If you’re a resident of the Arconia, you would probably be accustomed to your home becoming a regular crime scene. As a new season of Only Murders in the Building begins, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel have a new mystery to solve. The previous episode saw Charles’ stunt double, Sazz Pataki, shot while retrieving a celebratory bottle of wine for the gang. But, is she really dead or did she survive the attack?
“Once Upon a Time in the West” is an excellent season premiere that keeps you guessing on the fate of Sazz. Early on, there are playful teases and fake outs with regards to her body that add suspense. More importantly, it sets an underlying unnerving tone despite the levity caused by the trios current ignorance.
As the episode progresses we receive little bread crumbs here and there as to Sazz’s whereabouts where throwaway lines actually play a more significant role. In a slow build, the clues come together piece by piece leading to a shocking discovery. Although maybe it can be a little too cute. This is a case where you feel the emotional impact of the reveal from being graphic but not.
Outside the case, we learn that Paramount wants to make a feature film about the podcast. While season three poked fun at Broadway, the latest is putting their own take on Hollywood. Much of it is enjoyable over the top stereotypes both in front of and behind the camera. Despite all the silliness, you walk away with how much of outsiders are protagonists are, even if most of them have an entertainment background.
The biggest kicker is the Only Murders in the Building film cast for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. At first, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis may seem odd. But after seeing the stars and the subjects interact with each other, you can see how they fit. These fictionalized versions of real actors match well with the Hollywood of it all.
The movie opportunity also allows us to dive deeper into these characters and explore their insecurities. You sympathize with Mabel’s hesitations of selling her life rights. After all, she’s not necessarily the most accomplished and doesn’t want the higher profile or close scrutiny. You feel similarly towards Oliver, who has found the one in Loretta. Despite his feelings, the distance and her rise to fame put a strain on their relationship. His biggest fear is being left behind. Both are interesting inner conflicts to follow and see how they shape the characters.
The season four premiere of Only Murders in the Building strikes a nice balance of the darker mystery elements with the humorous Hollywood stereotypes resulting in a finely crafted introduction to the new case and the inner struggles our heroes must overcome.
New episodes of Only Murders in the Building arrive Tuesdays on Hulu.
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