The Cleaning Lady

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.

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.

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?

Just watched EP1 I gave up. Hoping something different and perhaps improvement. But I don't think I can take another season. Season 3 was on the way down but I thought give it a go.

On hindsight I should have stopped at Season 1 & 2.

Also was hoping the Asian actors are given more significant roles or maybe a better storylines. Just feel like this is a B kinda series. Hope the actors get better roles in the future. They deserve better.

Hollywood writers! This is the year 2025! Why are non Caucasian actors still getting 2nd and even 3rd grade scripts and shows?!

And I reiterate, should have stopped at Season 2. Didn't think there would be Season 4 since was downhill. Good luck. Hope there's no 5. Please have some mercy on the actors & viewers!