‘Only Murders in the Building’ episode 6 review: Entertaining twists and turns

Mabel’s mom tries to end the group’s investigation as they receive an unlikely ally.

September 21, 2021

Last week on Only Murders in the Building, we learn the tie dye guy is Mabel’s other Hardy Boy, Oscar. He helps out his friend pursue a lead associated with Tim Kono. At the same time, Charles and Oliver wrestle with the fact that their partner has lied to them this whole time and tail Mabel to see what she’s up to. All three end up at a tattoo parlor owned by Mabel’s cousin where they discover what Kono was really doing and a new suspect in the murder case.

Since the group is in Bay Park, Mabel’s old stomping grounds, it’s only a matter of time until her mother shows up. Mandy Gonzalez shines in the role of Momma Mora hitting the right tones when nagging and expressing concerns over her daughter’s life choices and conveying regret for not providing enough for Mabel growing up.

There is an impactful after dinner scene between her and Charles and Oliver with a mother’s plea to allow her daughter to move forward in her life and not to relive past traumas. Her words also cause them to reflect on some of their past decisions. The guys respect her wishes but not before articulating how special they think Mabel is through sentimental praise. Also, they realize how much the experience making Only Murders in the Building has meant to them and how they have changed through it all. It’s a shame is has to come to an end…Or does it?

Back at the Arconia, Oliver and Charles discuss whether they should continue their endeavor. There’s some real awareness of the medium and genre when Charles says all true crime story is true to someone. There’s even a greater conversation on whether they actually have become friends or randoms brought together by the podcast. The fun callbacks to Gut Milk and their disdain for Long Island and pretty entertaining too. Suddenly, their sponsor, Teddy Dimas, calls wanting to meet.

only murders in the building 6.2 — Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

After Only Murders in the Building is mentioned by Cinda Canning on The Tonight Show, albeit in a patronizing way, Dimas is excited for more episodes. When Charles and Oliver state their reservations about continuing, he gives an impassioned speech about his family’s tragic and humble beginnings to inspire them to carry on. That and a fat check.

Nathan Lane is a talented actor and as Dimas, he transitions from various emotions so easily and convincingly it’s a joy to watch. He is a bumbling egotist focusing on the mere mention of his deli on TV but when telling his grandmother’s story, there is an ominous presence there suggesting there’s more to the sponsor. It sets the stage to the reveal of his side business. This quick instance of darkness presents him more as a legitimate suspect than someone like Sting and it would make sense that he’d want to keep the only people interested in Kono’s murder close.

The other exciting turn of events is related to Detective Williams. We learn more about her character and personal life and her wife is a big fan of Dimas Chicken Wraps Presents: Only Murders in the Building. Listening to the story makes her go back to the evidence and it seems someone is trying to silence the case. Rather than alienate the higher ups, she decides to manipulate the strings from the shadows by giving our team some vital evidence. Now the amateur sleuths have a more competent pro, though anonymous, that can step in to help.

With almost half the season still left, the crew would eventually reunite. Mabel comes back to the building with a whole hearted apology and a renewed motivation to see the case through. In another example of how they are friends instead of randos, she brings a peace offering of expired hummus for Oliver. After some groveling that only Steve Martin and Martin Short can make Mabel do, they all reconcile and are ready to pursue their new leads.

With a new prime suspect and an unexpected ally, “To Protect and Serve” continues to build the investigation into Tim Kono’s murder with entertaining twists and turns that keep audiences coming back for more.