“You Can Check Out Anytime You Like, But You Can Never Leave”

Only Murders in the Building is a stand out show among reboots, prequels, and sequels. Wacky characters appear every episode to “send the investigation in a new direction.” However, there is one character that stands out and is not a person at all. The building itself. The Arconia unveils bits about itself every episode. She has her secrets and only reveals them in due time. Season One we meet Tim Kono on the elevator with a suspicious bag of trash and his murder is only resolved after they discover its origins. The closed fireplaces provide the final evidence of the murderer. Mabel’s mural of all the residents on her apartment wall leads us to a new, curious character. Hidden elevators hide people’s secrets. Priceless stolen artwork. And above all, the only true witness to any of the murders–despite what Mrs Gambolini says–is The Arconia. 

Perhaps, The Arconia is the true murderer. People are trapped there for decades, lifetimes even. Only Murders in the Building might turn out to mean that living in that building and refusing to leave is to sign a lease with death.