My Least Favorite Character Is Used In The Most Sinister Way Possible

Warning! This review includes spoilers for Only Murders in the Building season 5, episode 9.

Only Murders in the Building season 5, episode 9, “LESTR,” might be one of the show’s most bittersweet episodes yet. While Only Murders is understandably categorized as a comedy during awards season, some episodes are daring enough to move away from the murder-themed laughs, opting instead to focus on the characters’ friendships, futures, and inner turmoil.

Season 5, episode 9 is one such episode. It’s an emotional chapter that brings all our favorite remaining Arconia residents together for what feels like a sad, inevitable goodbye. Even Teddy Dimas (Nathan Lane) and his son, Theo (James Caverly), make a welcome appearance this week.

Although watching Oliver (Martin Short), Mabel (Selena Gomez), and Charles (Steve Martin) get caught out twice by a suspect simply running away from them was genuinely funny, this episode doesn’t hesitate to explore the grief of what it’s like to lose one’s home — even for those privileged enough to live within a building like The Arconia. It’s a fitting continuation of the themes first explored in this season’s fifth episode, “Flatbush,” when Loretta (Meryl Streep) loses her apartment and all her possessions in an electrical fire.

What does it mean to have a home, to be part of a community? How far will people go to protect that safe haven for themselves and those around them? These are the questions asked in this season’s penultimate episode, as it’s finally revealed who killed Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale).

While I won’t reveal the killer’s identity here, as that feels like too major a spoiler to share on release day, I almost can’t believe I didn’t see it coming. This entire season has been about The Arconia and what it means to these characters, and for the first time in Only Murders’ five-season history, I actually feel like I understand one of the killers’ motivations.

Once again, this season has surprised me in the best (and most devastating) way.

Robots Gone Wild In Only Murders In The Building Season 5, Episode 9

Credit: Hulu

Of course, in an episode called “LESTR,” The Arconia’s new robot “doorman” was bound to play an important role. Although the robot has been one of my least favorite aspects of this season — one of the season’s funniest moments was when it got thrown off the roof — this episode cleverly frames its involvement in the building in the most creepy, sinister way possible.

It’s always watching, locked in on people’s faces, recording their every move. It’s even the lead narrator in this episode, giving it the kind of voice and personality a robot really shouldn’t have. Given what Charles, Mabel, and Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) discovered about Bash Steed’s cameras in episode 5, how can we be sure the killer isn’t witnessing the residents’ final building block party, too?

Any time one of the Arconian tenants said something in his presence, I wanted to shake some sense into them. LESTR’s (voiced by three-time Only Murders victim Paul Rudd) continuous appearances throughout the episode really keep you on your toes as a viewer. Is Camila White watching on the other side? Who is LESTR’s mysterious new, unnamed handler?

Despite his fearful persona, it’s LESTR who reveals the truth about Nicky’s murder, bringing the entire building together for one last, biblically inspired hurrah. I’m even satisfied with the way this episode resolved Howard’s (Michael Cyril Creighton) emotionally stunted relationship with the robot. His heart-to-heart with Charles was really wonderful to see, as two lonely people reached out to each other.

If anything, LESTR’s involvement showcases just how important human connection, creation, and community is, and in this era of generative AI and bot-infested social media, that feels more important than ever.

While the episode’s final twist felt a little out of the blue — and involved another one of my least favorite aspects of this season, Nicky and Sofia’s childish brood of adult sons — I can’t deny that this episode, and this entire season, really, have made me think about relationships and community in ways the show’s previous outings never did. For that reason alone, I’m glad this season of Only Murders in the Building exists.

Only Murders in the Building‘s season 5 finale premieres Tuesday, October 28, exclusively on Hulu.

Release Date

August 31, 2021

NETWORKS

Hulu

Showrunner

John Hoffman

Directors

Jamie Babbit, John Hoffman, Cherien Dabis, Chris Koch, Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman, Adam Shankman, Don Scardino, Jesse Peretz, Jessica Yu, Jude Weng, Chris Teague

Writers

Ben Smith, Matteo Borghese, Rob Turbovsky, Kristin Newman, Madeleine George, JJ Philbin, Ben Philippe, Kirker Butler, Jake Schnesel, Peter Swanson, Stephen Markley, Rachel Burger, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener, Valentina Garza, Elaine Ko, Tess Morris, Kim Rosenstock, Sas Goldberg, Thembi Banks