Summary
More fun and games from the critically acclaimed mystery comedy. Our trio is tested to their emotional limits in another engaging installment.
This recap of the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building season 2, episode 6 contains spoilers. You can check out our thoughts on the previous episode by clicking these words.
The podcast trio are persons of interest in a murder case, yet it is their own personal lives that provide the drama in episode six. Mabel must face an untrustworthy individual from her past, Oliver awaits his DNA test results and Charles contemplates how to actually break up with the woman who tried to kill him. While the amateur sleuths battle their own demons, they also try and track down the killer in another hectic instalment.
Only Murders in the Building season 2, episode 6 recap
“Performance Review” opens with rival podcaster Cinda Canning (Tina Fey) plotting and scheming. Her assistant Poppy has managed to arrange an interview with Jimmy Russo. This shifty individual claims that Mabel chopped off one of his fingers, many years ago. Cinda plans to use this sound bite for a smear campaign, hoping to bring Mabel back into the fray as suspect number one.
Mabel herself has made up with artist Alice and the two discuss Mabel’s past. Charles chats with Jan, who still believes the couple are an item. He’s scared by the murderers unwavering resolve, although she admits that she doesn’t have anyone else in her life and he pities her. Oliver waits nervously for his DNA test results, after last episode’s shocking twist. Oliver may not be Will’s father and he suspects Teddy might be the real daddy.
Charles is back on the Brazzos set, screaming for soup as the dementia addled Uncle/detective. This allows for a quick cameo from Lucy (who we love!) and Charles’ very own stunt double Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch). Mabel and Oliver crash the set as well to update the actor on their latest find. Oliver shows them the CCTV footage, with the probable killer swiping a matchbook from the diner. Mabel pulls out the evidence and notices a bloodied fingerprint on the aforementioned matchbook. They message Detective Williams to run the prints and she agrees to help out via a text message. Next, Detective Kreps asks for their immediate attention back at Bunny’s old apartment.
Over at the old Arconia, Kreps blasts Mabel, Charles and Oliver, along with Cinda and Poppy. Both podcast teams have been summoned for a talking to. Kreps orders them both to stop their private investigations. He’s frustrated by all the random tip-offs and an emerging ‘parrot theory’ (satirizing The Staircase no doubt). Before leaving, Kreps explains that Detective Williams isn’t with him as she is off on maternity leave in Denver. Something doesn’t quite add up there.
Oliver realizes that it can’t be Williams messaging them and they decide to use this information to their advantage. Charles steals an idea from his nineties crime show and suggests they plant fake evidence to trick the killer into a meet-up. The actor adds that they’ll plant a paint bomb in the evidence, so they can track their target when they flee. Oliver swaps paint for glitter and a plan is established.
Whilst the anxious trio wait for their killer to arrive, they start to drift away from their duties. Oliver discovers Charles’ dirty little secret and confronts his friend about him visiting Jan. Charles admits to wanting to break up with her, but just doesn’t know how. Cinda’s podcast drops, with Jimmy stating that Mabel deep fried his finger, referring to Bloody Mabel as a bloody monster. It’s a witty remark, but Mabel is furious. As they chat, the killer rifles through the bin in the background and sets off the glitter bomb. Again, another hilarious setup that capitalizes on the show’s knack for visual comedy. Mabel sees the killer escape in a black hoody, but storms off upset instead of chasing the criminal.
Poppy asks for a promotion, but Cinda rejects her proposal. Charles gets Sazz to break up with Jan on his behalf and Mabel visits Alice only to find the artist recreating the crime scene. I told you there’s a lot going on in episode six.
In the final moments, Poppy calls Mabel as she gets onto the subway. Poppy confirms that Cinda is a liar and that she has lots of dirt on her. Mabel hangs up as she spies the hooded killer covered in glitter, only meters away from her. Oliver and Charles nervously wait for the DNA results, but Will sends him a video that instantly distracts. In the video it looks like Mabel is stabbing the suspected killer before exiting the subway. Did she actually kill a stranger in broad daylight or has she been framed once again?
You can stream Only Murders in the Building season 2, episode 6, “Performance Review”, exclusively on Hulu.
