'Only Murders in the Building' has a huge Mabel problem, and Season 4 must fix that
May contain spoilers for 'Only Murders in the Building'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hulu's 'Only Murders in the Building' has been a runaway hit since its debut in 2021. We love the unusual trio of Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) coming together to solve mysterious murders in their posh building.
However, there's a nagging issue the series needs to address in its upcoming fourth season: Mabel's disappearing love interests in every season.
Mabel Mora's love interests don't laster longer than a season
Mabel Mora, played by the ever-talented singer and actress Selena Gomez, has had a new romantic interest each season, only for them to vanish by the next. This pattern has left us annoyed and yearning for more stability in her love life.
In 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 1, we were introduced to Oscar Torres (played by Aaron Dominguez). He was Mabel's childhood friend who returned after being wrongly imprisoned for the murder of their friend Zoe ten years earlier.
The chemistry was undeniable. Despite the strong setup for Oscar's return, he was conspicuously absent in Season 2.
Instead, we saw Mabel engage with Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), a gallery owner who initially seemed promising but ended up using Mabel for her art.
Season 3 brought Tobert (Jesse Williams) into the mix. Their relationship started during another murder investigation, but, like clockwork, it fizzled out. Tobert's move to Los Angeles and Mabel's decision to stay in New York marked yet another abrupt end to a romance.
'Only Murders in the Building' needs to deal with Mabel Mora's love life more sensitively
The revolving door of love interests for Mabel isn't just frustrating; it cheapens the narrative. Each season, the show teases viewers with the potential for a meaningful relationship, only to yank it away without proper resolution.
It's like watching a suspenseful whodunit, only to find out the answer was a red herring all along. We truly wonder why does 'Only Murders in the Building' keep doing this.
Mabel's character is complex and intriguing. The relationships make a crucial part of her development. By not allowing any of these relationships to grow or conclude naturally, the show risks turning Mabel's love life into a superficial subplot rather than a substantial part of her character arc.
Season 4 has a golden opportunity to rectify this. The showrunners need to decide whether Mabel is truly looking for something lasting or if she’s content with fleeting connections. Either way, the series must provide clarity and depth to her romantic storylines.
It's not just about giving Mabel a steady boyfriend; it's about respecting the audience's investment in her character. We've seen Gomez and her co-stars deliver outstanding performances that blend humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments. The least the show can do is give Mabel's love life the same attention and care.
Only time will tell if Season 4 will break the cycle and give Mabel a love story that feels genuine and enduring. For now, we can only hope that the next mystery the trio solves isn't just about murder but also about Mabel’s elusive happily ever after.
How to stream 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4?
Three seasons of 'Only Murders in the Building' are currently available to stream on Hulu. The highly anticipated Season 4 was announced in October 2023. Since then, fans have been eagerly wait for its release.
Fortunately, the wait is almost over as Season 4, created by Steve Martin & John Hoffman, will arrive on Hulu on August 27, 2024.
'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 trailer
