Superstore Review: Shadowing Glenn (Season 4 Episode 9)

The year is winding down, but Amy’s career is winding up on Superstore. With another child to raise and after attending the conference in the previous episode, Amy has decided to enter management training.

On Superstore Season 4 Episode 9, “Shadowing Glenn,” Glenn decides to teach Amy everything he knows before she enters the training program. Do I really even need to say more than that? 

Most of “Shadowing Glenn” is a battle within Amy’s own ego. She believes she’s been at Cloud 9 long enough to have learned the ropes already, but Glenn goes out of his way to teach her a few things (and it turns out maybe she needs to learn them after all). 

Better still, it gives Mark McKinney a chance to really shine as Glenn. McKinney is one of the show’s consistently great performers, but the show spends a lot more time on Jonah, Amy, Garrett, and Dina.

“Shadowing Glenn” reminds me of the episode of The Office when we find out that Michael Scott is actually a savvy businessman. Glenn regularly displays a lot of naivety, but finding out that he’s not just overbearing and thorough, but actually smart, gives the show and Glenn a lot of credibility.

The attention Glenn receives is not limited to Amy, either, as the staff tries to protect her from Glenn when she makes a mistake. So Mateo and Cheyenne are tasked with distracting him by asking for advice. Then Jonah needs to ask him for a raise, and Glenn relishes in the attention. 

Glenn is a character I’ve always enjoyed, but “Shadowing Glenn” is a particularly strong showcase for him, and most of the comedy was propelled by this story.

Amy: He fell asleep for most of part one but then he farted himself awake

Really, Glenn’s approach is the right approach to take. I’m sure the Cloud 9 management training is fine, but Glenn (though perhaps unorthodox) is currently doing the job and apparently doing so successfully.

But also, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Glenn’s ridiculous failures as a younger employee and following Amy through his hoops. McKinney and America Ferrera really relished in this opportunity to shine. 

Here are a few other thoughts:

• Amy’s mistaken ice pop order caused many of the best bits, Justine trying to sell the pops sexually and Marcus hiding them outside were the best ones.
• Brett is one of the best characters on this show, and it was SO good to see him again
• Jonah trying to help Dina with her career was a great story. Those two hadn’t had a story together in awhile.
• For awhile, “Chateo” was starting to remind me of Entertainment 720 and I’m HERE FOR IT.
• I want to know about Marcus’ stuffed animals.
• I’m ready to revisit the Sandra/Carol/Jerry thing. Anytime now, Superstore. 
• This is the beginning of an extended break for Superstore, but have faith that these reviews will return upon the show’s return.

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 @telltaletv_https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 Favorite TV Episodes from 2018 (So Far)