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.
On the previous episode of Only Murders in the Building, the crew follow their hunch regarding handkerchiefs Ben gave to the production as an opening night present. Through the process of elimination, they find their first breakthrough in solving the mystery. In “The White Room,” the trio take a closer look at the female lead of Death Rattle.
It’s no surprise that Kimber leads to a dead end considering there are still six more episodes until the finale. It was a bit disappointing to see she didn’t live up to the nefarious billing implied by the ending of “Grab Your Hankies.” Kimber doesn’t come off as the catty, jealous, diva that can’t share the spotlight. She’s your prototypical millennial side hustling as an influencer to peddle beauty products. A pretty straightforward storyline that lays breadcrumbs for the next suspect of the week. Though it is funny to watch Mabel try to connect with Kimber and act like a hip young person.
The Only Murders in the Building episode receives its name from an experience stage actors sometimes go through when they become lost and tune out from what’s happening. Charles has a really bad case. When he enters the white room is a good example of where Steve Martin’s hamming it up for the camera works well. It complements the silliness in the backgrounds, and the return to reality is as hilarious. The picture of Charles all disheveled, without pants at times, is pure gold and the other cast members’ faces sell the whole scene.
Unfortunately for him, Charles enters his white room even when not performing. It leads to a precarious situation with Joy. It speaks to his reluctance to change and inability to be happy. That’s what caused his fractured relationship with Lucy before and he’s doing the same thing with his girlfriend. Sure, she might be a bit eccentric, but Joy does complement him. However, instead of breaking things off, in a ridiculous twist, he goes in the completely opposite direction. Adding to the intrigue is her ties to Ben the night of his death.
Another interesting development of Only Murders in the Building is the continued push of Mabel leaving the group. She’s not in the musical and she is leaving the Arconia so she feels isolated. The stress and financial insecurities has her visiting her own literal white room while apartment hunting. Cinda Canning and a lucrative offer could prove enticing enough to turn her back on her friends. Mabel already has a more than willing partner, and love interest, in Sam to help solve Ben’s death. The group strife provides extra tension to an already high-stakes mystery.
“The White Room” is a slower episode setting up different narratives. Though Kimber turned out to be an underwhelming suspect, the other directions to pursue are interesting, and there is an amusing performance from Steve Martin whenever he enters the titular location.
New episodes of Only Murders in the Building are released Tuesdays on Hulu.
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