Episode 4 of Only Murders in The Building Season 2 abruptly plunges you into a disorienting opening, showcasing a youthful Charles serenading a pint-sized Lucy with a song. The scene shifts seamlessly to a grown-up Lucy, secluded in a dimly lit space, recording herself, her voice echoing with the promise of a future encounter. In the present tense, Charles engages in a digital tête-à-tête with Lucy, who casually mentions his ex-wife's impending nuptials—yet another—and hints at a possible visit.
Charles embarks on the Brazos shoot with a sprightly demeanor, but the joviality fades swiftly. The director pulls him aside, divulging the studio's strategic adjustments to his character amidst his precarious legal entanglements. For his protection and the show's contingency plan, Charles is transformed into a slightly "unhinged" figure confined to a "wheelchair," a drastic shift in his narrative arc.
Fuming, Charles retreats to his vanity van, only to find an unexpected guest—Lucy, waiting within. Meanwhile, Oliver's son grapples with directing the school's production of The Wizard of Oz, a task that leaves Oliver stretched thin between familial duties and the looming case.
On the elevator, Oliver's world collides with an unwelcome sight—Teddy Dimas, whose menacing presence foreshadows a looming confrontation. Teddy, along with his son, treads through a tumultuous period as they await trial, and Teddy vows to strike Oliver when least expected, a promise dripping with malice.
Charles grapples with Lucy's "Gen Z" jargon, turning to Mabel for assistance, but even she finds herself at a loss for words. It's Lucy, quite by chance, who stumbles upon the incriminating murder weapon perched on Charles' kitchen counter, a discovery that unravels a deeper mystery. Oliver's confession as the true owner of the knife adds a twist to the tale, and the trio's chance encounter with Howard, who stands eerily beneath the knife embedded in the ceiling, provides a comical yet chilling detour. Howard's revelation about Nina's hidden violent tendencies and her potential involvement in Bunny's murder only deepens the labyrinthine web of secrets and suspicions.
Lucy unveils a clandestine passage hidden within Charles' bathroom, revealing the murderer's sinister strategy of planting incriminating evidence within his own abode. This concealed thoroughfare, absent from the architectural blueprints, was a chance discovery for Lucy during her playtime escapades with her former neighbor, Anaya. It begs the question: how many more untold secrets does the aged Arconia building harbor?
Oliver strategically splits off to keep watch over the Dimas siblings, while Mable and Charles redirect their focus to Nina. They uncover her ambitious plan, along with her beau, to revitalize the building's fortunes through renovations, explaining the tragic necessity behind Bunny's "departure." Oliver's spying leads him to a jarring confrontation between Theo and Teddy, a sobering spectacle that leaves a profound impact.
The quartet then converges on Nina's apartment, intent on confronting her with the truth of her involvement. However, their intentions are swiftly overshadowed by an unexpected turn of events as Nina's waters break, signaling the imminent arrival of her child. Amidst the chaos, Charles' genuine compassion soothes Nina's frayed nerves until medical aid arrives.
A heart-to-heart conversation between Mable and Lucy ensues, with Mable urging Lucy to confess the real reason behind her return to Charles' life. Lucy's revelation unfolds, a tale of familial discord; she skipped her mother's wedding due to her disdain for the new spouse, admitting that Charles holds a special place in her heart, surpassing even her own siblings. Though Charles ultimately sends her back to Connecticut, Lucy's parting words serve as a poignant warning: "Strengthen yourself, Charles. Reach them before they can reach you."
It is then disclosed that the footage featuring Lucy from the episode's onset was captured on the very night of the murder. She had intended to surprise Charles on the day of her mother's wedding, seeking to reignite their bond, only to flee at the last moment upon encountering the murderer, narrowly escaping a confrontation that utilized the very passage they had earlier uncovered. Lastly, Charles' phone records reveal a slew of missed calls from an "unknown" number, prompting him to visit Jan in prison, the mysterious caller finally revealed.
