Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2 Review: The Show Must… / The Beat Goes On
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Unfortunately, our favorite trio has a mediocre return with Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 1, “The Show Must…,” and Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 2, “The Beat Goes On.”
The two-episode premiere is underwhelming. It’s not bad, but it lacks the sparks we’ve come to know and love about the show.
Part of the problem is that what really works about the show is our trio and watching them solve crimes together and hang out. During the premiere, they aren’t back in that rhythm yet. Only Murders in the Building tries to fill the void with scenes featuring Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep, but it’s not the same.
The mystery itself, so far, is alright.
The twist that Ben didn’t initially die is nicely done, but having him die for a second time so soon after his “resurrection” is not as thrilling. If the trio initially investigated an attempted murder with Ben dying a couple of episodes later, that could have been different and new. Instead, Ben’s second death, so to speak, is rushed.
Oliver: The lead of my play left my stage without a pulse, and all I can think about is my career. I don’t know, Mabel. Narcissism should really be more fun than this. Maybe I am cursed
Charles, Mabel, and Oliver would’ve had to shift investigation tactics slightly, resulting in a fresh take on their podcast/crime solving.
It wouldn’t have been too weird to have them investigate a murder that didn’t happen in the building, considering how close they are to the victim, and they could’ve kept it off of the podcast until Ben died in the building — Uma pointing out that they finally kept the body out of the building is amusing though.
“The Beat Goes On,” returns to an old narrative tactic from Only Murders in the Building Season 1 — Mabel hallucinates Girl Cop era Ben.
This isn’t a welcome callback. Mabel hallucinating Tim Kono didn’t quite work back then, but the show managed to tie in her past and her potential involvement in his death through those scenes, which helped us get to know her a bit better.
At this point in the show, we don’t need hallucinations to learn stuff about Mabel.
She can simply open up to Charles or Oliver; they are close enough that she shouldn’t feel as if she needs to hide things from them. And, we get the connection she has with Girl Cop through a conversation with Charles anyway, so her scenes with Girl Cop Ben don’t add any value.
Speaking of Mabel, it’s a nice change from Only Murders in the Building Season 2 Episode 1, “Persons of Interest,” that she is the one who wants the trio to reunite and investigate a murder. She’s recording conversations and taking photos of bodies before Charles or Oliver are on board.
It speaks a lot to how she’s doing that she’s eager to dive back into the world of murder in order to spend time with her “olds,” as she refers to them at one point during the premiere. Mabel’s out of the loop and feels a bit aimless, which is relatable.
Your 20s can be a rough time as you attempt to transition into whatever the next phase of your life will bring. I’m excited to see Mabel go through that, and hopefully, we’ll get some great scenes with Charles and Oliver comforting her and offering her some advice.
Murder Board Theories
- Loretta seems too obvious to be the killer.
- Perhaps there are two killers: the person who poisoned Ben initially and the person who pushed him down the elevator shaft.
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“The Show Must…” is written by John Hoffman and Sas Goldberg and is directed by John Hoffman. “The Beat Goes On” is written by Ben Smith and Joshua Allen Griffith and is directed by John Hoffman.
What did you think of the premiere of Only Murders in the Building? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Only Murders in the Building releases new episodes on Tuesdays.
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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).
One thought on “Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2 Review: The Show Must… / The Beat Goes On”
I didn’t like it very much. Paul Rudd was annoying and Meryl Streep was underwhelming. The show wasn’t cohesive but maybe it will get better as the season progresses
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