Superstore is again, doing it does finest — protecting vital subjects that replicate actuality. What may very well be extra real looking than the coronavirus pandemic?
On Superstore Season 6 Episode 1, we noticed how COVID-19 affected Cloud 9 staff, and it felt like a serious déjà vu. Homicide hornets and Tiger King, anybody?
However Superstore at all times is aware of tips on how to incorporate humor when protecting severe topics, and the episode, titled “Important,” was no totally different. If something, they stepped up and delivered above and past.
COVID-19 has affected everybody on totally different ranges, so it will be tough to strategy this topic on tv, particularly since we’re nonetheless enduring this pandemic.
However Superstore tackled this topic with grace and respect, including of their signature humor that had us laughing from begin to end.
Consideration customers, we ask that you simply please not bodily wrestle issues out of your fellow clients. There is a extremely contractable virus on the market that our nation doesn’t have a maintain of. None of y’all are listening, huh? Alright, benefit from the apocalypse!
Garrett
After all, “Important” nonetheless included the heartbreaking actuality of the pandemic, which meant the restricted quantity of provides, overworked and underappreciated staff, and changes in folks’s lives.
Together with Amy’s life since COVID-19 delayed beginning her new job in California and her impending transfer with Jonah.
We already knew that America Ferrera would seem as Amy Sosa for two episodes on Superstore Season 6, together with the present’s 100th episode. So, we really feel extremely grateful that we get to spend extra time with Amy.
However “Important” pushed the concept she wouldn’t be round eternally when her new boss pulled her in for Zoom calls, leaving Jonah and Mateo to take care of the shop’s piling issues.
Amy’s background presence put different characters within the highlight and reminded us that in the beginning, Superstore embodies togetherness and teamwork. There isn’t a singular “important character.” Even when company doesn’t worth flooring staff, we definitely do.
Whether or not it’s Cheyenne and Sandra’s mission to avoid wasting merchandise for themselves, or Glenn and Dina working on the excessive of being referred to as heroes, Superstore Season 6 Episode 1 reassured us that the present wouldn’t change with Amy Sosa’s departure.
The spotlight of the episode was undoubtedly how the writers integrated jokes as COVID-19 spiraled. Superstore was respectful of the pandemic whereas sustaining a contemporary humorousness.
Superstore Season 6 Episode 1 was something however dreary. Positive, the tough actuality of COVID-19 was a bummer, however as an alternative of preserving the episode solemn, the writers turned a number of probably upsetting moments into lighthearted comedy.
We’re important. Clients are like sheep searching for steerage. With out leaders, sheep begin to eat one another. So until one among us leads, this place is gonna be littered in haggis from right here to Sunday.
Dina
Just like the buyer who sneezed on Glenn, requiring Dena to hose him down. Or when Dina and Glenn argued with a buyer who refused to put on a masks. Each moments, particularly the latter, served as comedic aid once we very a lot wanted it.
The humor the Superstore writers weaved on “Important” emphasised how vital flooring staff are. They risked their lives from the start of this pandemic, even when everybody else was in lockdown.
Superstore Season 6 Episode 1 was a love letter and a thanks be aware rolled into one as a result of none of us can be right here if it weren’t for these staff. It’s a reminder that we must always recognize them past pandemic circumstances since many individuals take them as a right.
Those that labored “important jobs” from the start of the pandemic work minimal wage and lengthy hours to feed their households and pay their payments. They stand on the entrance line each single day, with or with out a pandemic.
However some folks curse at these staff and make their lives depressing. Superstore has proven from the very starting the tough actuality these staff face daily, from manipulative company bosses to unappreciative clients.
These important staff are overworked and underpaid. They work in harsh situations with no medical go away to fall again on throughout an emergency. They don’t have the posh of taking time without work, calling in sick, or working common hours. They definitely didn’t have any of those choices as soon as the pandemic began.
Zephra was not improper once they mentioned these staff are the true heroes, however it’s onerous to consider them when it took months to ship sufficient provides to maintain their staff protected. After all, Zephra didn’t hesitate to ship “anti-looting procedures,” demonstrating the place their actual priorities lie.
They care extra about replaceable merchandise than the lives of their staff. Cloud 9 staff are heroes, however Zephra definitely didn’t present that they meant what they mentioned.
Regardless of the humorous situations, Superstore couldn’t slap humor on each pandemic-related second. It was grim, however these moments had been crucial for addressing particular points, comparable to companies responding to protestors.
Zephra was no totally different — they insisted they “believed within the black group,” however they cared extra about their merchandise as an alternative of supporting Black Lives Matter.
Amy disappears increasingly as Zoom calls devour her life. Jonah barely sees Amy, and so they reside collectively. This second was a small testomony to how this pandemic separated folks, whether or not insignificantly, comparable to Amy’s case, or considerably, comparable to nation borders.
You are in an inconceivable state of affairs. All of us are. And I do not know; one thing has to alter.
Jonah
By summer time, Cloud 9 staff nonetheless should not have sufficient provides to make sure their security whereas working. Zephra sends extra provides solely after Amy suggests it due to an earnings spike.
They’re a number of months right into a pandemic, and it’s only now that Cloud 9 staff are receiving masks and gloves, regardless of being mandated to put on them since spring.
Glenn breaks down due to his gathered stress from the pandemic, and our hearts lurched as we sympathized together with his ache. Glenn, you’re a hero, and we genuinely imply it.
The substantial quantity of humorous and grim moments on “Important” was an ideal stability for protecting such an actual and extreme matter as COVID-19. As at all times, Superstore is aware of simply tips on how to deal with real looking topics that have an effect on our world.
The episode ended with information we anticipated — as Zephra’s places of work reopen, they’re prepared for Amy to begin her new job in California formally.
However these final moments on “Important” trace that Amy and Jonah’s transfer will not be set in stone. Regardless of Jonah’s evident pleasure in “beginning their lives collectively,” Amy appears hesitant. Frazzled, even.
Jonah would transfer time and house if he may for Amy, so it’s no shock he was at all times on board for California. Amy appeared to reciprocate, so we can’t assist however surprise — why does Amy seem like she is having second ideas?
Nicely, we are going to discover out on Superstore Season 6 Episode 2, the 100th episode, and Amy Sosa’s official send-off.
Hey, uh, I do know you are most likely busy, however a buyer simply purchased us some beer, and we’re celebrating. Or numbing the ache, I am unable to actually inform which.
Jonah
Allow us to hear from you, Fanatics!
What did you consider the Superstore Season Premiere? Did they do the pandemic justice? Are you excited for the 100th episode? What’s going to persuade Jonah to remain at Cloud 9? How do you assume Amy and Jonah’s remaining episode collectively will go down?
You possibly can at all times watch Superstore online, proper right here, at TV Fanatic!
Sarah Novack is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.