In the first season of Only Murders in the Building, we learned some of Charles’ backstory when he shared something personal to Jan while they were still dating. It was moment of vulnerability for the semi-retired actor revealing a tragic heartbreak that he still hasn’t overcome. In the most recent episode, we meet the person responsible, Lucy, for the first time.
The flashback opening is of better times with a young Lucy and Charles. It’s so sweet to see him genuinely happy, smiling and laughing. He’s just a big goofball and you can really feel the closeness between them. Fast forward to the present the high school version (Zoe Colletti) pays an unexpected visit. Though they have been texting back in forth, this development is too big of a step and he’s flustered to comprehend what it all means. Steve Martin captures both the excitement and complete fear of finally getting something he wanted in a comedic way.
It’s an endearing dynamic between the two actors as their characters have a mutual affection for each other. When Lucy formally grants her surrogate dad permission to stay in touch, it hits a soft spot right in your heart. Meanwhile Martin plays the dorky, uncool father figure well highlighting the generational differences. It’s amusing he turns to Mabel for help but she’s just as out of touch as he is. Then there is the twist in the typical father/child relationship with Lucy arriving to protect Charles. She knows that he’s too nice and will need to toughen up to better manage what lies ahead.
The mystery of Only Murders in the Building goes into some fascinating directions. The shadowy culprit continues to mess with the main trio. This time planting the murder weapon in Charles’ apartment. But what really steals the spotlight is Lucy’s involvement. We find she is all too familiar with the Arcatacomb tunnels and has other secrets she isn’t telling. Though she heads back home, there is the feeling she still has a role in the future.
“Here’s Looking at You…” continues to play with the theme of parents and kids. The big person of interest, Nina Lin, is a pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth. I don’t think a TV show has been so graphic with someone’s water breaking but it provides shock factor and laughs. As she speaks of Bunny in a moment of labor induced candor, the group eliminates her as a suspect.
Tony Dimas returns to Only Murders in the Building. He is out on bail and prison has placed him in a calmer place, although Oliver puts that to the test. Nathan Lane is so magnificent in the role with how menacing and chilling he can be while still delivering some knock out funny lines. He will be a wild card moving forward because he has unsettled business. Unlike Charles and Lucy, Tony and Theo are having some problems due to their legal situations. In a source of levity, Oliver even gets into the action visiting Will to help him direct a children’s play.
Tony Dimas isn’t the only familiar face to come back. Charles heeds Lucy’s words and turns to someone from his past for advice and to help give him an edge. It’s not a surprise who it is when you see where he visits but it is nice to bring them back. It has a Silence of the Lambs vibe seeking a killer to catch a killer.
The most recent episode of Only Murders in the Building utilizes a running theme of the parent/child relationship to highlight the endearing bond between Charles and Lucy while the latter’s involvement gives the mystery another intriguing personal connection for the former Brazos star.
New episodes of Only Murders in the Building are released Tuesdays on Hulu.
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