Superstore Review: Mall Closing (Season 5 Episode 4)

Malls closing is an epidemic. They’re dying all over America. The town I live in has a shell of a mall that was purchased by the city.

Superstore Season 5 Episode 4, “Mall Closing,” shows Cloud 9 trying to appeal to former mall shoppers with varying degrees of success. But there’s one issue: people who go to malls don’t buy anything.

Garrett: Oh yeah, the death of retail. That’s great news for our STORE!

So “Mall Closing” is a still true-to-life but less serious reflection of the world in which we live. Things like free samples and no loitering policy don’t attract paying customers. 

It isn’t Superstore‘s finest hour, but it’s still pretty funny.

Probably the biggest downside to “Mall Closing” is that Amy trying to get her daughter to stick around the store by accommodating the loitering teens is a pretty vanilla story. Mom trying to connect with their teen is an age-old story, this one just isn’t executed particularly well. 

It isn’t without its merits. Superstore always excels at the funny quips, and the retail backdrop for most of it still works well. 

But the death of malls in America, while relevant, didn’t really need to be the catalyst for Amy’s “cool mom” aspirations. 

Similarly, Jonah and Garrett’s attempts to trick Mateo into taking their money could be better. There are some hilarious moments from it, like Garrett sinking the crazy trick shot or Mateo accidentally talking down about Cher, but Jonah’s gambling thing at the end gets a little dark.

It would be nice for Jonah to get a meaty story, but I’m not sold on the gambling addiction. I hope that it’s just a one off, but I sense maybe it isn’t. “Don’t tell Amy about this” hits a weird note.

There are some funny gags with massage chairs and free samples, but easily the episode’s best story is Cheyenne not identifying with the teen girls. It’s a relatable, funny story told succinctly that shows us the pitfalls of getting older. 

Especially when the teen calls Cheyenne “ma’am.” Priceless.

All told, “Mall Closing” is not Superstore‘s best work. But it’s still good for laughs in that special, Superstore way. That’s probably the most important part of a comedy anyway, right?

A few stray thoughts:

• Carol’s back, which goes largely ignored except a few throwaway bits. Is she truly reformed, or will she make trouble for Sandra and Jerry? My guess is the latter.
• Lauren Ash is always brilliant as Dina. Her sheer conviction while wanting the teens out of the store is outstanding.
• Glenn says teenagers like to go to “The Hop” which is absolutely brilliant.
• The number one bit from “Mall Closing” has to be Cheyenne’s Sandra impression, right? Nichole Bloom is hilarious and doesn’t get enough credit.
• Favorite throwaway bit: when the girl spits out the raisins and then the guy eats the same ones before he can be stopped. Genius.

What did you think of this episode of Superstore? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Superstore airs Thursday at 8/7c on NBC.

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