Review of the Series «The Residence»
Chaos reigns in the White House: the president’s administration is hosting a government dinner with Australian dignitaries, Kylie Minogue is dazzling the guests, and the staff scrambles to keep the peace while sneaking glances at Hugh Jackman. Amid the frenzy, the head usher, Mr. Winter (Giancarlo Esposito), is found dead in one of the rooms. Enter Cordelia Capp (Uzo Aduba), a top-tier detective convinced this is no suicide, despite what others assume—she smells murder.
The buzz around «Adolescence» might have overshadowed this latest Netflix gem from Shonda Rhimes, the mastermind behind «Bridgerton». Yet, «The Residence» shouldn’t be measured against her past hits but rather alongside the likes of «Only Murders in the Building», where Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short tackle crimes with a light touch. «The Residence» shares that same breezy vibe—a cozy series brimming with vivid characters and sharp storytelling. The White House denizens are a quirky bunch, each hiding secrets, while Cordelia, with her dry wit and unflappable demeanor, pries open their closets to peek inside.
The show’s sparkling humor owes much to both the writers and its leading lady, Uzo Aduba, who shines as the heart of the series, deserving every accolade in sight. Cordelia Capp is a detective in the grand tradition—quirky, brilliant, and utterly certain she’s the sharpest mind in any room. The script paints her with care, even dipping into her childhood. Two quirks define her: an obsession with solving puzzles and a passion for birdwatching. Luckily, the White House grounds teem with feathered friends, pulling her focus mid-investigation to whip out her binoculars—much to the chagrin of those around her—checking off species and soothing her soul. She often tosses out bird trivia, drawing clever parallels to the case or the people she’s sizing up. By the end, you might find yourself a budding ornithologist—or at least curious about birdwatching.
Cordelia faces a long night ahead: 132 rooms, 157 suspects. The White House itself feels like a character, much like the towering complex in «Only Murders». The setting is a playground—we’re whisked through offices, meeting rooms, and hidden passageways. Craving a virtual tour of the presidential digs? «The Residence» delivers. The creators meticulously recreate the interiors (with a dash of artistic license) and tapped former White House staffer Hailey O’Connor for authenticity. As Cordelia roams the mansion, each floor unfurls new mysteries, every door a potential clue.
The team behind the show wears its love for the detective genre on its sleeve. Episode titles nod to classics—«The Fall of the House of Usher», «The Mystery of the Yellow Room», «Dial M for Murder». Cordelia could easily stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Holmes or Miss Marple. Netflix has a shot at spinning a detective universe here, with Cordelia dazzling and exasperating FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park)—her reluctant partner and makeshift Watson—in new cases each season. Alas, no word yet on a renewal.
«The Residence» weaves a tapestry of storylines, digging into characters’ pasts and fleshing out their quirks with patience. At times, it feels a tad overstretched, with the pace dipping in the back half. But that leisurely unfold is forgivable—watching the puzzle pieces click into place is its own reward. Every detail matters: a stray remark, a shifted chair, a fleeting glance. The writers bombard both Cordelia and the audience with a flood of info, daring you to keep up. It demands razor-sharp attention to crack the case alongside her. If you adore detectives but crave a break from grim tales, this one’s worth the watch.
