Only Murders in the Building Recap: Cop a Squat

As a seasoned observer of the human condition, I must say that this episode seems to be a poignant exploration of unfulfilled dreams, failed relationships, and the relentless pursuit of validation. The characters are all grappling with their own demons, whether it’s Oliver’s fear of failure, Mabel’s struggle for independence, or Howard’s quest for self-worth.

Each episode of Only Murders in the Building typically begins with a character providing a monologue via voice-over, setting the scene for the upcoming episode. Usually, we recognize the speaker right away, whether they’re a main or supporting character. However, this week, I was puzzled by the voice speaking with an Irish accent, discussing the unique yet sometimes precarious bond between an actor and their stunt double. I wonder if Daniel Day-Lewis, who joined the show, somehow went unnoticed by me?

Following a strange dream in which Sazz guided him to a place resembling paradise, Charles spends the night constructing a second suspect board. Earlier, we believed that Sazz wasn’t the actual target but was merely shot due to being mistaken for Charles. However, a voice over the ham radio hints that Sazz may have been killed because she was investigating the Dudenoff apartment, raising doubts about her status as an unintended victim. As a result, they now have two suspect boards – one for each possible target. As Mabel explains, their investigation isn’t just about finding the killer; it’s also about discovering the true victim. However, what if Scott Bakula was the intended target all along?

Currently, our attention is mainly on Charles and Sazz. Mabel finds this fresh line of inquiry appealing as she has reached a standstill in her investigation of the enigmatic Westies, a group that’s distanced itself from her since she moved next door.

In the usual course of events, Oliver finds himself engrossed in his own personal narrative rather than focusing on the ongoing investigation. More precisely, he’s troubled by the ambiguity surrounding Loretta’s relationship with another man, which is hinted at in one of her Instagram posts featuring a mysterious arm around her. In an understandable fit of concern, he resorts to creating a secret Instagram account under a pseudonym to monitor Loretta and identify the man. However, his online snooping doesn’t always prove fruitless – it leads him to discover that Sazz was following Loretta, and they notice on Sazz’s account that the day she passed away, she had posted a picture from a bar called Concussions.

Stepping into a local watering hole, I find myself surrounded by familiar faces – the on-screen actors shielded by their stunt counterparts. As a critic, I’ve come to understand the term “faces” refers to these on-camera talents. However, the atmosphere in this establishment is tense due to the recent tragedy involving Sazz and the podcast that seems to be capitalizing on it.

In a fortunate turn of events, Glenn accompanies them and strikes a deal as they depart. He reveals the perceived threat was just for show, and requests their aid in securing employment. If Glenn agrees to escort Charles to a private room, Mabel promises a role in their movie. She mentions that a chiropractor named Dr. Maggie is stationed there, providing relief to the patrons. It seems to Mabel that more establishments should incorporate resident chiropractors and massage therapists. Glenn discloses that Dr. Maggie had alleviated Sazz’s long-term pain, a condition Charles was unaware she suffered from – causing him distress upon learning this, as he realizes it was his blows that inflicted the harm. Although the primary objective of their investigation is to identify Sazz’s killer, it has evolved into an examination of Charles’s relationship with her. The more information they uncover, the greater his sense of guilt grows over the imbalance in that relationship – a feeling of guilt, rather than the podcast, driving his eagerness to achieve justice this season.

Dr. Maggie is addressing Charles’ questions, all while providing him with an adjustment, making Charles visibly anxious. She mentions that Sazz was eager for retirement and tired of a relationship where she felt she was giving more than receiving – a point that Charles believes applies to him. However, I find it too straightforward. Maybe there is another person involved, someone we haven’t encountered yet, whom Sazz’s statement could have been hinting at. Dr. Maggie then performs an action that briefly transports Charles back to a dream-like state, where once again, a wounded Sazz guides him towards “Paradise.

Simultaneously, Mabel continues her attempt to make Oliver end his catfishing activities towards his girlfriend. He admits he came close to proposing to Loretta in Los Angeles, but held back due to the fear that yet another marriage would fail, like everything else in his life does. Meanwhile, Howard has been pursuing a side mission of his own. Despite Mabel’s refusal to collaborate on her animal jobs podcast, she asked him to watch over the Dudenoff apartment (and look after the pig) while she was away. However, during guard duty, he discovered an audition notice for a movie and decided to try out for himself, aiming to be cast by the Brothers Sisters and Bev Melon. Unfortunately, they rejected him, as his role had already been assigned to Josh Gad. Frustrated, Howard arrives at Oliver’s with the pig, determined to end their one-sided relationship and assert himself. This episode seems to revolve around friendships where one person is giving more than they are receiving, but Howard is putting a stop to it now, unlike Sazz, who passed away without ever rectifying that imbalance.

Instead of Mabel being worried that Howard had left their apartment empty, she becomes alarmed and quickly heads over there. Upon arrival, she discovers the Westies attempting to evict her. She warns them that she’ll contact the police unless they reveal their true intentions. After some hesitation, they confess, explaining they aren’t a cult but are part of an illegal subletting scheme. They had been renting controlled apartments from Professor Dudenoff, who leased out the entire floor before moving to Portugal. In exchange for rent, he sends them ham. The shocking revelation of the series is that the monthly rent is only $200, and they receive ham in return.

Here’s a possible paraphrasing:

In a round of “Oh Hell,” Mabel, Charles, and Oliver discuss what they’ve learned while also encouraging Oliver to abandon his secondary account. This leads to a symbolic farewell for Oliver’s online persona, which inspires an idea from Charles for a tribute to the absent Sazz. He proposes impersonating her stunt double at the bar, taking on her role during a traditional stuntman’s funeral scene. In this scenario, Charles would lie on the pool table, and each friend would bid farewell to Sazz before breaking a fake bottle over his head. Unfortunately, Glenn mistakenly uses a real bottle instead, momentarily knocking Charles unconscious.

During this episode, Charles finds himself in his third spell of unconsciousness. While he was out, Sazz had shared her dream of establishing the Sazz Pataki Impact Academy upon retirement, and revealed its intended location – Paradise, New Jersey. Upon regaining consciousness, Charles takes Oliver and Mabel to this “paradise” where they stumble upon an unopened academy belonging to Sazz. A noise coming from one of the buildings leads them to what appears to be a hideout. To their surprise, they encounter Bev Melon, a Paramount executive, who brandishes a gun and threatens them, saying, “Don’t move, or I’ll shoot you dead.” This suspenseful moment with Molly Shannon issuing death threats? That’s my idea of heaven. (Paraphrased)

2024-09-17 15:54

Only Murders in the Building Recap: Cop a Squat

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