Only Murders in the Building Season 3: Top 10 Things You Missed

“Only Murders in the Building” undeniably has one of the best opening credits sequences on television, with its soothing music and clues sprinkled throughout. In connection with this season’s plot, we have theater-related visuals beginning with footlights in episode 1, a lighthouse in episode 3, and the dreaded white rooms in episode 4. In episode 6, we see a falling sandbag, like the one that nearly hits Charles on stage, followed by episode 7’s “Death Rattle” wallpaper, episode 8’s conductor, episode 9’s traveling trio, and the finale’s rising curtains. The standouts are episode 2’s twin blue flames, suggesting two killers, and the heart-shaped smoke in episode 5, implying love, which turns out to be familial.

To say fans were excited that Meryl Streep joined the cast would be an understatement. Her character Loretta Durkin was an instant favorite and we couldn’t get enough of her endless stories of early acting jobs and rejections. In episode 3, she mentions her brief work on the stage production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” This could be a subtle nod to co-star Steve Martin’s role as Orin Scrivello in the 1986 film adaptation. Loretta also gets an exciting opportunity to join a “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff called “Grey’s New Orleans: Family Burn Unit.” If you’ve seen any episodes from season 6 to 19, you’ll know that newcomer Jesse Williams played Jackson Avery on the long-running medical drama. According to showrunner John Hoffman, Williams loved the reference.

season 3’s themes were parenthood and sacrifice, specifically how far a mother would go to protect her son. Loretta secretly being Dickie’s birth mother was a major focus and quite the red herring. In the end, Ben Glenroy’s killers were, of course, mother-son duo Cliff and Donna. However, some might’ve been too distracted by their disturbing kisses to notice other matriarchal mentions. Oliver quotes his mother. Tobert calls out his mom for giving him an odd name and tells a story about a mama elephant coming to her baby’s rescue in Botswana. Mabel has a dream, or maybe a nightmare, about becoming a mother, and reminisces about watching Ben Glenroy’s “Girl Cop” with her mom. Charles, Joy, Sazz, Ben, Howard, and even Bobo all have similar moments as well.

When they first meet at the table read, Loretta refers to Ben Glenroy’s famous character as the CoBro, and he immediately corrects her. Because he’s totally not narcissistic like the Rock or the Pope. Some big names to drag through the mud there, buddy. Turns out his latter call-out might allude to something else. At the end of episode 5, we see an article about the actor and a certain t-shirt scandal. Apparently, he met His Holiness donning a shirt with an inappropriate phrase that was hard to miss. Was it an accident? A prank? The article can’t confirm. But we’re going to wager a guess that it was intentional given that Glenroy’s been quoted as saying he doesn’t “trust a Catholic who wears a yarmulke.”

Paul Rudd enthusiasts may have caught the visual references to the actor’s career that pop up in Ben Glenroy’s Arconia penthouse and in the home of his stalker Gregg. We see posters from Glenroy’s fictional filmography, like “Hannigan’s Wedding Night,” in honor of Rudd’s “Friends” character Mike Hannigan. And of course, “Ant Family Adventures,” is an obvious nod to his MCU hero Ant-Man. There’s also a poster for “Sex Panther”, the name of Brian Fantana’s lethal cologne in “Anchorman.” And the mustachioed field reporter also appears on a prayer candle. The Ben Glenroy bar and bat mitzvah DJ Doll, complete with a limbo pole, body glitter, and what appears to be an air guitar, references Rudd’s former gig as DJ Donnie Dweeb.

The season’s biggest guest star, Meryl Streep, also had a treasure trove of easter eggs incorporated into her character’s adorable little cottagecore living space. There’s a “Suffragette” poster on the wall near the entrance, referencing her 2015 film of the same name. The Christmas card from “Kramer vs. Kramer” can also be found on Loretta’s fridge. Of course, the beloved “The Devil Wears Prada” couldn’t be left out. Set decorator Rich Murray told Variety they splayed the film’s logo along book spines in her quirky bookshelf. Additionally, on Loretta’s desk is an arrangement of French tulips, like the ones seen in “Julie & Julia.” Keen eyes will notice an array of scripts with familiar titles like “August: Osage County” litter the home as well.

Based on his intense reaction at the table read, viewers could tell that Ben Glenroy’s resolve would crumble and he’d eventually eat another Schmackary’s cookie or two at some point. But, little did we know, his weakness for baked goods would almost kill him thanks to Donna’s added sprinkle of rat poison. There were actually a few foreshadowing details in earlier episodes, like Ben saying the doctors thought it might have been something he ate. The sweet treats are actually famous in the New York theater world, known as the “Official Cookie of Broadway.” Lucky for “OMITB” fans, we can get our own special “Death Rattle Dazzle” cookies because we can’t even.

With everything that went on in season 2, you’d be forgiven for missing this next one. In the episode “The Last Day of Bunny Folger,” Charles and Mabel share an elevator ride with the Arconia Board President. When it suddenly stops, the two are visibly nervous, Charles more than Mabel. But Bunny has it up and running in no time. In the season 3 premiere, said elevator is now shut down. And if you recall in season 1, Grover Stanley, Arconia resident and board member, complained about strange noises. These little continuity details are just part of what makes this show such a pleasure to watch.

Season 3 was truly a theater lover’s dream, especially with surprise cameos by Matthew Broderick and Mel Brooks. But if you’re unfamiliar with the Broadway legends, you probably didn’t catch the significance of their appearance. Brooks wrote and directed 1967’s “The Producers” which later became a stage musical that he adapted into another film in 2005. Broderick starred in the latter two productions alongside Nathan Lane, whose Teddy Dimas is absent this season. There are some plot similarities between this season and “The Producers,” namely how bad reviews can tank a show based on a single performance. Some theorized earlier on that Donna and Cliff were also trying to make the play a flop, but as we know, that wasn’t the case.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Gut Milk, “CoBro”
The Questionable Beverage Remains a Staple at the Arconia…for Some Reason

Another One, “Grab Your Hankies”
After Episode 9, It Looked Like That Was the Story We Were Getting

A Literal Cliffhanger, “Opening Night”
Yes, Cliff DeMeo Actually Clings to a Ledge

Lighthouses, “Sitzprobe”
The Centerpiece of the Play Can be Seen in the Dressing Rooms’ Decor

Missing Mangoes, “The Show Must…”
This Mystery Was Never Solved – Did Donna Toss Them Out So Ben Only Had a Cookie to Curb His Anxiety?

After the murder of Ben Glenroy was solved, we held our breath as we prepared ourselves for another body to drop just before the credits rolled. But Charles’ stunt double, Sazz, was not someone we had on our radar. With the way we’re led to believe the victim is initially Charles, it’s likely that the shooter was also targeting him. Earlier in the season, Sazz offhandedly says this: “By the way, are we sure that the killer was after Ben, and not you, Charles?” In the finale, she also says she has something “sensitive” to discuss with Charles. Perhaps it has something to do with Jan? Or maybe Sazz heard something she shouldn’t have. Was it Joy’s new beau Scott Bakula? Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a while to find out.

Did you catch any of these details? Which of your theories turned out to be true? Share your sleuthing in the comments below.