As the episode begins, we see Sam (Sheridan Smith) cleaning up offices. Viktor (Uriel Emil) enters and notices a stain on the floor. He tells Sam to scrub harder and get it up. The traders will be coming in very soon. She uses a marker to hide the stain before rushing off. On the bus ride home, Sam plays roulette on her phone. Once she arrives home, she struggles to get the girls ready for school. After dropping the girls off at school, Sam gets a call from Warren (Neil Maskell). She doesn’t answer it. On the way to work, she continues playing roulette on her phone. She wins but ends up rear ending someone in front of her. When the other driver gets out, she makes a run for it. Then, Sam meets with her ex. They go through counselling together. They’re told to focus on their kids Alice and Lily.

Dave (Matthew McNulty) believes the kids should live with him full time. Dave brings up Sam’s problematic gambling. He promises that Beth will not replace her as a mother. When Sam returns home, she tries to sort out her budget. Warrens shows up outside. She hides from him until he leaves. Sam continues gambling. Then, she meets up with Jess (Jade Anouka) at the train station. Sam tells Jess about her trouble with Dave. She says she is not gambling again. Jess contemplates starting a mobile café. They speak with the other cleaners at work. Viktor shows up and Sam tries to get more hours from him. She is scolded for using the pen to color the carpet. Sam cleans up an office that night. She takes a break to gamble again.

Jess is stopped and told to wipe the desks from now on. Sam overhears the same guy’s conversation. He is worried that he could get caught and go to prison. The guy is told to place the investments and nothing will be said. He is told to invest in Osprex Electronics. Sam writes the name down on her hand. The next day, Sam begins investigating the company and insider trading. Lily’s teacher interrupts. Sam learns about Lily hitting a classmate. Sam lies about it. At home, she admits she said it. She cooks a pitiful meal for the girls. Later that day, Sam continues gambling. Lily interrupts by showing her a picture she drew. Sam offers to get the girls bunk beds so they can share a room together. Alice is not happy at all. Jess works at her other job.

Warren tracks down Sam. He wants his money. She owns him 17,000. She tells him that she will pay him when she gets her divorce settlement. Sam puts on a record and cleans. She sees a huge balance on the client’s mail. Then, Sam attempts to assemble the bunk bed. Glynn (Robert Emms) arrives at the door. Glynn will be renting a room from Sam. Glynn tells her that he needs storage space for a bunch of items. He fixes lawnmowers to pay for his PHD. Dave arrives with the kids. Dave tries to convince Sam to get help for her gambling addiction. Alice becomes frightening by Glynn. Glynn agrees to take the room after learning there is a Nando’s nearby. That night, Sam continues her work. She spots the same man again and does more research on insider trading.

Sam goes to the library to get information about buying and selling stock. Sam continues studying at home. She learns that Alice doesn’t want to go to her dance class. She blames Sam for everything. Later that night, Lily speaks with her mother downstairs. Lily says she heard her dad talking about moving away from Sam. Sam promises her that she will not be going anywhere. Sam learns that Osprex Electronics soared by more than 15% overnight. Later, Sam decides to sign up for a broker account. She begins listening in on the traders’ conversations again. Sam tells Jess about it later that night. Sam is eager to use the insider information to her own advantage. Sam buys a recorder. Moments later, Sam decides to get Glynn involved in the action. She tells him that she will be using the device to spy on her boyfriend.

At work, Sam prepares to plant the device. Jess distracts the guy so Sam can get the device planted. Thanks to the device, Sam learns about a steel company. Its stock price could soar pretty soon. Sam write down the name Bevan Brothers Steel. Sam tries to convince Jess to use her money for the investment. They eventually agree to buy five shares. Sam goes against that and buys 50 shares. They prepare to wait for the takeover announcement. Sam continues gambling too. Sam puts the girls to bed. She continues keeping an eye on the stock. Chris (Theo Barklem-Biggs) tries Jess’s new cake. He doesn’t like it. The takeover announcement is made on television. Jess tells Sam. They realize that they’re going to strike it big.

They’ve already made like 250 pounds. Lily interrupts Sam and tells her something about Alice. The episode ends with the trader looking at the HVAC vent above him. The recording device keeps working.

 

Cleaning Up Review

Cleaning Up started out okay. Some parts of the show are cliché. However, the overall story is pretty unique. I am not sure I’ve seen another show approach insider trading from this angle. Things could get pretty interesting from here on out. Will Sam be able to continue gaining and using the insider information? Will she be able to stop her gambling long enough to reap the rewards from her efforts? The unique storyline is great, but I am skeptical if it is going to be enough to keep me sticking around.

I am also worried about the characters. I didn’t find them particularly interesting. Their situations are relatable, but they lack charisma and personality. Still, the opener wasn’t too bad. A 7 out of 10 is deserved.