The Only Murders In The Building Episode That Fans Really Weren't Thrilled With

Set in New York City, "Only Murders in the Building" sweeps viewers along on a captivating murder mystery alongside a trio of amateur true crime enthusiasts played by Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short, an unexpected and delightful combination that somehow makes perfect sense. The 1st season follows Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), Mabel Mora (Gomez), and Oliver Putnam (Short), as they investigate the residents in their apartment building, the Arconia. The victim is Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) and although his death is ruled a suicide, our sleuths quickly discover evidence to the contrary. As they work to unravel the inner workings of Tim's life, Charles, Mabel, and Oliver realize that they might be closer to the killer than they think.

Striking a balance somewhere between fast-paced crime drama and buddy comedy, the narrative does a great job of developing the characters and their backstories. The series features plenty of scenes that gave fans goosebumps, and it also approaches the subject matter with a subjective curiosity that's typical of true crime podcasts. Season 1 ended on a tense cliffhanger, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. For a show that employs such a unique formula, it can be difficult to please everyone. Now that Season 2 is well underway, let's take a look at one episode that left some fans unsatisfied.

In a Reddit thread focusing on fan criticism of the show, fans agreed that the Season 1 episode "The Boy in 6B" could have played out differently. The installment is told from the viewpoint of Theo Dimas, the deaf son of deli owner and podcast sponsor Teddy Dimas (Nathan Lane). Played by actor James Caverly, who's deaf in real life, Theo initially seems to be on the outskirts of the drama brewing at the Arconia, but the episode reveals that he and his father are at the heart of the mystery.

To portray Theo's point of view, the episode features a distinct lack of dialogue. However, some viewers couldn't help but be distracted by the fact that the characters remain silent even in scenes where Theo isn't present, leaving enough plot holes to drain the Arconia's fountain. "I understand that the intent of this episode is to give the viewer Theo's perspective on life, but he's not in all the scenes. It just doesn't make sense," wrote Reddit u/altimuh.

Although the episode did a great job of moving the plot forward, fans think that a few adjustments would have made the format more poignant. "I think it would've been great if you could hear people talking/yelling etc and as soon as Theo comes into the room there's just silence with people's mouths moving," suggested Reddit u/kelsijah. Regardless of its perceived inconsistencies, the installment is still notable for its compelling presentation and effective execution.

As Charles, Mabel, and Oliver barrel towards the truth, "The Boy in 6B" is the first episode that diverges from their perspective. To make Theo's story stand out among the other episodes, the minds behind "Only Murders in the Building" worked closely with James Caverly to ensure that the narrative thoughtfully represented the deaf community. 

In an interview with Salon, director Cherien Dabis spoke about working closely with Caverly to develop his character's storyline. "He asked, 'How is a deaf audience watching this, who aren't going to be able to hear the difference between Theo's storyline and the storyline of our hearing characters, going to see the difference between them?'" Dabis explained. Despite the challenges the absence of dialogue presented, the episode's visual nuances are key to expressing Theo's side of the story. 

Thanks to Caverly's input, the installment uses the format to its advantage. Even in the scenes where Theo isn't present, the minimal sound only enhances the quickly advancing narrative. Viewers finally learn about that fateful night when Zoe Cassidy (Olivia Reis) fell from the roof of the Arconia, shedding light on Tim Kono's motivations leading up to his death. The sound design only adds to the rising tension by providing an eerie calm in the face of chaos, while still managing to resonate within the overall plot.