I will admit that this Superstore episode didn’t start out so great. It was a slightly funny story about Amy playing hooky, that turned into her meddling in other people’s lives and Glenn becoming a petty child. Neither suited the two characters well. But, as great shows are wont to do, they totally turned it around by the end of the episode. I was both impressed and stunned and the remarkable turnaround in less than 30 minutes, but it’s the mark of a truly great show.
This week on Superstore: Amy pretends to be sick to go to the movies, and accidentally discovers Jeff and Mateo’s relationship. So, being the noble hero that she is, Amy wants to tell Sandra that Jeff is cheating on her. Mateo, Jeff, and Sandra’s triangle leaks, which causes a snowball effect. Glenn, during the wellness fair, tries to overcome feeling inferior to Jonah with disastrous results.
I’d definitely be lying if I said that Amy and Glenn’s stories weren’t frustrating at the beginning. Amy really wanted to help her friend Sandra, but she ended up making things worse! Way worse. It was quite a bit more cringe-inducing than funny. I’ve commented in previous podcasts and posts that I hate lies being used as plot device, as they’re just used to manufacture drama. However, causing Amy to get involved caused everyone to find out the truth, which felt very natural and fresh. Lies are at their worst when they’re dragged out, but nipping it in the bud helps deal with problems in the show and moves it forward, which almost always works out better (see: Arrow, The Flash)
Glenn’s story started off the same way. His being jealous of Jonah didn’t really right true. The worst part was that it was so out of character for Glenn. Everyone’s insecure, but why would he feel insecure by way of Jonah? I’m not sure that I buy it. Either way, this story still led them back to everyone being transparent and honest with each other toward the end of the episode, which was a redeeming quality.
I have to admit though, all the problems this episode had were totally erased by the bombshell dropping session they had. Now everyone knows Sandra was lying, Jeff and Mateo are together, Dina and Garrett have been intimate, and Amy has never seen Jurassic Park. What started out as a cringe-worthy, slightly funny episode morphed with just one scene into a phenomenal one.
Here are a few other thoughts/funny moments:
- I’m definitely going to be referring to Paris as a “gay ashtray” from now on
- “Did you guys see Babe 2: Pig in the City?”
- Superstore always does really strong visual gags, including but not limited to the host of employees smoking in front of the “health and wellness” banner
- “I know how to ride a bike. I’ve been doing it since I was 19”
- Funniest moment from this episode, though, was the increasingly loud gasps hitting their peak audibility when Amy announces that she’s never seen Jurassic Park. Reminds me of a friend.
I have to admit that Superstore masterfully tackled some of the worst sitcom tropes around. But, I can attest that learning who in the store is sleeping with one another is entertaining in real life, and it worked very well for the show, too.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know in the comments!
Superstore airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC
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