Season 2 of English Teacher Finds Its Stride With Heart, Chaos, and Plenty of Laughs

FX and Hulu’s English Teacher, created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, continues its sharp and heartfelt comedic exploration of public high school life in Austin, Texas. Season 2, episodes 4 through 10, deliver a blend of outrageous comedy, social commentary, and surprisingly emotional turns that keep the show fresh and compulsively watchable.

“Grant’s Dinner Party” (S2E4): College, Chaos, and Crying QBs

Episode 4 kicks off the second half of the season with high-stakes anxiety as college application season hits. Principal Moretti casually drops the news that applications are due in two days, sending the senior class—and Evan—into a full-blown panic. Evan tries to provide his students with crash-course tips on DEI and affirmative action, only to confuse them further.

Meanwhile, Coach Markie and Gwen help the school’s star quarterback—who has a penchant for emotional outbursts—secure a college offer. Evan has his own identity crisis after overhearing a snide comment about being a DEI hire, and begins questioning his professional worth, even considering a corporate job Malcolm suggests. The episode balances topical issues with hilarious student-teacher interactions, culminating in one of the funniest yet most grounded episodes of the season. ★★★★¾

“Evan’s Mom” (S2E5): A Surprise Visit Shakes Everything Up

In a standout character episode, Evan’s life gets turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of his fiery, overbearing mother (played brilliantly by Laura Bayonas). She shows up to watch Evan receive a “Teacher of the Month” award—news Evan only hears through Principal Moretti. With Gwen’s chaotic help, Evan attempts to keep his mother from meeting Malcolm, only to find out they’ve already bonded over Facebook.

The episode is a whirlwind of physical comedy (with Gwen channeling her inner Lucille Ball) and emotional tension. Evan’s mother is revealed to be a financial genius, adored by nearly everyone except Gwen—who still fights for her approval. This episode dives deeper into Evan’s background and Latino identity in a rare and welcomed way. ★★★★★

“Recruiter” (S2E6): A Uniformed Intrusion

When a charismatic U.S. Army recruiter (SSG Seth) arrives at school, Evan’s anti-military stance clashes with the school's open-door approach. Gwen is smitten with the recruiter’s uniformed confidence, while Coach Markie becomes suspicious of his motives. A casual staff gathering at Gwen’s house turns tense as truths about the recruiter begin to surface—confirming Markie’s gut feelings.

Meanwhile, Gwen disciplines her distracted class by collecting their phones, starting a wave of improved focus that other teachers take note of. The episode also features a bizarre moment when a strange man lurks outside Evan’s classroom, a scene that plays with tension and absurdity while poking at real school security concerns. ★★★★¼

“Lake Trip” (S2E7): Paddle Boats and Proctoring Scandals

Evan and Malcolm’s romantic weekend at Blanco Lakeside Village starts peacefully but quickly dissolves into tension when Evan breaks his promise to unplug. The vacation ends early amid sniping arguments, reflecting the growing cracks in their relationship.

Back at school, Coach Markie and Rick oversee standardized testing with chaos brewing. Gwen and Principal Moretti deal with clever student Chelsea, who manipulates her accommodations with dramatic flair. Meanwhile, Rick confesses he’s made a bet on test scores, and Markie ends up helping him cheat—an ethically messy subplot played for laughs.

Later, everyone regroups at Gwen and Nick’s house for some lighthearted recovery. Though less cohesive than other episodes, “Lake Trip” still provides chuckles and sets up future conflicts. ★★★★

“Accreditation” (S2E8): Gaming the System

With the school seeking to earn a coveted five-star accreditation, tensions are sky-high. Evan’s students start their day with meditation—a stress-management tool he champions, though Coach Markie sees it as dangerously close to prayer in school.

The episode’s strength lies in how each teacher responds to their assigned evaluator. Gwen’s is her ex-boyfriend, whom she ghosted. Evan’s is unexpectedly a student—much to his horror. Their cafeteria scenes, where the staff trade horror stories about their evaluations, are some of the funniest of the season.

Amid the chaos, Evan is pushed to his breaking point, especially when he finds out an old nemesis is helping Moretti with the accreditation process. His final panel speech is pure catharsis—and hilarious. ★★★★

“Locked-In” (S2E9): Scavenger Hunts and Soul-Searching

In a bizarre but endearing turn, the annual school lock-in sees Evan, Gwen, Rick, and Coach Markie supervising an overnight sleepover in the gym. A dirty scavenger hunt threatens to spiral into chaos, and Gwen recruits the terrifying Sharon to restore order.

Malcolm arrives mid-lock-in to confront Evan about their relationship woes. Meanwhile, Markie opens up to Evan about his struggles with religion, culminating in a heartfelt trip to a Korean church. The episode blends silly hijinks with genuine vulnerability—particularly between Markie and Evan.

Principal Moretti wraps up the lock-in by selecting award winners in under five minutes, perfectly encapsulating his unbothered leadership style. ★★★★

“Graduation” (S2E10): A Bittersweet Send-Off

The season finale brings all threads together. Evan’s seniors prepare to graduate, and he’s caught off-guard when one student, Clay, is selected as the commencement speaker—causing Evan to suspect bullying is at play. Moretti insists bullying has been "eradicated," naturally raising more red flags than comfort.

Rick is tapped as Moretti’s new vice principal, and Nick (Gwen’s boyfriend) plans to propose to Gwen at graduation, roping a reluctant Coach Markie into helping. Meanwhile, Evan is asked to teach summer school, despite having vacation plans with Malcolm.

Clay’s speech ends up roasting the staff, Markie nearly confesses his feelings for Gwen, Nick makes his big move, and Evan realizes how much he truly cares for his students. As Malcolm gives Evan an ultimatum, the episode—and season—end on a note of romantic and professional uncertainty.

With graduation as its backdrop, the finale packs emotional punches, awkward romance, and just enough cliffhangers to leave fans hungry for Season 3. ★★★★½

Final Thoughts on Season 2

English Teacher Season 2 continues to solidify its status as one of the smartest and quirkiest sitcoms on TV. Balancing biting social commentary with genuine emotional depth, it’s a show that gets funnier the closer you look. From chaotic classroom moments to touching confessions at church, the writing remains sharp, the performances effortless, and the ensemble cast a delight.

Whether it’s tackling DEI, overbearing parents, military recruiting, or school accreditation, English Teacher never loses sight of its heart: a passionate, anxious, hilarious teacher trying to survive the school year with some semblance of dignity. Here's to Season 3!

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