"Zoo Balloon" is the thirteenth episode and Season 1 Finale of Abbott Elementary'.
While taking their yearly trip to the zoo, Janine is forced to evaluate her relationship with Tariq after he insists on the two of them moving to New Yor for his job. She's not the only one in turmoil as Barbara reflects on her teaching career after learning that her favorite zoo animal "retired".
- Astonishingly Appropriate Appearance: Ava wears a cheetah-print suit when going to the zoo.
- Clip Show: Various clips from Season 1 play as Mr. Johnson reads the letter the Breakfast Club left behind.
- Cloud Cuckoo Landers Minder: While assigning positions for the chaperones, Barbara assigns her daughter to watch over Ava and Tariq.
- Continuity Cavalcade:
- Barbara's daughter Taylor returns as a chaperone and is still dating Greg.
- Tariq is still the head performer for F.A.D.E.
- Zach also appears and gives a boy a tip on shoe maintenance.
- Greg's hesitance in eating new food is referenced with him trying clam chowder for the first time.
- He also mentions Janine's fear of heights.
- Melissa compliments Gregory for using his silly voice (while speaking in a British accent).
- Differing Priorities Breakup: Janine decides to go through with breaking up with her boyfriend not only because she doesn't want to move to New York but because she needs time to figure out what she really wants in her life. And to do that, she can't be tied to Tariq.
- Dramatically Missing the Point: Tariq claims to be a feminist which is why he insists that his girlfriend pays for all the bills.
- Friendship Moment: Melissa talks with her fellow queen about her retirement dilemma and reminds her that she's grown into a better teacher over the years. Barbara is touched by her pep talk and is able to let go of her insecurities.
- I Was Quite a Fashion Victim: Barbara jokes with Melissa about having dressed like Janine when she started teaching.
- Internal Reveal: Janine learns that Greg is now a full time teacher at Abbott.
- Mood Whiplash: The last scene has Mr. Johnson smiling after reading the Breakfast Club's letter describing Abbott's teachers as true heroes. But then he crumples it and tosses it into the trash bin.
- Moving Angst: While she's happy for Tariq's success, Janine is worried about having to leave Philadelphia along with her job at Abbott in order to accompany him in New York.
- Never Say "Die": Barbara is upset to find that her favorite lizard has been "retired" because of the Circle of Life. Melissa even questions if she meant retired like her Uncle Anthony or "retired" like Uncle Tony.
- The Runaway: During the field trip, Kenny runs away to hide in a hot air balloon out of fear of him moving to the second grade.
- Running Away to Cry: Upon learning that his best friend may leave Abbott, Jacob excuses himself so he can look at the hippos.
- Seen It All: As a professional teacher, Barbara confesses that she's dealt with kids disappearing on field trips countless times.
- Shout-Out:
- Mr. Johnson enjoys watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off whenever Abbott has a major field trip. Later he compares his situation to The Breakfast Club when he has to watch a group of kids who couldn't go with everyone.
- Barbara recounts a time a boy named August got lost in a chocolate river.
- Skewed Priorities: Ava admits to not filling out the proper paperwork for the field trip because she really wanted to go to the zoo.
- Small Name, Big Ego: Tariq starts to get a big head after getting an e-mail from F.A.D.E. insisting that he works full time.
- So Proud of You: Barbara tells Miss Teagues that she's come along away as a teacher and that she's happy that she's staying at Abbott.
