The trials and tribulations of being a newly single mom and starting over are all too familiar for the thousands of women for whom this is a reality in this country.
Perhaps that’s one reason Netflix’s new series, “The Maid,” has become a hit with its millions of viewers. Margaret Qualley portrays a single mom, Alex, who is fleeing from an abusive relationship and trying to find what is best for her daughter.
After her abusive childhood and as abusive similarities appear in her relationships she quickly embarks on a journey to start anew.
The show has the ability to draw viewers in through its superb acting and intriguing story line. The scary thing about the show is it is all completely realistic and a struggle that thousands of young, single moms face.
Viewers watch Alex struggle to gain housing and a job all while providing for her two year-old daughter, Maddie. The script allows you to feel the intense emotions of Alex.
Maddie’s father, Sean, is a struggling alcoholic who is often overcome by fits of drunken rage. The show is something special because it is impossible not to feel sympathy for even the meanest and most cruel characters.
As you watch Maddie’s father attempt sobriety and try to be a better person, it is extremely saddening to watch him completely relapse and re-begin the cycle.
Each member of her life faces their own personal demons and takes them out in various ways. Even the multi-millionaire that she cleans for, with her vast fortune and everything she wants is riddled with miscarriages and depression.
Nobody is who they seem as each episode adds another layer to their personalities, or in certain circumstances, peels one off. Revealing a dark or sad twist to somebody in Alex’s Life.
The show has maintained its top 10 spot on Netflix for multiple weeks as more and more fans steam this drama.The show creates a circle of tragedy as Alex is pulled in and out of abuse shelters, friends’ homes and even straight back into the lair of her abuser.
The show is not all depressing, and layers comedy, love, building relationships and overall these details generate an enjoyable viewing experience.
Viewers find themselves immersed in her story and really build connections with all the characters. Unlike many other TV dramas which fail at giving all characters personalities, the incredible acting in “The Maid” flows with life.
Qualley’s performance is nothing short of brilliant as viewers watch her character’s momentous highs and devastating lows. Along with incredible acting and casting, the cinematography adds a unique layer as well.
The camera does not just take far away and close up shots of the actors, but in certain scenes, it focuses on one character for an extended period of time, as you watch them completely change emotional states. It is something not seen a lot on TV shows but was beautifully executed.
The cinematography made viewers feel like they were really side by side with Alex in places like daycare facilities and even emotional breakdowns in the car.
Senior Cody Connors watched the show last week and gave his feedback, “The show was really engaging and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The character interactions were emotional and realistic” he stated.
Along with beautiful shots of film, the usage of symbolism and recurring events was interesting to watch. Whenever Alex felt trapped or stuck in her situation, a giant black well would surround her. This depressing piece of symbolism explained her situation better than any script could do.
The show also keeps a running tally of her bank account whenever she is paid or purchases something. It is a little depressing to watch it frequently hit zero and even the negatives, but this visual display does a better job displaying the struggles of bills better than words ever could.
Visual displays were seen throughout the show to display what Alex was thinking. Rather than her talking to herself, the show used symbolism and actually showed her thoughts which made it easier to understand.
Even though there were moments only visuals could achieve, the script was poetic and easy flowing. The interactions between characters are not cliche, like Netflix shows have a tendency of doing.
The lines were able to be portrayed in a way that dampened on how the audience looked at the characters. Some viewers thought Sean attempting to reassure Alex was loving and kind where others saw it as manipulative and abusive. It is an impressive feat to have a script flow around how you feel about the people in it.
The writing is beautiful, as every house Alex cleans she writes a new story read throughout the episode. The writing inside the episodes was poetic and meaningful for the scenarios. Alex’s skills for writing actually grant her a life-changing scholarship towards the end of the show.
In the nine hours viewers spend with Alex, her life completely falls apart financially and mentally as she sifts her way through emotional abuse and the mental toll of a corrupt government assistance program.
The show does a great job portraying the struggles of starting fresh in America. As a mom who had spent her entire life relying on her partner, the struggle to start anew is cripplingly obvious. The show does not quickly move over these subjects like other shows but, rather, is the entire focus point.
A lot of TV shows revolving around poverty or single parent struggles quickly move past crucial details touched on in “The Maid.” Viewers learn about the excruciating struggle for custody of emotional abuse victims c as well as the struggles and judgment on those who need government aid.
The show is not just about starting anew but working with the pieces one already has. Alex struggles endlessly to guard over her drug addicted mother. There are many interesting sub-plots that occur apart from the main story, and they all take a toll on Alex.
It was interesting to watch the circles that emotional abuse victims go through to attempt to escape their situations. We learn not only Alex’s story but those of other abused women. They all cope differently, and it was a good choice by directors to show them all. From shopping to smoking, all the victims coped differently and allowed viewers to analyze each victim differently.
The ending was actually the perfect blend of happiness and wondering what is next. There has not been a confirmed season two, but it does not seem to need one. The show was a brilliant masterpiece in character development, writing and cinematography. Hopefully, Netflix continues down this path of excellence for shows in the future.
