American Auto Season 2 Episode 6 Review: The Letter

American Auto Season 2 Episode 6, “The Letter,” finds Katherine and Sadie tackling rising concerns regarding abortion rights in the workplace while the men form a women’s committee. Naturally, chaos ensues. It’s one of the show’s strongest episodes thus far. 

American Auto is a master of chaos. This show’s writers know how to take an initially calm scene and tweak it so it slowly, steadily devolves into mayhem. Given the subject matter, “The Letter” goes in the direction you think it will. 

SADIE: We’re both Gen Y. 

DORI: No, I’m young Y; you’re old Y. 

Having Wesley, who prides himself on being “enlightened,” lead a group of men to form a women’s committee is one of the series’ best plots. It’s hilariously relevant and timely. Men in government are constantly making decisions for folks with uteruses, so why can’t the Payne men decide how best to service employees who need abortions? 

In addition, it’s pertinent because abortion rights are in a precarious situation in the US. Abortion rights in the workplace are a hot topic of discussion in companies the country over. “The Letter” addresses this subject with equal parts humor and delicacy. 

This episode artfully dives into generational gaps, how folks from different generations approach the subject matter from various angles, and the age of social media. Whereas Katherine’s unsure why there’s an issue, chalking it up to those above her who make specific calls, the Gen Z employees attack the matter with the ferocity and verve it deserves. 

KATHERINE: You cannot just change the definition of a word because you were born after the Seinfeld finale, okay? 

It’s hysterical watching each group change perspectives by the episode’s end. The “women’s committee” is now staunchly pro-men, while Katherine, Dori, and Sadie turn on their opponents and simultaneously revel in the younger generation’s purported “canceling” fetish. 

The overarching message is the importance of abortion rights and sensitivity in the workplace, even if how people approach it is occasionally skewed. American Auto excels in presenting deeply flawed humans who try desperately to do the right thing while their attempts detonate in their faces. 

“The Letter” is bitingly funny and boasts top-tier comedic performances from our primary and supporting players, especially the outstanding Ana Gasteyer. Nobody explodes quite like her. Katherine’s anti-violence rant culminating in her slapping Sadie is hilarious. 

CYRUS: You ever notice how when they have to evacuate a ship, it’s always women and children first? Okay, I get the children, but why are men somehow more disposable than women? 

Overall, “The Letter” is an improvement from last week’s outing that solidifies American Auto among the NBC sitcom greats. It’s an underrated series that deserves to fly on the radar. Here’s hoping it gets the attention it deserves. 

Stray Observations: 

• The “whiteboard full of zany ideas” running gag always makes me chuckle. I usually pause each whiteboard scene to read what’s on it. When the women’s committee is brainstorming post-recovery gifts for their coworkers, the list ranges from sensible items like “a free one-year prescription of birth control” to less reasonable ones like “free passes to Six Flags.” We can’t forget my favorite nondescript, noncommittal gift: “an edible arrangement.” 
• I’m a year younger than Harriet Dyer, who plays Sadie. Does that make me an “old Y”? I consider myself to be more of a middle-aged millennial. 
• An emotional support iguana should be allowed in all workplace institutions. I don’t make the rules (and I shouldn’t make the rules). 
• I’m glad we had two women write and direct this episode — Elena Crevello (writer) and Lara Everly (director). I don’t think it would be quite as funny otherwise. 
• Katherine and Sadie should’ve sent the women’s committee to handle the employee abortion discussion. Cyrus, Elliot, Jack, and Wesley would’ve been consumed alive. 

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

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American Auto airs Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.

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