ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, Season 4. A Wild, Criminal West [Episode 1 Review]

The brilliantly executed finale of the 3rd season of “Only Murders in the Building” gave viewers plenty to think about regarding what will happen next. True to its crime roots, a new body appears—this time, it’s Sazz Pataki—and viewers will surely be on the edge of their seats, waiting for Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) to finally realize that she was murdered. It was supposed to be Charles. So, that was quite the twist at the end of season 3, and now Disney+ has released only one episode. The next ones will drop every Tuesday. Some viewers will probably feel nostalgic for the old TV days when episodes of “Kojak” aired every Thursday. Back then, shows generally released one episode a week. We’ve likely gotten used to a different pace today. It’ll be nice to return to this way of gradually engaging with the story. There will be plenty of time to think about who the killer is and who else might die.

Before you start episode 1 of season 4, be sure to revisit the last one from the previous season. It’s important because of the shooting scene of Sazz, who from the sniper’s perspective, through the window of Charles’ apartment, looked just like him. It’s hard to assume from the start who was supposed to be killed, as the show’s creators surely have some crazy twists in store. Be patient. After the first episode, it’s already clear that the events are unfolding smoothly, thanks to a well-designed script and dynamic execution. I feel like it’s even better than the first season. The characters have matured, the creators no longer need to spend time introducing them, and the action can move forward. This is also enhanced by guest stars like Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and Eugene Levy. There’s no shortage of bitter reflections on the harsh reality of Hollywood and the challenges faced by young actors, writers, directors, and screenwriters. Acting in theater, hosting podcasts, or writing dramas doesn’t count for much.

I think the main cast of “Only Murders in the Building”—Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—who also co-produced the series, can say a lot about this early phase of their careers. In fact, this reflection is evident in the first episode, where the characters share a lot about themselves, including showing old films from their youth, back when no one had heard of them, yet they already dreamed of being movie stars. Perhaps this series serves as a reflection on how far they’ve come and what they still have to offer. Don’t be surprised that Selena Gomez, having been through a lot in life, has found her place between two older men.

What role do the viewers play in all this? An immense one, because life on stage or in front of the camera would be worthless without an audience. It’s clear that “Only Murders in the Building” is made with great respect for its diverse audience. It’s multifaceted, ribald, self-ironic, mysterious, criminal, sensational, romantic, and metaphysical. Everyone will find something for themselves in this show, regardless of whether they like crime stories or prefer watching space battles. Personally, I’m pleased that the first episode expanded the world of the show to include Los Angeles. Moving out of New York gave the series some breathing room and better justified the introduction of new characters. I hope this isn’t a one-off change, and that it becomes a regular feature in the show, as the sitcom elements sometimes become too pronounced, leading to a dangerous monotony. After all, by season 3, all the characters received offers to move to L.A. and start a new life. It would be interesting, though perhaps temporary, if the story unfolded in both NY and L.A., with the characters ultimately moving west in the finale for new adventures. This could bring the show to a close in season 5, avoiding overextension. We’ll see what happens on October 29.

There’s still plenty of time. Who knows, maybe some viewers will become so intrigued by crime stories that they’ll delve into feature-length productions or even literature, or perhaps even record their own podcasts? The show has the potential to present crime in a very approachable, almost thrilling way, without the usual ominous atmosphere and criminality, which is entertaining but for some, might be a romanticization of violence. I fall on the entertaining side of this debate, but I’m aware that crime stories should always clearly separate fiction from reality. For example, the show about Jeffrey Dahmer lost this line, becoming almost a glorification of the killer. “Only Murders in the Building” is far from encouraging such an amoral examination of perversion, like murder. For that, and for many of the other traits I’ve mentioned, I greatly value this show. If only we didn’t have to wait so long for the next episodes…