The team’s latest discovery exonerates them of the murders, but the real question is: can they capitalize on the news?
‘Performance Review’
Poppy uncovers a controversial figure from Mabel’s past, Jimmy Russo. She brings him in for Cinda’s newest podcast where she will implicate Mabel for the murder. Poppy has uncovered evidence that suggests Mabel may have been responsible for the murder of her former friend, Cinda. In order to prove her theory, Poppy invites Jimmy Russo onto the show to discuss his knowledge of the case. ..
In a montage, we see our trio one by one, possibly deceiving themselves with stories of their lives. Poppy’s ravaging monologue exposes some harsh truths about the lives we live. Our optimism for starting over, our hope for a different fate. Mabel with Alice; Charles with Jan; and Oliver with the question about his son’s parentage. The latter has now gone in to get his own lineage checked and to see if he is part Greek instead of Irish.
Charles Brazzos is settling into his new role as the head of the Brazzos set. He flirts with the hair stylist and the trio, including Charles’ daughter Lucy arrives to discuss their next plan of action. Pataki, Charles’ traditional double from the old days, also makes a cameo, filling in for him for the stunts. ..
Mabel and the Detectives decide to meet at Bunny’s apartment to hand over the evidence. Mabel texts her friend Detective Williams, from episode one, who helped them escape attention previously, to know the miller’s true identity. Detective Kreps, meanwhile, has sent an officer to the set to call the trio to Bunny’s apartment.
When they reach the spot, they discover that Cinda is there too, with Poppy. Kreps warns the two to stop interfering with his investigation and take down the podcasts. He is getting anonymous calls left and right, one including the “bird theory”. Cinda uses her leverage over Kreps, mentioning some instances on his part. Is there someone this woman does not have dirt over? Unreal evil-ness.
Jimmy’s story from when he and Mabel used to work together at Long John Silver’s is revealed. Kreps also reveals that Williams is on maternity leave “in Denver.” So who were they really texting with? The killer is the answer! Mabel chases after Poppy as she leaves. She beseeches her good conscience and asks her to stop airing the Russo story because it will end up damaging Cinda’s reputation.
The imposter is a trio of criminals who devise a plan to lure the killer into coming to pick up the evidence and then catch him. The killer’s amateurish responses are way out of place and kinda hilarious to watch.
The group decides to leave the evidence for Charles at Morningside Park, where they will wait for him to find it. This is all based on Charles’ experience from working at Brazzos, Season seven episode twenty-one, “The Fake Evidence”. Instead of the evidence, they will place a “glitter bomb” to catch him in style. The trio waits in Charles’ car and Cinda’s new episode’s release on the podcast coincides with the waiting. We also catch a glimpse of Cinda turning down Opooy’s request for a “performance review” to get a promotion. ..
Jimmy tells the story of how he and Mabel got into a fight. He exaggerates it to make it seem like Mabel intentionally cut off his fingers and served them up after deep frying them. Mabel counters with the truth. Jimmy was a handsy perv and the one time Mabel pushed back, he caught his hand in the slicer. Oliver spots a slew of phone calls on Charles’ phone from the jail and Mabel and he discover that Charles is still dating Jan.
As the trio debates the new event, we see the killer walk in the background. He is wearing a hoodie and a mask, fully covered up. The trio does not notice him go towards the hiding place. Charles narrates how his non-confrontational style often lands him up in dire situations where he can’t get off from relationships.
Mabel sees the killer in the rearview mirror but he is gone by the time they are able to come into action. Mable separates and walks off to cool down, while Charles gets an idea of how to end it with Jan. Poppy is brutally shot down by Cinda, whose entitled behavior outrages Poppy. She thinks she has deserved this promotion but Cinda always wants to be in control and tightly hold on to the reigns. ..
‘Performance Review’ Ending Explained: Does Mable commit “another” murder?
At the correctional facility, we see Charles has sent Pataki to break up with Jan, as “him”. It is a hilarious bit where she reads a letter out loud to Jan, ending the relationship. Mable comes back to her apartment in utter shock.
Alice, the woman Alice trusted and let stay back, has actually transformed the apartment into the murder scene. She is recreating that terrible memory from Mable’s past, just when she was admiring Alice’s lack of interest and obsession with Mable’s past. Mable is heartbroken and fades out when Alice starts narrating a made-up, pretentious reason for doing the same.
Alice betrays her trust and faith, sending her into an existential crisis. Oliver is vexed about the DNA results and comes to stay with Charles to wait for the results. Poppy calls Mabel and confirms some ugly truths about Cinda. “She will do anything to tell a good story”. Alice has betrayed her trust by sending her into an existential crisis. Oliver is vexed about the DNA results and decides to stay with Charles in order to wait for them. Poppy calls Mabel and confirms some ugly truths about Cinda - that she will do anything to tell a good story. ..
In the middle of the call, Mabel sees the killer. Oliver gets a video from his son Will that shows Mabel apparently stabbing the killer. He has glitter all over his face and advances toward Mabel. People around her shout “Bloody Mabel part two!”, as she rushes off in a panicked state.
The ending of Only Murders in the Building was unexpected. Was it just a coincidence that Mabel saw the killer on the train? Or was she followed? Are we even sure that the person is indeed the killer? More often than not, in these shows, it turns out that people aren’t who they seem they are. You might even get to see in the next episode that Mabel has stabbed an innocent person. You never know with this beautiful show!
We are not sure if it is a stabbing and it is fatal, but we do not see the end of the video. The video deliberately keeps us waiting for next week.
The Episode Review
In episode 6, Mabel was the focus of attention. The world around her just crumbled with these events.
Mabel’s relationship with Alice seemed like a decent change, but this betrayal ended Alice’s chapter in Mabel’s life. ..
As she is still recuperating from the shock, she is confronted by the killer in broad daylight. Even worse, she seemingly stabs him and runs off, throwing her in the line of real danger. Will she be able to come back to Oliver and Charles without hiding and toe-tipping? Is this the end for the trio in this season?
Mabel needs help from Oliver and Charles to clear their names. They may have the matchbook, but they need to get it to Williams and get answers. We will see what happens in the next episode.
Episode 6 had decent development for the subplots involving Jan and Charles as well. There were breezy moments and it seems like Jan might be done for too. Amy Ryan’s guest appearance might not be over, just yet. But Jan seems to be off from Charles’ life. Poppy seems set to be key going forward. Cinda’s evil manifestation will get a fitting reply later in the season. Seeing more of Tina Fey was a different but solid sight as well.
