Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 11.
Although Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 11 cast Lana Condor as Gregory’s date, Olivia, the actor was wasted in a thankless supporting role. Since the show debuted, it has been pretty obvious that Abbott Elementary is setting up a slow-burn romance between Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie. The couple may not get together until Abbott Elementary season 4, but their chemistry has been obvious since the show’s earliest episodes. Janine and Gregory aren’t the type to jump into a serious relationship, but it can still get somewhat frustrating to see the series drag out their inevitable eventual hookup.
In season 2’s finale, Gregory and Janine admitted that they had feelings for each other after dating other people. Anyone in Abbott Elementary’s supporting cast of characters could have told them this, but the cautious duo still decided to take things slowly. By the beginning of season 3, Gregory was telling Janine that he thought the “Pause” they put on their feelings was a “Period.” Hurt, Janine took a fellowship in the school district that kept her away from Abbott, and Gregory, for weeks. Luckily, Abbott Elementary season 3’s Janine job improved the pair’s story.
Spending time away from Janine forced Gregory to admit that he had feelings for his co-worker, but this couldn’t have come at a worse time. In season 3, episode “Double Date,” Gregory went on a double date with Jacob, Avi, and Avi’s EMT co-worker, Olivia. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before star Lana Condor played Greg’s date, but Abbott Elementary wasted Condor’s appealing Olivia since Gregory was busy obsessing over Janine. When he saw that Janine was seemingly on a date with Manny, her former school district co-worker, Gregory was so busy spying that he barely spoke to Olivia.
This gag worked, and it was very funny to see a dazed, distracted Gregory try to hold a conversation. However, the role was still a waste of Condor’s considerable talents, particularly after the star showed off her comedic timing in Moonshot, Boo, Bitch, Boajack Horseman, and the To All the Boys trilogy. Abbott Elementary’s supporting characters sometimes get short-changed in the series, but Condor’s role was particularly unfortunate. The part could have gone to a less accomplished, high-profile actor. Bringing the star into the series seemed like a promising surprise, but her part in the show was surprisingly short-lived and limited.
Abbott Elementary is far from the first great sitcom to struggle with incorporating romantic false leads. Whether it is Lizzy Caplan and Merritt Wever in New Girl, Glenn Howerton in The Mindy Project, or Rashida Jones in The Office, a lot of great guest stars have been wasted in the role of a love interest who only exists to get between an established couple. Abbott Elementary almost ended Janine and Gregory’s romance hopes, but “Double Date” proved that the pair have a bright future together. Unfortunately, this positive news came at a cost to Abbott Elementary’s latest guest star.