The thrilling culmination of Only Murders in the Building's third season kicks off with a poignant monologue from our prime suspect, Donna, a seasoned producer whose life's tapestry weaves a rich narrative of triumphs and setbacks. Yet, amidst the tapestry's intricate patterns, one thread shines brightest: her undying love for Cliff, her cherished son, born amidst the hustle and bustle of her professional life. Balancing the demanding realms of production with the unwavering responsibilities of motherhood, Donna embodies the depths of a mother's protective instincts, hinting at the mystery's crucial clue.
Loretta, now liberated from her constraints, steps gracefully into the trio's exclusive circle of murder-solving experts, offering her astute mind as a valuable asset. Her bond with Dickie remains shrouded in secrecy, a revelation she meticulously plans to unravel on the auspicious night of Oliver's play's premiere.
Mabel, the perceptive detective at heart, notes a crucial flaw in their case against Donna: while the evidence for poisoning is compelling, it falls short of securing a conviction for the fatal push. Just as the puzzle seems unsolvable, Loretta produces the missing piece, a revelation that seals the case's fate. Moreover, whispers of Donna's "illness," a haunting suggestion from Loretta's earlier encounter in episode 8, linger in the air, adding an ominous layer to the narrative.
On the glamorous opening night, Donna is artfully lured to KT's office, where the trio initiates their signature "Gotcha!" maneuver. But Donna, unfazed, preemptively confesses, leaving Mabel's carefully crafted dramatic reveal in shambles as Tobert dutifully records her words. Donna insists her intention was never to end Ben's life but merely to "knock him off his pedestal," fearing the play's imminent failure.
The pivotal evidence Loretta unveils—Ben's bloodstained handkerchief, marred with a lipstick stain that matches Donna's own—seems incontrovertible. Donna, resigned, accepts the charges. Yet, Mabel and the audience alike detect a subtle hesitancy in her tone and demeanor, fueling speculations: Could this confession be a veil, shielding another's guilt? The stage is set for a dramatic reversal, as the truth behind these murders continues to unravel, layer by intricate layer.
Donna, tears streaming down her face, reveals with a heavy heart that she has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She implores them, with a trembling voice, to hold off on calling the police until the curtain falls on the opening night's performance. Suddenly, Howard strides in with a somber expression, delivering the devastating news to Oliver that Jonathan has tragically succumbed to the consequences of the pills.
The understudy for Ben's role is in shambles, leaving a gaping hole in the production. Oliver, mistaking Howard's subtle hint, believes he's the one meant to step into the breach—a reluctant hero who shuns the spotlight yet knows the character's every line and nuance. Without hesitation, he seizes the moment, launching the show with a rousing rendition of "Creature of the Night."
Meanwhile, Mabel and Tobert share a quiet conversation backstage, where Tobert confides that he's been offered a lead role in an indie film in LA, and his heart's desire is for Mabel to accompany him. Their exchange is interrupted by an emotional outburst from Loretta as she confesses the truth about her and Dickie's relationship to him. Dickie, overjoyed by the revelation, pulls her into a tight embrace, unaware that Mabel, eavesdropping from the other side of the wall, uncovers a shocking secret—Donna's deception in shielding the real killer, Cliff.
Mabel, fueled by this newfound knowledge, storms up to the rafters, confronting Cliff with the truth that she now holds. The scene flashes back to that fateful night, revealing Ben's confusion when his doctor mentioned rat poison, for he was fasting—a paradox that defied explanation. As Ben accused Donna of poisoning the cookie, Cliff stood by, taunting Ben with his disapproval of Donna's casting choice, branding him a fraud and a failure. The tension boiled over into a physical confrontation, with Cliff shoving Ben down the elevator shaft, sealing his fate.
This recounting paints a vivid picture of deceit, betrayal, and the fragile balance of truth teetering on the edge of discovery.
Cliff, freshly informed by Donna of her heartfelt confession, stands precariously perched on the rafters, his threat to leap into the abyss hanging heavily in the air as Mabel meticulously pieces together the night's tragic turn of events. The truth dawns: Ben's demise was not a sinister murder, but a heartbreaking accident. This revelation sends Cliff into a tailspin of agitation, his nerves frayed to the breaking point.
As the drama draws to a dramatic close, the audience is left perplexed when Oliver, spotting Cliff dangling perilously, rushes up the stairs, Charles hot on his heels. Just as Cliff's resolve falters and he prepares to relinquish his grip, Donna's hand reaches out, grasping his firmly. Her soothing words and unwavering declaration of love serve as a balm to Cliff's tormented soul, his eyes betraying a profound sense of remorse.
Maxine's review glows with praise, signaling Oliver Putnam's triumphant return to the spotlight. Dickie delivers the news of potential opportunities for Loretta, who confides in Oliver that accepting them would necessitate a relocation. Oliver vows to accompany her, assuring her that they'll face this new chapter together. Mabel, on the other hand, politely declines Tobert's invitation to embark on a journey with him, promising only to visit Los Angeles whenever fate allows.
The afterparty is thrown into a tizzy by the unexpected arrival of Sazz Pataki, her presence a delightful surprise. Text messages reveal Joy's emotional detachment from Charles, who, intent on making amends, vows to bring a cherished bottle of wine from his abode. Yet, it is Sazz who makes the journey, her fateful presence foreshadowing a tragic turn.
In a poignant ritual befitting the season's finale, Sazz becomes the unintended victim of a sniper's bullet, her life cut short through a windowpane. Charles, the intended target, remains unscathed, his confusion mounting as he searches for Sazz amidst the chaos of the afterparty. Sazz, her strength waning, struggles to scrawl a message—perhaps a clue to unlock the mystery—but the camera cruelly cuts away, leaving us on the edge of our seats, yearning for answers.
