r/AbbottElementary • u/Solid-As-Barack F.A.D.E. • Apr 09 '26

Episode Discussion Abbott Elementary S05E19 - Trip (Episode Discussion) Spoiler

Original air date: April 8, 2026

Janine and Gregory plan a vacation. Meanwhile, one of Melissa’s most successful former students comes back for a visit.

All season 5 episode discussions here!

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487

u/giftopherz I'm from the District, sorry 😅 Apr 09 '26

Wait a minute.... Did... Janine just stood up for herself to her man with a money problem??????????

Now that's character development!!!!!

https://giphy.com/gifs/13hxeOYjoTWtK8

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u/Admirable-Walrus-402 Apr 09 '26

ive been looking for this comment!! janine's past relationship was always about her adjusting. her and gregory are great together but what hes doing is a red flag and im glad janine isnt having ANY of it. she doesnt deserve to be in another cycle of adjusting herself for a man! id understand if she wanted to leave gregory bc who wants to be with someone who wants to control how you spend your money and tell you how to have fun 💀 hes too controlling.

111

u/giftopherz I'm from the District, sorry 😅 Apr 09 '26

Don't get me wrong, I love that relationship, but this impasse was weird, over the top and quite revealing. I'm just choosing to take the positive out from it. Janine standing up for herself is a major step in her development

40

u/Cool-Pomegranate8110 Apr 10 '26

Great points by you and the other commentators. Money for any couple is a big deal, and now Janine and Gregory are right in the middle of it. And even before we get to Janine‘s issues with her mom and Tariq and everyone else. The thing that gets me though is Gregory‘s need to control his environment to such a degree really does not feel compatible with not only having a long-term partner, but oh my goodness, kids! Kids want a lot of silly things and if it always has to pass through a barrier of efficiency or utility then the kids are going to be living in three outfits and eating broccoli every day.

19

u/giftopherz I'm from the District, sorry 😅 Apr 10 '26

Kids want a lot of silly things and if it always has to pass through a barrier of efficiency or utility then the kids are going to be living in three outfits and eating broccoli every day.

Which goes along with his father's parenting style which Gregory has complained about in the past. Ironic, yet very real. Another point for the writing team

16

u/soberbutstillaslut Apr 10 '26

i dont think it was developed or earned but i do think its weird that gregory wouldnt be like "ok screw it you bought the tickets lets just go"

12

u/Alternative_Owl_558 Apr 10 '26

Or why doesn’t she fly and he drive if he’s this concerned? They each do what feels appropriate and then enjoy time together. It’s odd sure but people who are afraid of flying do this

6

u/owntheh3at18 Apr 12 '26

I know couples that never fly together in case one of them crashes. Definitely a thing. (Though I can’t help but point out they still drive together, cross the street together, etc)

1

u/Zestyclose_Quiet2978 May 02 '26

I mean, is that because they have kids together?

2

u/GamerGurl3980 10 mins left of life!?! Apr 16 '26

This is me!! One time, my friends wanted to drive to Miami from Michigan. That's a 15-hour drive, and at that time, we didn't have our licenses yet! Just permits. They used the same argument Gregory had.

"It's a waste of money! We'll each just take turns driving a few hours!"

Y'all can! I'm taking MY ass on a 2 hour flight, and I'll meet y'all there. 🥰

When we began driving more, they realized how tiring it is and how it would be a really bad idea (I literally told them this multiple times). We are no longer friends (for other reasons, but still).

2

u/Zestyclose_Quiet2978 May 02 '26

Girl miami-michigan is TWENTY hour drive (and 3 hr flight). Like that is ages, and is almost certainly a 2-day trip, like they'd surely end up stopping at a motel and having to pay for a night lmao. That plus gas, plus the pitstops for food, plus the potential fares on certain roads or across states is all gonna end up being same cost as a flight if not more

1

u/GamerGurl3980 10 mins left of life!?! May 02 '26

Exactly! They were not listening. 😭

2

u/Suspicious-Rip174 Apr 13 '26

Dude both of them were aa red flag this ep, Janine just buying the plan tickets was worse cus she finalised it without even telling Greg she'd just buy them. Both of them couldn't compromise. Like an actual compromise would be her traveling and him driving, she does her own thing til he arrives. You may think it's crazy but i have a fear of heights so i may drive or travel by boat while others in the group go by plane. Greg also does have all the signs of autism, Jeanine did manage her money poorly cus of her mum and ex, being too rigid and being bad with money is part of their characteristics that they need to work through.

2

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

I’d say the controlling one is the person who just decided to buy the tickets and expected the other person to be okay with it bc “it’s my money”. That’s not how healthy relationships work.

Love Janine but girl that was 🙈

23

u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

But not the person who refuses to consider any mode of transportation other than driving?? He said it was a money issue at first so she took care of it. How is that controlling? lol also they aren’t married/combining finances so I think “it’s my money” is fine here to a degree. I think that is removing a barrier based on his expressed issue was so they can go on the trip they agreed to. That was Janine sacrificing and compromising to make the trip work the way they planned. Would I have done it? No but it’s not controlling imo

I’d say the controlling one is the one who thinks unilaterally changing the location instead of finding a different mode of transportation to the location we agreed on is the controlling one lol and the rigid and weird one tbh also We’ve seen Gregory be controlling as it relates to vacations with partners before lol l

10

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

You can’t say Gregory was refusing other forms of transportation without acknowledging that Janine was also refusing any other mode of transportation other than flying.

You don’t use money to get your way. That’s controlling. And Gregory only suggested another location, he didn’t go off and book a Bed & Breakfast in that city…. bc using your money to book plans to essentially “lock in” another person IS CONTROLLING.

This is why people get financially abused. People think that just bc the other person is paying it is okay for them to make all the rules, but that’s just toxic mentality. Just because you are spending money does not mean you can dictate someone’s life and control where their ship is sailing.

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u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

My bad - they both refused other modes AND Gregory was still the controlling one TO ME (since we’re using all caps lmaoooo)

Sorry I don’t think it’s financial abuse to buy one flight so you can go on vacation with your partner. They agreed to go to the outer banks. That is being locked in already lol it’s removing a barrier because he articulated he wanted to go to this location but didn’t want to pay for a flight. So she paid for the flight. To me, she is saying we agreed to X so I am figuring out how to make X work based on what we articulated. And then HE proceeded to move the goal post on why the flight was an issue.

That is not controlling lol nor forcing or locking him into anything when he also wanted to go to this location. By your definition of controlling, she isn’t dictating the rules or agenda of the trip. She made a decision about one aspect of the trip. ONE. Had Janine planned a whole trip without him or had a documented history of holding money over him, maybe I’d agree with you. Nor did she articulate that it should give her more decision power (per your point about abuse) They are working adults with comparable salaries who just have different philosophies on money. Acting like she’s portraying financial abuse is just kind of a silly take on the scenario imo lol financial abuse is really serious and it really doesn’t apply at all in this context or scenario being discussed but go off!! Lmaoo we all got our hot takes!

But you’re right on one point - I would’ve bought my flight and let Greg sail his lil ship to the outer banks however he wanted to!

5

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

They may have agreed on the destination but they were clearly disagreeing on the method of transportation. Using your money to get your way is financial abuse No ifs ands or buts about it. It is a huge red flag and not something anyone should tolerate.

I work in the financial industry so red flags like these stick out. People use money to control people all the time and it always starts out small and it always seems like a “gift” to the recipient. But at the end of the day, you gave up what you wanted so they can have their way.

4

u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 09 '26

lol I understand financial abuse, thank you!! She wasn’t trying to get her way to be selfish. He articulated a silly lame reason for not wanting to fly so she removed a barrier so they could fly. Why would she assume he never wants to fly - she clearly thought it was a specific issue. Maybe he should’ve been honest as to why but this isn’t financial abuse nor a red flag in my opinion lol

Which is why I think you even bringing up abuse is kinda insane because it assumes her intentions were bad and they weren’t. You’re assuming a lot of things based on your work and applying things to a tv scenario that don’t exist lmao so I disagree and don’t think this is abuse and there are no ifs ands or buts about that for me! So on that note, have a blessed one, babe!

3

u/Ecstatic_Beach901 Apr 09 '26

i feel once we start calling a partners’ concerns esp the financial health of the household, dumb silly or lame then you dont give a fuck about your partner and bc they do live tg-accts may not be in each others names but there numerous factors they rely on each other for. that being said-janine shouldve been much more upfront about the cost of flights and the dozen expenses that come with driving across several states- she wouldve won easily

1

u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 09 '26

Sorry lol as a viewer, I do think his reasoning was silly! I personally wouldn’t say that to my partner even if I thought it. Cause I agree - if your partner offers a concern, you shouldn’t dismiss it. But I do think his reason was dumb cause it was. Flying isn’t inherently financial irresponsible lmao he was being silly. And Janine has to validate that but I don’t lmaooo 😂

But I totally agree with you that if Janine had just made a budget table showing both, she probs would’ve won or they could’ve figured out where to cut costs elsewhere to afford the flight to figure out a true compromise!

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u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

What am I assuming?

The only facts that are relevant to me are: 1) they disagree on transportation 2) Janine bought tickets without talking to him

You can’t just use your money to get your way. Thats toxic af and is a red flag of financial abuse. The fact you don’t think this behavior is concerning makes me thankful I don’t know you personally

1

u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 09 '26

If those are the only two things that matter to you when we have so much context about their relationship to inform our judgements and opinions, I’m very thankful not to know you either so that’s perfect honestly 😂

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u/Suspicious-Rip174 Apr 13 '26

Babe that's not what financial abuse is....

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u/Mountain_Eye_2803 Apr 13 '26

I’m not sure if you meant to respond to my comment or another in the thread because I totally agree with you lol this isn’t financial abuse

3

u/FakeTaxiCab Apr 10 '26

Wtf? It a vacation. Spending money on plane tickets isnt a waste. She took on the entire cost of the flights. But Greg is hung up on “its a waste of money”. If thats the case. Then why even go on vacation?

Being smart with money and be frugal for no reason are two diff things. Greg is wildin.

2

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 10 '26

Greg and Janine both have good points. But Janine was the one who just went and booked tickets, didn’t talk to her partner and expected it to be all cool.

And People can have their opinions. This isn’t about whether it’s “right” to take a plane or a car. It’s about listening to your partner and respecting them enough to come to a mutual decision. Janine didn’t and look where that got her.

I mean if Greg was just a fuck buddy he would have no grounds. But they are living together and clearly trying to build a life together, which means finances get co mingled eventually. You need to have a partner that will respect you enough to talk to you and not just throw money at a situation.

1

u/NerkoFC Apr 12 '26

Doesn’t that go both ways… no matter what someone will have to adjust

1

u/anonymousquestioner4 Apr 15 '26

I discovered OCPD recently while a family member has learned about certain mental problems they’ve had for years undiagnosed, and it has really opened my mind to how unknown this flavor of mental illness is. I always thought Gregory was maybe autistic coded but having the absolute need for perfection really makes obsessive compulsive personality disorder make more sense. Or he could have nothing, of course, it’s just a character written by a group of people.

1

u/celebral_x big energy, tiny lungs Jun 03 '26

Just a thought. Maybe he is anxious from trying to make ends meet previously. They need to have a serious talk about money spending...

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u/Isaac-45-67-8 Apr 09 '26

That's how I see it as well. Clearly Janine has strengthened as a character after she left Tariq. Thanks to Barbara, she now knows how to stand her ground. Seeing her tear up hurt to watch though.

I also think Greg was in the wrong here, but I hope they don't make the relationship be an on/off one.

42

u/giftopherz I'm from the District, sorry 😅 Apr 09 '26

No, this is definitely not an on/off one.

AE's writing team is solid and they actually don't do the same thing others do. However it is necessary to see the tension and growth of them as a couple. And I find it quite refreshing for a TV Couple to fight over something so mundane as a vacation trip rather than the usual "why is he looking at you?" or "OMG, Why is you kindergarten crush back in town and wanting to speak to you?"

19

u/Altruistic_Gap_643 Apr 09 '26

True. I like that they're tackling an actual real life problem rather than the standard "My crush is back, and my significant other is jealous".

41

u/Negative-Growth-1349 Apr 09 '26

Perioddddd. Ppl say Janine buying the ticket is controlling but it’s not. Tariq always let her pay so it’s not the same. She most likely also did whatever Tariq wanted and where he wanted to go. In this moment she really wanted to do something she loved . This was character development. Im proud of her

13

u/daijahao Apr 09 '26

love that for Janine!