Cleaning Up Season 1 Episode 1 Cleaning Up Ep. 1

Cleaning Up is a drama series that follows the story of a working-class woman named Sam who works as a cleaner in a financial firm in London. In the first episode, we are introduced to Sam, who is battling against a gambling addiction. The episode opens with Sam attending a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, where she shares her story about how gambling has caused her to fall behind on her bills and struggle to support her two daughters.

As the episode progresses, we see Sam navigating her day-to-day life as a cleaner in a financial firm. The show exposes the class divide by highlighting the stark contrast between the affluent financial workers in the skyscraper and those low-paid cleaners working in the basement. Sam, in particular, has already been caught on camera stealing, which her boss conveniently ignores, and owes money to a powerful criminal.

Sam's personal life is further complicated when her ex-husband comes to visit her, asking for custody of their daughters. He has remarried and is expecting a child of his own, and in his opinion, Sam's gambling addiction makes her a bad mother. Sam is devastated, and her struggles with addiction and financial insecurity are only exacerbated by this custody battle.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger when Sam overhears a conversation that suggests insider trading is taking place in the firm where she works. In an effort to turn her life around and provide for her children, she uses this information to start gambling again. Sam places a large bet on an upcoming market crash that could potentially be her ticket out of poverty.

Overall, Cleaning Up Ep. 1 is a gripping and emotional introduction to the series. Sam's character is relatable and complex, and we get a sense of the challenges she is facing in her personal and professional life. The class struggle theme adds depth to the storytelling, and the insider trading plotline leaves viewers curious about what is to come next. The episode serves as a strong set up for the rest of the series and leaves audiences ready to follow Sam on her journey.