Superstore Review: Zephra Cares (Season 5 Episode 17)
Superstore just has this way of taking familiar retail staples and turning them into both hilarious stories and poignant tales of working class folks.
On Superstore Season 5 Episode 17, “Zephra Cares,” the Cloud 9 team at Ozark Highlands presents its take on “rounding up for charity” which I’m sure you’ve been asked to do at Target, Big Lots, or on Grubhub lately.
For those who aren’t aware, “rounding up for charity” is rounding up to the nearest dollar amount at a retail establishment and donating the difference to charity. So your bill is $31.21? Donate 79 cents to charity for an even $32.
This is a great, comedic take on the topic, too. Amy sets up a charity event for Zephra’s charity day, which causes some really funny happenings at Cloud 9.
The funniest part? Jonah’s instinctive flirting with customers, which gets them to round up, and the effect it has on Sandra. It’s hysterical.
Sandra: Jonah made me seduce a man!
Sandra, predictably, cannot flirt. But it’s really funny to watch her try. Also, in true Superstore fashion, her loyalty to Jerry is extremely sweet.
Jonah is an underrated player on this plot, too. His aptitude at flirting but inability to be honest with the older woman showcases the wonderful talent Ben Feldman is.
And though misguided, sweetness abounds on “Zephra Cares.” Not only is there some serious flirting happening with Dina and Garrett, but Jeff’s return and affection toward Mateo creates a strong comedic catalyst for the episode.
Is anyone else surprised Jeff still works for Cloud 9? Amy certainly shares my surprise.
Jeff: I didn’t take any packages. I just…I farted in your office.
But of course, “Zephra Cares” is also able to balance the funny with realistic and poignant stories that face retail workers in real life.
Amy set up this whole event to help women in need, but Glenn steals some of the stuff to give to employees. The employees are also struggling and in need, and while Glenn’s sweet stupidity (misguided sweetness seems to be a theme) is played for laughs — it illustrates a larger issue with retail wages and the struggles their employees face.
It seems like they may also be setting up for some additional fallout – especially because the person profiling Amy for the Zephra/Cloud 9 website is about to publish a photo of Amy helping a “struggling employee” AKA Cheyenne. This certainly isn’t going to end well.
A few stray thoughts:
- Jeff is one of my favorite recurring players and I hope he gets more of an arc this season. So glad he survievd the acquisition.
- Perhaps the best moment on “Zephra Cares” is Jerry showing up wearing the lobster sweater. Incredible.
- “He’s picturing the fox.” I love the running gag that Garrett is dumb.
- Jonah’s coffee date with the lady he flirted with is another fantastic bit.
- Great to see Brockmire‘s Tawny Newsome on this episode.
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.
5 comments
Going crazy… what is the actresses name that played Judy, the older lady that Jonah “flirts” with and then goes to coffee with?
I would like to know too!!
Nancy Lenehan
Nancy Lenehan
The part where Amy has to deal with all the women is so hard to watch
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