Yesterday I wrote a post on how I had recently been binging through Only Murders in the Building. This is a light-hearted murder mystery show featuring the elderly Steve Martin and Martin Short, as well as the much younger Selena Gomez as its main leads. I don't usually go about watching such shows, but as a fan of the older actors, I couldn't help but remain curious as to how they stood up going into the later years. I mentioned that I absolutely loved the first season, having been completely hooked by it. But that the second season had essentially fallen flat in the pursuit of what seemed like lazy writing as it attempted to introduce a series of side characters to stretch out the narrative a little as part of the second murder that took place in the building, their home apartments of the Arconia. The second season lost me a little, and it had me concerned as to where the show would go on from that point. Yet, still very much invested in the show and curious as to where it was heading, I continued watching.
I finished the second season around the time I posted the piece on how I felt about it. And today, well, I binged through the entire third season, or what is currently available of it as it seemingly airs one per week on Disney+, currently eight episodes in. Fortunately I can already say that the show completely surprised me. It essentially removed all of the nonsense that was introduced in the second season and went back to its adventurous roots. Perhaps much of the second season's faults were a result of the show wanting to expand upon its cast a bit more, to make the aspects of mystery a bit more mysterious as the audience questions the motives of each character. But, I didn't really feel this as none of those characters had any depth. In the third season, it seems these characters introduced next are much more enjoyable, while giving the previous season's characters a little more to say and do beyond their sexualities. Also while mixing up locations a little, still sticking to its roots, but going ahead and giving essentially every character a nice push. More depth, more activity, and more laughs!
You may have already noticed, but this post will be featuring some mentions of spoilers throughout the show, ranging from the first season to this current season, the third. If you're watching the show or think you might check it out, I suggest you ignore this post until you catch up. Don't say I didn't warn you!
That regained spark
Season two sailed off into the sunset with a relatively on the nose culprit that displayed the fragility of our lead Charles, played by Steve Martin. His character has been a lonely one, one afraid of commitment and ultimately screwing up as a result of fear due to past events. His character is generally kind, but sticks to himself. Sticking to familiar routines and not really getting out into the world. Though this changed with the introduction of the podcast based on the first season's murder. It was the second season in which yet another murder took place and the gang yet again got together to throw out another season of that podcast in attempt to find the truth, more importantly due to the fact that each of them were considered people of interest having been found around the body. The third season, however, I found to be much more engaging. A lot more fun, and really fitting for the genre of a murder mystery, going beyond the walls of the Arconia.
What's more fun about this season, is how it really introduced the side characters from the start and gave you a real reason to care for them. One of which, being played by the incredible Meryl Streep. She is a theatre actress that has always longed for a good break in the industry, having found her passion at a very young age watching plays. She seems to be down on her luck throughout life, though. Living in a cramped apartment in New York City, now aged and never really had that big break. Of course this sets up the story very well with its typical twists and turns as we are introduced to a very fragile, passionate character, but then one that certainly has a motive for committing murder. And this season, our unfortunate soul is played by none other than Paul Rudd. A highly disliked famous actor that seems a bit over the top. Fortunately for the podcast, he survives a poison attempt only to end up being killed later on in the Arconia, making it eligible for another season of their show.
Though much of this season isn't really about the murder or the podcast, much like the previous seasons were. This season seems like an actual exploration of the characters and giving them more life. We have seen already how they have weaknesses, and now they're finally being addressed in some way. Charles finds a woman and tries to come to terms with his commitment issues, all while struggling to adapt from television acting to theatre. While Oliver finally returns to work as a theatre director, trying to put on a display while also coming to terms with his age and mortality as the stress weighs upon him; all while finally finding a person of his own. This season feels much more human, much more concentrated on giving the characters some life beyond the podcast and murder solving. I've really liked it as a result of this, and it's precisely what I would've wanted from the second season.
But what's fun, is how the show still feels like the murder mystery aspect has something to it. It pulls you in various twists and turns as it misdirects you, having you think it's one character that's the culprit, then another, then maybe it was the original? Or, perhaps it's someone else? The way this season handles this mystery aspect is something else. It's really engaging, highly thrilling to watch so many turns while it explores the lives of the characters, which then take us down multiple routes that again misdirect us. It's a total 180 from the second season, which feels like it was written entirely by another group of people. I suspect much of this change is due to the fact that this third season is likely to be the final one. There are two episodes left and it seems fitting that it might try to sum things up and give our main characters a good send-off. Steve Martin is at the age of 78, and while he seems to be in good shape, I'd be surprised if he can continue at that pace for another two years as production continues. A third and final season makes sense to me, especially before the show potentially grows stale and the characters have had their main stories explored already. The murders taking place in the building also limits the number of times it can happen, to which it'll again grow stale and all too familiar. But with just two episodes left of season three, there might not be enough space to wrap things up one last time. Perhaps one final season to do so is up their sleeves.
With all that said, I have lost a little bit of interest in the character played by Selena Gomez. I'm not a big fan of her as an actress, and I feel she has a bit of a bland performance. Not much emotion in her speech, a very monotone set of facial expressions to match it. This season has been the one in which it has been most evident, but at the same time her character hasn't really been much of a focus. So it's easy to overlook. Either way, I'm back to really enjoying the show. Whatever comes next, I'm sure I'll be watching.
