If you are currently searching for you already have great taste. But let me stop you for a second. Don’t just click play. Prepare yourself.

And when Ava says, “You can’t hustle a hustler,” make sure you can see the sparkle in her eye.

So, go ahead. Find that file. Queue it up. Turn off the lights.

Best Line: “I don’t know what a ‘pedagogue’ is, but I guarantee I’m better at it than you.” Watch it for: The final frame of Gregory smiling. You’ll know it when you see it. Have you watched S01E12 recently? Who is your favorite character—Ava or the terrifying Superintendent? Let me know in the comments below!

Season 1, Episode 12—“Ava vs. The Superintendent”—isn’t just another mockumentary gem. It is the linchpin of the entire first season. It’s the episode where the show stops being "the funny new school comedy" and becomes essential television.

It is three minutes of the most uncomfortable, brilliant comedy you will see all year. And in 1080p, you can see the sweat beading on the superintendent’s upper lip. Chef’s kiss. S01E12 is the turning point. It proves that Ava isn't just a villain; she’s a strategist. It proves that Janine’s optimism isn't naivety; it’s armor. And it proves that Abbott Elementary deserved every Emmy it won.