Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Flatbush

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 6, “Flatbush,” changes things up by bringing Loretta and Detective Williams along for the ride, splitting up our trio for the episode.

Any change in partners is always a fun way to add some variety to a show.

It breaks the show out of its routine and offers us a chance to see some different sides of our favorite characters. We know, and love, our trio’s relationship with each other, but the way Mabel acts around Oliver is not the same way she acts around Detective Williams.

Naturally, Loretta and Oliver team up. They haven’t been together since their wedding, so we are long overdue for some time with the newlyweds. 

Meanwhile, Detective Williams gets dragged into typical Arconia shenanigans like having to ask a robot doorman and his slightly disturbing friend for video footage. It’s just the kind of silly that we love about Only Murders in the Building.

The show could’ve very easily used Detective Williams as a way to bring Charles and Mabel more into the police side of an investigation, by flashing her badge or utilizing police resources somehow. But, it is more entertaining to have her at the Arconia, doing typical Charles, Oliver, and Mabel sleuthing.

While we do make some progress on the investigation, “Flatbush” focuses more on Oliver and Mabel’s personal storylines. We’ve got Mabel patching things up with Thé, and Oliver reminisces about his past, deciding it is time to sell his apartment.

Only Murders in the Building has struggled in the past when it focuses more on highlighting personal storylines over investigative ones. However, “Flatbush” manages to strike a nice balance.

Loretta’s apartment going up in flames manages to tie into Oliver’s debate as to whether or not he should sell his apartment. The flashbacks to young Oliver don’t fully work, but they also don’t take up a lot of time, so those moments don’t detract from the episode.

Mabel and Thé’s reconciliation could’ve used a bit more work as it still felt rushed, but it is a relief to move past their drama and potentially open the door for Thé to have some scenes with our trio.

The elevator scene where Williams and Charles end up singing along to Thé’s song is delightful, and the chaos of Thé and Oliver in the same room has so much potential. I need it to happen.

Stray Thoughts

• So when are Thé’s songs going to be on Spotify?
• Oliver telling Mabel first is so sweet.
• I do love that L.E.S.T.R. has a cute mustache now.
• While on testosterone, Charles seems to always just be slightly unhinged, which is fantastic.

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New episodes of Only Murders in the Building air Tuesdays on Hulu.

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