Only Murders in the Building Season 5: Episode 7 “Silver Alert” Review

While we are now firmly entrenched in what I like to call “bridge the gap” episodes for the season, the Oct 7 release of Episode 7 of Only Murders in the Building has the series holding steady with its core strength of quirky comedy, character chemistry, and convincing mystery, to keep you locked in to the bitter end. 

Though, at times, this particular episode feels like filler, it does enough of a job to stay engaging as it seeks to move the story forward, or, at the very least, closer to solving this season’s whodunit. Nevertheless, from gratuitous product placements (we see you Apple) to a carousel of celebrity guest appearances, Only Murders continues to solidify its place in the lexicon of pop culture.

Season 5 has found the Arconia still at the heart of the murder mystery comedy for leads Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as our trusty trio of true crime podcasters remains hot on the investigation of a double murder in their beloved apartment complex. Though their crazy work of solving crimes year after year often begs the question that no one is asking, why are the proper authorities not hot on that same trail? Even the Mayor, played by the always hilarious Keegan-Michael Key, seems to turn to them for answers, more often than not.

Mayor Tillman’s presence has come in spurts since the season opening memorial service for deceased doorman Lester Coluca. Known for his versatile and energetic acting style, Only Murders is a show custom-made for Key’s talent, which, funny enough, blends elements of screwball humor with character-driven performances. Ever the showman with a background in improv, Key manages to steal every scene he’s in, exuding energy at every turn, whether he’s onscreen for five minutes or two.

“Silver Alert,” as the episode is entitled, opens with Mayor Tillman accepting an invitation by the amateur sleuths to be their first guest on their newly revamped podcast now that the bevy of billionaires and would-be murder suspects have taken ownership of their airwaves with their streaming deal debacle of episode 4.

Though the interview most likely will never make it to air, Mayor Tillman uses the encounter to enlighten the trio on his relationship with his largest campaign donor, billionaire Tech guru Bash Steed, played by the enigmatic Christoph Waltz. And, of course, the donations could not come without requests, which included finding a job for Steed’s niece as the Mayor’s assistant. It’s not what you know, but who you know, right?!

After sending the niece on an errand to keep her out of earshot, the Mayor warns the trio that they are getting warmer with the billionaires topping their suspects list in Lester’s murder. It seems the nefarious trio may be looking to fund a development to build the first ever legit casino in NYC. Tillman encourages Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to further investigate, telling them of a billionaire boys and girls club meeting taking place at a Bash’s villainous lair upstate.

Always with a flair for the dramatic and a bit of paranoia about “going to the country,” as it were, and Oliver over prepares for the road trip with all the pomp and circumstance only Oliver can muster, donning a pair of gaudy cowboy boots once gifted to him by the one-and-only Wonder Woman, herself, Lynda Carter. Go big or go home!

When they arrive at the address the Mayor provided, our fav super sleuths cross paths with a rather creepy kid whose skin hasn’t seen the sun since birth, whittling his first shiv for some afternoon fun. Hey, kids will be kids. You can’t make this stuff up.

Inside the expansive property that reeks of new money trying desperately to appear old, the trio of podcasters find the trio of billionaires engrossed in a wicked OG game of Operation. Yes, that one, and yes, it is always the spleen! Answering the age-old question of what do billionaires do when billionaires are bored.

Quickly dispensing of pleasantries, Bash invites the amateur sleuths to stay and watch them play board games to assure that nothing is afoot, particularly, when they merely take home a gold-plated trophy as winner. Nevertheless, the super sleuths opt to split up to get information out of the money-making murderers. Oliver uses the time to confess to Camila White (Renee Zelleweger) that he has accepted an offer on his apartment. She asks for a debt of gratitude for her redecorating gift that obviously scored him the bid. 

Throughout this season, Zelleweger has showcased, once again, why she is a two-time Oscar winner with the myriad of ways she completely morphs into her onscreen personas. Though you love to hate her as Camila — the billionaire socialite proving to be a decorative thorn in Oliver’s side, Zelleweger’s performance still carries a relatable vulnerability in this overtly flawed character. With her distinctive breathy vocal delivery, permanently pursed lips, and tone on tone beige as wallpaper fashion ensembles, she embodies the smug rich girl trope in a way that is both fun and campy.

Still reeling from being catfished, Charles follows Bash Steed to his garden to watch as the eccentric father slices tree bark to feed to his son, as some new-age nutrition supplement. Mind you, little Algie, is standing in a literal cesspool that looks like a cast off set design from the Addams Family. Charles pulls no punches calling out Daddy Warbucks for supposed murder. 

Meanwhile, back in the big house, Mabel finds billionaire black sheep Jay Pflug (Logan Lerman) in the estate’s hallway waving his nine digits around in the air. In between dodging questions and asking her out, Jay lets it slip that the bored billionaires often use creepy game nights to settle important bets, not unlike they did back at the Arconia on the night of Lester’s murder. Oops! Was he supposed to say that?!

To call the suspects’ bluff, Mabel challenges them to playing games to get more answers. Despite “giving up the podcast” being on the line to sweeten the deal, Oliver bows out unexpectedly, knowing he now has someone to lose with his new wife on canvas. He dips, leaving his friends to go head-to-head in a rousing game of “name that celebrity.”

When it looks as if the billionaires might sweep, Charles and Mabel rally to pull out a win with broadway favorites. Oh, Oliver would be so proud. 

The case is cracked wide open when Mabel deliberately breaks the billionaires’ traveling trophy to find a key piece of missing evidence in Lester’s murder!

When Oliver goes missing, himself, in a cell service dead zone on the property, his beloved wife Loretta sends up a silver alert with the authorities, leaving an unsuspecting couple mistaking Oliver for a flamboyant sundowner off his meds. Of course, his fantastical recounting of the story about the billionaires and his life with Charles and Mabel does not help. Concerned for his sanity, the couple try to apprehend him.

Back at the Arconia, Camila arrives to wrap up the episode with the proverbial plot twist we did not see coming. The podcasters are enlightened yet again, as the socialite unveils her own plans for the new casino that will once again put the Arconia at the epicenter of the past and progress, only this time, leaving all those who call her home out in the cold.

And, just when you think you have it all figured out, someone goes and rearranges the furniture.

With just three episodes left, the countdown to the season 5 reveal showdown has begun. To catch up on previous episodes, Only Murders In The Building is available now for download on Hulu. New episodes drop weekly on Tuesdays.

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