DISCLAIMER: This recap of Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 8, “Sitzprobe,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Welcome back, Arconiacs! “Sitzprobe” is the season’s strongest outing thus far. Not only do we get our core trio mending fences and working in tandem to solve the case, but the plot moves forward significantly. And that cliffhanger! The doctor told Oliver in episode two to manage his stress; otherwise, he’d have another heart attack with more severe repercussions.
Plus, Loretta falls on her sword for Dickie, who’s her son. I don’t think she killed Ben. I’m also not as sure that Dickie’s the murderer anymore. You know someone I didn’t initially have on my suspect list? Donna. She certainly has a solid motive, too.
Episode eight is a consistently entertaining entry in the OMITB-verse. It’s brimming with the show’s trademark boisterous humor, theatrical flair, delightful performances and a narrative that chugs along at a brisk pace. We’re back, baby.
Ready to delve into “Sitzprobe”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Loretta (Meryl Streep) providing narration for the episode. We get context into her backstory and how she blossomed into a promising young actor with Big Apple dreams. However, an unplanned pregnancy almost derailed her career prospects. Before departing her small Midwestern town on a bus bound for New York City, Loretta gave her child to a local couple who couldn’t conceive. Loretta found it challenging to snag roles in the cutthroat NYC theater world.
Later, the couple sent her a letter, revealing they were expecting a miracle child. Loretta switches gears in her narration, now addressing a mystery person. She mentions how this person now has a baby brother. Oh. Sure enough, Loretta is writing a letter to Dickie, who’s her biological son. Plot twist! Next, Loretta reunites with Dickie (Jeremy Shamos) at the theater for Death Rattle Dazzle‘s “sitzprobe” rehearsal. She holds the letter to Dickie in her hands and asks if they can meet for dinner later.
Oliver (Martin Short) summons Loretta to the stage, where she’s joined by Charles (Steve Martin), Kimber (Ashley Park), Jonathan (Jason Veasey), Ty (Gerald Caesar), Bobo (Don Darryl Rivera) and Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton). Donna (Linda Emond) and Cliff (Wesley Taylor) are in the audience. Oliver and Charles spot Mabel (Selena Gomez), who enters the theater from the back door. She pulls them aside. They express their frustration regarding her decision to record a podcast episode without them. We also learn Mabel is staying with Theo after getting booted from her aunt’s old apartment.
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Mabel reveals her prime suspect is now Dickie, of whom Oliver approves. At least he’s not in the cast. Charles tries to rally his pals together for a bonding moment, but Mabel’s still irritated with him and Oliver. Regardless, she’s in investigative mode during the sitzprobe. Side note: I’d love to read all the signatures on that wall in the stairwell. I’m hoping it’s an amalgam of real and fake names.
The cast and orchestra’s rehearsal of the first big group number is almost upended when a text circulates, revealing that Ben Glenroy’s longtime stalker, Gregg Rivera, has been released from prison. As it turns out, he did not kill Ben. The killer is still at large. Suddenly, in a moment of impeccable timing (after Loretta says, “Who goes there?”), Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) barges into the theater with her crew in tow. God, I’ve missed her. She declares that Ben’s murderer is in this room. She plans to interrogate everyone at the station.
Oliver persuades Williams to hold interrogations in the dressing rooms so he can resume the sitzprobe afterward. Donna and Cliff are irked because Maxine (Noma Dumezweni), the theater critic who almost published an unfavorable review, is in the audience. Oliver invited her to attend the sitzprobe to drum up buzz for the show’s new opening night.
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Then, Mabel, Charles and Oliver realize they need access to the interrogations. Williams won’t let them sit in, so they must get creative. Howard urges Mabel to follow him to the office, where he wants to show her something potentially pivotal in the case. Oliver and Charles vow to secure the footage by any means. “The trio is back,” on three. One, two, three…
Next, Howard tells Mabel he heard someone using the paper shredder when the office door was locked on opening night. What was this person shredding? Howard retrieves the shredded pieces and claims he can reassemble them like a puzzle. Hey, puzzles are kinda Mabel’s thing. Perhaps this document will be a boon for the investigation. Side note number two: I love Mabel’s jacket in this episode. It’s a plaid/houndstooth dream. Meanwhile, Charles allows Williams to interrogate the cast/crew in his dressing room. She’s a big fan of his ergonomic desk chair. I would be, too.
Charles tries to stick around, but Williams has his number. She kicks him out. Then, he returns, claiming he’s on the hunt for his weighted blanket. He snuggles underneath it and puts on headphones, pretending to listen to his patter song. Again, Williams catches him in the act, giving him the boot. However, the seed is planted. Williams is as big of a musical theater fan as anyone. She knows damn well what a patter song is.
Later, Oliver finds Loretta in her dressing room. He returns the scrapbook to her. Well, what he initially thought was a scrapbook dedicated to Ben is actually all for Dickie. Understandably, Loretta is angry at him for stealing something so personal from her apartment. Oliver lets slip that Dickie is now their prime suspect, naturally putting Loretta on edge. That’s her son, after all.
Then, it’s Oliver’s turn to distract Williams. He pops into Charles’ dressing room to apologize for Charles’ behavior. He also describes Charles’ performance of his big patter song as the equivalent of a deer getting struck by a car. She orders him to leave. Meanwhile, Mabel and Loretta have a chat about murderers and motives. Loretta offers her services in the investigation. Mabel rightfully points out that killers tend to involve themselves in cases to throw suspicion off of them. The conversation turns to late bloomers — that’s one commonality they share. Both women have found themselves in a state of delayed blooming (I feel seen).
Next, Charles heads to the stage to rehearse his tune. Williams sits in the audience, her curiosity piqued. Thankfully, he knocks it out of the park, and we finally hear the song in full. And guess what? He doesn’t have a nervous breakdown or go to the dreaded white room. Oliver looks proud. While Charles performs, the screen splits into three sections: Charles’ rehearsal, Mabel and Howard’s shredded paper reassembling and a few miscellaneous shots. Sometimes, the camera pans to Williams enjoying the show; other times, we see Donna and Cliff. We also spot Loretta looking nervous as all get-out.
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Later, Howard and Mabel’s puzzle solving proves to be futile. Howard is close to giving up. Mabel spots a box of rat poison. We see the wheels turning. Perhaps that poison was used to kill Ben before the show. Then, when that failed, the killer shoved him down the elevator shaft at the Arconia. Mabel encourages Howard to keep trying to unlock the mystery of the shredded paper. Plus, who knows? Maybe he’ll wind up on the podcast. That’s a good motivator for Howard.
After that, Mabel reunites with the guys. Oliver hands her Tobert’s GoPro, which contains all of Williams’ interviews with the cast and crew. Their plan to snag the footage was successful. While Williams was in the theater watching Charles perform, Oliver snuck into the latter’s dressing room to plant the camera, using the weighted blanket to conceal it. Mabel is impressed and proud. She initiates the “The trio is back” team huddle Charles has fruitlessly tried to make a reality all episode. Aw. Our besties really are back.
Then, Loretta attempts to calm her nerves in the bathroom. Donna comforts her. She talks about her nervousness regarding the show. Donna’s less worried about herself and more focused on her son’s first show as a producer. She doesn’t want Cliff’s debut to be a flop and a detriment to his career before it truly starts. Donna states that a mother will do anything to protect her child. Loretta understands this all too well.
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Meanwhile, Maxine chats with Oliver in the theater. She reveals she’s much more impressed with Death Rattle in its latest iteration. This new form is a bona fide Oliver Putnam production. Oliver asks Maxine if it “sings,” but she replies that he’ll have to wait for her review.
Outside the theater, Loretta runs into Dickie. We learn his final interaction with Ben was a heated argument, culminating in Ben declaring that Dickie was dead to him. Dickie feared Ben would drag him back into the madness the next day. Loretta apologizes for everything Dickie’s endured. Dickie tells her that getting to know her has been a highlight for him. Aw. It’s here Dickie also reveals he can’t meet for dinner because he has to go to the police station.
Before Loretta takes the stage to rehearse her number, Oliver apologizes for taking her scrapbook. He also confesses his love for her. It’s a sweet moment, performed beautifully by Short. Once onstage, Loretta starts singing. I love Streep’s voice. During the performance, Charles and Mabel look through Loretta’s scrapbook. They also spot the letter she plans to give to Dickie at dinner. That’s when they discover the truth: Dickie is Loretta’s son.
Then, Loretta notices Williams and her officers pulling Dickie aside. She blurts out that she killed Ben. Williams arrests Loretta. Oliver orders the cops to uncuff her, but Loretta claims she won’t let another innocent man take the fall for her crime. She even mentions how she did it — she poisoned one of Ben’s protein shakes. Oliver clutches his chest after the officers lead Loretta out of the theater. He’s having a heart attack. Oliver collapses, with Mabel and Charles instantly flitting to his side. They call for help. Oh, this is the opposite of good.
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I hope Meryl Streep snags an Emmy nod for her performance in this show. She’s a compelling force of nature who’s equal parts charming and heartbreaking. She can do no wrong. Also, Oliver better be okay. I’m a Putnut and proud of it.
Do you think Loretta really killed Ben, or is she covering for Dickie? Is Dickie the murderer? Will Oliver recover in time for Death Rattle Dazzle‘s debut? Will our sleuthing trio find the killer before then? Only time (and two more episodes) will tell.
Only Murders in the Building streams 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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