‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 2 episode 8 review: Glitter guy, awkward romance, and guilt

There’s a black out with a killer on the loose in Only Murders in the Building.

August 9, 2022

Glitter guy is becoming a problem on Only Murders in the Building. Mabel has had multiple close calls with the mysterious figure and even lost the only real solid evidence they had of every finding his identity. In this week’s episode, he has his sights on more than the main trio of the series as Lucy is placed in the crosshairs.

The entire Tri-state area has lost electricity and the blackout has caused everyone to tie up the wireless networks. As a result, Charles is unable to call back Lucy to see if she is okay and it becomes a race to see who can get to her first between them and glitter guy. The inability to communicate with Lucy and the dark setting develop the suspense. Combine that with the claustrophobic feeling inside the wall passages and you have an exciting scenario.

Unfortunately, there are one too many gags during the gang’s trek to the Arconia and up to Charles’ apartment. The comedic payoff isn’t high and it takes away from the sense of urgency and thrills. However, once the stalking begins you get caught in the moment. The time glitter guy comes close really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

“Hello Darkness” is also effective in further forming the world of Only Murders in the Building. With so much time spent inside the walls, it provides an opportunity to discreetly check in on the other residents. Howard has a subplot exploring his love life in a very adorkable manner. It’s nice to see there is something more to his life than cats. Michael Cyril Creighton gives Howard a good mix of over eagerness, awkwardness, but a subtle confidence that grows. You can tell he is quite smitten and in the few interactions we see, Jason Veasey’s character is a good complement.

Howard’s storyline also leads to one of the more ridiculous moments with a musical number. It’s a sweet moment between him and his crush and puts to use his experience in a yodel shop quartet. The duet brings the pair closer together and since they can be heard in the courtyard, many of the other residents join in. It’s a silly sequence but it does showcase the feeling of community in the Arconia. Plus, the song choice makes the episode title work on multiple levels.

only murders in the building 2.8.2 — Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

More profound is the pairing of Nina Lin and Lester. The former always comes off as tough as nails and hard to please, but Bunny’s tutelage has rubbed off on her. Nina is the tough broad type with the big heart as she surprises herself in being able to personally connect with the help. She’s more sentimental than she likes to admit.

The latter might be a simple doorman but it’s heartbreaking to hear the guilt inside due to the former building president’s murder. He feels partially responsible since he most likely let the killer in. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the time elapsed this season of Only Murders in the Building is only several days. It’s still so close to Bunny’s death and it shows real vulnerability as the residents and workers of the Arconia process the loss.

The other character we explore a little more is superfan, Marv. His bumbling narration puts the entire true crime podcast motif in perspective. Not everyone can be Charles, Oliver, and Mabel and make that transition from listener to crime solver. He has some far-out theories and hunches that end up including everyone everywhere. Marv does play a vital role in the episode, but it feels his job could be done by any character. It didn’t have to specifically be him. But he does inadvertently provide us with a huge reveal in the end. Finding out the true identity of glitter guy complicates things.

While “Hello Darkness” brings more depth and personality to the other people in the Arconia, the overall mystery is taken to another level with further conflict with and reveals about glitter guy.

New episodes of Only Murders in the Building are released Tuesdays on Hulu.

Only Murders in the Building S 2 E 8 review: 'Hello Darkness'

While "Hello Darkness" brings more depth and personality to the other people in the Arconia, the overall mystery is taken to another level with further conflict with and reveals about glitter guy.

Reader Rating0 Votes

The time glitter guy comes close to finding our protagonists really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Humanizing deeper dives into Howard, Nina, and Lester give their characters more depth.

Though Marv plays a vital role in the episode, it feels his job could be done by any character and it didn't have to specifically be him.

Good