'The Cleaning Lady' Episode 1 Review: Exciting and satisfying start to FOX drama

After accidentally witnessing a crime, Thony is sucked into a world she never thought she'd be part of even in her wildest dreams
PUBLISHED JAN 4, 2022
Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa in 'The Cleaning Lady' (FOX)
Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa in 'The Cleaning Lady' (FOX)

Spoilers for 'The Cleaning Lady' Episode 1 'TNT' 

'The Cleaning Lady' is a brand new show brought to audiences by FOX. The thriller crime drama will follow the intriguing tale of a mother who is struggling to stay afloat while working as a cleaning lady in Vegas.

Elodie Yung portrays the role of Thony De La Rosa a doctor who is visiting the States to secure treatment for her sick son who needs a bone marrow transplant. But fate plays a cruel trick on her that forces her to get involved with criminals. The FOX thriller already had fans hooked and eagerly awaiting the next episode. Read on to what happened in the premier and our thoughts on it.

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The episode begins as we see Thony and her sister-in-law Fiona (Martha Millan)watching a wedding when they're harassed by a superior at work. When he gets punched in the throat causing him to choke Thony steps in and the episode delivers excitement right off the bat as she makes a hole in his neck enabling him to breathe and is revealed to be a doctor. She and Fiona are both illegal immigrants staying in Vegas and working as cleaning ladies to make ends meet.

Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa in 'The Cleaning Lady' (FOX)

The pilot highlights the plights of immigrants who live in fear of being deported and packed in sad moments where they get threatened due to this. The thrill begins when Thony witnesses a murder and strikes a deal to survive with the line, "I'm just a cleaning lady, let me clean it for you", being a satisfying moment that indicated her first step into a darker world. Elodie Yung delivers a mother's plight very well but also brings to screen the dignity of labor and presence of self-worth and self-respect that was much appreciated. She's no damsel and will do anything for her son. The inclusion of detailed scenes like the breakdown of blood by sodium peroxide and creative crime scene cleanup viewpoints made it even better and brought authenticity. Arman Morales (Adan Canto) the mobster who recruits her is another exciting character with soft layers under his thick skin that we look forward to seeing more of.

Adan Canto as Arman Morales in 'The Cleaning Lady' (FOX)

From bomb blasts to skillful emergency wound treatment the premier had a strong start. As Thony wades deeper into criminal waters we can't wait to see what obstacles she'll face and the hard choices she will have to make. Family is at the root of her actions but she will pay a heavy cost. The situation is just starting to get worse as we see the FBI begin their investigation of Thony. With an intriguing plot and steady pace, the new FOX drama looks extremely promising, gritty, and thrilling.

'The Cleaning Lady' returns every Monday at 9 pm ET on the FOX channel.

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