachers and their principal managed to fool the inspectors. However, the sleazy lawyer who acted as the developer’s liaison arrived at the worst time imaginable, cheerfully announcing that he had more bribes for the faculty just as the inspectors were preparing to leave. Ava saved everyone else from disciplinary action by claiming only she took the bribes, but she was stunned when this selfless act resulted in her immediately getting fired on the spot.

Abbott Elementary's Golf Course Story Always Guaranteed To End Badly (But I Didn't Thought This Badly)

Almost All Of Abbott Elementary’s Heroes Were Implicated

From season 4’s premiere onwards, I always knew the golf course developer storyline would end in tears. While the staff were delighted to finally get something back from the rich developers gentrifying their neighborhood, it was obvious that the developers wouldn’t be the ones to pay when the scheme came crashing down. While Abbott Elementary’s Gregory took a second job just to pay his rent, it was Janine asking for a single box of spellers that ended up inadvertently revealing the bribes to the district inspectors.

Not only were all of Abbott’s teachers involved in asking the developers for more bribes, but all of Abbott Elementary’s major villains also worked together to make season 4’s big twist happen. Crystal worked with the district and the golf course developers to take down Ava when she told the district about the bribes and the developers got off scot-free despite being the ones doing the illegal bribing in the first place. While Abbott Elementary’s Melissa romance might be sweet, I can’t see how the sitcom will give its fourth season a happy ending after this twist.

Can Principal Ava Get Her Job Back In Abbott Elementary Season 4?

The Sitcom Seems Unlikely To Permanently Drop Her Character

It’s not unheard of for major characters to leave sitcoms at the height of their success, as evidenced by Steve Carell leaving The Office early. However, Ava’s burgeoning romance with O’Shon makes it very unlikely that Janelle James's character is actually gone for good, even though Ava may be facing serious consequences for her antics. Janine and company will most likely come up with a plan to get her rehired, or her replacement could prove to be even more corrupt and incompetent than her.

Ava proved that she is a great, if unconventional, principal in Abbott Elementary season 4.

Either way, Ava's route back to the role of principal should acknowledge her character growth. For all of Janine’s character growth throughout season 4, it was Ava who helped fund the other schools when she didn’t have to, inspired other principals with her speech, and kept Abbott well-funded even if she did resort to bribery to do so. Ava proved that she is a great, if unconventional, principal in season 4. As such, Abbott Elementary needs to give her back the job that she has just recently proved she truly earned.

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