Meryl Streep Proved Perfect Addition to Brilliantly Written 'Only Murders' Season

by Tyler Glover

Photo: Hulu

​The third season of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” just concluded this past Tuesday and showed us all why it has become as successful as it has and why it really was a no-brainer decision to pick it up for a fourth season.
 
The magical trio of Charles Haden-Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) are still just as funny as ever while trying to solve the latest murder in the building for their podcast. At this point, I would move but that’s beside the point. In this latest season, Oliver is directing a Broadway show with his leading man being a famous Hollywood actor named Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd). Unfortunately, on opening night, Ben becomes the latest victim. 
 
After a very disappointing killer reveal in the second season, this season offers so many suspects and many that would be a satisfying choice as the killer. It could be new breakout star, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). Loretta went years without being able to chase her dreams and now that she is here, was Ben standing in the way? It could be Charles’ new girlfriend, Joy (Andrea Martin). It wouldn’t be the first time Charles dated a murderer, after all. It could be Ben’s girlfriend Kimber Min (Ashley Park). Did Ben break it off and then, she decides that she needs to off him? Could it be his adopted brother, Dickie (Jeremy Shamos)? Was Dickie tired of all of the years of being in the shadows while his brother reaped all the praise? Then there is the mother-son producing duo of Donna and Cliff DeMeo (Linda Emond and Wesley Taylor). Could Ben be destroying their production? The list could go on and on. That is what makes this season so exciting.
 
The writing this season is absolutely top-notch. The twists and turns continue in this season just as much as any season so far. The writing team knows what they are doing to keep us engaged and barely being able to wait to see what happens next. Their ability to mix the drama with the comedy is absolute perfection. They also throw in a very clever reference to a Steve Martin-Martin Short previous film, “Father of the Bride” in an episode that left me laughing for several minutes. This writing team deserves an Emmy for season three.

The only thing that could be disappointing for some viewers is that in the beginning of the season, Charles, Oliver and Mabel are in a bit of a squabble that leaves them to not spend every episode trying to solve the murder together. At times, they are going it alone and in those moments, we do miss the magic of the trio. I feel it was necessary to deliver some drama but some may be disappointed in the decision to break them up for a bit. 
 
One addition for me that elevated this season to another level was the inclusion of three-time Academy Award-winning actress, Meryl Streep. Streep plays her part so brilliantly and deserves an Emmy in my opinion. When Streep is on screen, she really does steal the show which is really hard to do from the three stars that have made this show what it is. It does not change how brilliant they are though. Martin, Short and Gomez are pure gold in this show and I cannot wait to see them solve the next murder in the building next season. Seriously, people: you might need to move.