TV Review: "The Cleaning Lady" on FOX – A Missed Opportunity

"The Cleaning Lady," the first new drama of the year on FOX, serves as a warning for TV creators on how not to rely on manipulative tropes and shallow characters in a potentially engaging thriller. While the concept holds promise, the execution falters, with writers using cheap tricks to tug at viewers' emotions, ranging from annoying to exploitative.

Plot Summary:

The show centers on Thony (Elodie Yung), a single mother from Cambodia living in Las Vegas. Back home, she was a doctor, but in the U.S., she struggles to make ends meet while seeking a breakthrough medical treatment for her son, Luca (Valentino and Sebastien LaSalle). Her husband, Marco (Ivan Shaw), is stuck abroad due to visa issues. Thony lives with her sister-in-law, Fiona (Martha Millan), who faces her own challenges as an undocumented worker.

Manipulative Drama:

In the first few episodes, the writers heavily rely on placing children in jeopardy—one needing life-saving medical treatment and another facing potential deportation. This feels like an easy, albeit cheap, way to pull at viewers' heartstrings. Important issues like immigration and social inequality are mentioned but not genuinely explored, reducing them to mere background elements.

Crime Syndicate Twist:

The story takes a turn when Thony witnesses a crime and becomes entangled with a crime syndicate, thanks to one of its key players, Arman (Adan Canto). He saves her life by making her the cleaning lady for their operations, cleaning up crime scenes. This concept has potential, as it focuses on a character type often ignored in crime narratives. However, the show fails to clearly define what Arman and his colleagues actually do, lacking the sharp writing needed for a compelling crime drama.

Character Development Issues:

The writing is heavy-handed, hitting on key issues with the subtlety of a hammer. Every other scene includes melodramatic conversations about Thony’s child’s health, her past in Cambodia, or the characters' legal status. This lack of nuance makes the story feel less genuine, particularly in the subplot involving FBI agent Garrett Miller (Oliver Hudson), who pulls Thony in another direction too early in the series. This reduces Thony’s agency, making her more a pawn of the men around her than a fully developed character.

Acting Highlights:

Despite the writing flaws, Elodie Yung delivers a strong performance, portraying Thony’s predicament with urgency and depth. Unfortunately, she outshines the rest of the cast, including Adan Canto and Oliver Hudson, who don’t deliver on the same level. The show needed a richer, more complex ensemble to support Yung’s talent.

Conclusion:

"The Cleaning Lady" had the potential to be a compelling drama, but it falls short due to manipulative writing and shallow character development. Elodie Yung’s performance is a highlight, but even she can’t fully save the show. Hopefully, she’ll move on to projects that better showcase her talent.