As the episode opens, Joe Middleton (Cohen Holloway) introduces himself as the “Christ Church Carver” but on the outside, he is “Average Joe” with a crazy mum, Evelyn Middleton (Elizabeth Hawthorne), and two fish. He slams the police for their approach to the investigation. He tells viewers about his new acquaintance, Laura (Genevieve Kentf), and friend, Sally Galletly (Dea Doglione). He voices concern about a copycat killer responsible for Daniela Walker’s death. He vows to find the killer, even if, it is Danielle’s husband, Mike Walker (Mike Edward). He says a journalist, Melissa Flowers (Chelsie Preston Crayford) is on his trail.

Holding Joe at knifepoint, Melissa asks if he intended to make her his next victim. He says she is mistaken. When he refuses to stop talking, she crams the muzzle of her gun into his mouth and places the tip of her knife on his private parts. She offers to let him keep his penis if he confesses. He nods in confirmation before she removes the gun to let him verbally confess. Going through his briefcase, she learns he is a custodian. He denies killing Danielle but she is not convinced. She stuffs his mouth and covers it with duct tape. Boasting her serial killer knowledge, she asks if Evelyn is too dominating to kill. He has a flashback of Evelyn slapping him across the face. She grabs his private parts with pliers. The duct tape muffles his screams

Joe comes to as a man steals his watch. He pleads for help but the thief flees. Looking down at his private, he compares it to a raw piece of meat. Feeling lucky the damage isn’t worse, he vows to cut Melissa’s “a**hole” into pieces. Gathering his things, he sees his gun and knife missing. Sally is getting in her car when she receives a call from Joe asking for help. A short time later, she arrives at his flat to find him on the floor with his private parts covered in blood. Preventing her from calling the police, he reminds her that she promised to help him. She places her cross necklace in his hand and assures him that he can trust her. Once he is in bed, she cleans his wound. He says Satan did it. When she pulls the tape off, he screams.

Sally returns home to be greeted by Graham Galletly (Cameron Rhodes). As she gathers a few supplies and a bottle of pills, he questions why she isn’t with her friends from the church. She tells him that she is helping a friend. A short time later, Joe wakes in fright to find Sally suturing his wound. She tidies up his flat while he sleeps. Before leaving, she tells him that he has a Foley catheter and promises to return later. He hallucinates and dreams of Melissa and Evelyn. The phone ringing wakes him. While on the phone, he looks around to see his flat clean and tidy. He schedules an appointment to pick up the cat for tomorrow evening. Knowing Sally seen Daniela’s case files, he fears the cops are coming and removes the catheter. While gathering his things, a knock at the door makes him think the worst is about to come. He finds a box with a burner phone, a photo of a knife, and a set of lock-picking tools outside his door. He sees a knife is missing.

Jerking Sally’s cross off his neck, Joe takes a commuter bus to the police station. DI Carl Schroder (Robbie Magasiva) asks what happened. Joe claims to have fallen down the stairs. Carl informs him of Graham being admitted to the hospital. Later, Joe is at the Galletly house when Sally returns home. Armed with a knife, he knocks on the door. As she gathers a few things for Graham, he questions how long it would take for her to be reported missing. She urges him to go to the police before asking if DS Brian Travers (Jordan Mooney) is responsible. He denies seeing his assailant. She asks about his Christ Church Carver article and criminal case files. He claims to have initiated his own investigation. She promises to keep it a secret. He puts his knife away as they prepare to leave. Later, Joe receives a call from Melissa asking if he is telling the truth about Daniela. He says it is his civic duty to find her killer. She sets a 48-hour deadline for him to find the killer.

Joe receives a call from Evelyn complaining about a bout of diarrhea. He claims to be relieved she is feeling better but she isn’t so sure. When the call ends, he regrets not utilizing more rat poison.

Upon arriving at the police station, Joe overhears DSS Rebecca Kent (Hannah Marshall) alert Schroder of an update on Mike Walker. In the custodial closet, he climbs upon a table to access a vent leading into the room. Rebecca says Mike spent most of the soccer game in his car parked in the lot not far from the Walker house. The pathology report reveals Daniela suffered a series of injuries. Later, Joe breaks into the Walker house to assess the crime scene. At the police station, Schroder and Rebecca question a frustrated Mike. Back at the Walker house, Joe goes over the evidence in his head. He believes Daniela knew her killer. In the interrogation room, Rebecca tells Mie that Daniela has old wounds. Mike complains about the way men looked at her and says she was his. Schroder tells him that he never deserved her. Mike walks out.

At the Walker house, Joe discovers the ink pen that Daniela utilized to defend herself was replaced. He locates a hole in the wall caused by the pen being thrown from across the room. He believes a cop switched the pen and killed Daniela. Hearing someone enter the house, he gathers his things, grabs his knife, and hides in an adjacent room. Schroder searches the room when he sees Joe’s beer sitting on the table. Joe hides behind the door when Schroder flips on the light to look around. He listens as Schroder talks to Rebecca on the phone. Schroder receives a call from his wife. Joe collects the beer bottle with Schroder’s fingerprints before leaving. Later, he breaks into Laura’s house to find her in the shower. He grabs a beer and an apple before sitting on her bed. He ponders his next move, grabs his knife, and waits. Tane (Rafael Pascual Cajar Jnr) emerges from the bathroom, not Laura. The episode ends.

 

Dark City: The Cleaner Review

The series strives for dark humor, whether a successful attempt will depend on the viewer’s take. What is supposed to be humorous turns out cringeworthy and silly. The story is at times, a hard pill to swallow.

Joe doesn’t have the makings of a serial killer. As in his narration, he is an “Average Joe.” Cohen Holloway is a great actor but at 51, it seems he is too old to be picking up young women. A younger actor may have been a better fit for the lead role.

They were doubtfully striving for realism. The murder investigation and Joe’s initiative to find the “Christ Church Carver” killer are as about as real as it gets.

The show isn’t terrible and at times, I found myself anticipating the copycat killer’s identity. If viewers can overlook the outrageousness, they may find the show enjoyable, at least, tolerable.

The episode deserves a 5.8 out of 10. Get more Dark City: The Cleaner recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV show releases, scams, crimes, and more.