Is Only Murders In The Building Splitting Its Main Trio?

Is the main trio on an indefinite hiatus? Only Murders In The Building has always thrived on the wit and chemistry between Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. But season three has taken a different approach. Each character has a little more dramatic weight hanging over them this season, whether it be through new romantic interests, loneliness, or professional ventures.

Unfortunately, things may have come to a halt in the trio’s friendship during “Ghost Light.” Things had been hard for the three podcasters since the beginning of the season, with Oliver and Charles distracted by the “Death Rattle” play while Mabel feels left out and must continue dealing with knowing she will be moving out of the Arconia soon.

Mabel had been hoping that investigating another homicide would bring the trio closer together again. Sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Still distracted, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s investigative work remains on the back burner as Olvier worries about the state of his play and Charles tries to handle the fallout of his romantic failures in addition to “Death Rattle.”

But “Ghost Light” highlights just how out of sync the trio is and how potential new loyalties and hopes may be drifting them apart.

Oliver’s hopes that Loretta is innocent of killing Ben leads him to lie and omit information from Charles and Mabel, knowing they would jump to be suspicious of her. Granted, Loretta’s book tracking Ben’s career certainly does not allow things to look good in her favor, especially knowing that she and Ben had an altercation on opening night. Loretta had also called Ben the same phrase that had been written on Ben’s dressing room mirror.

Between trying to direct a hopefully great Broadway show and wanting his romance with Loretta to work out, Oliver has been distracted from investigating Ben’s murder. He has been actively anti-investigation, given how all of the main suspects are actors in the play.

Meanwhile, Charles spends most of the episode dealing with a fish and being trapped in a closet. However, his emotional distractions have connected him to the White Room, especially considering his conflicting feelings about performing in Oliver’s play.

Charles and Oliver’s tension reaches a high in “Ghost Light” when Charles quits the play and Oliver outs Charles as having punched Ben on opening night.

Mabel has been the most consistent investigator, not allowing her troubles of needing to search for a new apartment or a job to interfere with her search for the truth. However, given Charles and Oliver’s distractions, Mabel relied on Tobert to be a new detective partner, as someone else actively searched for clues.

Mabel had defended Oliver and Charles to Cinda, declaring her partners to be a present force in the investigation and solid friends. But things seem to be unraveling for the trio at every turn.

Oliver and Charles seeing Mabel discussing suspects with Tobert show their quick annoyance at their trio adding another member. But, neither of them is honest with Mabel about what they know about the investigation.

The concluding fight even turns against Mabel. Oliver calls her out for not having an adult job, leaving her hurt by Oliver’s words and behavior.

For most of the series, Only Murders In The Building has relied on its trio’s quirky and quick chemistry and friendship to be the heart of the show. But, with the three of them at odds, will it add depth to their friendship? Are things truly as bad as they seem?

However, not only is their friendship being challenged, but so is their podcast. It is not clear how much they have truly recorded, if anything, given their lack of investigative work throughout season three.

Putting Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s friendship at risk is certainly a different take on the story. But, it only begs the question of how long it will last before they are inevitably brought back together.