Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 20, “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift.”

Everyone knew that Ava had to return as principal before the sitcom's fourth outing ended, but I was still surprised by how Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are the reason viewers return to the workplace mockumentary, rather than the sitcom’s dramatic plot twists. Like Parks and Recreations, The Office, Superstore, and the other earlier workplace sitcoms that inspired the show, Abbott Elementary only occasionally features surprising plot twists.

For the most part, Abbott Elementary’s plots are pleasantly predictable in the way most sitcoms are. Although it took the pair three seasons to finally get together, it was clear from the show’s pilot onwards that Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 18 ended with the devastating dismissal of Janelle James’s Principal Ava, it was pretty obvious that the sitcom would walk back this twist before the finale.

Ava Doesn’t Save The Day In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 20

“Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” Ends With Barbara Saving The School Instead

Although Ava was initially established as a corrupt and incompetent in season 1, James’s lovable character soon became the show's breakout ing star and the sitcom’s depiction of her foibles softened as a result. Ava remains as petty as ever in season 4, and she is still known to engage in some scheming side hustles, but she has repeatedly proven herself to be a superb principal and a surprisingly great advocate for other educators.

The obvious conclusion was that, when the teachers failed to fund-raise for the school, Ava would save the day.

As such, even though she took full responsibility and was fired when the faculty was caught taking bribes from shady local developers, viewers always knew Ava would be principal again by the end of season 4. This left the show in a tricky position after Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 19 revealed Ava was thriving as a motivational speaker. She didn’t need to return to Abbott for the money, and Gregory was going from strength to strength as her interim replacement. The obvious conclusion was that, when the teachers failed to fund-raise for the school, Ava would save the day.

This would have been predictable but satisfying. As the teachers discussed their plans to raise money for the under-resourced school’s budget in season 4, episode 20, “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift,” it seemed like this was where the plot was heading. In season 3, Ava somehow managed to convince Questlove to perform at Ava Fest, so she clearly has experience pulling off such unlikely feats. However, in a last-minute twist, it was Barbara who saved the day instead when she got R&B legend Jill Scott to perform at the fundraiser thanks to her church.

Ava Decides To Come Back To Abbott Elementary Because She Misses The School (Not Because They Need Her)

Barb Saving Ava Fest Makes Ava’s Abbott Elementary Season 4 More Moving

The reason this twist was uniquely satisfying was that Barbara saving the day subverted audience expectations after the episode heavily implied that the faculty needed Ava to get by. Much like Gregory’s success as Abbott’s principal was an unexpected and welcome surprise, Barbara’s last-second save forced Ava to it that she needed the eponymous school as much as its staff needed her. ittedly, Ava gave them the numbers of some “High net worth investors” (read: local drug dealers) who offered large cash donations to keep the school afloat, but Barbara refused to accept their money.

On a narrative level, it could have been unsurprising but perfectly acceptable if Ava saved the school, Abbott’s faculty said they couldn’t get by without her, and everyone banded together to get the principal her job back. However, in of character, Ava would have learned nothing from this experience. Just as Abbott Elementary’s Jacob and Barbara pairing led the duo to uncover new sides of themselves, Barbara fixing things in “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” left Ava unable to hide the fact that she missed working in the titular school.

How Janine Makes Ava's Return More Touching In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 20

Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 20 Finally Pairs Ava and Janine

As Ava was forced to swallow her pride and concede that she found working at Abbott uniquely fulfilling, “Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift” sets up a perfect season 4 ending. Janine is eager to help Ava and, although the pair have worked together before, this time both characters finally have to it how much they need each other. Janine being the one to help Ava get her old job back is an ingenious idea since, back in season 1, she was desperate to get Ava replaced.

Where Janine once wanted a principal who thought just like her, she now values the radically different perspective Ava brings on things.

While Ava’s Abbott Elementary season 4 plot has revealed previously unseen depths to her character, Janine’s growing fondness for the principal also highlights her growth since season 1. Where Janine once wanted a principal who thought just like her, she now values the radically different perspective Ava brings on things. Thus, Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 20’s unexpected ending highlights just how much its two heroines have grown and changed.

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