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.
This season’s mystery has fractured the relationship between the Only Murders in the Building gang. Mabel feels she is the only one taking the investigation seriously while Oliver destroys key evidence in order to protect his new girlfriend, Loretta. In “CoBro,” we see how each is managing after the destruction of their partnership.
The saddest of the bunch is Charles. He has no friends and no fiancé. It’s amusing that he spends his time reading a book on how to talk to women. He even resorts to striking up conversation with Uma, the resident grouch at the Arconia. It’s nice that the season has been expanding the world introducing new characters, but sometimes you can’t forget the people that have been there from the beginning. Uma is one of the first colorful personalities from the series.
Meanwhile, Oliver tries to move forward with his musical and begins looking for Charles’s replacement. Some of the best comedy comes from this subplot thanks in part to the cameos. Matthew Broderick would be any director’s dream to star in their musical. This version of the actor has a peculiar process to get into character leading to some great one-liners, particularly with his role in Election. However, Mel Brooks is the Only Murders in the Building cameo that has the most memorable impact. The comedian’s brief scene generates more laughs than Broderick’s portrayal the entire episode.
It didn’t take long for Mabel to move on from her colleagues. She finds a sleuthing buddy in Theo Dimas and a podcast partner in Tobert. It’s a real pleasure seeing how close Mabel and Theo have grown after their Coney Island trip from season two. The latter has experienced a compelling redemption arc from villain to endearing best friend. He’s always there to bail her out with answers and complement her on her latest love interest. Selena Gomez and James Caverly have a sweet and playful chemistry.
Mabel and Theo’s legwork uncovers a new suspect for Only Murders in the Building. Ben Glenroy and his brother Dickie have had a complicated relationship. Though there is love between them, Dickie feels underappreciated for all his work maintaining his sibling’s career, and maybe even some resentment. The reveal is far from conclusive, it’s enough of a tease to build anticipation. Although this development, along with no Meryl Streep appearance, does cool off the Loretta angle established last week.
Throughout “CoBro” each lead receives slight nudges to reconcile with the others. Charles and Oliver heed the advice and their comments towards a now out Broderick are cold, petty, and funny. In the end, the show manages one last twist to keep you off balance and escalate the conflict within the group. It’s now not only the mystery that keeps your drawn, but the inner turmoil too.
This week’s episode has great cameos, builds up another suspect, and provides a twist ending to perpetuate the group drama.
New episodes of Only Murders in the Building are released Tuesdays on Hulu.
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