Superstore Review: Maternity Leave (Season 4 Episode 6)
Leave it to Superstore to explore issues that real retail workers face, and have a BLAST doing it.
Superstore Season 4 Episode 6, “Maternity Leave,” deals with a serious issue that faces retail employees all across America: coming back to work too soon after delivering a baby.
Of course, the way Superstore sets things up is specific to circumstance. In the world of the show, Amy would have maternity leave if she had not been previously suspended, but instead, her service time clock starts over.
I’m not sure that things in the real world work that way, but it sets up the exploration of a larger issue in both maternity benefits for retail workers and maternity benefits in general.
Still, “Maternity Leave” is mostly played for laughs (and is successful) as it sends an exhausted Amy immediately back to work following giving birth. If nothing else, this illustration shows without a doubt why people in this situation shouldn’t have to go back to work right away.
Though Glenn being clueless as to how to help Amy is hysterical (yes, Glenn, she needs another baby mammal to take care of), the best part of “Maternity Leave” is contrasting Amy with Dina, who clearly wants to come back to work but is not allowed.
Dina can be cringeworthy sometimes, but putting her on the iPad attached to Sandra’s face ordering people around is hilarious. Kaliko Kauahi gave a fantastic physical comedy performance.
My favorite part, though, is Jonah and Garrett in charge of hiring the last person for seasonal help. Not only does this allow for a parade of new crazies to combine with the Cloud 9 crazy, but really gives Colton Dunn and Ben Feldman some strictly comedic nonsense to deal with.
Garrett: Shoes aren’t something you believe in. They exist. That’s a fact.
Jonah and Garrett are probably my two favorite characters, so needless to say their b-plot really works. It also works as a retail illustration. Now IS the time to be hiring seasonal help.
A few stray thoughts:
- Among the parade of interviewees for seasonal help: The Middle‘s Eden Sher. I know that she’s supposedly getting a Sue spin-off, but if that doesn’t pan out can we have her back? She would be an incredible permanent addition to Superstore.
- I would hire anyone from the Heck family, but Sue would definitely be my top choice. She just fits so well.
- Jonah and Garrett interviewing is great, but I still think Cheyenne and Mateo are the show’s best comic duo.
- I don’t think Parker is a bad name. Am I missing something? Is it because I’m white?
- Favorite throwaway bit: Jonah’s mom “just has a lot of questions about Westworld.” Brilliant. (Although upon further investigation this might be setting something up for the next episode)
- In case you are wondering, yes. I’ve been in multiple retail scenarios in which the “seasonal help” were just random people and it’s little off-putting, but also great comedy fodder.
What did you think of this episode of Superstore? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
Superstore airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.
Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.