The Beginning
The episode starts with a flashback of Alex performing open mic at a restaurant. No one is listening, except for Sean, who was a supportive boyfriend of the time. These flashbacks continue to remind Alex of the good before the bad.
Flashing forward to the present, Alex and Maddy awaken from the ferry floor and as they do, Alex is recognized by Nate (Raymond Ablack), a former acquaintance to her and Sean. Nate offers Maddy and Alex a ride to Value Maids.
As Alex begs Yolanda for a shift, she receives a call from Sean’s lawyer notifying her that she has been ordered to court under an emergency petition for custody. Alex knows she will have to put up a fight, so she goes to her social worker who advises her to go to a DV shelter.
There Alex meets Denise (BJ Harrison), a survivor of domestic violence and owner of the shelter. She is able to get a room at the shelter and is able to comfort Maddy with my little pony toys, gifted to her by one of the neighbors, Danielle (Aimee Carrero).
The Middle
At court, Sean’s team builds a case against Alex for endangering Maddy in a car accident as well as not filing a police report for domestic violence against sean. Sean gains custody of Alex for 7 days until the next court date.
A distraught Alex goes back to the shelter feeling defeated. Danielle comes over to comfort Alex and help her gain the strength to get up and fight to get Maddy back. The first step in the process is to get her hard-earned money from Regina, who did not pay her for cleaning services.
Alex and Danielle go to Regina’s house, where an open-house is being held. They create alter-egos so they are unrecognizable and while in the house, Danielle steals Regina’s dog, Mr. Darcey as a revenge tactic. Alex is not a part of this plan, and as they drive off Danielle reveals Mr. Darcey to her. Alex is angry at this plan and stresses that the dog must be returned.
The pair drive a few miles down the road where Alex calls Regina claiming to have found Mr. Darcey on the street. Regina rushes to come get her dog and when she arrives she does not recognize Alex. When Alex makes herself known, Regina threatens to call the police. But Alex cusses out Regina for all she inflicted upon her until Regina leaves.
Although she did not get her money, Alex feels relieved and empowered.
The end
After the incident, Danielle drops Alex off at Sean’s so she can visit Maddy. Sean’s mother, Doreen opens the door and blocks Alex from doing so claiming that Maddy is in bed already. Alex feels defeated. Now, another flashback, this time of her and Sean fawning over one another on a hammock.
On a more positive note, when Alex goes back to work she receives her wages from Yolanda/Regina. We can assume and hope that Regina felt guilty after Alex’s speech. When Alex goes to share the news with Danielle, her room is empty. Danielle has checked out of the shelter, presumably to go back to her abusive ex.
The collection of my little ponies return at the end, but this time to be the audience of Alex’s writings. She recounts to the colorful horses the moment she told Sean she was pregnant with Maddy. After telling him she was going to keep the baby, Sean pushed her to the ground, threw all her belongings outside and called her selfish.
Maid is a limited series available on Netflix.
