Warning: SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 17.Abbott Elementaryjust brought back one of its most entertaining characters, but I have a feeling it was just to say goodbye. The mockumentary following elementary school teachers has been a hit since it premiered in 2021, andAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 17 proves it isn’t running out of steam anytime soon. The entry, focused on the tight-knit faculty going out to karaoke, is instantly one ofAbbott Elementary’s most rewatchable episodes. Along with the hilarity of the staff belting songs, a uniquely memorable moment was the surprise return of Zach (Larry Owens), Jacob’s (Chris Perfetti) ex-boyfriend.
Though Jacob was poised to calmly join the rest of theAbbott Elementarycast of charactersin singing karaoke, running into Zach sends him spiraling. In one ofAbbott Elementaryseason 4’s most amusing scenes, Jacob angrily shouts“Last Resort” by Papa Roach while Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) watch in awe. Jacob and Zach were never in the running to be thebest couple inAbbott Elementary, but their sudden breakup in season 3 was nonetheless shocking. Zach’s return inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, however, seems like a final epilogue to officially retire the character.
“White” Wyatt Parallels Ava’s “Black” Zach Joke From Abbott Elementary Season 1
One Of Ava’s Earliest And Funniest Lines
Although Zach was Jacob’s long-term boyfriend, he is by far most well-known for his first encounter with Ava (Janelle James) inAbbott Elementaryseason 1. During the events of “Desking” (Abbott Elementaryseason 1, episode 11), Jacob calls his“sneakerhead”boyfriend in to examine the footprints left on the desks. When Zach walks in, Ava exclaims“Black?!”in shock. Zach’s reply, which still lives inAbbott Elementaryinfamy, is“It’s actually pronounced Zach.”Despite only being two lines, the simple interaction is undoubtedly one of thefunniest moments inAbbott Elementary.
I Won’t Lie, I Was Worried About Janine & Gregory’s Replacement, But Abbott Elementary Squashed My Fears
Abbott Elementary’s new slow-burn couple finally took their first big step, but season 4, episode 17 didn’t go off without a hitch or two.
WhileAva’s character has changed inAbbott Elementarysince the pilot season, her humor hasn’t. When Ava runs into Zach at the karaoke bar inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 17, she meets his new boyfriend, Wyatt (Matteo Lane). Zach introduces them, and upon seeing the man,Ava yells“White?!”The next line, naturally, is“It’s actually pronounced Wyatt.”This scene, outside of being amusing, provesAbbott Elementaryhas come far enough to become self-referential in the best possible way. Although Zach got to recreate his most iconicAbbott Elementarymoment, it feels like a send-off within the episode’s context.
Why This Is Likely The Last Time That Zach Will Be In Abbott Elementary
Zach’s Character Was Only Ever Supplemental To Jacob’s
Zach is one ofAbbott Elementary’s amazing side characters, but his existence has always been limited as a fixture in Jacob’s life. When Zach appears inAbbott Elementaryseason 2, episode 10, it’s only to prompt Jacob to tell Barbara and Melissa about why he has trouble during the holidays. During their breakup in the eponymous episode (Abbott Elementaryseason 3, episode 5), Zach is only used to explore Jacob’s attachment issues when he attempts to drive Zach angry enough to dump him. EvenZach’sAbbott Elementaryseason 4 return was just to hint at Jacob’s next character arc.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
Hearing about Zach’s new apartment, boyfriend, and social circle makes Jacob insecure about his own accomplishments (or lack thereof). When he admits as much to Melissa and Barbara, the veteran teachers give him a wake-up call instead of merely placating him. Jacob has done a lot for Abbott Elementary in season 4, but not a lot for himself. While the comedy is centered on the titular school, the characters are more than teachers, and Jacob needs to invest more time in his personal life. Now that Zach has inspired one final epiphany, hisAbbott Elementaryjourney is likely over.
Why Jacob Needed To Run Into Zach In Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 17
Although Jacob had Melissa and Barbara to lead him into the crucial epiphany that he needs to focus on his personal life, he would never have realized it without bumping into Zach at the karaoke bar. Jacob’s storyline inAbbott Elementaryseason 4 seems productive, but focusing on helping his student find an after-school activity or getting a counselor for the school only impacts him professionally. Compared to his coworkers and their character arcs, likeAva’s father appearing inAbbott Elementaryseason 4to hint at her backstory, Jacob hasn’t gotten to develop much as a person.
New episodes ofAbbott Elementarycan be streamed the next day on Hulu. Full seasons can be streamed on Max.
Even Jacob’s best friends, Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyer James Williams), are experiencing conflicts unique to being a couple now that their agonizing slow-burn has come to an end. Melissa is opening herself to a relationship with her firefighter, and Barbara had multiple episodes building towards her confronting her fears of growing old. In stark contrast,Jacob has mainly been concerned with other people’s problems inAbbott Elementaryseason 4, like his students or the school at large. From the moment he decided to catch up with Zach, Jacob’s sunny demeanor began to crack as reality set in.
Abbott Elementary Is Obviously Setting Up The Next Step In Gregory & Janine’s Romance (But It’s Too Soon)
Janine and Gregory’s relationship is the longest-running storyline in Abbott Elementary, but season 4 is setting up a big development a bit too soon.
While Zach has gone on to do everything he wanted, achieving his dreams and leaving his ex-boyfriend in the past, Jacob hasn’t done anything to improve himself. Jacob hides behind his professional accomplishments, even begging Melissa and Barbara to validate all he’s done for the school, but they simply verbalize what had been clear since Zach arrived:Jacob needs to focus on his future inAbbott Elementary. This revelation will lead to more Jacob-centric episodes, starting with a new romance since Jacob flirted with the man he’d been admiring all night, confidence bolstered by his interaction with Zach.
How Zach Could Potentially Return To Abbott Elementary
His Character Could Become Distinct From Jacob
Although Zach has used up his capital as Jacob’s ex-boyfriend, there are plenty of ways for Larry Owens to return to the mockumentary and expand upon his character. Zach’s comedic timing in eachAbbott Elementaryappearance is proof enough that his character deserves to become more than a forgotten ex, but writing him into the narrative would have to be a slow process. WhileAbbott Elementarycelebrity guest starscan appear without warning and leave after the cold opening, what’s been established of Zach’s character acts as a double-edged sword and prevents such easy inclusions.
What’s been established of Zach’s character acts as a double-edged sword…
Exes can easily become recurring roles, as evidenced by Tariq (Zack Fox). Unfortunately, Zach can’t follow the same path because Tariq only became such a big character due to his ridiculous personality. While Tariq can get away with starting a PTA despite not being a parent due to his absurd track record,Zach’sAbbott Elementaryreturn would require a logical explanation due to his character’s more grounded personality. There’s always the risk that Zach fails to escape the shadow of being Jacob’s funny ex, butAbbott Elementarycould gain a hilarious new side character if they play their cards right.
