DISCLAIMER: This recap of Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 7, “Valley of the Dolls,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
“Valley of the Dolls” might be named after the 1967 film of the same name (based on Jacqueline Susann’s novel), but I’m guessing this episode features more actual dolls. This outing lets the narrative breathe a bit with some fun character beats. It also puts this season’s all-star cast under one roof, where comedic shenanigans ensue. However, the episodic highlight is undoubtedly the poignant, heartstring-tugging scene between Steve Martin‘s Charles and Melissa McCarthy’s Doreen. It’s wonderful.
As usual, the episode culminates in a major case development. The Westies are cashing the late Dudenoff’s checks, but did they actually kill him? And, in turn, did they murder Sazz? Have they been targeting our trio since Season 1? I remain unconvinced. While they’re definitely cashing those checks, I feel this is a red herring. My guess is the killer is someone we’ve known for a long time.
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Only Murders in the Building, “Valley of the Dolls”
We open with Charles (Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) speeding out of the city. Oliver attempts to break up with Loretta over text after his confession on last week’s episode isn’t well-received (by his perception). Mabel suggests they stay with Charles’ sister, Doreen, in Long Island. Charles is hesitant to go that route — family tension and whatnot — but he drives them there.
Mabel leaves Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) a voicemail, informing him where they’re going and asking him to learn who’s cashing the late Milton Dudenoff’s checks at the bodega. Mabel and Charles urge Oliver to switch off his phone, which he does, but not before sending Loretta the aforementioned breakup text. Then, our sleuthing trio arrives at Doreen’s (McCarthy) home. Doreen invites them inside.
Dolls Upon Dolls
Oliver and Mabel are bewildered by Doreen’s vast doll collection. She possesses dolls of all sizes, from some no bigger than your hand to life-sized plastic terrors. Doreen not-so-subtly flirts with Oliver while mentioning she’s given her husband the boot (again). He now lives in the boat in their driveway. After their enlightening chat with Doreen (and learning what Can-Cans is), Charles shows Mabel and Oliver to their rooms.
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Mabel believes they should continue trying to solve Sazz’s murder at their new safe house. Oliver becomes distracted by one doll resembling Loretta, even down to the pigtail braids. Charles decides to chat with his brother-in-law, who’s a cop. He wants to crank out a good security plan to make this safe house as murder-proof as possible.
However, before he can reach the boat (ahem, the Master Boater) the following morning, he encounters Bev Melon (Molly Shannon). Bev reveals that she learned of our trio’s location via Howard. Apparently, the studio is in a tailspin following the string of tragedies plaguing the Only Murders adaptation. If the Brothers Sisters are the killers, they need to shut down production. Charles reassures Bev that he’s mostly confident they aren’t the murderers.
Master Boater and Vodka
Meanwhile, Mabel dives back into the investigation, setting up shop in Doreen’s kitchen. Oliver is on the hunt for some Johnnie Walker. He makes a beeline for Doreen’s bar. Bev enters the kitchen, much to Mabel’s surprise. Bev informs her about the studio potentially pulling the plug on the film. She ventures outside to nibble on the pizza crusts on the Master Boater. At the same time, Doreen whips up a Crystal Light/vodka concoction to slake Oliver’s thirst. She continues to get her flirt on and cranks it up to an 11 after Oliver admits he’s enduring a breakup.
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Later, Mabel hears the doorbell ring. She finds Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis and Eugene Levy on the doorstep. The actors are here. Mabel reminds them that the murderer pursues our original trio, not them. Eva insists it’s Mabel, Oliver and Charles’ job to protect them. A resigned Mabel instructs them to keep themselves occupied. Next, we see Oliver and Doreen lament their respective romantic situations. When the doorbell rings (again), Doreen moves to answer but trips, with Oliver, who’s trailing behind her, falling on top of her.
Naturally, Loretta (Meryl Streep) chooses this moment to enter a scene that’s not what it appears. Comedy! Afterward, Loretta reveals she learned about the catastrophe-riddled film shoot at the Arconia and the threat to Oliver’s life. When he wasn’t answering his phone, she panicked and flew straight from LA — middle seat, no less. That’s true love. Oh, and Loretta informs Oliver that he talked to her stand-in that day, not her. So, she doesn’t know about the almost marriage proposal.
Spleenless Doreen
Loretta asks if Doreen is someone she would worry about, but Oliver reassures her that Doreen is someone everyone should worry about. Meanwhile, Doreen tries to chat with Charles about the friction between them. When she was three, and he was 19, Charles pushed little Doreen too hard on the swing, causing an accident that cost Doreen her spleen. She’s Spleenless Doreen if you will. Doreen tells her big bro that she doesn’t remember the accident. All is well. Still, Charles refuses to open up.
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Then, Mabel gives the actors suggestions to keep them busy while she solves the case. Loretta spots Eugene and asks if she remembers when they did summer stock together in 1982. He doesn’t recall, though. After this interaction, Loretta compliments Zach’s work in Baskets but leaves Eva in the dust. Mabel pulls Loretta aside and asks for advice regarding the actors. They keep swarming her. Loretta urges Mabel to let them contribute. After all, actors are experts in the human condition. They’re staunch researchers.
An inebriated Bev stumbles into the kitchen and tells everyone to f*ck off — even Loretta, who she doesn’t know. Bev declares she’s quitting Hollywood before leaving the kitchen. I love you, Molly Shannon. What a comedic gem. Eugene states that Bev is a middle child, with Zach adding that she’s a single mom and Eva saying she has a “high thyroid.” They’ve proven Loretta’s point; the actors might be a boon for the murder investigation.
Five Different Signatures
Later, Howard tries to get the bodega owner to let him peep the checks log. When that doesn’t work, Howard notices the bodega cat is trained to attack. This man has a guard cat. Howard offers to make said man’s cat a guest on his podcast about animals with jobs. You know, the one that doesn’t exist (yet). His pivot pans out. Howard and the bodega owner flip through the records, wherein Howard notices that each signature for “M. Dudenoff” is different — five different signatures, to be precise. Uh-oh.
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On Long Island, the actors make their case for assisting Mabel. Doreen formally meets Loretta and proceeds to smack her in envy. She instantly has remorse for attacking Loretta and apologizes. Doreen feels rejected by the men in her life. Firstly, her husband for going to Can-Cans to look at lady’s butts. Secondly, Charles, for refusing to mend fences. Lastly, there’s Oliver, who she just met, but he has a girlfriend. Loretta feels bad for Doreen.
After this, Oliver and Loretta sit at the piano. Oliver reveals he thought about proposing to her in LA; however, he refrained from doing so out of fear. Then, Loretta learns Oliver’s finsta is just that — a finsta. Loretta admits she became good friends with “Ronnie,” disclosing things she’s never shared with anyone. Overwhelmed by Oliver’s truth bombs (and that he was essentially stalking her), Loretta leaves the room.
Loretta versus Doreen
Later, Doreen apologizes to Loretta as the latter deletes the posts from “Ronnie” saved on her phone. Loretta wonders if her boyfriend might be crazy. Doreen reminds Loretta that she has someone who loves her; she’s lucky. The apology transforms into a physical confrontation. Doreen flips Loretta over the couch while the latter bites her and pulls out her fake pigtail braids. The other house occupants gather to watch. Suddenly, it dawns on Eugene who Loretta is, simply by watching her fight.
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Loretta stops Doreen from attacking her by clutching her chest, attributing it to her pacemaker. Then, Loretta laughs, reminding Doreen that she’s an actor and trained in stage combat. I never thought I’d see Meryl Streep and Melissa McCarthy fight in a living room, but it’s definitely what the doctor ordered.
Next, Charles tends to Doreen’s bite wound. The two finally have a heart-to-heart. Doreen discloses that their mother held her hand when they attended Charles’ first play. Doreen admits their mom never displayed affection like that again. Charles reveals their mother blamed him for the accident for the rest of her life. I love that we’re finally hearing about Charles’ mother. The pair share an emotional moment as they decide to let bygones be bygones and focus on fostering their relationship. Charles vows to visit her more often. Aw. What a sweet scene.
A Proposal
Bev barges into the room to inform Charles and “leopard lady” that the movie is back on — full-steam ahead. She spent two hours ranting on the phone to the studio, causing them to rethink pulling the plug. Doreen has no idea who Bev is. Elsewhere, Loretta and Oliver also have a heart-to-heart. She pulls off a bracelet from a doll’s arm and proposes to Oliver. She loves his “crazy,” and I love this. Of course, he accepts said proposal. Our lovebirds are getting married.
The following morning, Eva, Zach and Eugene force our trio out of bed to reveal their progress regarding the investigation. So, they believe that whoever cashed Dudenoff’s checks is after them, but this didn’t start with Sazz’s murder. “It all goes back to Season 1,” Eugene adds. “Which, by the way, has more holes than Zach Galifianakis.” I love that the writers can poke fun at themselves.
Loose Threads
Firstly, who poisoned Winnie, Oliver’s adorable bulldog? It wasn’t Sting. That plot thread was dropped quite quickly. Oliver assumed it was Jan. Eva reminds him of the note on Oliver’s door: “End the podcast or I end you.” The smudge mark indicates a left-handed person wrote it, and Jan is right-handed based on how she holds her bassoon.
Then, if you recall, Jan received the note, “I’m watching you,” on her door. It’s written in the same font or handwriting as the texts our trio received. Thus, their murderer has been after them since Season 1. A Moriarty-type character, perhaps? Charles realizes Sazz knew all of this. Now, the notes in her apartment make more sense. “Sick pup,” Long game,” “Look at Charles” — it adds up. He wonders if this is what Sazz wanted to tell him, that she figured it out.
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Our trio commends the actors for significantly moving the case forward. Next, Oliver chooses this opportune moment to reveal his engagement. Later, they chill in the Master Boater with Doreen. Her husband returns with doughnuts. Here, he admits he wasn’t going to Can-Cans for the ladies but for the sweet discount. Doreen is the only woman for him.
Watch the Westies
Then, Doreen’s husband claims that Howard inexplicably got hold of his number. Howard knows who killed Dudenoff. He found the aforementioned five different signatures with one phone number. In the camera footage from the bodega, we see Alfonso (Desmin Borges), Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani), Inez (Daphne Rubin-Vega) and Ana (Lilian Rebelo) cashing the checks under Dudenoff’s name. Howard urges our trio to look to the Westies.
After this discovery, Howard calls the number. Vince (Richard Kind) answers, claiming he’s “Milton Dudenoff.” Howard hangs up. Vince turns to Rudy, Alfonso, Inez and Ana, who are playing Oh Hell!, and informs them that our trio is on to them.
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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.
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