The Cleaning Lady

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?

Its been 2 and 1/2 seasons. It started off above average and is not sinking to the telenovela meets the worst soap opera possible of impossible scenarios. While the actors and production overall are certainly top notch, the continued same story line regurgitated with no end in sight is making it unbearable to the point where if it was not for the rest of the family wanting to see where it goes, I would have stopped in the middle of the previous season. I don't see why a more realistic script is not provided however it simply could come down to pandering to the very low expectations of the mass audience or the writers simply are not that good.

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.

EDIT Nov 30/22: Had to up my rating again to a 9/10. Wow this second season is night and day compared to how this show started, especially from episode six and on. Whatever changes you guys have done with the writing, you finally got it right - near perfect episode after episode. Keep up the great work everyone.

EDIT Feb 28/22: My original review was after watching 3 episodes. Now after seeing episode 8, I have to say, I'm hooked. The plot thickens, and there's actual suspense and thrills. I still find the FBI agent's character phony and annoying - he's too aloof to be an FBI agent. I'm also getting bored of Elodie Yung's tough-girl demeanor and monotonic dialogue, and her accent is still unconvincing. But Adan Canto shines, and the main reason I want to keep watching. His performance for his character is spot-on. Also bringing Thony's husband performed by Ivan Shaw into the picture has added more conflict to the story, for the better, as his performance is also spot-on. I'm glad to see the writers have upped their game, as episode 8 imo was the best thus far, and was left at a shocking cliff-hanger. My new rating now jumps up to an 8/10.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Jan 24/22 Title: Meh, cliched, uninteresting and forgettable.

Elodie Yung steals the show, and Adan Canto tries his best with the flimsy writing, but the rest of the cast's characters are written in like a Telemundo daytime soap opera. The FBI agent's character is cringeworthy - bringing his baby to an operation lol? Then the whole divorce/child issues being so easily discussed with someone he's investigating or trying to get to co-operate is beyond laughable. Three episodes in and I'm already losing interest. It's a great concept, but the writers ruined it with the wishy-washy writing. Typical Fox flop fare. It's a generous 6/10 from me all going to Yung and Canto.

Really enjoyed the first episode. A mother would do anything for their kids. Also I'm liking the sexual energy between her and the hot latino criminal boss. I see something happening there in the future. This show has potential.