Abbott Elementary Season 6 Episode 3 Review: A Nun, a Step Team, and Plenty of Chaos

Abbott Elementary starts off the week with its usual chaos. Jacob is trying to conduct a PTA meeting, but Tariq is bored, and everyone in attendance seems equally uninterested. Things take a turn when Jacob announces that they get to choose a new food item for the lunch menu.

Tariq suggests ribs, and the choices only get crazier from there. Everyone seems to have forgotten that Abbott was almost shut down and had to conduct classes in a defunct mall, but hey, apparently crab legs are a valid suggestion. Eventually, we get to something reasonable, like burgers, until someone mentions sliders, and that kicks off Tariq wanting to do the electric slide.

However, Jacob takes the iPod and declares that it is impossible to line dance to the Coldplay song he plays. But guess what? This is Abbott we're talking about, and everyone absolutely manages to find a way to line dance.

The Step Team Has Big Dreams

Jacob's podcast club, for some reason, wants to focus on reverb and acoustics, and they want to do so in the gym. However, Ava informs him that the gym is occupied by the step team, so Jacob opts for the stairwell instead. Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson is recording the step team's audition. There's a competition that could take them to Disney World, and they're determined to win. Ava comes in and immediately shoots down their dreams.

She asks Mr. Johnson what's in it for him, and he explains that they're also looking for up-and-coming young YouTubers, and he plans to be there. But Mr. Johnson, you're not exactly a young YouTuber! Then again, what can you really say to Mr. Johnson? He's as young as he feels.

Ava still doesn't believe in the step team, despite how excited the students are about competing. I'm hoping she'll eventually come around because we know these episodes usually end on a heartfelt note. I also think Ava's fear of rejection is partially responsible for her trying to hold them back.

Melissa and Barbara Go Back to School

Meanwhile, Melissa is frustrated because she doesn't like sharing her classroom. She has a student with special needs named Michael, who has been assigned Ms. Pittman, portrayed by Ali Wong, as his teacher for the day. Melissa tries to encourage Ms. Pittman to return to her own classes because they're going to be working out of workbooks, but that doesn't work. Ms. Pittman is determined to stay with Michael for the remainder of the day, which drives Melissa completely bonkers.

However, Melissa isn't certified to teach special education. Ms. Pittman happens to offer a course that helps teachers obtain that certification, and when she mentions that Melissa could get her classroom back while also earning more money, the lightbulb goes off.

Melissa immediately recruits Barbara to join the certification class, enticing her with the promise of a pay increase. Barbara agrees because she wants to go on a cruise, and who doesn't love a little extra money for vacation?

Unfortunately, Barbara and Melissa are late to their very first class. They're not taking it seriously because, with their many years of teaching experience, they believe they already know everything. In their minds, there's nothing they could possibly miss. However, they're failing to recognize that showing up on time and being willing to learn is also a matter of respect for the teacher and the program itself.

Sister Natalie Goes to Bonetown

Miranda Cosgrove joins the episode as Natalie, the new substitute replacing Gregory now that he's vice principal. Mr. Johnson is attempting to initiate her into the circle, and the gang agrees they need to rescue her from his initiation process.

Janine admits that she cried for a week after Mr. Johnson tried to initiate her. They invite Natalie to Bonetown after work, and she's excited about going. She explains that she'll meet them there after visiting her sister.

And can we talk about that name? Bonetown is practically begging for inappropriate jokes, and the episode is more than happy to deliver. Later that evening, Natalie joins Janine and the gang for a game at Bonetown, and she's dressed as a nun. Everyone assumes she's celebrating Halloween early, but no, that's not the case.

She's actually a nun! Well, technically, she's a sister, as she quickly explains. Natalie mentions that she's never been to Bonetown before, which is obviously meant as a pun. However, Janine is completely fried out of her mind. She reminds the audience that she enjoys a little smoke session after school, and she apparently indulged before heading out.

Watching Janine process Natalie's joke while high is absolutely hilarious. As the night progresses, Janine finally gets the Bonetown joke and cracks up. Before that, the drinks arrive, and they're perfectly fitting for the establishment's name.

Jacob gets a Sex on the Beach, Janine gets a Pornstar, and Gregory gets a Buttery Nipple. Naturally, this makes for an awkward interaction at the table, but surprisingly, Sister Natalie isn't the one making things uncomfortable.

She's actually a good sport and even makes a few jokes herself. Meanwhile, a baked Janine stares at her and says, "Peace be with you," complete with the gesture. It's one of the funniest moments of the episode. The following morning, the gang tells Barbara, Melissa, and Mr. Johnson about Natalie being a sister while they're all gathered in the teachers' lounge. I'm not entirely sure Natalie wanted everyone to know that, but here we are.

Lessons Learned, Abbott Style

In typical Abbott Elementary fashion, everything comes together by the end of the episode. The step team wins, and Ava finally acknowledges that her own childhood rejection made her want to protect the students from experiencing the same disappointment. What initially seemed like a lack of faith in the team turns out to be Ava trying to shield them from something she knows all too well.

Meanwhile, Melissa and Barbara find themselves needing to use one of Ms. Pittman's teaching techniques. They realize that perhaps they don't know absolutely everything after all, so they return to class ready and willing to learn. As for Janine, Gregory, and Jacob, they attempt a ridiculous ruse to get Natalie to quit because they find it too awkward having a nun witness them sin multiple times a day.

Unfortunately for them, their plan fails. Natalie already knew what they were up to and had found another job anyway. She lets them know she's quitting, saving everyone from whatever embarrassing scheme they were planning next.

Between Sister Natalie, Janine's Bonetown adventures, Mr. Johnson's latest antics, and Ava's emotional breakthrough, this episode delivered plenty of laughs without losing the heart that makes Abbott Elementary special. This is easily the funniest episode of the season so far, and one that reminds us why this show continues to work so well.

Rating: 9/10

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