TV THOUGHTS 2024, PART I: THE CLEANING LADY AND R.I.P ADAN CANTO

I had originally conceived this article to share some of my overall thoughts on this 2024 television season. But after finally catching-up on Season Three of The Cleaning Lady this past week-end, I’m too busted-up about the tragic real-life death of beautiful star Adan Canto to discuss anything else right now.

Because of his January passing, I actually could not bring myself to watch the new season right away, when it debuted earlier this month, despite it being one of my favorite shows. But that enjoyment of the series was based on the relationship between the two leads–the actual “cleaning lady” Thony, (Elodie Yung,) and criminal-but-good-guy Arman, played by Adan. With all that chemistry and sexual tension gone, what’s the point? There’s never any happiness on the show—outside of that duo’s relationship, The Cleaning Lady is all blood, gore, stress, and sadness.

But, out of respect for Mr. Canto, (and because I wanted to see how the demise of his character is treated,) I forced myself to watch all six episodes, (which takes me up to date now,) in the past few days.

I was sad going in, but when I saw the end card of the season premiere, which read “This Season is Dedicated to Our Beloved Friend Adan Canto,” I burst into tears. And—Spoiler Alert–did so again when his character died a heroic death at the end of episode six.

The series always has me on the edge of my seat, so I decided that I will keep watching, (beginning with tonight, actually,) but it will never be the same for me. Nor, most likely, for any of his fans.

And I don’t know how I feel about them bringing in a handsome “uncle” of Arman to fill the hunk gap. I have a feeling he’s there to eventually have a flirtation with Thony, but that might be a tad disrespectful to both fictional Arman’s and real-life Adan’s memories. I know the producers have to have some attraction situation on there to hold the audience’s interest, and handsome actor Santiago Cabrera is actually perfect for the job, but I’m still mulling over my feelings on this one.

Perhaps, (to not be too obvious about trying to pair Thony and the uncle,) that’s why the writers also added a cute handyman, played by Brandon Jay McLaren, to the mix, so that we don’t know which way Thony will lean. I also can’t figure out yet if the guy is totally good or a criminal himself, or perhaps secretly from another law enforcement body. It does make it interesting, though. And I was already a fan of Brandon from the charming TV movie, Marry Me This Christmas, so I should be okay with his role. And I’ll reserve other judgement for now.

But I already miss Arman. It will be hard to watch this show and not be sad, for myself, Adan’s fans, friends, and family, and of course, for his cast and crew, who must be absolutely devastated. I have no idea how the people who have worked with him for the past two years have been able to go on. Really.

Adan Canto’s death is one of the saddest show business losses ever. He was a beautiful and talented and very accomplished man who passed at only forty-two, leaving a wife and two very young children. I was such a fan, and now I feel for his young family so much.

R.I. P., Adan Canto.