As season three opens, Thony De La Rosa (Elodie Yung) is outside when several four-wheelers approach. Unable to get someone to open the door, she tries to flee but finds herself surrounded. She falls and frantically pulls a pendant out of her pocket. A man whose face is concealed by a black helmet fires a shot into the air and asks where it came from. She says Armando Morales (Adan Canto). Someone hits her across the face.

Two Days Earlier – Thony tries to cheer up Luca De La Rosa (Valentino LaSalle, Sebastien LaSalle). She assures him that Fiona (Martha Millan) will be home soon when she receives a text from Arman saying everything is set for tonight, meet me in two hours. Rushing Luca off to bed with the promise of two bedtime stories, she asks Chris (Sean Lew) to watch him. When he hesitates, she claims it is about Fiona. He asks for details but she warns against telling him. He blames her for Fiona’s deportation.

During a video chat, Jaz (Faith Bryant) wishes Fiona could be there for her junior prom. Fiona apologizes and confesses to love her when her phone rings. Thony tells her that the plane will land in Manila in 16 hours. Fiona voices concern about it being safe. Thony tries to put her mind to rest before promising to see her soon.

A realtor (Jacob Browne) shows Nadia Morales (Eva De Dominici) a property. She tells him that the home is for her and a cash offer will be made today. Orlando calls to inform her of Arman’s flight. Not authorizing the flight, she leaves in a hurry.

Upon arriving at the hangar, Thony sees drugs being loaded on the plane. Arman demands a CBP officer to stick with their agreement. She asks what is going on when several vehicles quickly approach with shots ringing out. A shootout ensues. A CBP officer is shot. Nadia pulls up. Thony jumps in the passenger’s seat. Nadia pulls up to the other side where Arman is engaged in a fight. A police vehicle pulls up in front of the hangar, jumps out, and starts shooting. Nadia drives to a safe location and demands answers. Denying any knowledge of what led up to the shootout, Thony tells her that she just wants Fiona back home. Nadia blames her for what happened and orders her out of the car.

Fiona is visiting the market with Alma De La Rosa/Lolo (Alberto Isaac) and Alma De La Rosa/Lola (Princess Punzalan) when a pub jogs her memory. In a flashback, she approaches Danilo (Glenn Thomas Cruz) playing pool and convinces him to let her make a shot behind her back for 3000 pesos. Thony reminds her that they do not have that kind of money. When she makes the shot, Danilo gets upset. Paolo Belleza (JB Tadena) intervenes. Danilo reluctantly throws the money on the pool table. Back to the present, he approaches and says her earnings took her to America. She apologizes for not saying goodbye. Lola gives her a stern look before Fiona and Paolo say their goodbyes.

Nadia cannot reach Arman. The FBI raids the casino. ASAC Katherine Russo (Liza Well) tries to convince Nadia to give up Arman’s location. When Nadia denies knowing where he is, Russo reminds her of Arman’s betrayal. Looking at Russo’s card, Nadia laughs before returning to her office where two agents are searching. She arrives at the hotel a short time later. No Arman but his passport is still in its original hiding place.

Thony calls Fiona to tell her what happened. Fiona suggests Arman escaped but Thony believes he would have already contacted her. Later, she arrives at the casino to learn Nadia has not heard from Arman. Nadia assures her that he is dead but Thony refuses to accept it. She questions who informed the police of the drug shipment to Manila. Thony says it could have been anyone. They visit Arman’s parents, Teresa Morales (Jacqueline Obradors) and Eduardo Morales (Jason Manuel Olazabal) to see if they have heard from Arman. Teresa claims they lost saw him 23 years ago. Nadia tries to convince them to utilize their connection to smugglers to find him. Eduardo says he is dead to them. Teresa begs to know more about him. Thony tells them that Arman saved Luca. Eduardo says with blood money and orders them to leave. As they are leaving, Teresa emerges from the house and gives them a cartel pendant.

Lola, Lolo, and Fiona are setting the table for dinner when a rock is thrown through the window. Armed Filipina vigilantes (Abby Rey, Alexander Nunn) enter the house demanding to know where Thony is at. Lolo is shoved to the floor. Fiona says Thony is in America and orders them to leave. She calls Thony to tell her that there is a reward out for the medicine that she smuggled out of the country. Thony urges them to go somewhere safe. Fiona warns that they will come for her and asks her to take care of Chris because he has no one. Thony vows to bring her home. Chris is looking through a box of photos and finds his visa. When Thony approaches, he hurriedly puts it away. She tells him about what happened in Manila. Upset, he goes to JD’s place.

Thony asks the other cleaning ladies if they have contacts that can help bring Fiona home. Nina tells her that she was born in America. Nina (Jordyn Aquino) tells her that she was born in America. Roxy (Gabriela Alicia Ortega) gives her contact information for a coyote named Angel (Kenneth Miller).

Chris packs his belongings. Luca assures him that Fiona’s return will make things better. Chris tells him to take care of his mom. While they embrace, Luca says he will miss him.

Thony asks Angel if he will smuggle Fiona across the border through Mexico for a few thousand dollars. He says only if she will transport drugs for him. Refusing the offer, she holds up the Morales pendant. He accuses her of threatening him with a rival cartel. She pays him to take her to them. He orders his man to take Thony out back.

Fiona tells Paola that he has a son, Chris. She admits lying to get Chris to America. She says he is kind and caring. She asks him to spread the news that she does not deal drugs. He demands to know everything.

Thony is alone when several four-wheelers approach. She tries to open the door but it is locked. An individual wearing a helmet approaches and fires a shot into the air. Holding up the pendant, she says it belongs to Arman. Someone hits her across the face. Restrained to a chair, she tells Jorge Sanchez (Santiago Cabrera) that she is Arman’s cleaner. He calls her a liar before identifying her as the doctor. He promises to let her live if she gives them Arman. She admits to utilizing their routes to smuggle medicine across the border. A black bag is placed over her head. Jorge escorts her to Ramona Sanchez/Sin Cara (Kate Del Castillo).

Fiona returns to Lolo’s to find Chris there. He vows to protect them. She voices concern about getting him back to the U.S. He says they will get back together.

Ramona demands Thony’s silence. Thony tells them that Arman saved her and Lucas’ lives. Jorge says she is holding back. Ramona vows to help find him. Thony reminds her that it was her people who attacked them in the desert. Ramona denies holding a grudge against her nephew, Arman, because of what happened between her and Eduardo. She says they will find and keep him safe.

Nadia learns Arman’s phone has been disconnected. Elsewhere, Lucas and Thony have a food fight when they hear a knock at the door. She opens the door to meet Susan Redman (Rekha Sharma), Luca’s caseworker from Child Protective Services. She informs her that Luca missed his mandated medical exam. Thony denies any knowledge of the appointment. Susan orders him to come with her. Luca does not want to go when the episode ends.

 

The Cleaning Lady Review

Not much has changed about the series. Fiona is deported and Thony is desperately trying to bring her back. Believing he can rescue Fiona, Chris travels to Manila. It is a bit silly really.

With Adan Canto out, the season delves into his past.

Fiona’s fight to remain in the U.S. is hardly different than many of the other 22 million undocumented immigrants (Yale Insights). The only difference is Thony injects them into a dangerous criminal enterprise.

While the show challenges America’s immigration laws, its portrayal of living in the country as an undocumented alien is often skewed. The show is a major disappointment in many ways. It is questionable how it got this far.

The soundtrack is atrocious as usual.

 

 

The pilot episode deserves a 4 out of 10. Get more The Cleaning Lady recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the show, crime, sports, and more.