'English Teacher' Season 2 Recap: Episodes 1-3 - COVID, Trash Tech & Awkward Dinner Parties

The sophomore season of English Teacher dives deeper into the chaotic, quirky, and often absurd world of high school through the eyes of Evan Marquez, his colleagues, and his students. With Brian Jordan Alvarez’s sharp writing and direction, the show masterfully balances humor, social commentary, and heartfelt moments, making each 25-minute episode feel like a whirlwind of relatable school-life madness and unexpected insight.

Episode 1: “Covid in America”

The season kicks off with Evan grappling with personal and professional challenges. After a night spent with his boyfriend Malcolm—the school’s laid-back but grounded IT guy—Evan wakes up stressed, especially when Malcolm is harboring Daniel, a homeless acquaintance who also happens to be a thief. This dynamic immediately sets a tone of complexity beneath the sitcom’s manic energy. Evan’s stress bubbles over as he tries to get to school on time, only to be greeted by the usual chaos of the hallways and the teasing from his students about being late.

The main conflict arises around the school play. Principal Grant Moretti, played with his usual mix of authority and dry humor, warns Evan about “three lightning rods” to avoid: religion, sexuality, and dirty words. The principal prefers a safe, feel-good production like Seussical the Musical to avoid any school controversy or bad press. Evan reluctantly agrees, though the situation feels absurdly bureaucratic.

However, the students, who initially picked a play about AIDS in the 1980s, quickly voice their boredom and disconnection from the material. Their candidness about not relating to a historical pandemic leads to an insightful and surprisingly mature comparison with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They flip the script, wanting to create a play called “COVID in America,” which explores modern pandemic experiences.

What’s especially compelling here is the clash of perspectives. Evan, representing an older generation, sees the early AIDS crisis as a tragic historical moment requiring respect and solemnity, while the students view COVID with immediacy and relevance. Malcolm and Daniel’s casual, twisted sense of common sense aligns more with the kids’ views, creating a subtle but important commentary on how history and current events are interpreted differently by generations.

Evan’s internal battle about artistic freedom versus administrative caution, plus the students’ fight to express themselves authentically, captures the heart of the show’s approach to freedom of speech in education. It’s both hilarious and poignant to watch Evan’s chaotic attempts to rein in the play, only to be reminded by Gwen—his co-teacher and voice of reason—that punishing the kids for their creative expression is counterproductive.

This episode sets a strong tone for Season 2: messy, politically charged, but ultimately hopeful and hilarious. I gave it a 4.25 out of 5 stars because it perfectly blends chaos with meaningful dialogue without ever losing its comedic edge.

Episode 2: “Trash”

This episode brilliantly shifts focus to environmental issues and how they intersect with high school life. Evan, ever the idealist, stays late cleaning his classroom and meticulously sorting his trash for recycling. His disappointment upon learning from the sanitation engineer, Andy, that all trash—including recycling—ends up in the same landfill, is both funny and painfully real. This moment grounds the episode in a relatable frustration with the limits of eco-friendly initiatives.

In response, Evan pushes for the school to adopt Clean.r, a new high-tech waste management system developed by Malcolm’s tech company, Mugu. Evan’s enthusiasm for this program to save the environment clashes with staff skepticism and students’ resistance. The talking trash can, which calls people by name, adds a layer of creepiness and humor, illustrating how technology can sometimes feel intrusive rather than helpful.

Meanwhile, Gwen notices some students playing with zip ties, sparking fears of gang activity. The way the teachers discuss this—mixing genuine concern with amusing misunderstandings—highlights the often bizarre nature of adult attempts to decode teenage behavior. The zip tie mystery adds a subtle tension that complements the larger environmental theme.

The students’ general mistrust of Clean.r and corporate tech also stands out. Their skepticism toward Greta Thunberg as an “industry plant” and doubt about trusting a random company underscores the generational divide and the complexity of climate activism today. Evan’s admission that Malcolm works there is awkward but humanizes the conflict.

I really appreciate how this episode doesn’t just treat the environment as a dry subject but folds it into the chaotic social world of the school. The voices of the students are front and center, showing that their opinions matter—even when adults find them inconvenient or confusing. It’s refreshing to see the show handle these discussions with respect and humor. This one felt like a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars to me.

Episode 3: Weekend Dinner Party

The third episode takes a lighter, more relationship-driven tone with a weekend dinner party hosted by Principal Moretti. Evan initially plans to skip the gathering but ends up joining his co-teachers Gwen and Rick. The episode thrives on awkward social dynamics, misunderstandings, and Evan’s classic tendency to jump to conclusions.

The introduction of Gil, Moretti’s daughter Abby’s boyfriend, brings plenty of comedic confusion—especially when Evan mistakenly assumes Gil is gay. Evan’s insecurities and the humorous way he obsesses over this misunderstanding generate plenty of laughs, especially as Gil’s eccentric behavior (like putting Abby’s underwear on his head) pushes Evan to question reality.

Meanwhile, the subplot involving Coach Markie’s crush on Gwen and his overly talkative girlfriend Brit adds layers of comedic tension. Brit’s clinginess and rapid-fire chatter leave Gwen desperate for an escape, while Markie worries she might spill his secret crush. These awkward social exchanges perfectly capture the messy, unpredictable nature of adult relationships within the school ecosystem.

The episode’s humor shines in its rapid-fire mini-stories, innuendos, and misinterpretations. Evan’s bluntness and lack of filter create moments of genuine hilarity, while the conversations about sexuality, identity, and honesty offer more depth than typical sitcom fare.

I found the episode’s balance of light-hearted fun and meaningful dialogue impressive. The way it explores how people navigate assumptions and misunderstandings in social situations felt very real and well-observed. I’d give this one a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

The first three episodes of English Teacher Season 2 continue the show’s winning formula of manic, relatable high school madness with a strong social conscience. It’s a rare sitcom that manages to be genuinely funny while tackling difficult topics like pandemics, environmental issues, and identity with nuance and heart.

Evan’s character remains a wonderfully flawed yet earnest protagonist—often overwhelmed but always trying to do the right thing, even if he stumbles along the way. The supporting cast, especially Malcolm, Gwen, and Principal Moretti, add great texture and depth, making the school feel like a real community with diverse viewpoints.

I’m especially impressed by how the show incorporates student voices and generational differences without condescension. It respects the intelligence and agency of the younger characters, which feels both refreshing and important.

Overall, Season 2 feels like it’s shaping up to be as clever, chaotic, and socially relevant as Season 1, if not more so. Can’t wait to see where the stories go from here.

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