There are many delightful twists and turns on Only Murders In the Building Season 1 Episode 6!
Not only did the plot seriously progress, but there was time for some beautiful character moments as well.
It feels like we're getting that much closer to solving the mystery of Tim Kono's murder. The detective's voiceover focuses on loneliness -- how it is part of the human condition to be alone. Little does she know how much she has in common with our trio, who were all solitary beings before Tim's death brought them together. It seems like a random choice at first to give this character so much screen time, but it cleverly highlights another theme that runs through the episode -- true crime is always true for someone. Death has a lasting effect on the living -- friends, family, even those tasked with holding murderers accountable. Williams humanizes the aspect we sometimes forget when we get sucked into the genre -- someone suffered and died for this entertainment. No wonder she hates true crime. Meeting Mabel's mom really stresses just how stunted Mabel has been in the years since Zoe's death. She is right, though -- now that Charles and Oliver know how much Tim and Zoe meant to Mabel, it would be insensitive of them to continue exploiting her personal tragedy. It's definitely cool to see Mabel's old bedroom, complete with childhood art projects. It's clear she had squandered potential, but that is what trauma does to people. She may not have gone to prison like Oscar, but she still had trouble reassimilating and figuring out what to do with her life. Solving Tim's murder may give Mabel closure, but it also might somehow solve the mystery of Zoe's death. Oscar and Mabel, despite how they feel about each other, are linked by a horrible incident from their past. They haven't seen each other in ten years, but shared trauma creates powerful intimacy. However, it can't be the only basis of a relationship, and it feels like deep down Mabel knows that. Oscar just wants to avoid discussing it, but Mabel needs resolution, especially if they are to move forward as a couple. For a brand new character, Mabel's mother (Mandy Gonzalez) has several important scenes. First, she expresses concern that Mabel is living in the past, which is true, and she is worried her daughter has no future. She definitely infantilizes Mabel in the way she speaks to her, but it seems to come from a place of concern rather than control. Later, we learn that Mabel's mother blames herself for Mabel's state. She thought she was doing right by Mabel by sending her off the Manhattan on school breaks to stay at the Arconia.
