Only Murders in the Building Review: Persons of Interest / Framed (Season 2 Episodes 1 and 2)
Only Murders in the Building Season 2 Episode 1, “Persons of Interest,” and Only Murders in the Building Season 2 Episode 2 “Framed,” bring us back to the Arconia and to our favorite trio of true crime podcasters turned murder suspects. You have to admit, it’s an interesting career move.
The humor we fell in love with during Season 1 is back in full swing during the premiere episodes — the references to a second season are especially fantastic.
It feels like no time has passed; we’re stepping back into pace with Oliver, Charles, and Mabel and their shenanigans. I’ve really missed them, and I’m glad they’re back on our screens.
While we all know that they are going to buy the boom mic again and start podcasting/investigating, it makes sense that we spend “Persons of Interest” with them debating it and wanting to be normal people for a bit. It’s only natural to step away from a traumatic moment, and not rush to dive further into it.
Each of them comes up with a valid and understandable reason to continue investigating. They all have something else to gain from this now aside from a general curiosity for the truth, which helps raise the stakes.
Everyone else’s side storyline has a connection to the podcast or the mystery, but Mabel’s so far is unclear. Perhaps Alice will play a role in something down the line, but currently, Mabel’s scenes with her are more of a distraction from the overall mystery rather than an exciting addition to it.
It works in “Persons of Interest” because Mabel is exploring a normal life outside of death/podcasting. Alice shows Mabel what her life could be like, and in doing so, gives Mabel a reason to want to solve Bunny’s murder — to clear her name.
It’ll be interesting to see how much Alice continues to appear throughout the season. For now, it’s hard to really weigh in on whether or not the storyline works; I’m simply skeptical of its merit.
Unless, of course, Alice may not be as innocent as she appears… everyone’s a suspect, and everyone’s got their own motives.
Mabel: Even in death, Bunny figures out a way to give you the bird.
Oliver: Oh, that’s a good line. I wish I was recording.
Mabel: I was! Oh god, please don’t tell me I’m turning into you.
Hopefully, the cops and Cinda Canning’s podcast will start getting in the way of Oliver, Charles, and Mabel’s investigation.
It would be funny to see the two podcasts trying to interview the same people or looking for clues in the same places at the same time. There’s too much potential for banter and shenanigans that it must happen.
The cops really need to start popping in and causing some trouble for our trio.
Throughout the two-episode premiere, there’s the looming threat of the cops showing up and finding Oliver, Charles, and Mabel doing something compromising. Right now it works because they were just interrogated by the police.
However, the show will need to deliver on that threat in order for us to still actually be concerned that Oliver, Charles, and Mabel will get caught breaking into an apartment or holding a damning piece of evidence. After so many episodes without the cops showing up, you’ll stop believing that they ever will.
What did you think of the Season 2 premiere of Only Murders in the Building? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below!
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Only Murders in the Building releases new episodes 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).