'Devious Maids' 2×02: New Jobs, Failed Relationships And A Possible Murder Make An Explosive Episode

Devious Maids never fails to keep us at the edge of our seat and the second episode of season two, “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” was no exception.

Within the first five minutes, Spence (Grant Show) confesses to his wife, Peri (Mariana Klaveno) that he had an affair with their maid, Rosie (Dania Ramirez) and he wants a divorce. Even though Peri already knew about the affair, she acts surprised and clearly angry. Unfortunately, our hope that Spence and Rosie will finally be together is short-lived. Peri threatens Spence that if he leaves her, she will ruin his life and his acting career. She will move to Europe and take their son, Tucker, with her. When Rosie comes to see Spence, he tells her he cannot see her again. It’s over.

In this episode we are introduced to the new family Rosie works for- the Miller’s. Kenneth Miller (Willie C. Carpenter) is paralyzed and unable to speak after suffering a stroke. Mr. Miller’s wife, Didi (Tiffany Hines), is substantially younger than him – they met while she was working at a strip club. Mr. Miller’s daughter, Lucinda (Kimberly Hebert Gregory), clearly hates his new wife and suspects she’s a gold digger. The women’s constant bickering provide comic relief to the drama unfolding all around Beverly Hills.

Zoila’s (Judy Reyes) family is being torn apart because of her control issues. Zoila is always trying to control her daughter, Valentina (Edy Ganem) and her husband Pablo (Alex Fernandez). When Zoila finds out that Valentina is working as a maid for the Powell’s, she demands that Valentina come home. Valentina refuses. One day when Zoila comes home, Pablo is sitting on the couch with his suitcase packed. He needs a break.

In the beginning of the episode, it seems Marisol’s (Ana Ortiz) life is running smoothly for a change. She is moving in with her fiancé, Nicholas (Mark Deklin). She even makes amends with Nicholas’s odd maid, Opal (Joanna P. Adler). We get to see a glimpse of Opal opening up. When Opal was only 19 years old, she was pregnant and alone. Dahlia (Susie Abromeit), Nicholas’s dead ex-wife, offered her a job and they became friends. Opal accepts Marisol’s apology and apologizes to Marisol in return. They decide they will start over. But will it last? Something strange is going on in that house.

Just when we think Marisol’s life is under control, she finds an old piece of paper in the back of a shelf of the closet. The mysterious note says something about getting Opal out of the house. This old note may just be the first clue into the mystery of Dahlia’s death.

Carmen (Roselyn Sánchez) also has enough of her own problems. Alejandro (Matt Cedeño) seems to be getting second thoughts about their fake wedding. The wedding is only six weeks away but one night at a dinner party, Alejandro sees his ex-boyfriend Dario (Michael Rupnow) and calls him “the one that got away.” Now, Dario has asked Alejandro to move to Spain with him and Alejandro is considering it. Carmen is worried that Alejandro won’t marry her and therefore void their contract- if she married Alejandro to help him conceal his homosexuality, he would make sure she gets a record deal.

The final scene is the most dramatic. It is Carmen and Alejandro’s engagement party. Carmen has sneakily devised a plan to have the marriage happen tonight. However, when Alejandro assures her that whether they get married or not, he will make sure she gets a record deal, Carmen nixes the plan. Just when we thought their problem was solved, we hear screams. Carmen and Alejandro look down over the banister and see four men in black ski masks holding guns. One of the men shoots towards the ceiling and accidently hits Alejandro. Carmen screams. The masked-men run out. Carmen and Odessa (Melinda Page Hamilton), Alejandro’s maid, kneel by Alejandro’s side. He doesn’t have a pulse.

Who are these masked-men? Is Beverly Hills under attack?

I give this episode a four and a half out of five stars. As always, the drama never stops. Devious Maids keeps you coming back for more.

Devious Maids airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime.