Once Upon a Time in the West

What a wonderful episode, for one side we get some break, a holiday, from all the murders and the mysteries, which was refreshing, but at the same time, the mystery is still lurking around the corner.

I don't understand the complaints about the cameos of celebrities, Only Murders was always about Hollywood and Celebrities, finally, Hollywood is part of the story and they criticize it and belittling it, which was a blast to watch.

It's such a blast to see Meryl Steep back for another season, she was wonderful last season and I hope we will see her character having a good storyline this season.

Once again this show delivers layers and depth way beyond what it needs too. There is so much detail and cleverness going on but it's not delivered in a hey look how clever I am way. It's delivered as if the writers expect this standard of everyone including themselves.

They only had a year since the last series but they had another good idea in the chamber and are not resting on their laurels in any way.

To be fair Selena Gomez is still an awkward fit and the weak link in the chain but the strength of the other factors keeps it together strongly.

There is a love and respect of the craft of cinema and storytelling going on here and the team are not taking the success of the show lightly. It's great to see a show go above and beyond and actually raise the benchmark for everyone.

The new season of Only Murders in the Building introduces a new mystery to solve for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. The previous episode saw Charles' stunt double, Sazz Pataki, shot while retrieving a bottle of wine for the gang. The season premiere, "Once Upon a Time in the West," keeps viewers guessing on Sazz's fate, with playful teases and fake outs adding suspense and setting an unnerving tone. As the episode progresses, clues come together, leading to a shocking discovery. Paramount is also planning to make a feature film about the podcast, putting their own take on Hollywood. The film features Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis, who may seem odd at first but fit well with the Hollywood of it all. The movie opportunity allows viewers to dive deeper into the characters and explore their insecurities. Mabel's hesitations of selling her life rights and Oliver's fear of being left behind are interesting inner conflicts to follow. The movie allows viewers to see how their lives are shaped by their experiences and the Hollywood world. Overall, the new season of Only Murders in the Building offers a unique perspective on the podcast and its characters. Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 1, "Once Upon a Time in the West," introduces the season's murder mystery. The audience is aware that Sazz was shot in "Opening Night," so they expect to find the body in Charles' apartment. However, the body is gone, and the trio is oblivious. This unexpected twist adds fresh life to their routine and makes the show more enjoyable. "Once Upon a Time in the West" features the trio saying funny things, such as wishing for a fresh body or Oliver wanting to drop dead right where Sazz died. The show also pokes fun at Hollywood and the characters, with one-on-one scenes with the actors playing them. However, it would be more entertaining to see actors and characters mingle, such as Charles' take on Eva Longoria's Mabel or one of the actors being in character while talking to the trio. The final scenes of the episode showcase the show's ability to pull off tense, suspenseful moments as the trio discovers Sazz's whereabouts. The tone shift is well done, and the audience is eagerly anticipating the premiere of "Gates of Heaven," the second episode of the series. The common theory after "Opening Night" was that Sazz was mistaken for Charles, but with the evidence at her apartment, there's still a possibility that Sazz was not killed by mistake.

The fourth season of Only Murders in the Building opens with a masterclass in how to continue a beloved series without losing its charm. The first episode is a triumph, weaving the threads of suspense and wit that fans have come to expect. The plot development is meticulously crafted, each scene balancing intrigue with subtle humor. The return of the series' signature atmosphere feels effortless, as if no time has passed since the previous season.

The addition of the three guest stars is nothing short of brilliant, each one fitting into the narrative with seamless precision, enhancing the dynamic without overshadowing our core trio. The chemistry and timing are impeccable, breathing new life into the familiar setting.

The anticipation for what's to come is already at a fever pitch. If this episode is any indication, we're in for a thrilling ride, full of twists, turns, and just the right amount of mischief. Only Murders in the Building remains a delightful enigma, and I can't wait to see how the mystery unfolds.

It's 2024 and screen writing has gone down the drain. All TV writing? Well one show manages to hold off cliché story telling and disneyesque predictability with the magic potion of - sticking to its guns. Last season ended with a cliffhanger, most shows would jump right into its exposition. "Only Murders" doesn't. It builds a frame for this season - the team possibly relocating to LA for a movie adaptation of their podcast - while slowly building on the actual mystery that will be the central theme. And they're brazenly referencing "One upon a Time in the West" both in the title and the plot, basically saying "let other people hurry, we're gonna lay out our mystery as slowly as we please".

It's not going to work for everyone - I personally love pop cultural references (I opened this review with one), but not everyone will recognize Sazz's LA apartment (it's from a famous film but I'm not gonna say which one). Gen Z could find Sergio Leone movies almost impossible to sit through - nothing happens for 15 minutes! When will they finally shoot each other? But for Gen X people and nerds starving for well written content, this opener is a reason to hope that the creative ebb in screen writing may end.