MIDNIGHT REVIEW Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 3 Review
In which a train thankfully picks up some speed.
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 3: ‘Two for the Road’
Series created by: John Hoffman, Steve Martin
Featuring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
Synopsis: Charles (Martin), Oliver (Short) and Mabel (Gomez) all go their separate ways in an attempt to find out as much as possible. At the same time, each of them must team up with their Hollywood counterparts.
Review: Episode three of Only Murders in the Building starts off and the ball is already rolling.
Whilst it’s unfair to compare it to the first two episodes, as they had the unenviable task of regathering the podcast gang and setting up the murder investigation, there are things Two for the Road allows itself to do that means it’s both the funniest and the smoothest episode thus far.
Each character gets a chance to play their own tune and it’s wonderful to see, along with each of their Hollywood counterparts getting a real chance to be funny in their own ways after a blink and you’ll miss it introduction earlier in the season. There’s a neat trade between Eugene Levy and Zach Galifianakis, each of them convinced of something that gets twisted by episode’s end. Eva Longoria is glorious as an exceptionally unhinged version of herself, literally capping of the best scene in the show that also properly introduces Christmas-obsessed Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani, brilliant in the short time he has here).
No weak links whatsoever.
Other highlights include an out of place but hilarious montage capped off with a revelation about Oliver that is actually a little sad. The pathos Short allows to be delivered here adds complexity as we discover the secret behind many of his stories of meeting celebrities from a bygone era. Instead of pushing us away, this information makes him seem more human, just as he’s also proudly disallowing any notion that his relationship with Loretta (Meryl Streep) is on the rocks.
The episode even drops, at least for now, the ‘dead person as figment of imagination’ trope that is, quite frankly, overused at this point. While killing of Sazz (Jane Lynch) provided a real impetus that previous seasons didn’t have (even if they didn’t necessarily need it), it does mean being forced to use this trope if we want to see the unique performance Lynch provides every time she was on screen.
For this episode, it’s enough that looking back on it ensures a smile appears, with no weak links whatsoever. That another hilarious segment with Richard Kind hasn’t been mentioned yet, featuring some welcome fast-paced back and forth, is telling to the quality of the episode.
Only Murders in the Building is available to stream on Disney+.
Matthew D. Smith likes to overshare his views on movies and TV shows whenever and wherever he can. Indulge him, and follow him on Twitter or listen to the podcast he co-hosts with Leslie Wai.
