Superstore Review: Sandra’s Fight / Employee Appreciation Day (Season 4 Episodes 21 and 22)
Have you ever seen a show that wraps up almost all of their loose threads in the last two episodes of the season? If not, look no further!
On Superstore Season 4 Episode 21, “Sandra’s Fight,” Sandra begins creation of a union at Cloud 9, which is met with resistance from the corporate office, putting Amy in the middle.
Then, on Superstore Season 4 Episode 22, “Employee Appreciation Day,” Cloud 9 attempts to appease their employees away from starting a union.
Sometimes, a double-dose of episodes can feel rushed, or a burn-off for something inevitably canceled. “Sandra’s Fight” and “Employee Appreciation Day,” though, feel like one large episode that connects all of the loose threads left hanging throughout the season, and even some from before that!
Among the season-long payoffs included on the final two episodes of Season Four is the long-gestating conflict between Jonah as a floor worker and Amy as management. Superstore has been hinting at some friction between the two lovebirds, but this is the first time we really see it.
As a general rule, retail workers are poorly compensated for working grueling hours, so it stands to reason that they’d want to start a union. On the other side, brick and mortar stores are dying out in favor of Amazon warehouses and the like.
So what’s truly compelling about “Sandra’s Fight” and “Employee Appreciation Day” is how they explore truths within the context of the modern retail industry and still put people on both sides of the conflict in a sympathetic position.
For example: Amy has worked hard to get where she is and wants to keep her job. She also wants to save the store so she’ll still have a job, and so will all her friends.
Conversely, Jonah wants to help Amy, but is also passionate about workers rights.
So Superstore creates this story where neither side of the conflict is necessarily wrong, but causes friction between the couple all the same. Ultimately, Amy chooses her friends and family over her new career, which feels right for the character.
Also on “Sandra’s Fight” and “Employee Appreciation Day,” many other callbacks and loose ends culminate, including Marcus’ homelessness, Sandra and Jerry’s affair, Lori’s coke problem, and Jeff returns (and apparently still cares for Mateo!).
But perhaps the most prominent story is Mateo’s immigration status being accidentally uncovered in an aggressive anti-union move by Cloud 9.
For more than two seasons, Mateo’s immigration status has been known to audiences and slowly revealed to characters. But his story on “Employee Appreciation Day” is, on the one hand, devastating.
On the other hand, a divided Cloud 9 crew really bands together to try and help Mateo escape, which warms my cold-blooded heart.
Superstore continues to toe the line between real issues and hilarious comedy, but Mateo riding away in an ICE vehicle ends the season on a really sad note.
A few stray thoughts:
- A TVLine interview with outgoing showrunner Justin Spitzer confirms that Nico Santos is not leaving Superstore. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief!
- It’s great to see some familiar faces to close out the season, including Jeff, Kelly, and (my personal fave) Bo.
- I worked in a retail store that had some similar videos to the MC Cool Cloud ones.
- Jerry and Sandra are finally out in the open, but I can’t help but wonder if we will unleash some serious Carol crazy now.
- I worry that Amy’s tenure as manager will be short lived after her actions. Only a summer hiatus will tell.
What did you think of this episode of Superstore? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Superstore returns Thursdays this Fall 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.