DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Only Murders in the Building episode “Here’s Looking at You…” has spoilers. Prepare to send the investigation into a whole new direction and proceed at your peril.
Welcome back, Arconiacs! Only Murders in the Building returns with “Here’s Looking at You…” and finally brings Lucy into the fold. This outing exemplifies the beating heart of this delightful series — family. It’s all about finding your people and clinging tightly to them. “Here’s Looking at You…” boasts outstanding performances, fun character returns, uproarious comedic moments and intriguing clues setting up an intricate investigation for the remainder of the season.
Ready to delve into “Here’s Looking at You…”? Let’s get to it.
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Angel in Flip-Flops
We open with Charles (Steve Martin) playing his original song “Angel in Flip-Flops” and busting out a duet with a young Lucy. It’s adorable. Then, we flash forward to the present, wherein Lucy (Zoe Margaret Colletti) records a video for social media while sitting in what appears to be a dark tunnel. She confesses her thoughts to her followers regarding the hardships of returning to a place you once called home.
We see Charles and Lucy exchange a series of texts. Charles struggles with executing the voice-to-text function on his phone (Who hasn’t?). He learns Lucy’s mom got remarried and doesn’t understand what she means when she replies with “bet.” Admittedly, I didn’t either until I looked it up. Kids, this moment confirms my aging in a nutshell.
Later, Charles arrives on set for the Brazzos reboot, complete with a questionable combover. The director (Ade Otukoya) informs him that, as “Uncle Brazzos,” he’ll be in a wheelchair with “a touch of dementia.” According to the director, the network wanted to save face in case Charles goes to prison for the Bunny Folger case.
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Charles, furious that he was never informed in advance of these script changes, storms off to his trailer. That’s where he reunites with Lucy.
A Tense Reunion
Meanwhile, Will (Ryan Broussard) calls Oliver (Martin Short) and begs for help with his directing gig. As it turns out, directing children in a production of The Wizard of Oz is a lot easier on paper. Unfortunately, Oliver’s tied up with the Bunny investigation, so he declines his son’s request.
Suddenly, Oliver encounters Teddy (Nathan Lane) as he tries to board the elevator. Teddy insists Oliver join him, where he reveals how life-altering prison was for him. Teddy currently awaits his trial at the Arconia. When it seems Teddy might have turned a new leaf, he not-so-subtly threatens to f*ck Oliver for turning him and Theo over to the police. So, there’s that. As usual, Nathan Lane proves he’s one of the kings of comedy.
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Back in “Manhatty”
Next, Charles and Lucy chat at the latter’s apartment. Charles can’t figure out why she’s visiting now. Oliver and Mabel (Selena Gomez) enter the fray, collectively motivated to shine the spotlight on their prime murder suspect, Nina Lin. Lucy geeks out over Mabel and Oliver, enthusiastically informing them of her obsession with the podcast. Charles assigns Mabel the task of understanding Lucy’s motives for coming to NYC. Why? They’re both young people!
However, as Lucy unloads a string of seemingly cryptic sentences on Mabel, Mabel quickly realizes the rift between Millennials and Gen Z continues to widen.
While jamming to Charles’ “Angel in Flip-Flops” (a surprise hit in Germany), Lucy procures a bloody knife among Charles’ kitchen utensils. Mabel reveals the killer keeps hiding clues in their respective apartments to frame them for Bunny’s murder. Not only that, but we learn that the knife belongs to Oliver.
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Bloody Evidence
Then, Charles orders Lucy to go home to Connecticut, but instead, she hides in Charles’ bathroom. Oliver, in a panic, throws the bloody knife into the ceiling as Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) barges into Charles’ apartment with some “hot goss.”
Unfortunately, he stands right below the crimson-stained knife in the ceiling, distracting our sleuthing trio. Howard confesses that he received the bruise on his face from Nina on the night of Bunny’s murder. According to Howard, Nina possesses a mean streak, and she struck him.
After ushering Howard out of the apartment, our heroes rush to the bathroom after hearing something fragile break. Lucy invites them in, revealing a secret passageway in the bathroom wall. She surmises that’s how intruders enter and exit Charles’ apartment. It looks similar to the tunnel Lucy’s in at the beginning of the episode.
Wandering Through the Arconia’s Secrets
Meanwhile, our quartet wanders through the dusty corridors, observing their neighbors through conveniently-placed peepholes (or perv holes). Charles and Mabel watch while Nina (Christine Ko) and her baby daddy talk about how “she needed to go.” Could they be referencing Bunny? Mabel spots a blueprint for future renovations on the Arconia, including some modernized “space hub” atop the building. I think it’s safe to say that Bunny wouldn’t have approved of these changes.
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Next, Oliver witnesses a heated argument between Teddy and Theo (James Caverly). Teddy learns that Theo now has a lawyer as he awaits trial. Theo storms out, leaving Teddy sobbing in his wake.
Giving Birth/Family Moments
Later, our heroes reunite to discuss what they witnessed in the tunnels. Lucy suggests they give Nina a push in the direction of confessing. So, the quartet winds up on Nina’s doorstep with a gift basket for her and her future baby. When they think Nina might confess to murdering Bunny, we see Nina’s water break. Charles comforts Nina, helping her breathe through the pain.
Before the EMTs arrive, Nina urges Charles to find the person responsible for killing Bunny and give her “five minutes alone” with them. Well, that probably frees Nina from the prime suspect spot.
Mabel encourages Lucy to disclose the reason for her visit to Charles, and after Oliver and Mabel depart, Lucy does that. An emotional scene blooms, with stunning performances from both Colletti and Martin. Lucy reveals that while her new stepfather is a decent person, Charles will always be her favorite. Eight years apart from him was too long for her. The pair embrace each other, and a turning point in their relationship.
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Nice Day for a Murder (and a Wedding)
Meanwhile, Oliver visits Will and brings Skittles for the kids. The Putnam directing genes are strong today, folks. Charles bids farewell to Lucy, who warns him about the dangers of the Arconia. She confesses that the night of Charles’ arrest and her mother’s wedding happened simultaneously. Lucy skipped her mom’s wedding to check on Charles.
However, she lies about not reaching NYC, as we see in a flashback. We watch as she texts Charles while standing behind him in the hallway. Then, she takes shelter in the passageway near Charles’ apartment. While hiding there, she overhears Bunny’s murder and glimpses the killer. Lucy conceals herself as the murderer barrels down the dark corridors.
Later, after seeing Lucy off, Charles finds a string of missed calls from an “unknown” number. We see him sit down in prison to visit none other than Jan (Amy Ryan), the “unknown” caller. He asks Jan why she called him numerous times.
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Jan and Teddy are back! They undoubtedly pose conflicts for Charles and Oliver, but what about Mabel? What’s her “roadblock” this season? I still have my eye on Alice, who emits shady vibes to me. Anyway, this outing has beautiful, emotional beats galore, and Martin Short continues to put his knack for comedic timing on display. That story with his grandmother outside the bathroom had me in stitches. Our trio of leads works so seamlessly together.
Who’s your prime suspect in the Bunny Folger case? What does Jan want with Charles? Join me while I continue recapping Only Murders in the Building, only on Geek Girl Authority.
Only Murders in the Building drops new episodes every Tuesday on Hulu.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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