Superstore Review: Employee App (Season 5 Episode 16)
The Cloud 9 crew deals with a new employee app, and not everyone is okay with it on a funny Superstore Season 5 Episode 16, “Employee App.”
Zephra’s new employee, and cell phone policy on the floor, gets everyone excited to try the new app. Of course, things hit a snag when they realize that the app does a lot more than they anticipate.
Sayid’s observation about the clock at the bottom of the app, and his subsequent GPS comments, send everyone into a kind of hilarious panic as they spend the episode finding ways to game the system.
Moving from the frigid loading dock to the men’s bathroom, ultimately deciding to count their break down in the break room, with Cheyenne rushing to finish one of her customarily wild stories, makes their failure to win against the app that much funnier.
Jonah’s privacy concerns about the app, of course, are ignored and provide the perfect chance for him to “get Garrett good.”
If there’s one thing I appreciate about Superstore is how it balances the comedy and the very real things we all deal with in daily life. It’s what makes Jonah’s concerns about privacy and the app equal parts funny as he tries to prove his point with Garrett and entirely relevant.
But it wouldn’t be Superstore if everything went smoothly and lessons are learned as anticipated. Jonah’s attempt is no exception as he soon finds himself a partner in Sandra, who ultimately takes it beyond the “comeuppance.”
Technology does have a way of firing back at you and Garrett’s speech-to-text email about the bomb in the store is honestly an exaggerated version of a mundane nightmare that many may have.
Sandra’s “yes” seals the deal and takes it all above and beyond funnily and embarrassingly.
Meanwhile, Dina’s introduced to the marvels of texting, emojis, and gifs quickly becoming that friend, leading to a tense and awkward blow up between Amy and Dina.
Out of everyone’s stories throughout the episode, Amy and Dina’s transforms from the usual comedy to something with a hint of earnestness.
Their argument in the car that breaks Dina’s silent treatment is interesting in how very harsh Amy’s final words (before she hits the goose) to Dina are.
Amy’s outburst is incredibly mean and makes you gasp, kind of shocked at what she says.
Hitting the goose, though, seems to deflate the tension out of the moment leading to a conversation about the tough time Dina’s been having, from her birds to her love life—while also managing to poke fun at Sandra’s expense (naturally).
Their trip to the vet also sets up yet another romantic encounter for Dina in the most in character kind of way—flirting by bird talk.
A solid way to end the episode.
Random Thoughts
- It is entirely possible that I am still thinking about the “tooth” versus “teeth” debate and chuckling about it. It feels like something only Jonah would bring up.
- The kid stuck in the shaving needs case is a solidly funny Cloud 9 gag.
- The Emily Deschanel/ Bones reference and cameo is hilarious! Sandra confessing that she’s a total “Bones head” feels incredibly on point for her, and I genuinely appreciate it.
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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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.