The seventh episode of "The Residence" kicks off with a nostalgic glimpse into housekeeper Elsyie's mundane yet poignant daily life as a mother. We see her bidding farewell to her daughter before heading off to the White House to prepare for a grand state dinner. Switching back to the contemporary narrative, following the turmoil stirred by the enigmatic "third man" theory, Cordelia returns and convenes with Harry. He urges her to see the case through to its conclusion and grants her unrestricted access to the White House, aiming to quell further rumors and shore up the government's tarnished image.
Cordelia and Edwin revisit the White House, where Cordelia is struck by the striking transformations: each room now bears a distinctive new look, a testament to Lilly's extensive renovations. Jasmine has assumed the mantle of chief usher, stepping into Wynter's former shoes. While revisiting Wynter's office, Cordelia reveals a set of keys she had unearthed in Wynter's pocket to Jasmine. Jasmine's keen eye immediately identifies the keys as not belonging to Wynter but possibly to Bruce, the residence's veteran engineer.
Cordelia then proceeds to interrogate Bruce. Presenting him with the keyring, Bruce confirms their ownership. Through conversations with other staff members, a complex picture emerges of Bruce's strained relationship with Wynter. Bruce had pulled off a Herculean feat—installing a state-of-the-art hot water system in the aging White House to meet the president's exacting demands. However, Wynter failed to acknowledge his efforts, leaving Bruce feeling unacknowledged and undervalued. Moreover, Tripp often harassed Bruce, unfairly blaming him for trivial issues such as clogged toilets and generally making his life miserable.
As the episode draws to a close, Cordelia stands in the iconic Yellow Oval Room, contemplating the myriad perspectives and trying to assemble the puzzle pieces of what truly transpired. Despite the seemingly aligned testimonies, a lingering sense of discomfort persists, hinting at one elusive piece of the puzzle that Cordelia has yet to uncover.
