Movies

Meet Cordelia Cupp: The Detective Who Unravels a White House Murder Mystery!

BBG News

As a devoted moviegoer, let me tell you, Cordelia Cupp, renowned for being the world’s top detective and portrayed by the incredibly intense Uzo Aduba, doesn’t scare easy. That’s what everyone at the White House learns when Cordelia, summoned to investigate a mysterious death during a state dinner, steps onto the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department chief (played by Isiah Whitlock Jr.) calls her over. She finds herself surrounded by high-ranking government officials and presidential advisors – “Wow, that’s a lot of guys,” she remarks casually.

Examining the body, she points out overlooked clues, leaving them speechless. Even when President’s best friend, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), starts delivering a grandiose speech about the uniqueness and grandeur of the White House, Cordelia doesn’t miss a beat. “Do you mean this place is physically larger than me?” she questions, seemingly unimpressed by his words. “Because that seems pretty obvious. I’m, after all, inside the house.

Cordelia, the protagonist of Netflix’s “The Residence,” stands out as an intriguing character within the series, which is described as a humorous mystery. Created by Paul William Davies (known for shows like “Scandal” and “For the People”) and portrayed by Aduba, she transcends typical eccentric detective archetypes such as Hercule Poirot or Benoit Blanc from “Knives Out,” or the trio of podcasting detectives in “Only Murders in the Building.” While she shares similarities with many Shondaland leads in her intelligence and self-assuredness, Cordelia is notably more virtuous compared to characters like Olivia Pope or Anna Delvey. Although “The Residence” primarily follows Shondaland tropes and the current trend of whodunits in movies and TV, it offers something more substantial, largely due to Cordelia’s character.

In a grand setting, the plot unfolds like a classic Agatha Christie mystery with a twist from Clue. As a group of Australian dignitaries and other important figures gather for food, entertainment by Kylie Minogue, and camaraderie, an unexpected event takes place upstairs. It’s not just any person; it’s A.B. Wynter, the long-standing White House chief usher, who holds a significant, albeit unassuming, role as the head of the household staff. Given that Giancarlo Esposito portrays A.B., you can tell he’s sophisticated, self-assured, and meticulous to the extreme. The discovery of the body is made by Nan Cox, the cranky, heavy-drinking, robe-clad mother of Elliot, President Perry Morgan’s husband. In this fictional White House setting, created by Shondaland instead of reality, the president’s sexuality isn’t highlighted as remarkable. Naturally, Nan screams upon the discovery.

Among those arriving early at the scene before Cordelia’s arrival are a multitude of potential suspects for the show. Perry’s long-time friend and trusted advisor, Harry, is not only reliable but also has his own secretive plans. A.B.’s capable deputy, Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson), has been misusing work time since A.B. went back on a pledge to retire and hand over the job to her. In other parts of the building, employees with strong motives include a contentious chef (Mary Wiseman) and pastry chef (Bronson Pinchot) who both feel slighted by A.B.; a talkative butler (Edwina Findley) whose lively demeanor clashes with A.B.’s reservedness; and a pushy, self-entitled social secretary (Molly Griggs) who wishes to modernize White House events according to wellness trends, with the help of her energy healer (Taran Killam), which greatly irritates A.B.

This brief glimpse introduces some of The Residence’s numerous characters. Among these, Randall Park portrays Cordelia’s traditional FBI supervisor who often causes frustration, and Jason Lee depicts the President’s brother with a likeness to Roger Clinton. In an alternate plotline, set months after the suspected murder that the White House is trying to spin as suicide, Senator Al Franken (the same Al Franken who resigned from his Senate position due to sexual misconduct allegations) confronts a hearing with a Marjorie Taylor Greene-like figure (Eliza Coupe, not as eccentric as one might expect) regarding the incident. Furthermore, the narrative is enriched by flashbacks, allusions to classic murder mysteries, tangents into White House history drawn from Kate Andersen Brower’s book, The Residence: A Peek Behind the Private World of the White House, which served as the show’s inspiration.

In simpler terms, these intense, dark crime dramas often come with their fair share of complexities and confusion. However, when we’re seeking lighter entertainment to unwind, it can be challenging for viewers to keep up with all the details. This is especially true during the initial three episodes of a series, where character introductions and interrogations occur swiftly, and characters don’t stick around long enough to develop beyond typical stereotypes found in mystery shows.

The significant turning point in the series (with the finale still unseen, let’s wait together for its conclusion), occurs at the start of Episode 4. In a flashback, distant from the White House, Cordelia is bird-watching on an isolated beach with her young nephew. She shares with him her childhood backstory, where the search for a treasured missing sock connects to her personal history. This human background adds depth and relatability to Cordelia’s character. For this woman who feels deeply but expresses herself through reason, investigations—the chase for truth and justice—serve as a form of emotional communication. Once you understand this, it becomes hard not to be emotionally attached to Cordelia’s journey.

This series, “The Residence,” might not offer anything new, being just another intricate murder mystery similar to countless others. However, Cordelia Cupp is a breath of fresh air, and it’s essential for Netflix to recognize her talent beyond this narrative. After all, the streaming service that built an empire around a detective as feeble as Benoit Blanc deserves to nurture her potential to its fullest.

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2025-03-20 10:06

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