Only Murders in the Building: Loretta’s backstory revealed in “Sitzprobe”

Loretta Durkin had become an unexpected mystery since she was initially introduced in Only Murders in the Building season 3. At first, Loretta was thought to be a hopeful and aspiring actress who had never received her breakout role on Broadway or in Hollywood. But, as the latest season continued, it came to light that Loretta was tracking Ben’s career in a book. The episode “Sitzprobe” finally shed light on what was really going on.

Dickie had previously revealed that he had been adopted, and the truth is finally out as to what really happened. Loretta had gotten pregnant young, and rather than keeping the baby, she gave him up for adoption to a couple that wanted a baby but had been unable to have one of their own.

Loretta went on to try and start her acting career, and her baby grew up to be Dickie. Loretta’s photo collage of Ben was actually a series of photos of Dickie.

But does revealing the truth about Loretta auditioning for Death Rattle because she wanted to meet her son also give her motive? If Loretta had seen Dickie being hurt by Ben, would she have stood up for him? Loretta’s fight with Ben before the show opened suggested that things had gotten bad between them.

However, when Dickie is being looked at as potentially being the new prime suspect in Ben’s murder, Loretta steps up and confesses to the crime to protect him. So, does that mean Dickie is actually Ben’s killer?

Dickie had revealed that he was slightly relieved to feel free when he believed Ben to have died the first time. Does that mean that Dickie and Ben had a fight following Ben coming back to the Arconia, which led to Ben’s death?

Only Murders in the Building season 3 episode 8, “Sitzprobe,” recap

Luckily, “Sitzprobe” has Mabel, Charles, and Oliver back on the case to find out. Things had not been particularly great between the trio this season for various reasons. But, with the revelation that Ben’s killer is still free and knowing how Charles and Oliver’s refusal to participate in the investigation had hurt their friendship with Mabel, Oliver and Charles are eager to make it up to her.

Oliver and Charles enact a plan that they know will allow them to get all of the interview footage recorded, which gives the trio a better chance at cracking the case and discovering the motive.

However, who is to say that one of the cast members is actually the killer? Mabel makes a comment to Loretta about how killers have a pattern of involving themselves in investigations, and while Loretta may not fit that bill perfectly, Tobert might.

Although Tobert does not actually appear in the episode, he has inserted himself into Mabel’s life knowing she was investigating Ben’s murder. Is he actually an innocent man who wants to help Mabel solve the case for a documentary? Or is he Ben’s killer?

Tobert has escaped as being under the radar so far this season. Of all the potential suspects, no one has turned their gaze to him specifically. However, he has also gotten particularly close to Mabel, being offered the chance to see her murder board.

Luckily, Mabel is no longer flying solo in podcasting, as Charles and Olvier’s team-up earned them back Mabel’s friendship, and the trio is back together on the case. Unfortunately, things can not be positive for long.

Loretta’s decision to take the fall for Dickie results in Oliver’s heart attack. At the beginning of season 3, Oliver had been warned to avoid stressful situations. But, Oliver had instead jumped in headfirst into various projects, including re-working Death Rattle as a musical, participating in investigative work, and becoming involved in a romantic relationship with a potential murder suspect.

As the episode concludes, everyone is concerned about Oliver, leaving many questions surrounding how the final episodes of Only Murders in the Building will end.