Episode 2 of the fresh season of "Only Murders in the Building" gracefully unwinds, set three months prior to the present narrative, offering a poignant glimpse into Ben's (Rudd) creative turmoil. As he grapples with the script, his frustration is palpable, confessing to Oliver that the plot's logic escapes him, the writing overly indulgent, rendering his emotional expression a daunting task.
Fast-forwarding to the present, Mabel finds solace in solitude, her living room a stage for her personal reflection as she indulges in "Girl Cop," the iconic series that catapulted Ben to heartthrob status decades ago. The discovery of a body propels Uma, Charles, and Oliver into immediate action, yet Mabel lingers, camera in hand, capturing Ben's final moments, her mind wandering into a fantasy dialogue with his beloved on-screen persona. She pours out her heart, lamenting the crumbling edifice of her life without the anchor of the Arconia or the podcast's camaraderie. Ben, in her imagination, gently reminds her that even he, amidst the glitz of "Girl Cop," had moments of aimlessness, assuring her that late bloomers often harbor the most breathtaking surprises.
Meanwhile, Oliver's world is unraveling. Donna and Cliff's abrupt decision to dismantle the production has left him in the dark, their refusal to confront him with the news a cruel blow. On the solemn morning of Ben's funeral, the trio, uninvited yet undaunted, finds themselves relegated to "overflow three," a distant viewing gallery where the ceremony upstairs is broadcast on a screen. Oliver's anxiety mounts, culminating in a calculated chaos that, with a touch of Charles's unintended humiliation, allows him to slip away undetected, his mind racing with a thousand unspoken questions.
Mabel accidentally stumbles upon Gregg, Ben's former security guard, who harbors a sinister theory regarding Ben's disappearance. He extends an eerie invitation, urging Mabel to visit his apartment, which she accepts, bringing Charles along for company.
Upon entering his lair, they are initially deceived by Gregg's collection of Ben memorabilia, mistaking him for a fanatical admirer. However, the mood shifts dramatically when they stumble upon photoshopped images of Gregg posing with Ben in framed photographs, a chilling revelation that hints at Gregg's potential psychopathic tendencies. Suddenly, Gregg emerges from the shadows, seizing them both and holding them captive in his basement.
Meanwhile, Oliver's ascent to the upper floors brings him face to face with Maxine, a renowned theater critic with whom he shares a familiar acquaintance. In a moment of desperation, Oliver makes an inappropriate plea, urging Maxine to publish her pre-show review prematurely, hoping to salvage the production's reputation. Maxine, though hesitant, eventually concedes, revealing that her critique was harsh, condemning Ben's performance as abysmal and the play as lacking Oliver's signature sparkle. The revelation shatters Oliver's composure, recalling the intimate conversation he shared with Ben in his dressing room, where he exhorted Ben to embrace fearlessness and authenticity to perfect his role. While Ben's performance initially seemed to bear fruit, Oliver's current state betrays a deeper turmoil.
It is then revealed that Oliver's anxiety has taken a physical toll, resulting in a minor heart attack. The doctor's strict orders to avoid stress for the coming weeks leave Oliver restless and unfulfilled.
Down in Gregg's basement, Mabel and Charles find themselves in a desperate situation, their wrists bound by cuffs. Gregg enters, brandishing his intention to torture and kill them, convinced they are responsible for Ben's demise. In this dire moment, Mabel experiences a flash of insight, realizing that Gregg could not have been Ben's murderer. The revelation triggers a poignant memory of Mabel's own struggles after her father's passing, when her mother retreated into a world of solitude, leaving Mabel yearning for the comfort of Ben's Saab from their shared fondness for the show 'Girl Cop.' Mabel's heart aches with the realization that despite their differences, her mother secretly enjoyed the program just as she did, their laughter echoing through separate rooms, bound by a shared appreciation.
Charles reluctantly acknowledges Ben's unforgivable rudeness towards him, stemming from Charles's role in Ben's dismissal from Brazzos. Ben, the "eternally scarred eight-year-old within," bore the heavy burden of being told he lacked the talent to act, a trauma that forever shaped his awkward demeanor and self-esteem. Flashbacks reveal Ben confronting Charles, laying bare the emotional scars inflicted by that fateful dismissal.
As tensions escalate, the timely arrival of Detective Biswas, a fresh face in this season's narrative, signals a new chapter. Accompanied by his team, they've been tailing Gregg, their prime suspect since Ben's tragic demise. Yet, Mabel uncovers a pivotal clue: Gregg possessed a handkerchief, a gift from Ben to all cast members, indicating his innocence. This revelation sparks a mystery—if Gregg held Ben's hankie, whose did Ben clutch in his final moments, plummeting from the elevator shaft?
For the police, the case appears closed, but Mabel harbors doubts. She believes Gregg's kidnapping spree stemmed from a pure heart, driven by his love for Ben and a relentless quest to uncover the true culprit. In her theory, Ben, in a desperate grasp for identity in his final moments, clutched the murderer's handkerchief.
Emboldened by this newfound purpose, Mabel and her companion embark on a perilous journey. Meanwhile, Oliver's dreamscape offers a surreal respite, where Charles, Mabel, and his beloved son, Will, perform a heartfelt musical plea, urging him to prioritize his health amidst the chaos. Inspired, Oliver excitedly unveils his vision: transforming "Death Rattle" into the dazzling spectacle of "Death Rattle Dazzle," a musical extravaganza. However, his enthusiasm masks a hidden truth—Oliver's own brush with death, a heart attack he hesitates to share with his closest allies.
