Summary
Only Murders in the Buildingseason 4 will not feature an important season 3 character, continuing an irritating trend for the story of Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). Thepopular Hulu seriesfeatures the young Mabel teaming up with her older neighbors, Charles Haden-Savage (Steve Martin) and Oliver Putnam (Oliver Putnam), as they work together to solve murders in their apartment building through their own true-crime podcast titledOnly Murders in the Building. The combination of comedy and murder mystery has led to the series being critically acclaimed.
While Mabel, Charles, and Oliver are always at the forefront of the story, and there are some recurring characters who have appeared in every season, including fellow Arconia neighbor Howard Morris (Michael Cyril Creighton) and Detective Donna Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph),Only Murders in the Building’s supporting cast of characterslargely changes every season. Paul Rudd, Amy Schumer, Sting, and other well-known celebrities have only been in the series for a single season. The ever-changing nature of the supporting cast is understandable for logistical and narrative reasons, but one particular issue presents a problem with Mabel’s ongoing story.
Only Murders In The Building Season 4’s Plot Perfectly Pays Off 2 Characters' Backstories
Only Murders in the Building season 4’s plot involves a change that offers the perfect opportunity to address two characters' backstories.
Jesse Williams Confirms He Is Not In Only Murders In The Building Season 4
He Played Mabel’s Love Interest In Season 3
Despite his prominent role as Tobert, a documentarian and love interest for Mabel in season 3, Jesse Williams confirmed that he isnot returning inOnly Murders in the Buildingseason 4. This is not a surprise, as Tobert was not featured in the season 4 trailer and has not been included in any of the season 4 casting announcements. It is disappointing, though, especially sinceTobert would have been a natural fit for season 4’s storyand its secondary setting.
In addition to New York City, season 4 is going to be set in Los Angeles, with Mabel, Charles, and Oliver heading there as their popular podcast is adapted into a Hollywood film, with Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, and Zach Galifanakis playing the trio. At the end of season 3, Tobert was headed to Los Angeles to work on a new film, while Oliver’s love interest, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep,) was headed there after receiving multiple high-profile acting opportunities. With Loretta appearing in season 4 and reuniting with Oliver when he is in Los Angeles, Tobert’s absence will feel glaring.
All Of Mabel’s Other Love Interests Disappeared In Subsequent Seasons
Oscar, Alice, And Tobert All Do Not Return
Tobert’s season 4 absence continues the trend of Mabel’s love interests disappearing from the series in the next season. Her season 1 love interest, Oscar Torres (Aaron Dominguez), was missing from seasons 2 and 3, despite their extensive personal history. Series co-creator and executive producer John Hoffman clarified that Oscar didnot return inOnly Murders in the Buildingseason 2because he and his creative team did not want Mabel to have an ongoing relationship based on a trauma bond, but Oscar’s absence still felt jarring, especially after his prominent season 1 role and importance to Mabel.
Oscar grew up in the Arconia, had been friends with Mabel since they were teenagers, and was unjustly imprisoned for the death of their mutual friend, Zoe, before being released in season 1.
A similar pattern continued with Mabel’s season 2 love interest, artist and new Arconia resident Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), who did not return in season 3. In both cases,Oscar and Alice were not only absent, but were barely acknowledgeddespite their previous significance, and having been last seen on good terms with Mabel. It remains to be seen if Tobert will be acknowledged in season 4, although it would be strange not to, as the series needs to address why the trio visit Loretta in Los Angeles and why they do not visit Tobert.
How Only Murders In The Building Can Fix This Trend
There Are Two Easy Solutions
Moving forward, if Mabel has a romantic relationship that is not going to be carried into the next season, the relationship should end in the previous season. This approach could have given Oscar, Alice, and Tobert more closure before their departures from the series, and would make their absences in the subsequent season feel less obtrusive. If Mabel gets a new love interest in season 4, hopefully the relationship will only continue if there is intent to bring the character back in a potential season 5.
Mabel also does not need to have a romantic partner in season 4 or in any future season at all.The series' greatest strength is the friendship between Mabel, Charles, and Oliver, and how it is brought to life through Gomez, Martin, and Short’s humorous and touching chemistry.Mabel’s character can work well with or without a love interest, but if there is going to be another one, the relationship should either end by the season’s end, or carry over into the nextOnly Murders in the Buildingseason.
Only Murders in the Building
Cast
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
