“We’re Getting the Hang of This.” “You Can Tell It’s Our Second Season.”
With as much as I enjoyed the first season of Only Murders in the Building, I was thrilled when ABC announced they were going to air the second season this January. And, as I expected, I enjoyed it.
This season picks up where the first season cliffhanger ended. Our three leads, Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) have just been taken down to the station for a new murder in their building – that of the apartment manager Bunny (Jayne Houdyshell). Considering Mabel was covered with Bunny’s blood and Bunny was stabbed with one of Mabel’s knitting needles, it only makes sense. Mabel is reluctant to jump into another murder mystery so soon after their first case, but when it becomes clear the police are considering them the prime suspects, it only makes sense. Especially as someone seems intent on framing them. But can they clear their name?
This season is the same mix of comedy and mystery that we got with the first season. Pretty much, if you enjoyed that, you’ll enjoy this.
I didn’t feel like this season had quite the same melancholy moments to it, but it did still have more serious and poignant moments, which I enjoyed.
But they were perfectly balanced with the comedy. I mean, with the three leads, did you expect anything less? We get a mix of physical comedy, funny situations, one liners, and meta jokes. There were more of the meta moments than I remembered from the first season, but that might just be me. That isn’t a complaint since I loved them.
The mystery was pretty solid as well. We had enough suspects to keep the suspense going. As with the first season, we tended to focus on one that then move on to another the next episode. I’m not as big as fan of that plotting in a mystery, but I get it for this show. It’s easier for an audience to follow when you are watching a show over the multiple weeks it was originally released on Hulu. Since I watched it on ABC, and they aired these 10 episodes over 4 weeks, it was closer to a binge watch and I didn’t need that focus as much.
Speaking of airing on ABC, that meant that some of the swearing was bleeped out. I appreciated that, although I feel like I laughed harder at some of the bleeping than I would have if the swearing were still in place. One of the potential motives involves a painting of a naked couple, which I could have done without. I wasn’t as bothered by Mabel’s new relationship with an artist (who also becomes a suspect), but some might be. And some of the effects go a little further than I really needed them to.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was how much some of the storylines from season one continued here. That’s not a complaint; I actually enjoyed that. But it does mean there are spoilers for season one here, so be sure you watch them in order.
Once again, the cast is fantastic. The three leads continue to play perfectly off each other. It looks like they are having fun making this show. The guest cast, whether big names or not, are just as entertaining.
And yes, the season ends with a one-year time jump as we see what the trio will be taking on next. I’m hoping I get to find out next year.
There’s a reason that Only Murders in the Building has gotten the buzz it has. It’s funny, twisty, and just plain fun. If you haven’t started it yet, I do recommend you give it a shot if it sounds like something you would enjoy.
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