So much 'Dirty Linen'

• Published date: 10 February 2023
• Publication title: Business Mirror

Just when it seemed that thrillers on Philippine television were supplied solely by streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, along comes a new local series to remind us that when it comes to densely plotted ensemble pieces, the Pinoys remain in fighting form too.

ABS-CBN's Dirty Linen, the pilot episode of which aired last month, has shown promise and has continued to enthrall audiences.

In the revenge drama (if you plan to binge-watch this show via iwantTFC, like I did, and would be loathe to encounter spoilers, skip the next few paragraphs), Alexa (Janine Gutierrez) infiltrates the household as a maid of the wealthy and extremely influential Fiero family after the sudden disappearance of her mother Olivia (Dolly De Leon), whom Alexa suspects was killed by the Fieros after they made it appear that Olivia ran away and stole jewelry worth millions.

To execute her grand plan of exposing the Fieros' dirty secrets, Alexa takes justice into her own hands and connives with her second family-Rolando (Joel Torre), Lala (Jennica Garcia), Max (Christian Bables), and Nico (Seth Fedelin)-who are also seeking justice for their family members who suffered greatly in the hands of the Fieros.

Alexa changes her identity to Mila and exhausts all means to take down the Fiero family led by the matriarch Cielo (Tessie Tomas), Feliz (Angel Aquino) and her husband Ador (Epy Quizon), 'sabong king' Carlos (John Arcilla) and his wife Leona (Janice de Belen), and their children Aidan (Zanjoe Marudo) and Chiara (Francine Diaz).

However, love unexpectedly gets in the way of Alexa's revenge game as she grows closer to the unsuspecting and charming 'golden boy' of the family, Aidan. In her quest for justice, Alexa will slowly uncover that the Fieros' reputation is actually tainted by scandalous affairs, sordid issues, and far more dirty secrets than she ever imagined.

Will Alexa succeed in exposing the Fieros and uncover the truth about her mother's disappearance? Is it still possible for Alexa and Aidan to fall in love?

Dirty Linen may just seem like a clever retelling of numerous revenge plotted dramas that have flooded the...