’Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 Episode 7 Recap & Review: A Break in the Action

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Only Murders in the Building Season 4, Episode 7, “Valley of the Dolls.”

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After the previous installment of Only Murders in the Building concluded with an Earth-shattering cliffhanger, the seventh episode of the season takes a step back. With Mabel (Selena Gomez), Charles (Steve Martin), and Oliver (Martin Short) now aware of their immediate danger with cameras and unknown parties following them, they disappear from the city to find a safe house.

Their adventure takes them to visit Charles’ sister, Doreen (Melissa McCarthy), in her doll-filled house, focusing more on character relationships than the investigation at hand. Check out all the details in our Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 7, “Valley of the Dolls,” recap below!

Melissa McCarthy Causes Chaos as Charles’ Sister Doreen in “Valley of the Dolls”

While there’s nothing wrong with an episode that features character development above the story, it’s jarring to take a break from the investigation when the previous week took the mystery to new heights. It’s clear when Doreen immediately takes affection to Oliver that shenanigans are set to ensue in Only Murders in the Building Season 4, Episode 7.

Bev Melon (Molly Shannon) randomly appears at Doreen’s house under the influence of an absurd amount of alcohol. She begins shouting at everyone, quits her job, and leaves before reappearing later in the episode to reveal the movie is back on. Her inclusion, though fleeting, is a confusing addition and feels out of place.

Oliver and Loretta Make Plans To Tie the Knot in ‘OMITB’ Season 4

Bev Melon isn’t the only unexpected guest in Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 7, as Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep) makes an appearance as well. Oliver’s jealousy has been spinning out of control all season as he struggles with Loretta’s newfound fame. However, when she arrives, she ends up in fisticuffs with Doreen in a battle for Oliver’s heart. Unfortunately, while mildly comedic, the fight feels out of place.

Eventually, Doreen and Charles bond over their shared loneliness, while Oliver and Loretta have their long overdue heart-to-heart. After parsing through Oliver’s insecurities, they get back on the same page, leading to Oliver sharing his proposal plans. Before he can finish, Loretta gets down on one knee and proposes, and the two are officially engaged to be married.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 Episode 7 Review: An Exciting Finish to a Weaker Episode

Although the majority of Only Murders in the Building Season 4, Episode 7 is spent mediating character drama, it does feature an epic conclusion. Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and Eugene Levy burst through the door in a similar fashion to both Loretta and Bev Melon. They reveal they’ve been working on the investigation the entire time (to get into character) and have made a major breakthrough in the case.

However, their arrival spells lousy news for Charles, Mabel, and Oliver. They unveil their own murder board that features evidence dating all the way back to the first season of the series. Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) was never the target of the murder, and she was investigating the person who was after the trio. Charles, Mabel, and Oliver are already in more danger than ever before, but to make matters worse, Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 7 concludes as they find out that the residents of the West Tower have been collecting the Dudenoff checks, re-implicating them in the investigation.

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