Previous Episode Next Episode 
Fight

‘Fight’

Season 2, Episode 12 -  Aired January 11, 2023

Janine is determined o get involved when two of her students don't like each other. Meanwhile, Gregory's father, Martin Eddie (Orlando Jones) visits Abbott Elementary, and Melissa and Ava team up to challenge Mr. Johnson's fantasy football team.

Quote from Gregory

Gregory: [on video chat] Oh, hey, Pop. I mean, uh, sir.
Martin Eddie: Yeah, you're funny.
Gregory: I just wanted to tell you how proud I was of your little gardening method.
Martin Eddie: Sorry? Don't be. Frankly, I'm quite impressed you continued our landscaping legacy.
Gregory: Well, I couldn't let those plants just die.
Martin Eddie: If you're available, come help me out on this job. Earn some extra cash, maybe take that Amber girl out on a proper date to a French restaurant that you can't pronounce. [winks
Gregory: You want my input?
Martin Eddie: Oui, oui.
Gregory: Uh, o-okay. Yeah, sure.
Martin Eddie: I'll take it. [cellphone chimes]

Rate

Quote from Gregory

Barbara: So, you're taking your gardening skills out into the broad daylight, Mr. What We Do In The Shadows?
Gregory: It's just for a little extra cash.
Barbara: Mm. You look like you're trying to mute a smile.
Gregory: I am?
Barbara: Mm-hmm.
[aside to camera:]
Gregory: I don't think my dad's ever asked for my input on anything before, except for that time when he asked if I thought I was being funny. You caught me. I'm happy. I think I'm experiencing what they refer to as Black boy joy, even though I am a man.

Quote from Ava

Janine: Stop, you guys. Yeah, Ava, get them.
Ava: Only in America. [laughs] Hey, hey, relax. This is designer.

Quote from Mr. Johnson

Mr. Johnson: I haven't seen a mess like this since the Playboy Mansion in '86.

Quote from Gregory

Martin Eddie: Ground's still a bit frozen. Make sure you use that good Eddie musculature I gave you. [chuckles] Don't work so hard, son. You know what happened to John Henry. [chuckles] You know, uh, I've been giving it some thought. What if I added an "and son" to Eddie Lawn and Care?
Gregory: Eddie and Son and Lawn and Care?
Martin Eddie: No. Eddie and Son Lawn Care.
Gregory: What about your, uh, your fake son from the flier?
Martin Eddie: Great model. Terrible gardener.
Gregory: [chuckles] What are you trying to say, Dad? I mean, we've talked about me working for you. You tell me to do something, I do it, you say, "Nope, not like that." I then correct it, and you go, "No, that's still not it." Then you say, "Fine, I'll just do it myself." Then I watch you do exactly what I did, and then you say, "What an improvement."
Martin Eddie: I'm not asking you to work for me. I'm asking you to work with me.
Gregory: Why now?
Martin Eddie: Look, I'm trying to get into business with you, and eventually, I'm gonna retire and leave it to you, but first, I just needed to know you could carry your own weight, and you can. I've never seen you more confident.

Quote from Janine

Janine: Alright, so, I'm upset with myself about how things turned out with Zara and Joya. I feel like all of my solutions just created more problems. I feel like I really got my math wrong with this one.
Barbara: Janine, this isn't math. The two of them just don't enjoy each other's company. What's wrong with that?
Janine: I'm... [sighs] I'm not sure. Just people not getting along, it makes me uncomfortable.
Barbara: Well, have you reflected on why that is?
Janine: No, but I have tried journaling.
Barbara: Janine, has there ever been a time where you've had to sit with conflict?
Janine: Well, yeah, my mom used to do these things that would really upset my sister, and, you know, they kind of would get into their squabbles, and I would get put in the middle of their squabbles, and they would want me to choose sides, and I just wanted it to stop.
Barbara: Mm.
Janine: It was awful. Even now, when my sister comes to visit, she doesn't want my mom to know. And if she does, they get all squabbly.
Barbara: And as difficult as that sounds, I have to tell you, this is not about them. This is about you. You need to become comfortable being uncomfortable. Sometimes, two people just don't like each other, like me and that usher at church. I'll sit where I want to sit. Mm.

Quote from Barbara

Janine: Hey, Barbara?
Barbara: Hmm?
Janine: See you next week for office hour?
Barbara: Wait a minute, I thought this was...
Janine: [chuckles] Oh, Barbara. I'm gonna have a ton of problems by then, too.
Barbara: Janine, don't make me call a 7th grader to beat you up. [laughs]
Janine: Not funny.

 Page 3