Abbott Elementary Season 4 Is Finally Redeeming Its Worst Character

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 13, “The Science Fair.”

While Abbott Elementary took its sweet time fixing one of the show’s most annoying characters, he might mercifully be on the right track after season 4, episode 13. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters includes some of the funniest sitcom stars on TV, and almost all of them are hard to dislike. Mr. Johnson might regularly come out with some absurd conspiracy theories, but it remains impossible not to root for the unhinged janitor. Similarly, Melissa may never turn down an opportunity to fight, but she has a heart of gold under her tough exterior.

However, there are some supporting characters who haven’t had the same humanizing moments as the show's main cast. Janine's mother may be played by the legendary Taraji P Henson, but she’s been a truly reprehensible figure every time she has appeared in the series. Similarly, although Abbott Elementary’s role for Ava’s father hasn’t been too substantial yet, it is clear that he seriously upset his distant daughter when he left her for his new family in the past. Then there is Jerry Minor’s Mr. Morton.

Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 13 Saw Mr. Morton Change For The Better

Mr. Morton Finally Questioned His Smug Superiority Thanks To Jacob and Barbara

The dreadful Mr. Morton first appeared in season 2, episode 8, “Egg Drop,” and he has been a thorn in the side of the show’s heroes ever since. A mopey walking embodiment of every problematic viewpoint under the sun, Morton is bitter, superior, misogynistic, self-obsessed, and miserable. While Minor is a reliably funny comedic performer, Morton’s antics are almost always disheartening and bleak. Fortunately, his time with Barbara and Jacob in season 4, episode 13, “The Science Fair” appeared to finally leave Morton with a reason to change his behavior.

Morton complained that everything in his life went wrong, but blamed everyone else for these circumstances. Barbara and Jacob turned Morton’s love of science against him by forcing him to introspect a little, pointing out that he was the common denominator between all his problems. Although Abbott Elementary season 4's larger overarching story means viewers are unlikely to see much more of Morton’s journey in the coming episodes, this was still a very positive change for a character who has been stagnant for years now.

Mr. Morton’s Abbott Elementary Season 4 Change Was Overdue

Few Abbott Elementary Characters Are As One-Dimensional As Mr. Morton

When Morton was first introduced, he was a fastidious and irritating zealot who valued rationality and logic over everything else, to the detriment of his teaching. Since that initial appearance, his character has barely changed or evolved. As such, it was nice to see Abbott Elementary change this by starting to flesh him out a little more in “The Science Fair.” Fortunately, Minor’s character can remain just as funny even after some self-improvement.

Janine smiles an uncertain smile in Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 11

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It is easy to imagine a version of Morton who is evangelizing about mediation and yoga bringing him inner peace, and it is equally easy to see the faculty of Abbott hating this new enlightened Morton as much as the old bitter one. The character doesn’t need to become a hero, but the show does need to do something new with him. This makes the start of Morton’s redemption in Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 13 an exciting change.

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