Why did Ava decide to come back to Abbott Elementary? Character's return explored

Janelle James' Ava has consistently remained a fan favorite of Abbott Elementary, and therefore, when she was fired in Season 4, Episode 18, it naturally caused a stir among fans who got worried thinking if she would be coming back or not.

However, given the kind of workplace comedy that Abbott Elementary is, it essentially depends more on its characters than on narrative plot points and thus, it was only a matter of time before Ava was brought back.

Ava got fired from the school by the District because she was found guilty of accepting bribes from the Golf Course. The executive producer and co-showrunner Patrick Schumacker had to announce publicly that they would bring her back. In an interview with The Wrap, he said,

“The story is not over — you will see Janelle in subsequent episodes. But it is kind of a longer play. It’s not something that’s going to resolve itself super quickly.”

Janelle James naturally found the fans’ reaction enjoyable as she mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter,

“That made me feel good that the producers felt like they had to tell people I’m coming back because people were like, ‘I’m not gonna watch anymore. They had to run to the internet to say, ‘no, no, no, watch the next episode,’ so that made me feel good — but I wish he hadn’t spoiled it.”

Fortunately for the fans, Schumacker kept his promise and Ava made a comeback in Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 20, titled Ava Fest: Tokyo Drift. Let us now explore in detail the reason behind her coming back.

Janelle James’ Ava makes a comeback in Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 20

Right from the moment Ava was introduced as the principal of Abbott Elementary, she wasn't the stereotypical idealistic institutional head. She was rather a little (too) unique in her approach, more blunt and, albeit a little corrupt, she quickly became the fan favourite,

However, things reached a boiling point when she accepted that she had been taking bribes from the Golf Course to the District to maintain Abbott. She got fired, and in the following episode, we see her as frankly, an interesting motivational speaker!

Since the news of her return was already out, the viewers were expecting a quick return as soon as Abbott needed help. However, Abbott might as well have been Ava's sidequest if you know her! This is where the writers of Abbott Elementary played a masterstroke and shaped the narrative in a way that confirmed Ava's return not only because the school needed her but simply because working there made her happy.

As Abbott Elementary was going through a financial crisis after Ava was fired, it was natural to hope that she would waltz in with some of her magic tricks and save the school from closing.

However, in a narrative twist, it was Barbara who collected the required money as she got hold of Jill Scott, the R&B legend, to perform at the fundraiser event.

This marks Ava’s comeback as more of an emotional journey rather than something laced with practical or monetary motivation. Moreover, her absence also made Janine realize that she values Ava’s take on things, which she previously wasn't quite sure of.

Let's see how things take off at Abbott after her return!

Abbott Elementary can be streamed on Hulu.

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