This episode subtly hints at Ava’s hidden competence. When she finally steps in (pun intended) to teach the students a real step routine after Janine’s chaotic “counting to eight” fails, we see a flicker of why she might actually be principal — not just a troll. Janelle James plays this transition perfectly: still arrogant, but momentarily effective. The show doesn’t redeem her, but it adds shading.
Tyler James Williams excels at physical comedy. Watch him recoil when a student sneezes near his coffee, or his robotic “high five” attempts. But the episode’s sweetest beat comes when he helps a girl practice her step routine one-on-one — not because he loves kids, but because he respects discipline and precision. It’s a believable, small step (again, pun intended) toward him warming up to teaching.
The talking-head interviews in this episode are gold. Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) deadpans: “I have seen Ava’s step routines. They involve a lot of pointing and blaming.” Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) compares the step team drama to “watching two mules fight over a turnip.” And Janine’s earnest admission that she watched Bring It On “for research… seven times” is quintessential Janine. What Doesn’t Quite Land Jacob’s A Capella Subplot Jacob introducing his students to Pentatonix as “the future of music” is funny in concept, but the episode doesn’t give it room to breathe. It feels like a scene cut down from something longer — funny enough, but forgettable compared to the other plots. Only the final moment, where his defeated face is reflected in a student’s sunglasses, saves it.