As the episode begins, we see that Sam (Sheridan Smith) is still in the meeting with Frances (Rosie Cavaliero) and the others. Frances believes she has seen Sam somewhere. Graham (Con O’Neill) wants to know what is going on with Blake (Doc Brown). Graham intends to take care of it himself if it becomes a problem for him. They all share drinks. Graham tells them that the Health Trust is selling off Southwark General Hospital. They wonder what is going to happen to the hospital. Sam is told that they’re thinking about buying 20,000 shares. Sam manages to tell a tale and pretend she worked with Blake. Sam tries to negotiate to get information for them. Swanny seems willing to take the bait.

Outside, Frances offers to split a cab with Sam since they live in the same area. Sam eventually accepts the offer. Sam discusses her history at the firm with Blake. Frances says it is easier to act dumb and turn a blind eye than to give herself a headache with Graham and Swanny. Sam pretends she is married with two boys. She says her name is Nancy Oliver. They arrive at their destination. Sam pretends to go into a fancy house. Frances watches as Sam enters the house she cleans regularly. The homeowner wakes up and nearly comes down stairs. Frances leaves. Sam escapes without being spotted. Sam tells Jess (Jade Anouka) about the hospital the following day.

Mina (Branka Katic) joins them moments later. Sam tells them about the three firms bidding for the hotel. She says they’re going to find out which firm will be buying the hotel. They want to bug the meeting room. Sam admits she hasn’t put together a plan just yet. Jess seems concerned about the risks. Sam says Dave (Matthew McNulty) has stopped paying rent on the house. She cannot afford it on her own. She needs the money. Frances begins researching Nancy Oliver. She finds something about Oliver Twist. Meanwhile, Sam researches hear and the Southern Central Health Trust. Sam makes a call and learns when the meeting will take place. Glynn (Robert Emms) tells her about his dislike for mushrooms. Dave arrives moments later.

Dave wants to know if Lily (Anya McKenna-Bruce) would like to go to the trampoline park this year. He wants to take Lily with Beth. He invites Sam too. Glynn interrupts. Frances learns that the USB stick Sam left has been found. The team looks through the pictures. Frances seems distraught. He rushes off. Frances becomes suspicious. Meanwhile, Sam tells Lily about the party and trampoline park. When she returns home, she finds Alice (Kristy Philipps) with Jake (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) on the couch. Sam is not happy with them kissing. Alice tells Sam some woman coming looking for her. Sam is surprised when she learns the woman’s name is Frances. Frances confronts Sam at work. Frances lets Sam know that she knows all about her history and family.

Frances wants to know how Sam is going to get the information for Swanny. Frances wants half of the money for protection. After the conversation, Jess tells Sam that Viktor (Uriel Emil) is looking for her. Seconds later, he questions her about the pictures found in the computer department. She concocts a story and Mina supports it. Moments later, Sam is forced to tell Jess and Mina about Frances wanting a cut of the money. She tells them about the meeting too. They try to come up with a plan to get into the meeting room. Alice confronts her mother about her gambling activities. Sam denies having a gambling problem. Jess arrives and stops the conversation. Glynn finally arrives with the car. The girls manage to convince a guard to let them into the building. The man is interested in seeing the machine in action.

Sam leaves the others to find the meeting room. The guard returns. Mina pretends Sam went to the bathroom. Sam makes it to the meeting hall, but it is already over. The guard interrupts her and escorts her back. Sam makes it up. At home, she prepares fake documents. Sam leaves Alice and Lily so she can meet up with Swanny. She promises to meet up with Alice later, but runs a little late. Alice leaves without her. Swanny arrives. Sam gives Swanny the paperwork. He gives her the money in return. He gives her 15,000. She agrees to try to smooth things over. On the way back, Sam considers hitting the arcade. Sam looks at the money at home. She splits it up for herself and the others.

The next day, the family arrives for Lily’s birthday party. The entertainment Sam hired cancels at the last minute. Mina and Jess arrive. Sam goes to Glynn for help. She tells him about the magician. Warren arrives outside. She agrees to give him the money to keep him away. She gives Warren five grand. Glynn performs magic tricks at the party. Jess tries to help Glynn remove the beard. Lily leaves for the trampoline park. Dave invites Sam again. He offers to help her get a flat. Se refuses. Jess and Glynn talk about the van. Glynn offers to help. Sam gives Jess and Mina their money. Sam encourages them not to invest in the company. Frances is asked about the USB drive. The man says they should chat with Viktor again. Chris (Theo Barklem-Biggs) returns home. He says a friend is going to sell him a van for 1,500 quid.

Jess tells him no. She intends to do what she wants with her money. She buys shares of Walker Steens. Sam learns about it from Jess moments later. She gambles before going to work. At work, she learns that she was right. Walker Steens will be buying the hospital. They are both very excited. Viktor confronts Mina. He wants to know what she knows. He threatens to fire her.

 

Cleaning Up Review

This episode of Cleaning Up was fairly good. Sam managed to convince Swanny to invest in her. She nearly let him down, but ended up pulling through in the long run. Of course, she only came out on top after taking a big gamble. There is a good chance that is going to bite her in the backside at some point in the future. She could be in big trouble at work. What is Mina going to say to Viktor? Will she spill the beans?

Cleaning Up is unique and fairly interesting. It is nowhere near perfect though. It is a little slow and longwinded. The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Catch up with past recaps of Cleaning Up on Reel Mockery.