The fifth season of Only Murders in the Building opens with a shocking death – the beloved Arconia doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), is found murdered. This sets Charles, Oliver, and Mabel (Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) on a thrilling new investigative journey, quickly intertwined with the disappearance of mobster Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale). Their initial reluctance to help Nicky's wife, Sofia (Tea Leoni), is shattered by a gruesome discovery: a severed finger in Oliver's shrimp cocktail, linking the two cases in a chilling way.
Their investigation takes them from the familiar confines of the Arconia to the Caccimelio family's Staten Island mansion, a location eerily reminiscent of the Corleones' home in The Godfather. This leads to the unexpected uncovering of a high-stakes gambling den hidden beneath the Arconia, a secret world operating in plain sight.
Further twists unfold as Oliver's attempt to honor Lester's memory leads to the discovery of Nicky's body at the building's dry cleaner's. Flashbacks reveal Lester's quiet complicity in the illegal gambling ring, accepting payments to escort players to the basement games. The season cleverly unveils that the high-roller gamblers include a trio of wealthy, powerful billionaires (Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman), one of whom is missing a finger.
Showrunner John Hoffman explains that this season explores the changing dynamics of New York City, using Lester as a poignant symbol of fading human connection in a technologically driven world. The billionaires represent 'the new mob,' a powerful elite operating in the shadows. The series cleverly examines the themes of value, both monetary and interpersonal, highlighting the importance of human connection in an increasingly impersonal world.
Steve Martin, a co-creator of the series, underscores the irreplaceable role of human interaction, especially in the context of building community. While Lester's replacement, Randall (Jermaine Fowler), brings a new dynamic, the core themes of human connection and the importance of preserving those connections remain central to the narrative. Only Murders in the Building continues its exploration of human relationships, now extending beyond the familiar walls of the Arconia and into a world of larger stakes, maintaining its signature blend of mystery, humor, and poignant human drama.
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Originally published at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/only-murders-in-the-building-eason-5-premiere-explained-1236366391/
