On paper, Shondaland and Netflix’s *The Residence* appears to be a captivating experience. A murder mystery unfolding in the White House? A cast brimming with stars like Uzo Aduba, Randall Park, and Giancarlo Esposito? Even Kylie Minogue makes a cameo? Sounds like a must-see!
Regrettably, *The Residence* does not fulfill its promise, hampered by clumsy execution and a lack of substance. Rather than providing a thrilling whodunnit, the series struggles to keep the intrigue alive, leaving audiences wishing they were engaged in one of the many mysteries it tries to mirror.
### What is *The Residence* about?
The series transports us into the White House during a pivotal State Dinner in honor of the Australian Prime Minister. With unusually heightened tensions between the U.S. and Australia, everything must proceed without a hitch. However, chaos ensues when Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (Esposito) is discovered dead in the White House Residence. In an instant, everyone present—from personnel to eminent guests (including Kylie Minogue)—turns into a suspect.
Enter Cordelia Cupp (Aduba), an esteemed detective famous for solving seemingly impossible cases. Eccentric and fervent about birdwatching, she is determined to uncover the truth. Yet, her investigation proves to be anything but straightforward. Almost every White House staff member had reasons to wish A.B. gone, from the pastry chef (Bronson Pinchot), whose creativity was suppressed, to the assistant usher (Susan Kelechi Watson), who was yearning for his position. Meanwhile, skeptical FBI agent Edwin Park (Park) scrutinizes Cordelia closely, aiming to prevent the murder from evolving into a full-blown scandal.
### *The Residence* is constrained by its own structure
In spite of attempts to maintain an engaging mystery, *The Residence* opts for a curious choice by framing the narrative through a Congressional hearing regarding A.B.’s murder. Senators Aaron Filkins (Al Franken) and Margery Bay Bix (Eliza Coupe), a conspiracy theorist, question witnesses in a widely publicized inquiry.
While this framework tries to underscore the political ramifications of a White House murder, it ultimately offers little to the narrative. Instead, it detracts from the urgency of Cordelia’s quest, making the storyline feel fragmented. The constant back-and-forth between the hearing and the events of the night hampers the pace, rendering the show more of a flashy storytelling exercise than a cohesively crafted mystery.
The series shines brightest when it centers on Cordelia’s detective efforts rather than the Congressional proceedings. In fact, the most intriguing episode (out of the seven available for review) is the one least encumbered by hearing interruptions. Nevertheless, even that episode is burdened by excessive flashbacks, further complicating the timeline and weakening the suspense.
### A mystery populated with underdeveloped characters
While *The Residence* adequately establishes alibis and red herrings, its extensive ensemble cast suffers from superficial characterization. Most characters are portrayed through a singular ambition or personality trait, rendering them flat. As the series progresses, this lack of depth becomes increasingly apparent, especially in light of the hour-long episode format, which does not align well with the show’s quirky mystery tone.
### Cordelia Cupp is a detective with limited depth
The most significant casualty of this weak characterization is Cordelia Cupp herself. Aduba delivers a commendable performance, and it is enjoyable to see her outsmart suspects and confront skeptics. However, the series fails to clarify what truly distinguishes her from other great fictional detectives.
According to *The Residence*, the answer lies in her fixation on birds. Cordelia frequently references bird species and employs avian metaphors to describe her investigative methods. While this quirk initially enriches her character, it soon becomes repetitive. Even other characters tire of it, with Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino) exclaiming in frustration, “Enough with the fucking birds.”
Her dynamic with Edwin Park also lacks depth. Their adversarial rapport remains predominantly one-dimensional, missing the chance to evolve into a captivating odd-couple relationship reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. The fleeting moments that hint at a deeper bond are quickly discarded, rendering their interactions underwhelming.
### *The Residence* is a squandered opportunity
Throughout *The Residence*, glimpses of an enjoyable, captivating mystery emerge, yet they are obscured by an overly complicated structure and underdeveloped characters. In spite of its promising premise and skilled cast, the series ultimately wastes its potential, leaving viewers with a forgettable whodunnit instead of a must-see mystery.
*The Residence* is now streaming on Netflix.