‘Dirty Linen Finale’ REVIEW: A satisfying end to local TV's morally corrupt family
‘Dirty Linen Finale’ REVIEW: A satisfying end to local TV’s morally corrupt family
This review contains spoilers for Dirty Linen.
The Fieros had it coming.
We have witnessed over the span of seven months just how morally corrupt this family is. Through a series of deceitful acts, cruelty, and an intricate web of lies, their reputation is gradually tainted with dirtiness, which leads to their inescapable downfall.
Dirty Linen has truly come a long way since its debut in late January of this year, leaving an undeniable mark on our local television landscape, particularly in the post-ABS-CBN shutdown. Initially centered around a young woman driven by vengeance and justice who infiltrates the Fiero family’s El Hambra household by disguising herself as a housemaid, the show's narrative has evolved significantly. The main character's journey is nothing short of captivating, as she transcends her initial role as a mere housemaid to become a Fiero herself. With each episode, the show's storytelling intensifies, unfolding with escalating chaos and an onslaught of unforeseen twists.
At its core, the series depicts the struggle for retribution and justice waged by the underprivileged against the powerful—an inherently relevant concept that strikes a chord in our current socio-political climate—and the finale accomplishes this in a satisfying fashion. The climax of the series manifests in the finale week, where Alexa (Janine Gutierrez) and her vengeful team, driven by the belief that the absence of justice equals the absence of peace, orchestrate their revenge against the Fiero family for one last time.
Team Resbak (from left to right: Christian Bables, Janine Gutierrez, Joel Torre, and Jennica Garcia)
The finale week revolves around the Fiero family grappling with bereavement following the death of the matriarch, Doña Cielo (Tessie Tomas). Carlos (John Arcilla) is the one who was affected the most since his relationship with his mother was so strong. In his agony, he recognizes that the Resbak team would have to face consequences for their actions. Arcilla's performance is remarkably unsettling here, effortlessly depicting a villainous and self-absorbed character we can't help but despise. At first, there is a tiny facet of his character that genuinely holds concern for his family's well-being. However, when he becomes aware of his imminent downfall, he faces a critical dilemma: to prioritize wealth or his family. He ultimately chooses the former, and his care for his family is all just a facade, as evidenced by his actions like imprisoning Chiara (Francine Diaz) to lure Alexa, taking advantage of Aidan's (Zanjoe Marudo) trauma, not to mention the constant abuse towards his own wife, Leona (Janice de Belen).
One of the standout moments in the finale is the intense final confrontation involving Alexa, Aidan, Leona, and Carlos. In this gripping scene, Alexa tells Aidan that his own mother was the actual perpetrator behind her mother's murder, thereby shattering Aidan’s trust in his own mother and straining their relationship further. Alexa's journey finally reaches a satisfying and cathartic conclusion. Gutierrez's performance further complements this scene, showcasing her range as an actress. Following months of suppressing her true emotions to maintain an appearance of kindness, obedience, and patience towards the Fiero family, she eventually reaches her breaking point, succumbing to a surge of hatred and anger. But when Carlos presents her with a dilemma: save her own family from a bomb or pursue him for a violent confrontation, she chooses the former because, unlike Carlos, she knows that her priority is family first. She also rejects the path of becoming a murderer, defying expectations that her experiences might push her towards such an evil act. Now, some might even argue that she should have killed Carlos and Leona, but doing so would destroy what the show was trying to say. Revenge comes with a cost, and Alexa knows better right then and there.
The Fiero Family (from top clockwise: Janice de Belen, John Arcilla, Angel Aquino, Epy Quizon, Raven Rigor, Xyriel Manabat, Tessie Tomas, and Francine Diaz)
While the fate of certain characters might appear undeserved, like Mang Olan (Joel Torre), others certainly deserve their outcomes. A prime example is Feliz (Angel Aquino), the only family member who has served a prison sentence for the crimes committed by the Fieros; though she admits that being jailed feels just right since it offered her a chance for personal growth. This resolution suits her character fittingly, as she only found herself entangled in her family's disturbing affairs. Her children, Clint and Tonet, actively pursue a fresh start away from the shadow of the Fiero name, working diligently to establish their own reputations. Lemuel rightfully achieves a well-earned promotion within the police force. Chiara and Aidan's sibling bond remains unbreakable. Max and Lala (now lovers), as well as Nico, have decided to start a fresh and peaceful life. Alexa, presumed dead by the public, is actually in hiding. Together, the four of them finally decided to leave El Hambra for good. If you look back during the pilot when they were just kids and remember what they’ve gone through, you know that they have definitely deserved this fate.
It's quite sad to witness the conclusion of this series, given that it stands as one of the finest and boldest local shows on television right now. The strength of the powerhouse ensemble is what truly binds this show together. Ranging from veteran actors to promising young talents, their performances have truly exceeded expectations. While the storyline follows the familiar patterns of a soap opera, its presentation and cinematography are enough to keep it exciting every weeknight.
However, certain cliché tropes, such as the invisible wall (where a character remains unaware of another character eavesdropping or speaking from behind, even though it's glaringly obvious), as well as the dramatic long pauses accompanied by close-up shots of the characters' expressions and the frequent repetition of cheesy theme songs during romantic scenes between the romantically paired characters, are a bit excessive. Some subplots still need some exploration or development, as some were merely skimmed over or forgotten about. For instance, Feliz's struggle with gambling addiction and Clint's evident incestuous feelings towards Chiara (or are we just misinterpreting that?), just to name a few. These are missed opportunities to delve into compelling narratives, particularly in Clint's case, where there is potential for his character to gain some depth rather than remain one-dimensional throughout the series.
The Fiero’s Ruined El Hambra Estate
The final scene of the show concludes in a poetic sense of dark irony: Carlos drags Leona with him to reveal their hidden treasures in the basement (a setting that is conveniently introduced late in the series) and subsequently detonates one of the buildings on their estate. As a result, both Carlos and Leona find themselves buried alive under the weight of massive debris, rendering them unable to open the basement door. Leona's outcry, "I don't deserve this hell!" while Carlos countered, "This is not hell!" due to them being surrounded by their family’s treasures, which he thought was some kind of heaven, adds a touch of unexpected humor to the scene. Yet the truth remains: alongside their countless treasures and sins, they now reside in a living hell. They are now buried alive underneath the land of El Hambra, mirroring the fates of all the innocent bodies they unjustly killed and buried.
The closing shot ends with a bird's-eye view of the Fiero's ruined El Hambra estate. Once a cherished possession, now nearly half of it lies in ruins, largely reduced to debris and ashes, much like the fate of the Fiero family themselves.
All episodes of Dirty Linen are now streaming on iWant TFC. The 12-episode exclusive cut will be coming September 7, 2023 to Amazon Prime Video.
