Abbott Elementary – Season 2 Episode 22 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Franklin Institute

Is Gregory considering leaving Philadelphia?

In Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 22, the school prepares for a field-trip sleepover at the Franklin Institute, a museum of science and technology.

Before the trip, Gregory hears from his dad that he wants him to spend the summer in Baltimore to help with the landscaping business. He’s not sure what he’ll decide right now, and for now focuses on his luck to be paired with Janine’s class for the field trip.

What does Maurice say about Janine?

Janine encounters Maurice before they head out, so she decides to apologize to him for how things ended. He supposes they were both being selfish. Her, for the way she broke up with him. And him, for pursuing her when Gregory told him not to.

Why does Janine push Gregory away?

Janine hates that she hurt Maurice because she was selfish. It preoccupies her so much that she brushes off all Gregory’s attempts to speak with her at the museum.

Gregory shares with her that his dad wants him to go up to Baltimore for the summer. He’s thinking about staying in Philadelphia so they can hang out over the summer. But she pushes him more in the direction of Baltimore. It seems she’s too worried that anything she does for herself would just be selfish.

Janine talks to Ava a little about selfishness, but Ava just sees it as taking care of oneself. She’s noticed that Janine has been doing a lot of that lately, and it looks good on her. As long as she’s not hurting anyone, what’s the problem? But hurting people is what Janine’s most afraid of.

What is Jacob’s advice to Gregory?

Jacob encourages Gregory to ask Janine what’s wrong (which he never actually did!). And when Gregory tells Jacob about his kiss with Janine during PECSA weekend, Jacob advises him to stop beating around the bush and tell Janine how he feels.

Gregory tells Janine she seems different since talking to Maurice. It’s like she’s no longer excited to be paired with him. Finally, he admits that he likes her, but is interrupted by some students.

Why are the Abbott students scared of Barbara?

Soon, the whole museum is in an uproar about an alien. Since Ava took it in her own hands to teach the kids about aliens, all the students are on edge before bed. They now think aliens look just like humans, except that they’d need a breathing apparatus to survive on Earth.

During Gregory’s confession, the kids start shouting about aliens, which turns out to be Barbara. She was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, so she uses a CPAP machine when she sleeps.

Does Janine return Gregory’s feelings?

Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, Janine tells Gregory she likes him too. It turns out that they’ve liked each other since the first day he came to Abbott. 

But Janine can’t act on them. She thinks she needs to be selfish in her life right now, and she doesn’t want to hurt him because of that. Because if they started dating, it would be real.

Gregory accepts that nothing is going to happen between them, and accepts a “bro hug” from Jacob.

How does Abbott Elementary Season 2 End?

Back at Abbott, Janine comments to the camera crew that she’s done the right thing. Being selfish will be good for her. She and Gregory may not be ready for anything, but she’s okay.

Gregory muses that he’ll be okay as well. The episode ends with Jacob, Janine, and Gregory getting dinner together as friends.

The Episode Review

While it’s a sad day for Janine/Gregory shippers everywhere, it’s at least a happy one for cementing a meaningful friendship between Gregory and Jacob.

It almost feels as if writers ran out of ideas for how to keep the couple apart and stretch out the will-they-won’t-they tension between them. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about a slow-burn romance, and I love that the tension will keep building. I’m just not thrilled at there being no strong external reasons for Janine’s hesitancy.

Her internal reason felt weak, although it does speak to Janine’s heart (and ironically, her selflessness) that she would not pursue anything with Gregory. In truth, I think she could still be as selfish as she possibly could, and it would still be impossible for her to hurt the people she truly loves.

I agree that Janine could stand to be more selfish, in fact. I hope we see her continue the journey of standing up for herself next season. She’s experienced a lot of growth ever since breaking up with Tariq, and I really hope that continues–especially where her mother is concerned.