The winner takes it all in the finale of The Z-Suite on Tubi. Episode 8 (“Pitch, Please”) marks the Season 1 end of the streaming network’s very first original scripted series, and while the conclusion keeps the door open for a second continuation, the results of this 8 episode battle are not favorable.
If you’re just hearing of The Z-Suite for the first time, showrunner Katie O’Brien signed onto the project after Tubi expressed the desire to create their own generational workplace comedy show. Over the season, we’ve followed advertising executive Monica Marks’ (Lauren Graham) fall from grace, along with sidekick Doug Garcia (Nico Santos) after a tone deaf ad campaign cancels her. The solution? Appoint the 24-year-old social media coordinator, Kriska (Madison Shamoun) who’s worked there for 168 days, 43 of which actually in the office, as the new CEO– because that’s the most logical course of action for a multimillion dollar company. As Monica tries to claw back to her rightly deserved success, Kriska and her fellow Gen Z friends Elliot (Spencer Stevenson) and Clem (Anna Bezahler) attempt to hold onto this newfound power without the necessary credentials. We left off in episode 7 (“How To Get Away With Burger”) with the respective groups finally finding some common ground with each other, but on the cusp of the high stakes Boppin’ Burger pitch, these budding friendships may not last long.
We start our finale with everyone in shambles. Kriska gets word from big boss Oliver that if she doesn’t secure the Boppin’ Burger Super Bowl campaign, the Z-Suite is out. Monica is “borderline indigent” after founding her new agency, Marks & Marks, and all the expenses that came with it. “I can’t go back to Hoboken.” Most egregiously of all…Tiny Claus is missing.
Kriska and company rehearse their campaign for George, the burger man, but she’s the only one taking it seriously. She gets mad, so Elliot and Clem get mad at her for being mad– it’s a mess of egos and insults, including Elliot’s lethal line of, “Chile, you have not been doing this long enough to accrue vacation days, so I suggest you get off this power trip.” The joint aggravation of Elliot and Clem’s personalities that’s been a pain all season comes to a full head here. Kriska is trying to save your jobs for god’s sake– take it seriously? You’ve been given a C-Suiter’s salary with nothing to back it up, and you’re going to risk goofing off to give that up? Couldn’t be me. Elliot and Clem quit, leaving Kriska flying solo.
Right next door, Doug is reeling over the disappearance of Tiny Claus. What’s worse, the last time Doug didn’t have the miniature Santa on his person was the day the pair got fired from Atelier. We do unlock the sweet origin story of Tiny Claus. Doug’s Lola, or Grandmother, gifted him the memento when he left the Philippines for America as a child, so she would always be with him. “And then she died. 16 years later.” (Irrelevant side note: everyone keeps referring to Tiny Claus as a doll, but he’s clearly some sort of ornament or brooch?)
The search party starts at Doug’s apartment, where he opens a biometric locked door with his handprint to reveal the extent of his Christmas obsession. “Welcome to the Doug Pole.” There’s model trains running through jolly ceramic villages, glowing garland and fake snow set to fall continuously on a timer: but no Tiny Claus to be found. Doug can’t work without the holiday trinket, but Monica can’t pitch without the lucky charm that’s been by her side for over 20 years. “Doug, you’re my Tiny Claus.” Cue the magical, fake snow falling.
At Boppin’ Burger HQ, Kriska pitches her “Boppin’ Burger is the afterparty,” idea to George, but bombs without the support of her crew. It seems every man in a position of power is greatly confused in this show. Oliver decided to replace the veteran CEO with a 24-year-old, and George doesn’t seem to be clear on what he wants for his Boppin’ Burger ad. The whole premise from episode 1 is George wants a Gen Z-ified commercial that appeals to Gen Z, but he belittles the pitch at every turn. Kriska starts by pointing out Gen Z’s favorite activity is hanging out with friends, but he interrupts her to say Boppin’ Burger is a family restaurant, not a friends restaurant. She then describes hungry Gen Z’ers thinking about something to eat after a party, and George retorts, “I’m not thinking anything, because I’m in bed, because I have a family.” It’s like our boy forgot he’s been requesting a commercial to directly target Gen Z, not families, this whole time.
Kriska runs out in tears while Monica and Doug pitch their “secure the bag” collection: sustainable branded knapsacks Gen Z can take you from the “classroom to Coachella,” and acknowledge the originality of the generation. Elliot and Clem get their act together and show up late because they didn’t know what subway stop to get off at, lazy and sloppy, but George allows the trio to redo their pitch. It’s all for naught, because George announces the winner of the huge Super Bowl commercial is……Minnesota Matt?
Our suspicions were unfortunately correct, after bonding over Dungeons and Dragons at his birthday party, George cites Matt’s gaming background as a perfect way to get in touch with Gen Z’s love for “interactive experiences.” So, it doesn’t even sound like he had a pitch? Just meeting a fellow nerd got him the job? I guess it’s who you know.“Maybe you should’ve let me pitch. Oh, and Crisco? My letter of resignation, it’s on your desk.”
“Of course the millennial white guy won.”
Back at Atelier, Kriska preemptively cleans out her desk, and Monica bestows praise. Laughing about the ridiculousness of Matt’s ascension into success, the women realize that since Matt is now not attached to an agency, he’ll either have to make one or join one…and whatever agency hires him will get the campaign. Dun dun dun. Racing to the elevator to reach him first, the episode ends and another battle begins. (Again, is George mentally well? Picking someone who has never done a campaign, nor is even now a part of an agency with the resources he needs to make a campaign?)
There’s no confirmation of a second season, but obviously hopes for one. Going from here, Kriska and Monica have both made enemies of Matt, so we’re unsure how they’ll attempt to lure him back, if given the chance for more episodes. Especially with Monica’s money problem, and Kriska’s lack of fully competent colleagues. The generational jig ran cheap at times, but the show was never supposed to take itself too seriously. It’s silly, short, has some well-loved actors to keep us watching and a message that everyone can relate to: people just want the credit they think they deserve.
Claire Waheed is a recently graduated freelance writer currently based in Texas. She loves all things pop culture and new adventures.
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