Superstore Review: Cloud Green (Season 4 Episode 18)
Everywhere you look, retailers are implementing “green” initiatives. Mostly, though, this is good PR for the company that will get the media off their backs just enough.
On Superstore Season 4 Episode 18, “Cloud Green,” Jonah’s pontificating reaches new heights after he’s appointed to take charge of green initiatives for the store as “Green Ambassador.”
Superstore usually does a great job of commentary on modern issues, and “Cloud Green” is no exception. The really impressive part about “Cloud Green” is the honest look it takes not at the environment itself, but rather the attitudes people hold about it.
“Cloud Green” reflects the general public and their attitudes toward the environment, or really just issues in general. Green initiatives like paper straws and different coffee filters are often met with ambivalence or resistance from people as an inconvenience, not considering the impact on anyone but themselves.
Jonah represents that annoying friend that actually cares about an issue, but cares more about being annoying and in charge than actually getting anything accomplished. We all know someone like that, right?
At least Jonah wants to do something and takes some action to reach his goals…even if said actions are uppity and obnoxious.
Conversely, turning over the “Green Ambassador” role to Cheyenne explores the role of social media activists in modern issues. Essentially, they come up with catchy hashtags to raise awareness of an issue, but do very little/nothing. Superstore astutely points out here that lots of people post on social media for “awareness” but don’t actually do anything.
Sometimes Superstore does episodes like “Cloud Green” that are extremely effective social commentary but are a tad short on laughs. Though this one has some funny moments, the commentary is a lot stronger than the laughs.
Speaking of commentary, I’m not sure I can appreciate some of the commentary toward the Christian faith on this one. I understand the point they’re trying to make, but it doesn’t land well or fit with the rest of the episode.
Sure, the commentary is supposed to be an exaggeration, and the story is really more about Glenn not yielding to Amy when he should have, but it doesn’t resonate like the environmentalist commentary.
A few stray thoughts:
- The fight (and subsequent makeup) between Glenn and Amy was inevitable, but turns out to be a really unexpectedly sweet moment. I couldn’t help but “aww” when Glenn helps Amy write him up.
- Garrett is usually an extremely funny character, but the endless Jonah-Bono jokes aren’t all that funny.
- Easily, the best subplot is Dina egging on the conflict between Amy and Glenn just because she thinks it’s funny. That’s what we need more of on the show.
- I desperately want to see Cloud 9’s battering ram in action.
- I was sure that Dina would try to get Glenn to complain about Jonah’s “Green Ambassador” appointment as favoritism. Either way, I feel like that story is coming soon.
What did you think of this episode of Superstore? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Superstore airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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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.