Netflix recently added the sixth and final season of NBC’s Superstore– which was an unsung comedy goldmine and a fairly successful network sitcom that was effortlessly diverse. The closing season was trending in the Top-10 for over a week after its release- viewers glommed onto its closing sentiments as the ensemble comedy prepared to part ways with the big-box store forever.
Over the course of the series, showrunners Jonathan Green and Gabe Miller have incorporated current events facing marginalized groups with appropriate attention and due diligence- Superstore always centralized around the degeneration of the classic retail space: how the pandemic is affecting front-line workers, how large corporations uproot family businesses- but would also dive into topics such as deportation and ICE, and the BLM movement.
A Hilarious and Diverse Ensemble Cast
Main character Amy Sosa (America Ferrera) is a smart and capable leader that leverages her amazing qualities to climb the ladder at her company, never allowing the job she formerly viewed as a limitation to diminish her determination. She, just like the other female leads such as Dina (Lauren Ash) both portray strong-willed women as a force to be reckoned with- but each complete with a huge heart.
Supporting cast whose “stupidity” is used as the butt of the joke in early seasons all grow into themselves as characters and are given an ending that showcases their maturity and influence on the store. Their arcs feel complete from the first moments of season one to their conclusion. Teen mom Cheyenne (Nichole Sakura O’Connor) obtains a sought-after promotion and excels in her position, bringing her own unique outlook on a managerial role as opposed to conforming to our preconceived notion of leadership- which is a truly hilarious and heartwarming progression to observe. Sandra (Kaliko Kauahi) reveals herself in the final moments of Cloud 9’s restructuring to be an absolute boss- assertive, confident and commanding. Considering her passive nature was used, up to this point, to land her in compromising conundrums, these final moments with the character were so rewarding.
Saying Goodbye to Cloud 9
The hour-long finale itself is perfectly in keeping with the rest of the season, and the series. The momentum that takes you through the flash-forward narrated by Garrett (Colton Dunn) never feels as though it’s out-pacing itself as a race to the finish line. This is considerable praise as Green and Miller had completed and shot a considerable amount of the sixth season before finding out it would be their last. Assuming they had more time with the characters and their respective journeys, they had to think on their feet to quickly recalibrate the direction of the story as it suddenly came to a close. Where we leave the characters is in such a peaceful and optimistic place. Especially after all of the aforementioned struggles this retail gang has had to overcome over the last six years, it feels well-earned and positively right to ensure everyone gets their own specially-crafted happy ending. The presentation of this happily-ever-after was careful not to be too sappy or inconsistently emotional. It was simple, understated and truly joyful- just like the rest of the series.
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