Only Murders in the Building Review: To Protect And Serve (Season 1 Episode 6)
The voiceover on Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Episode 6, “To Protect and Serve,” comes from the detective who worked the Tim Kono case. Honestly, spending time with her and her wife isn’t the most entertaining, but it’s clear that it is done to explain how Mabel ends up with Tim’s phone.
However, it would have been far more interesting if we were unaware of who sent Mabel the phone.
It could have been an added mystery, and perhaps, later on, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver interview the detective and learn the truth then. This way, we could’ve spent more time on Mabel, Charles, and Oliver instead of debating baby names and following the detective around.
The only other thing we get from the detective’s storyline is that there’s something not right going on at the precinct, or at least, someone high up is trying to make Tim’s case go away. So far, it’s unclear what to make of this, but let’s just file it away and keep our eyes open for any clues that prove this.
While the reconciliation gets sidetracked a bit on Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Episode 5, “Twist,” by the jewelry discovery, “To Protect and Serve” thankfully doesn’t rush it, allowing Mabel to slowly find her way back to Charles, Oliver, and the podcast.
One thing Only Murders in the Building consistently gets right is the friendship between Mabel, Oliver, and Charles. It’s heartwarming to see the three of them come together and watch them slowly reveal how much they mean to each other. They aren’t randos anymore.
As you get older, you learn that making new friends is a lot more difficult when you aren’t trapped together in a classroom for so many hours a day. You’ve got to make friends out in the world on your own, and it’s a scary thing.
Friendship comes in unexpected ways, and Only Murders in the Building highlights that while acknowledging that the differences between friends aren’t a hindrance but something to be celebrated.
Mabel’s friendship with Oliver and Charles is as important to her as if they were her own age. She acknowledges the age gap, but she’s also protective of her friendship with them, which is wonderful to see.
The show also excels at playing up the comedy that comes from their friendship. Whether it is the age-related jokes or the fact that they are all totally different people, you find yourself laughing at their antics. These three are quickly becoming one of my favorite on-screen friendships.
Stray Thoughts
- I need to see Oliver and Charles attempt to use Twitter and Tiktok now.
- Teddy being a suspect is too new and confusing to decide if it is a red herring or not.
- Zoey’s ring is an interesting new avenue for the mystery to go down.
What did you think of this episode of Only Murders in the Building? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of Only Murders in the Building premiere on Tuesdays on Hulu.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).
2 comments
It was a disappointing episode. It made me wonder why we are being introduced to Mabel’s mom and the cop and her wife. I don’t know what to make of the Nathan Lane character. The phone being delivered to Mabel was a bit too convenient for this usually more interesting storyline. I hope next week’s episode is better.
I’m loving this show and the slow reveal its doing of the characters. I’m a little behind on watching it and I just caught this episode. I agree with your insights on the group of friends, its fun to watch them together. The cop being aware that the case isn’t being handled correctly is a new key point. Mabel’s mom, the cop’s wife, these new characters will be fun to follow. I like that this show is funny and a great mystery.
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