Only Murders in the Building Season 4 has been a serious yet exciting journey filled with twists, surprises, and many guest appearances. The show broke its usual pattern and revealed the killer of the main case before the last episode.
However, the Season 4 finale shows what really happened to Sazz (Jane Lynch) during the important opening night celebrations. Here is what you need to know about Sazz’s murder: she was the real target, her murder was done by one person, and in the end, it was all done for inspiration.
Who Was Sazz’s Protégé?
Sazz (Jane Lynch) admired Rex’s (Jin Ha) screenplay before sharing her own in Only Murders in the Building.
Rex Bailey, also known as Marshall P. Pope (Jin Ha), was Sazz’s stunt protégé. He tried hard to become a screenwriter, using his childhood struggles as the base for his script. Most of his actions came from wanting to show his father that he had real talent.
His accident on Project Ronkonkoma, when he messed up with Ron Howard’s eyebrows, ruined his chances of being a stuntman. So, he decided to focus back on writing.
When he talked to Sazz about his screenplay, she shared that she was also working on a screenplay, based on her friends’ podcast Only Murders in the Building. Her script was a strong first draft, which made Marshall feel very low. He thought, “Why does she get to be talented while I have to struggle for nothing?”
Marshall lied to Sazz and told her that her draft needed improvement. He offered to give her some rewrites. But instead of helping her, he stole her script, put his new screenwriter name on it, and sent it out to anyone who would read it, including Bev Melon (Molly Shannon) at Paramount Studios.
When Sazz found out about the script from some stunt friends looking for work, she confronted Marshall about what he had done. Marshall begged her to keep it a secret, but she said she would tell Charles (Steve Martin) about it after attending his Broadway debut. Marshall decided he would not let her ruin his chance. He had worked too hard.
Did Sazz’s Killer Really Do It All By Himself?
Marshall (Jin Ha) reconsiders what he’s about to do to his mentor, Sazz (Jane Lynch).
Knowing that Sazz would be at Charles’ apartment the next day, Marshall booked a red-eye flight at the empty Dudenoff apartment, which he remembered from Sazz’s first draft. He snuck into the apartment and aimed at Sazz as she walked down the sidewalk.
Just as he was about to take the shot, he hesitated and told himself, “You’re not a killer, you’re a writer.” But after that quick pep talk, he faced the fact that he wasn’t a writer yet. Motivated by the chance to create valuable writing material, he shot Sazz through the window.
Marshall was a skilled stuntman and had no fear of heights. He stepped out onto the ledge, which explains the boot print left on the windowsill. He quickly moved down the side of the building to the window of Charles’ apartment. Sazz’s last words to Marshall were, “He’s gonna get you… my Number One.”
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
After she died, he took her body and disposed of it in the old incinerator. Contrary to what the trio thought, it really took one person 12 minutes to hit and dispose of Sazz’s body from the other side of the Arconia.
Charles Finally Taps In, With a Little Help From His Friends
When Mabel (Selena Gomez) confronted Marshall about the stolen script, he threatened her life. He alerted Charles and Oliver (Martin Short), who were in Charles’ apartment across the building. Mabel bought some time by saying she would help improve Marshall’s script.
Meanwhile, Charles and Oliver bravely made their way across the window ledge from Vince’s (Richard Kind) apartment next door. They originally meant to sneak Mabel out through the window, but Charles ended up entering the apartment while Vince and Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani) distracted Marshall.
He threatened Marshall with Eva Longoria’s 19-in-1 multi-tool, making him defenseless. After Marshall confessed to the murder and explained everything at (sort of) gunpoint, he got the upper hand and prepared to take them all out. But just as he shouted, “Welcome to the end of your movie,” he collapsed at their feet, shot in the back.
The gang looked over to find Jan Bellows (Amy Ryan), Charles’ crazy ex-girlfriend, waving from Charles’ apartment window. She had been hiding in his closet and the apartment for three weeks, waiting for the right moment to get revenge on the killer of their beloved Sazz.
Life Goes On at the Arconia, But So Does Murder
Loretta (Meryl Streep) and Oliver (Martin Short) walk down the aisle as newlyweds in Only Murders in the Building.
After everything settled down with the case, the trio chose to celebrate by visiting the set of their movie, which was still in production. Charles admitted that he appreciated the movie much more now, knowing it was a love letter to him from Sazz.
Their doubles patted themselves on the back for their small part in solving Sazz’s case, even though their brief collaboration left many loose ends. Bev Melon set up a pitch meeting with Mabel, who decided to change her idea from a movie about buttons to a film that would tell Sazz’s story. Mabel and Oliver watched Charles find peace within himself as he spoke to Sazz’s “ghost” one last time.
Oliver and Loretta finally had their wedding in the courtyard of the Arconia. Before the wedding, Loretta got news that her show was moving to New Zealand. This worried her because she feared she and Oliver would be separated just after they got married. Oliver happily offered to move to New Zealand with her. But she thought that he would get homesick and miss Mabel and Charles, so she agreed to accept a long-distance relationship.
Throughout the finale, Charles and Oliver noticed a pattern: every time they closed a case, another one opened. This made Oliver anxious that Loretta might be next. But he calmed down when she walked down the aisle.
Charles and Mabel then met Sofia Caccimelio (Téa Leoni), who wanted to hire them to find her presumably deceased husband, Nicky. In the last episode of Only Murders, a news story reported that Nicky “The Neck” Caccimelio, known as “the Dry Cleaning King of Brooklyn,” had gone missing.
Charles and Mabel turned down Sofia’s offer since it didn’t involve the Arconia, even though Sofia argued that what happened to Nicky had everything to do with the Arconia.
Regardless, they went their separate ways. When Charles, Mabel, and Oliver met to wrap up their podcast recording, they congratulated themselves for getting through the entire wedding without a new body to investigate. That was until they found their familiar Arconia doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), murdered in the courtyard fountain.
The Complex Web of Relationships
The finale highlighted not just the mystery surrounding Sazz’s murder but also the complex relationships among the characters. Throughout the season, we have seen Charles, Oliver, and Mabel grow closer. Their friendship has deepened as they solved one mystery after another. This time, they faced their biggest challenge yet, which put their bonds to the test.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
Charles, played by Steve Martin, is often seen as the serious one in the group. He cares deeply about his friends and feels a sense of responsibility for their safety. His character has gone through much development throughout the series, showing his vulnerability and determination to protect those he loves.
His relationship with Mabel has grown from one of mentorship to one of genuine friendship. They have shared many moments that have built a strong foundation for their partnership.
Mabel, portrayed by Selena Gomez, is the heart of the group. She brings energy and creativity to the table, often balancing Charles’ serious nature. Mabel’s relationship with Oliver, played by Martin Short, is filled with humor and warmth. They often find themselves joking and making light of tough situations, providing comic relief during darker moments in the storyline.
Oliver, the flamboyant and dramatic character, is often the life of the party. His relationships with both Charles and Mabel showcase a mix of humor and deep emotional connection.
His willingness to go to great lengths to protect his friends adds another layer to his character. The wedding scenes, in particular, illustrate how these characters come together to celebrate love and friendship in the face of adversity.
The Theme of Inspiration
A strong theme of inspiration runs throughout the season. Sazz’s murder serves as a catalyst for many of the characters to reflect on their lives and careers. Rex’s actions, driven by jealousy and the desire to succeed, highlight the darker side of ambition.
Instead of being inspired by Sazz, he chose to sabotage her, leading to tragic consequences. This theme encourages viewers to consider how they handle their aspirations and relationships.
Sazz’s character represents the idea of mentorship and support. Her encouragement of Rex’s writing dreams shows her belief in nurturing talent, but her tragic end forces everyone to reckon with the consequences of ambition gone wrong. The finale ties these themes together beautifully, reminding the audience that inspiration can lead to both creation and destruction.
The Future of the Arconia
As the season comes to a close, the future of the Arconia is uncertain. The murder of Lester raises questions about safety and security in the building. The characters have faced one murder after another, and now they must confront the reality that their home is a dangerous place. This sets the stage for the next season, which promises to be just as thrilling.
The open-ended nature of the finale leaves viewers wanting more. Charles, Mabel, and Oliver’s journey is far from over. The introduction of new characters, like Sofia, hints at more mysteries to solve and more adventures ahead. The Arconia itself remains a character in the story, with its history and secrets continuing to unfold.
Final Thoughts
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 has taken viewers on a wild ride, blending mystery, humor, and heartfelt moments. The season finale ties up some loose ends while opening new doors for future storytelling. Sazz’s tragic story serves as a reminder of the complexities of ambition and the importance of friendship.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
As the trio moves forward, they will undoubtedly face new challenges, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in their story.
All episodes of Only Murders in the Building Season 4 are available to stream on Hulu. The blend of humor, suspense, and emotional depth keeps viewers engaged and invested in the lives of these characters, making the show a standout in the streaming television world.
The game of Big Brother underwent some significant changes for its 26th season, introducing new elements that added excitement and unpredictability to the show. Traditionally, the Head of Household (HOH) would nominate two houseguests for eviction each week.
However, in season 26, this changed, allowing the HOH to nominate three houseguests instead. This adjustment brought a fresh dynamic to the game, as it created more drama and strategy among the contestants.
One of the main features of this season was the veto competition. After the HOH made their nominations, houseguests had the chance to compete for the Power of Veto. Winning this competition is crucial because it allows the victor to save one of the nominated houseguests.
If a nominee won the veto, the HOH had to replace them with another houseguest, increasing the stakes for everyone involved. This twist not only changed the strategy for nominees but also impacted how the HOH approached their nominations. The HOH had to be more cautious about their target since they could easily lose control of the situation if the nominee was saved.
‘Big Brother 27’s Twist Will Be Similar to BB AI Arena in Season 26
To add another layer of excitement, the nominees had the opportunity to compete in the BB A.I. Arena. This competition was designed to give the nominees a chance to save themselves from eviction. It was a unique twist that made the outcome of each week less predictable.
The BB A.I. Arena was introduced as a new twist to enhance the full experience for both the houseguests and the viewers. The chance for nominees to compete for their safety provided a thrilling element that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Houseguests who found themselves on the block often felt reassured by the new rules. Knowing they had two opportunities to take themselves off the block made the pressure a little lighter. They could strategize on how best to approach the competitions and work with other houseguests to secure their safety.
This element of the game helped to ease the tension that comes with being nominated and added an extra layer of strategy that was not present in previous seasons.
The HOH also faced new challenges this season. With three nominees on the block, it was more difficult to keep their targets hidden. The potential for an unexpected twist in the competitions meant that the HOH had to think more strategically about how they planned their week.
This led to a more dynamic gameplay setting where alliances and strategies were constantly shifting. The competitions could alter the course of the game at any moment, forcing houseguests to adapt quickly to new circumstances.
Producers Rich Meehan and Alison Grodner shared their excitement about the new format during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. They expressed their satisfaction with how the changes were received by fans and noted that the positive response was encouraging.
“It was lovely,” Grodner said about the audience’s reaction. “It was really nice. And the reception from our usually very critical fan base was really positive, so it was a nice summer.” This affirmation from producers shows that they are paying attention to audience feedback and are willing to make adjustments to enhance the viewing experience.
Still from Big Brother 26 (Credit: CBS)
One of the key issues that the BB A.I. Arena aimed to address was the tendency for unanimous votes in previous seasons. Meehan pointed out that over the years, the show saw many unanimous votes, which made for predictable outcomes.
Houseguests often chose to vote with the house to avoid becoming a target themselves. This trend diminished the excitement of the eviction process. The BB A.I. Arena allowed for more individuality among the houseguests, as each nominee had the opportunity to fight for their place in the game.
“We felt like it kind of got into a little bit of a pattern over the last few years when there were a lot of unanimous votes,” Meehan explained. This change in the voting dynamic led to situations where each nominee received votes to evict, creating a more engaging experience for the audience.
The addition of the arena gave the houseguests a way to stand out and fight for their survival in the game, which brought back some of the suspense that had been lacking in previous seasons.
As the season progressed, it became clear that the new twists were working. Houseguests had to stay on their toes, and alliances shifted as players took advantage of the unpredictable nature of the game.
The competitions became more crucial, and the strategy involved in each nomination and eviction became even more complex. Houseguests had to think about not only their own safety but also how their decisions impacted their standing with others in the house.
Looking ahead, the producers have hinted at more exciting changes for the upcoming season, Big Brother 27. Grodner stated, “I think it’s something that as we look towards the summer, nothing’s ever going to be exactly the same. We love mixing things up. But I think the essence of that is very likely to be carried forward.”
This statement indicates that fans can expect to see the successful elements of season 26 return, with new twists and turns to keep the game fresh and engaging.
One point of interest for fans is the absence of the Big Brother: Reindeer Games twist this year. While some fans enjoyed this special edition, others were eager to see a return to the traditional format.
Producers are focusing on refining the main game, and they aim to introduce the new version of the arena in season 27. Viewers will have to wait and see how these changes play out in the next summer’s installment of the show.
Still from Big Brother 26 (Credit: CBS)
Season 26 of Big Brother brought significant changes that enhanced the gameplay and made the experience more exciting for both the houseguests and the viewers. The introduction of three nominees instead of two, the Power of Veto competitions, and the BB A.I. Arena created a more unpredictable and engaging season.
Fans can look forward to more twists and surprises in Big Brother 27 as the producers continue to evolve the game and keep the audience on their toes. With these changes, Big Brother remains an attractive reality show that keeps viewers coming back for more each summer.
