The title of this episode, though clichéd, hints at a nostalgic turn in unraveling the mystery surrounding Bunny Folger's murder in the season 2 finale of "Only Murders in the Building." The narrative kicks off with Becky, alias Poppy, embarking on a poignant voiceover, painting a bleak portrait of her mundane, soul-crushing existence in Oklahoma. Enmeshed in the shadows of an alcoholic father and a tyrannical, perverted boss—the town's Mayor—her life seems devoid of purpose.
Inspired by a spark of hope ignited by Cinda's podcast about Elizabeth Davies, Becky conceives a daring plan: to vanish into thin air. Her determination is so fierce that she even delves into the depths of the internet, researching the art of disappearing before executing her escape. Flashbacks reveal her bold move, approaching Cinda with her own tale, a tale that would propel Cinda's podcast to new heights of popularity.
Ironically, the phrase "All if not Okay in Oklahoma" stems from Mayor Tipton's—Becky's former tormentor—campaign slogan, "All is OK," a twisted testament to the hypocrisy of her former life. As Cinda basks in the glow of her podcast's success, she yearns for a fresh challenge, a simple "murder" to unravel and document. Poppy's mention of a Rose Cooper painting piques her interest momentarily, but is swiftly dismissed.
The stage is set for the finale, where Mabel drops a bombshell: Cinda is the puppet master behind the crimes. The trio, determined to thwart Cinda's nefarious plans before her podcast finale implicates them, must act swiftly and strategically. Mabel's curiosity lingers over the enigmatic connection between "14 Savage" and Cinda, while Charles and Oliver grapple with crafting the perfect metaphor to encapsulate their predicament.
In search of a plan to extract a confession from Cinda, they turn to Poppy for guidance. Their rendezvous at the Pickle Diner is fraught with urgency as they seek her insight into Cinda's psyche. Poppy's eccentric suggestions—slow-motion scenarios and the intricate anatomy of a tomato—though bizarre, hint at the depths of her own disturbed mind, potentially holding the key to unraveling Cinda's.
Just as they delve deeper into their discussion, Poppy receives a call from Cinda, requesting an eccentric sandwich combination: liverwurst and marmalade, a request that adds yet another layer of intrigue to this already complex web of deceit and deception.
Bunny's disdain for the sandwich was palpable, as Ivan discreetly divulged, even branding it a "freakish culinary aberration." Before Charles echoed her sentiments, the trio had already deduced the killer's identity, their minds united in this grim realization. A mysterious email, its tone ominous, summoned building residents to Bunny's apartment for a so-called "Killer Reveal Party," clarifying the intent was to unveil the murderer, not host a festive gathering with one. Howard and Cinda, alike, stumbled over the wording, their confusion a testament to the intrigue at play.
As anticipation simmered among the gathered, the trio burst in, armed with cameras, tripods, and all the trappings of a theatrical production. Oliver took the helm, orchestrating a dramatic play that would lead to the grand reveal. Lester, Howard, and his new accomplice embraced the ruse wholeheartedly, their eagerness palpable as they plotted to elicit a confession from Cinda and secure justice for Bunny. The air was thick with the anticipation of a climactic finale.
With Oliver initiating the live stream, Cinda and Poppy entered, their own recording gear in tow, intent on capturing Mabel's admission. Cinda sat primly in a chair, Poppy by her side, managing the equipment as always. The trio recounted the events surrounding the murder, their narration succinct yet potent, their words echoing Mabel's silent acknowledgment.
In a dramatic flourish, Charles abruptly pointed the finger at Cinda, the revelation sending shockwaves through her. Lester and Howard followed suit, their actions choreographed by Oliver's deft direction. Just as Charles declared, "We have the murderer here," Alice materialized, gracefully taking her seat on the sofa, her arrival timed to perfection. The question lingered: was Alice the perpetrator, and was Cinda an unwitting pawn in the trio's elaborate scheme?
Then, Charles began to move in slow motion, a calculated maneuver to unnerve Cinda. Oliver joined the dance of the surreal, their synchronized movements having the intended effect. The entire ensemble, save for Mabel, succumbed to the slow-motion madness, crafting a hilarious and unforgettable scene from the unfolding finale. Cinda attempted to flee, but Charles had one last trick up his sleeve: the precise slicing of a tomato before her eyes. As the evidence against her mounted, Cinda pleaded her innocence, her voice echoing through the tense atmosphere.
A prolonged silence lingered at the utterance of "because," affording Mabel the opportunity to interject, "Because she didn't do it," her finger pointed accusingly toward the true perpetrator – Alice. The cryptic phrase "14 Savage" unravelled to mean "14 million for the elusive Savage masterpiece," a revelation Bunny had sought to convey to Mabel amidst the chaos.
Alice's sudden appearance post-murder, with nefarious intentions to capitalize on Mabel's misfortune, became apparent. She sought to inflate the value of her art by falsely implicating Mabel in Bunny's death. As Alice lunged for a knife, intent on striking Mabel, Charles intervened, shoving her aside, only to grasp the weapon himself. In a tragic turn, he succumbed to its blade moments later, his lifeless form now the centerpiece of the room, as the stunned guests awaited the police's arrival.
Alice was swiftly restrained by the gathering, while Cinda offered Mabel solace, commending her investigative prowess on the podcast and, oddly, suggesting she embark on a solo venture. This unusual suggestion hung in the air, unexplained, until Poppy erupted, lambasting Cinda for exploiting her services and dismissing Mabel's discovery as mere luck.
As Poppy approached the couch, her sneezing fits intensified, inadvertently drawing attention to Mrs. Gambolini's cage, kept nearby by Oliver's doing. Poppy's mention of her painting concept prompted Mabel to remark that Poppy's fascination lay not solely in Cinda's art but also in Bunny's masterpiece and the story it entailed. The relentless sneezing served as a clue, leading Mabel to deduce that even the killer suffered from allergies.
Poppy's scathing dismissal of their trust in Mabel's deductions inadvertently exposed her own guilt. Her knowledge of Lucy's presence with the killer that fateful night in the catacombs sealed her fate. Cinda's use of the name "Becky" unveiled her complicity in the trio's scheme to uncover the real culprit – Poppy.
To everyone's surprise, Charles stirred, confirming the elaborate ruse. With her guilt laid bare, Poppy seized control of the narrative, detailing her machinations: orchestrating the evacuation message to lure Mabel and the others away, only to return to sabotage Mabel's efforts. Williams' revelation that the knife prints matched a deceased girl from Oklahoma had been a clever distraction, one Mabel had swiftly decoded.
The tense scene unfolded, each revelation adding depth and intrigue to the already complex web of deceit.
The enigmatic "14 Savage" on the Pickle Diner's menu is unveiled as a playful twist on "#14 Sandwich," a concoction of liverwurst and marmalade that challenges the palate. As Williams strides in, his presence casts a somber shadow over the diner, arresting Poppy while Kreps stands nearby, handcuffed, a stark contrast to their former camaraderie.
A fleeting glimpse into the past reveals Kreps and Poppy's sinister plot, their voices hushed yet resolute as they plot Bunny's demise, convinced that her fate paves the way for a prosperous future entwined. Their shared ambition overshadows the tender moment captured in a brief clip from the bar, where Poppy stands beside Cinda, unaware of the treacherous waters ahead.
The podcast's conclusion, with Cinda and the trio unraveling the truth, brings a sense of closure, and life slowly returns to a semblance of normalcy. Charles' stardom skyrockets, the network's anointing him as the show's new shining light. Amidst this success, he tentatively extends an invitation to Joy, the makeup artist, his heart on his sleeve.
Mabel's apartment undergoes a transformation as she invites Alice to breathe new life into the walls, though their personal relationship remains a chapter closed. Oliver, finding strength in honesty, shares the truth about his biological origins with William, who embraces the revelation with grace. In his heart, Oliver stands as the unwavering father figure he's always been.
As fate takes its course, Oliver receives a call from Donna, summoning him to helm a Broadway spectacle a year hence, starring none other than Ben Gilroy, played with charisma by Paul Rudd. The year flies by, culminating in the grand premiere, where Oliver guides Ben through his final preparations, the tension palpable as Ben vows, half-jokingly, to outshine his costar.
Charles, that costar, confronts Ben with a knowing gaze, a warning laced with secrets. The audience hushes as the curtain prepares to ascend, anticipation thick in the air. Mabel, seated among Lucy, Joy, and Oliver, utters a wry observation: "A year without murder, indeed, a blessing."
But as Ben commences his soliloquy, the tranquility is shattered. Words falter, his expression contorting in discomfort, until he crumples to the stage, blood staining his lips. Charles' solemn confirmation of Ben's fate leaves Mabel stunned, disbelief etched on her face. "You've got to be kidding me," she murmurs, as the theater erupts into chaos, the night forever etched in memory as a turning point, both theatrical and sinister.
