Only murder in the building
Only murder in the building is having a great fourth season – perhaps the best since season 1, with an intriguing mystery (or rather, mysteries) and a fun cast of guest stars, including the shy Zach Galifianakis, the lovable Eugene Levy, and the adorable Kumail Nanjiani. Paul Rudd is even back, this time playing his former character’s stuntman, a slightly crazy Irishman named Glen.
This season centers around the shocking murder of Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) who we saw killed at the end of season 3. Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) are on the case, but this time it may also be at the center of it – in questioning the killer (or killers).
The most recent episode was particularly unique, telling the whole story through hidden cameras and hand-held cameras, as it turns out the rather strange Brothers – the directors of the universe Only murder in the building film—there were hidden cameras located around the Arconium building. The episode uses footage from these, as well as security cameras and Howard’s (Michael Cyril Creighton) camcorder. The Brothers even record some of it with their handheld cameras, and we get dueling shots shot from all angles. It’s a lot of fun (although I’m glad it’s only being done for one episode).
So far the mystery is much more compelling this season than season 2 in particular, but I’m enjoying it even more than season 3 which I thought was pretty strong – although I doubt Which of the Pickwick triplets did it? it carried a lot of weight that season, as it remains the funniest moment in the entire series in the reviewer’s humble opinion.
Who killed Sazz? I still don’t have an answer to that. And now we have a second mystery: Who killed Dudenoff? The mysterious Dudenoff has been the focus of our intrepid podcasters’ investigation, but in Episode 6 they learn that he too was burned in the Arconium cellar. I have a theory here too, and one that explains why “Westerners” have been so suspicious.
We know these residents have been paying cheap rents thanks to Dudenoff subletting their apartments and saving a fortune thanks to rent control. It’s a scheme you can hardly blame any NYC resident for getting into. But when we find out that Dudenoff was also killed, we can’t help but wonder if there’s a darker story to the man’s death. Why did they lie about Portugal? And why did Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani) and Vince (Richard Kind) react so strangely when they found out he was “back”?
My guess is that Dudenoff wasn’t killed at all, but that the Westies covered up his death in order to keep paying lower rent. Sazz’s death – and similar annihilation – has put an unfortunate wrinkle in their plans. If they also cashed his Social Security checks, they’re facing a much more serious bill if caught.
But even if this is all true, who killed Sazz—and was she even the actual target—remains a gripping mystery. The fact that the hidden camera episode ended with the discovery of even more hidden cameras, this one set by the killer, only makes this season even more exciting. The episode ends with Charles, Oliver and Mabel fleeing the building for their lives, shaken to the core when they each receive text messages with an ominous note: I’m watching you.
If I have any complaint at all, it would be that it’s very difficult to deal with a tragedy like the death of Sazz—one of Charles’ best and only friends—with the quiet tone of the show itself. That’s something I have to look past, though, as I don’t think it’s actually possible. I think they did some very clever things with her character, showing her as a very chatty hallucination, for example. And the mystery—and her involvement in it—is such a big puzzle.
Only murder in the building remains one of my favorite shows currently airing, and one I look forward to Slow Horses, Bad Monkey, NGA AND The penguin each week, all of which are currently streaming. How are you enjoying this season? Do you have any theories about the killer?
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