The Residence from it’s very title is both the literal and figurative opposite of ‘The West Wing’, a show not about politics but instead a whodunnit that shines a spotlight on the staff who tend to the politicians living quarters. To that end it follows in the ‘Yes, Minister’ tradition of not naming any of the political parties (muddled perhaps by the stunt casting of Al Franken), this is more about the permanent caretakers vs the short-term political appointees who are effectively tenants. Like ‘The West Wing’ it, with the most detailed and expansive White House ever put to screen, can’t help but revere the trappings of the institution and the high-minded ideals it seemingly inspires. As a result it manages to be less pointed than Knives Out, despite being set in the literal White House. It’s far less polished than Johnson’s work as well, it’s at least an episode too long but it also has the problem Brooklyn Nine-Nine had where the dialogue ping-pongs between characters often with sarcastically repeating something someone else said as a question. It’s the illusion of depth. Uzo Aduba gives a wonderfully captivating performance as Cordelia Cupp. The murder mystery is pretty standard fare with the show being happy to give you a classic, not too taxing, Sunday afternoon whodunnit but nothing more. I just think that’s a bit of a shame for the best detective in the world.