The Cleaning Lady

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.

The show has taken a disappointing turn, reducing Southeast Asian representation to a distorted portrayal . By trivializing serious issues like fake IDs and portraying Southeast Asian doctors as unethical, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The narrative has also become implausible, with Thony being unrealistically portrayed as more powerful than a cartel-something that defies logic and credibility.

The departure of the original Asian creator and showrunner this season, replaced by a white male, raises concerns about the authenticity of the storytelling. Additionally, the executive producer, also a white male, has faced multiple accusations of misconduct, which further undermines trust in the production. It's disheartening to see a show that once celebrated Southeast Asian culture and identity lose its way, leaving viewers questioning its direction and integrity.

Watched to it all, the story works but the relationships are hard to swallow. It is difficult to accept how most characters can still talk to each other and worse, collaborate to each other, after so much egoism, lies, betrayal etc. It is so far from what real life would be that got me hating most characters by the end.

There are several scenes when two characters argue badly over something really serious (and hard to forgive) and after one lame excuse they keep going like nothing has ever happened.

Again, liked the overall storyline and the acting, but think such flawed connection to reality made it artificial and hard to swallow.

I truly feel for the original cast members who are still tied to this season. For those fortunate enough to have been part of seasons 1-3, you should count your blessings for stepping away while the show maintained its integrity. Unfortunately, the show's quality has taken a stark nosedive.

What initially drew audiences in was its heartfelt focus on family, loyalty, and love-universal themes that resonated deeply. Now, it has strayed far from its roots, morphing into an exaggerated and shallow mix centered on drugs and cartel drama. This shift not only undermines its original charm but also feels like a disservice to the Southeast Asian community, as it presents a portrayal that is neither flattering nor representative. It's disheartening to see a show that started with so much potential reduced to such a caricature.