The Cleaning Lady

OK, there are few programs much less TV about cleaners, much less cleaners who are cleaners. This one works. Good acting and an interesting plot. Can they keep it up? Who knows? But a good start.

Totally get that. It felt like such a step backward, right? As a longtime fan of The Cleaning Lady, I wanted to believe Season 4 could weather the storm of behind-the-scenes losses and still deliver. But from the very first episode, it was clear: this wasn't the show I once rooted for.

The recasting of Luca-arguably the emotional heartbeat of Thony's world-was a jarring misstep. Gone was the child we'd seen struggle, grow, and anchor his mother's every decision. Instead, we were introduced to a noticeably younger version, played with a far more infantile tone. It felt like hitting the rewind button on one of the most hard-earned relationships in the show.

Add to that the irreplaceable absence of Adan Canto, whose chemistry with Élodie Yung was electric. His character's departure left a void that no amount of plot-twisting could cover. Without Arman and with a less compelling dynamic between mother and son, the narrative lost both tension and tenderness.

Season 4 tried to carry on, but the soul of the series had already slipped away. And that's what stings the most-it wasn't just that things changed. It's that the very heart of the story stopped beating.

This season pales in comparison to the brilliance of seasons 1 and 2. Frankly, the show should have concluded with season 3, following Arman's passing.

The absence of the original creator this season is deeply felt. With a new showrunner and new writing team at the helm, it feels like they should have launched their own series rather than capitalizing on the success of this one.

The decision to kill off Nadia and recast Luca, it feels like the very essence of the show has been dismantled. These characters were the final connections to Arman, and their loss dismantles the essence of what made the series compelling. Perhaps, in a bittersweet way, this might be a blessing in disguise, saved the from disgrace.

This season fails to deliver, leaving viewers questioning where it all went astray. Despite the opportunity to start anew with a complete overhaul, the show misses its chance for redemption. The shift in showrunners, writers, and casting is especially disappointing-while the first three seasons showcased talented actors who brought authenticity and depth to their performances, this season relies on social media influencers who simply lack the same credibility and presence.

In the first three seasons, Chris wasn't depicted as a dancer, so it feels out of place for him to suddenly adopt this role. Likewise, Thony's proficiency in French was never previously established, yet she is now engaging in fluent conversations with a doctor presented as French, despite his rather unconvincing accent. To make matters more perplexing, the actor playing the doctor is South African and seemingly cast solely because his last name is "Bonjour." Wouldn't it have made more sense to hire an actual French actor-or perhaps avoid the French angle entirely?

The overuse of dancing sequences only adds to the frustration. Sure, a short dance scene here and there could have been a fun touch, but in every episode feels repetitive and unnecessary. It's like a bad soap opera. To make matters worse, the editing leaves much to be desired, making the season feel disjointed and chaotic.

However, what truly stings is the DISRESPECT shown towards Southeast Asian communities and immigrant doctors. Suggesting that trading a machine is equivalent to earning a medical license is both absurd and insulting. Many immigrant doctors come to this country with little more than hope, facing enormous challenges to support their families. They master a new language, rigorously study, and pass demanding exams to requalify-showing incredible resilience and determination. To trivialize their struggles in this way is an insult not only to them but to the entire medical profession.

In summary, this season is a disappointment that fails to honor its audience, its legacy, and the communities it portrays. A show that once held promise has sadly lost its way.

I don't think I've ever seen this premise before - an illegal immigrant forced to become a crime scene cleaner for the mob. In this case, our cleaning lady is also a doctor, which is a lot more common for immigrants (legal or otherwise) than most people think. So I'm giving points for a premise that is both original and very plausible.

The first episode had plenty of action and a bit of suspense, and a little social commentary in providing a small taste of what it's like to be an immigrant worker in the service industry.

I did not care for the cinematography. Cutting off the actor's faces when they are speaking is not art; it's annoying. A shot showing half of a face (and this happened several times) in no way adds to the drama - it just looks like someone screwed up the shot.

The first episode held my attention, and I will definitely continue watching.

Update: 6 episodes in and I'm giving up on this one. It just hasn't lived up to its potential.

And I have to say I am horrified by the way they are portraying illegal aliens. I imagine we can all can sympathize with someone who ignores a border to give their kids a better life, but cleaning up murder scenes? And that's the least of what this show's illegals are doing - others are dealing drugs and selling their kids' organs on the black market. Who can sympathize with that?