‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 3 episodes 1-2 review: A fun start fueled by the new cast members

Only Murders in the Building is back, baby!

August 8, 2023

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Much like its inaugural season, Only Murders in the Building season two last left fans with a shocking cliffhanger and teased a brand-new mystery for Mabel, Oliver, and Charles to solve. With the show’s return, the true crime podcasters are ready to take up a new case. Before we discuss the third season’s first two episodes, here’s a nice review of everything we know about the season.

The featured crime revolves around the murder of Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd), a popular movie star turned lead actor for Oliver’s new theatrical play. He had conflict with many of the cast and crew including Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep), a struggling veteran actress who might have finally received her big break on the production. With so many potential suspects, our crew need to be on their A game to catch the killer.

The new setting of Only Murders in the Building freshens up the series. It allows us to step away from the Arconia into an unvisited location. In addition, we meet a new cast of colorful characters in the other actors, creatives, and technical stagehands. Although it’s still very early to get to know each one, the premiere serves more as an introduction to the new players and of what’s to come.

The highest profile additions to the show, Rudd and Streep, definitely stand out. Glenroy is an oblivious, sometimes douchey, but mainly good-hearted person. He is reminiscent of Rudd’s Bobby Newport on Parks and Recreations. However the role isn’t one note and has surprising complexity. Whether if he’s playing a younger, surprisingly insightful version that Mabel remembers from her youth, or the scared and vulnerable current version taking a part outside of his wheelhouse, Rudd makes his character endearing in these moments that helps garner sympathy for the victim.

Only Murders in the Building -- “The Show Must…” Loretta (Meryl Streep) and Oliver (Martin Short), shown. — Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Likewise, Streep is, no surprise, an absolute delight in Only Murders in the Building. Her audition in the opening is simple, stripped down, and moving. She has so much talent that she can turn it on at will. Sometimes things can get too silly like during the first script reading, but overall there is hardly a complaint. Moreover, Loretta and Oliver’s journeys are intertwined and Streep has an electric chemistry with Martin Short. Though the room is full when they duet on “The Sweetest Sound,” it’s as if they pair are off in their own world.

More importantly, the play puts Oliver front and center, and we can see him truly in his element for better or for worse. After the first season explored Mabel and her group of childhood friends and season two looked at Charles and his complicated relationship to his father, it’s nice to spotlight the third member this season. Oliver is torn between his two passions, Broadway and solving murders, and the two will definitely conflict with each other. Then there is the undeniable connection he has with Loretta. It makes for some interesting storylines.

The writing of Only Murders in the Building continues to be high quality. The jokes and one liners are still sharp, and there’s one hell of a fake out in the premiere. It also doesn’t mind mixing things up not only with the new setting, but the different dynamic of the main trio. There’s an added tension with Mabel feeling like the odd one out since she isn’t part of the play. Factor in her days at the Arconia could be winding down, and this could perhaps be the last mystery they solve together.

The third season of Only Murders in the Building is off to a great start with an exciting mystery and new cast members and dynamics to freshen the series. In particular, Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep are fun additions to the main core.