Smoke and Mirrors – As the episode opens, Thony (Elodie Yung) turns the stereo volume up to the max before informing Fiona (Martha Millan) of Jeremy Dolan’s (Brandon Jay McLaren) visit to their house when everyone was out. Fiona recalls Ludlow sending for Jeremy when the warehouse was vandalized. They believe he may have installed cameras in their house. Knowing he replaced the fire alarm batteries, Fiona starts to hit it with the broom handle but Thony stops her. Fearing Jeremy is monitoring them via spy cameras, Fiona and Thony choose their words carefully. Thony claims to have a pick-up at the Spring Valley Fluff N’ Fold. Fiona chastises her. Thony says they will kill them if she doesn’t do it.

Ramona Sanchez (Kate Del Castillo) assures Jorge Sanchez (Santiago Cabera) that she meant to give him more control of their business. He tells her that he and Nadia Morales (Eva De Dominici) are working on something. She urges him to watch his back around Nadia. He boasts of convincing Nadia to forget her anger toward Ramona. Elsewhere, Nadia receives the keys to her new home. Looking at the scenery, she says it is time for a fresh start.

Thony and Fiona see Jeremy outside the beauty salon. Thony voices concern about what Ramona will do if she finds out Jeremy. She is sure he knows she works for the cartel. When Fiona suggests getting rid of the cameras, Thony warns against it because Jeremy would know they are onto him.

Ramona invites Thony to get more involved in her operation. Thony tells her that she wants to cut ties with the cartel and vows to never say anything to anyone. Ramona says power is what protects her family and it can do the same for Thony. She promises to consider Thony’s request to walk away from the cartel.

Standing in an open field, Jorge pitches a resort to Nadia. He promises to force the FBI to release Robert Kamdar’s money and make her the face of the resort. He says they will funnel dirty money through shell companies to keep them safe.

ASAC Katherine Russo (Liza Weil) is studying a painting in Ramona’s art gallery when Ramona approaches. After a bit of back-and-forth, Russo identifies herself and calls Ramona “Sin Cara.” Ramona denies any knowledge of Sin Cara. Russo says art galleries are utilized to laundry dirty money before handing her a search warrant. FBI agents spread out to search the gallery. An FBI agent shows (Carissa Blades) Jorge a warrant to search his office. Upon arriving home, Ramona finds FBI agents searching the premises. A frightened, Violeta (Olivia Frida Filomena) runs into Ramona’s arms.

JD Harris (Ryan Sands) tells Fiona that Jaz (Faith Bryant) wants to race go-carts for her birthday. He asks if Chris (Sean Lew) has heard from Camila (Esmeraldo Camargo). Remembering the cameras, she kisses him to stop him from incriminating himself.

Ramona tells Jorge that Russo believes she is Sin Cara. He says there is no evidence to connect her to Sin Cara. She demands he find out who talked to the Feds. Jorge stresses the need to talk to Nadia before she finds out about the search warrant. Scanning documents from Derek, Ramona starts smashing things. Thony disconnects the water lines running to the kitchen faucet when an urgent text from Ramona pops up on her phone. When Jeremy arrives, she leaves to go speak with Ramona. A short time later, Ramona tells Thony that Nadia made a deal with the Feds but Jorge must not find out. Thony offers to drug Nadia with ketamine. Ramona demands she do it today and warns her to not betray her.

Jorge assures Nadia that there is no evidence leading back to the Sanchez family. She accepts his offer of a partnership in the resort. She says they will meet with their first potential investor, Christian Waller, tonight.

Fiona and JD visit the house where the cartel was holding Camila. She questions if the cartel moved everyone because of her. He assures her that it is not her fault.

Thony asks Nadia if she made a deal with the Feds. Nadia claims when Russo offered her a deal, she refused because all she wanted was to find Armando Morales (Adan Canto). She attributes her frozen accounts to her refusal to work with the Feds. Thony calls Ramona to request a meeting before dealing with Nadia. Ramona says one of her guys will get rid of Nadia. Thony vows to do it for Armando. A short time later, Thony informs Fiona of the raid at Ramona’s properties. Fiona pleads with her to not get involved in it. Hearing everything, Jeremy notifies Russo before heading to Nadia’s. Following Ramona’s orders, Atticus (Sergiu Iva) drives to Nadia’s address. Thony arrives a Nadia’s. She tells her that Ramona believes she is responsible for the Feds searching her properties. Nadia becomes frantic. Thony injects her with ketamine. Jeremy walks in and finds her leaning over an unconscious Nadia.

At Nadia’s house, Russo tells the coroner, Mats Litecky (Scott Bailey) to send her the death certificate and autopsy report. At the scene, Atticus sees Thony in her van. Elsewhere, Jorge is waiting for Nadia, so they can talk to Christian Waller. Charmaine (Amber Lynn Ashley) says Nadia is not answering her phone. Atticus informs Ramona that Thony took care of Nadia.

In an undisclosed location, Nadia wakes up. Thony tells her that she helped her die to save her life. In a flashback, Thony vows to help Jeremy take down Sin Cara in exchange for his help in saving Nadia. At the scene, Russo permits Jeremy and Thony to leave with an unconscious Nadia. A short time later, Jeremy thanks Litecky. Thony assesses Nadia to ensure she is okay. Back to the present, Nadia asks if everyone believes she died. Thony tells her that Jeremy is an FBI agent. Jeremy says she is officially dead. Nadia asks how she can be free when her life is gone. The episode ends.

 

The Cleaning Lady Review

As usual, the episode is filled with plot holes. Everything about Nadia’s fake death is implausible to a ridiculous extent. Viewers are supposed to believe Thony fooled Sin Cara by temporarily drugging Nadia with ketamine. Let’s not forget that Ramona has horses and knows the uses of the drug.

Sure, the FBI has a history of fake death schemes but in this case, it is Thony who executed the plan. Then again, the FBI is not above abusing its power to take down a corrupt organization.

The episode deserves a 5 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 a broad range of topics from movies to TV shows and more.