Steve Martin (Charles-Haden Savage), Martin Short (Oliver Putnam), Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora), Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard Morris), Meryl Streep (Loretta Durkin), Zach Galifianakis (Zach Galifianakis), Eugene Levy (Eugene Levy), Eva Longoria (Eva Longoria), Ryan Broussard (Will Putnam), Catherine Cohen (Trina Brothers), Teddy Coluca (Lester), Jin Ha (Marshall P. Pope), Jackie Hoffman (Uma Heller), Richard Kind (Vince Fish), Téa Leoni (Sofia Caccimelio), Jane Lynch (Sazz Pataki), Kumail Nanjiani (Rudy Thurber), Amy Ryan (Jan Bellows), Jeremy Shamos (Dickie Glenroy), Molly Shannon (Bev Melon), Siena Werber (Tawny Brothers), Ade Otukoya (Brazzos Director)

Is it weird that Only Murders In The Building season four’s finest outing is its finale? (Fine, the Long Island episode was comedy gold, too.) It’s not entirely a surprise, but it sure is a delight to see how sweetly everything comes together in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” And that’s despite learning the killer’s depressing motive and another dead body dropping in the Arconia. It’s just nice—and in tune with the rest of season four—that the Hulu series focuses on character moments and relationships to close out the year. This episode is a neat reminder of why pragmatism isn’t as necessary for a TV show of this nature. We’re not here for common sense sleuth stories, something OMITB is losing grasp of anyway. (Why doesn’t anyone call the dependable Detective Williams when Marshall reveals he’s trapped Mabel in her apartment?) But it’s okay. We get treated to Oliver and Charles absurdly rescuing their friend from an armed psycho. They “step and drag” on the 14th-floor ledge from Vince’s home to Mabel’s while conquering their fear of heights. It’s visually spectacular and wacky—the OMITB we know and love. This episode also focuses on the show’s many well-developed friendships and, best of all, Oliver and Loretta’s beautiful nuptials. And this is the mushiest the writers have gone to date. Of course, to get to all this, the finale has to wrap up the season’s central suspense. I was almost impatient for them to get it over with because, predictably, the whole thing was flimsy. No offense to Sazz, played adorably by Jane Lynch during this episode, but I was ready for the mystery to end because it was the least interesting part of “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” But here’s how it all goes down: The two men successfully break into Mabel’s window, and Charles then flashes his Chekhov’s Gun Eva Longoria’s 19-in-1 tool, wielding it to get Marshall to confess.

In flashbacks, it’s revealed that Sazz continued to mentor Marshall even after the accident on Ron Howard’s set. She was so inspired by his dedication to his craft that she pursued her dream of making a movie, wanting to use the money to make that trampoline park in New Jersey. Step one was to find the right hero for a script. Inspiration struck on the Brazzos revival set in the form of her best friend. Sazz realized Charles, Oliver, and Mabel’s podcast was excellent film material and a way to honor her No. 1 pal. Her only mistake was handing her only copy of OMITB: The Movie to Marshall for advice. Sadly, we all know what went down next. Instead of supporting Sazz, Marshall stole the script, shopped it around until Bev Melon at Paramount picked it up, changed his name and appearance, and didn’t feel bad about it even after Sazz confronted him. He also didn’t seem too shaken up about following her to New York City and shooting her before she revealed the truth. Oh, and he also murdered Glen Stubbins before the Irish stuntman could recognize him. Marshall only expresses genuine remorse for accidentally injuring Zach Galifianakis. (“He was so funny in The Hangover.”)In light of how glossy and glamorous season four has been, this reveal feels tepid. Couldn’t Marshall have chosen a less inconspicuous spot instead of the literal building where the podcasters expertly solve murders? Let’s not think too hard about it, just like we won’t question how Jan has just been hiding in the Arconia’s secret passageways for three weeks, waiting to exact revenge for Sazz’s death. She pops out just in time to save the trio and kill Marshall before getting sent back to prison. (It’s nice to briefly see you, unhinged Amy Ryan. I hope you return soon).

With all this wrapped up, OMITB moves on to the fun, utterly aww-inducing stuff: It’s time for Oliver and Loretta to marry in the Arconia’s courtyard, which is adorned with a chuppah and more flowers than the eyes can perceive. I was grinning like a fool watching Charles and Mabel walk Oliver down the aisle, looking proudly at their goofy little friend. (Side note: Steve Martin emotionally glancing at Martin Short throughout was extraordinary.) Loretta struts down the aisle in the arms of her son, Dicky, and Oliver’s son, Will. I’m glad OMITB included the adult kiddos in the ceremony. We don’t hear the happy couple’s vows in full, but we don’t need to. Their unbelievably joyous looks do the job.That said, Loretta Durkin-Putnam’s “Be my man, be my lover, be my friend, be my lover” did wreck me. There’s dancing, tears, drinks, and a lot of laughs throughout the last 10 minutes or so of the episode. It’s almost easy to forget there was even a murder, although Charles reveals his plus one to the wedding is Sazz’s ashes. (Is this nice or creepy?) And all this is after Charles repeatedly notes that usually when they solve a murder, another one occurs right after. I love that OMITB is getting so self-referential because obviously there’s another murder. This time, it’s the Arconia’s doorman, Lester. Lester’s death might seemingly tie into another mystery OMITB sets up for season five. Charles and Mabel are approached by a chic Sofia (Téa Leoni), who wants to hire the podcasters to investigate the disappearance of her husband. He’s the man we saw a news report about in last week’s episode. They decline the offer, but Sofia—who belongs to the mafia, by the way—insists his vanishing act ties into the building. It has to be connected to Lester, right? That man has worked at the Arconia for years, so OMITB has a lot of lore to mine from. I was nervous when OMITB got renewed because I didn’t want the show to lose its spark. But if anything, the finale has reaffirmed my faith in the writers and performers, and I hope this new angle of them becoming PIs allows the show to experiment creatively and stretch itself in fun directions. We’ll find out in 2025.

• There are cool Easter eggs in the opening credits, like the nod to the flower decorations in the Arconia and Howard walking with Sazz’s Olde Belgium six-pack.

• Oliver, inquiring where Mabel is: “Where is the young one? We need a pliable brain on this.”

• Loretta zips off to New Zealand the morning after the wedding because her Grey’s Anatomy spin-off has relocated there. Oliver was supposed to go with her, but she tells him she can’t take him away from his friends. Hey, they’ve had an unconventional courtship, so why not an unconventional marriage? This better not mean Meryl Streep’s exit from OMITB though.

• Marshall performing stunts to keep Mabel in check in her apartment was very funny. And it only got funnier because he’s so much shorter than her through the window.

• The only part of Marshall’s confession that got me was when he yelled “Hollywood is broken!!” That’s just a simple truth.

• Charles’ final goodbye to Sazz (via his subconscious) on the OMITB movie set was one of my favorite scenes of the episode.

• Do we think any of the Westies will make appearances in the future?

• Let the fan casting for the mafia family begin. Who would you like to see alongside Leoni as notorious gangsters? I think Danny DeVito is a perfect fit for OMITB. And Michael Imperioli would be super fun for obvious reasons.

Steve Martin (Charles-Haden Savage), Martin Short (Oliver Putnam), Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora), Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard Morris), Meryl Streep (Loretta Durkin), Zach Galifianakis (Zach Galifianakis), Eugene Levy (Eugene Levy), Eva Longoria (Eva Longoria), Desmin Borges (Alfonso), Richard Kind (Vince Fish), Jason Kravits (Big Mike), Melissa McCarthy (Doreen), Kumail Nanjiani (Rudy Thurber), Lilian Rebelo (Ana), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Inez), Molly Shannon (Bev Melon), Alberto Bonilla (Clerk)

Only Murders In The Building’s writers heard chatter about the show having too many famous guest stars and said, “Just you wait.” At least that’s how I imagine it went as they sketched out “Valley Of The Dolls,” in which Charles, Oliver, and Mabel temporarily hide at Charles’ sister’s Long Island home, which leads to several talented names holed up under her suburban roof. Here’s the headcount: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis, Molly Shannon, Meryl Streep, Melissa McCarthy, and character actor Jason Kravits, with the latter two making their OMITB debuts. Everyone comes together for a messy, heartwarming 40 minutes that embody what film professor Milton Dudenoff told his class in episode six’s flashback: “Chaos can be good. Chaos can be art.” I’ve been vocal about OMITB upsettingly straying from the central trio and suspense in season four, thanks to the infusion of Hollywood in a much bigger way than, say, Sting or Amy Schumer in previous seasons. But even I can’t complain when this episode delivers Streep and McCarthy in a physical fight, with Longoria egging them on, or Galifianakis taking a grand bow after being complimented for FX’s Baskets. As random as these shenanigans are, only OMITB can make them happen. “Valley Of The Dolls” is ultimately super entertaining (if only Paul Rudd, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Tina Fey had cameos to add to said chaos). With the distance from Arconia, there’s not much progress case-wise, but a lot goes down character-wise, at least for Charles and Oliver. After fleeing New York City, the trio lands at Doreen’s (McCarthy) place to escape from a murderer with prying eyes. Mabel only tells Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton), who wastes no time giving this secret info to studio rep Bev Melon (Shannon), Loretta (Streep), and the three actors. Everyone winds up at Doreen’s for various unbelievable reasons. Okay, not Loretta. Her appearance is very valid, but I don’t think Bev (who is worried about the movie being in limbo), or Eva, Zach, and Eugene (who are worried about their safety) had any business being there realistically, not that it matters. The goal is to confine them all in a small space to let their personal and professional demons out. This results in a sweet Haden-Savage family moment, Bev’s drunk outburst, a gushy engagement, and a huge revelation about the past.

But let’s start with the perfectly cast McCarthy. Doreen is a great foil to Charles and Loretta because her crazy actions force them to reflect on their own. Lonely, sad, and frustrated with her life, Doreen has developed a habit of collecting dolls of all shapes and sizes. Reader, I counted at least 25 in her living room, with more in the bedrooms. Yikes. So, yes, she’s a sweet little weirdo. This has derailed her relationship with Charles and even her husband, Mike (Kravits), whom she kicked out of the house. (He’s now living in a boat parked on their driveway.) Doreen thinks none of the men in her life are equipped to handle just how vulnerable she is—at least not until she meets the “too emotionally available” Oliver, who’s a turn-on for her. Meanwhile, poor, sweet Oliver has just broken up with Loretta over a text message. After all, he does still believe her response to his declaration of love and marriage was “UGH!” The trio have turned off their phones so no one can trace their location, which means if Loretta replies, Oliver won’t know. Instead of solving the crimes in eerie peace with Mabel, he tries to drown his sorrows with alcohol. It’s too bad Doreen doesn’t have any watermelon liqueur, huh? At least she makes him a Sweaty Betty, a.k.a. a strong mix of vodka and Crystal Lite. Doreen also happily keeps him company, rapidly developing a crush on her “short king.” (I get it!) Their, um, friendship is short-lived because Loretta swoops in to get her man back. She flies in from L.A. as soon as she gets the breakup text to demand an explanation. Hey, if she’s willing to let filming a Grey’s spin-off slide, it’s true love! She further clarifies to Oliver that it was her stand-in who answered the call. Why didn’t this person tell Loretta about her boyfriend’s declaration? Anyway, with the doubts cleared, they get back together. (Loretta also adds, “I don’t think you’re ‘Ugh,’ I think you’re ‘Mmm,’” to which Oliver’s responds with a low growl. Get a room!)

In fact, Loretta proposes to Oliver using a bracelet from one of the dolls because it’s as tiny as a ring. Here’s what she tells Oliver, and I’m writing it in its entirety because it’s lovely and affirms that Streep and Short (IRL romance or not) share the warmest chemistry: “Oliver, from the moment I met you, I knew deep in my heart that you were a lunatic. You must have, by my count, six different stories about running into Lynda Carter at grocery stores. Despite your obvious pathologies, I’m here still and I’m not going anywhere. And I sign on to your crazy for a lifetime.” (Between this and Nobody Wants This’ “I can handle you” moment, it’s a good time to be a rom-com fan, right?) Martin Short’s face when Oliver announces to the group, “This bitch is getting married” needs to be framed and kept in the Louvre. Not even a brief spat between Oliver and Loretta, once he confesses about his “Ronnie” finsta account, can derail them now. What does happen before their engagement is a fight between Loretta and Doreen. It’s not a regular verbal spat; it’s a literal let-me-pull-your-pigtails-and-give-you-a-karate-kick assault. Their argument about how wonderful Oliver is turns violent, with everyone looking on and Longoria encouraging them. It’s wild and hilarious. Streep vs. McCarthy! Thank you, Only Murders. This fight also pushes Charles to finally talk to his sister. He spends the rest of the episode making sure the house is safe, as he doesn’t want to put any more loved ones in danger after Sazz. When Charles and Doreen open up, we learn they were raised by an emotionally distant mother. Doreen’s best childhood memory was going with her to see Charles’ play, which was the only time her mom held her hand. Doreen says her brother was always destined to be famous, while she’s by herself now that her kids have also moved out. The siblings ultimately share a lovely moment, promising to be in each other’s lives more. Doreen also makes up with Mike at the end. Does this mean McCarthy will infrequently appear in OMITB? TBD. But I appreciate how “Valley Of The Dolls” inevitably gives insight into Charles’ personality ticks, like why he’s a stickler or has a tough time letting go of things.

Mabel’s time cooped up at Doreen’s isn’t great in comparison to Charles and Oliver. She’s solely invested in solving the case at the moment, and her only assistance comes from Eugene, Zach, and Eva. They want to use their observation skills as actors to parse through the evidence at hand. Initially reluctant, Mabel allows them to take over after they witness Bev’s breakdown over the film being in danger and correctly point out that she’s “a middle child, a single mother, and has high thyroid.” By the end of “Valley Of The Dolls,” Eva, Zach, and Eugene make a murder wall and declare their findings: Charles, Mabel, and Oliver have been targets since season one! The actors point out plot holes of the past, like who left the note on Jan’s wall and who poisoned Oliver’s dog Winnie. It’s small stuff that the OMITB trio has let slide, but in the grand scheme of things, when pieced together, it’s clear that a killer has been stalking them for a long time. Sazz seemingly figured this out as well, which explains the notes on her desk in the premiere. This is probably what she wanted to talk to Charles about the night she died. How did Sazz even get involved in all of this? We’ll find out soon, but I’m just glad that Hulu’s comedy has thankfully upped its stakes and is going full circle back to season one.

• Charles: “I need to tell you something about Doreen. I don’t like saying this about my flesh and blood, but she can be very spontaneous.”
Mabel: “Ooh, sick burn.”

• Mabel’s frustration is extra palpable in this episode. I love it when she tells Eva, Zach, and Eugene to “run lines, have Ozempic, or do whatever it is that actors do.”

• Eva says the OMITB trio is contractually responsible for the actors’ safety. What kind of a ridiculous contract is this?

• Loretta: “Actors are investigators of the human condition.”
Mabel: “L.A. did this to you in two weeks?”

• Doreen tells Charles that the OMITB trio has managed to make a true-crime podcast feel cozy, succinctly capturing the show’s vibe.

• Please tell me no one is surprised about the Westies cashing Dudenoff’s social security checks. The real twist would’ve been the Brothers sisters doing it.

• Oliver: “I thought I wanted the Verdon to my Fosse, the Fleetwood to my Mac. Maybe what I really want is someone I can hold and adore.”
Doreen: “Like a doll.”

• Another reason the Haden-Savage siblings don’t get along is that when they were kids, Charles pushed Doreen off a swing, causing her to lose her spleen at age three. Talk about a bizarre backstory.

• This episode’s narrator is Doreen’s husband, Big Mike, who is a cop. Wouldn’t this have been helpful information for Charles to give a long time ago?

• Let’s talk about Bev. She spends the entire time at Doreen’s getting drunk and yelling at everyone, including the Paramount studio head over the phone. She reiterates she’s passionate about movies and that’s why she can’t afford to let this OMITB film slide, even if a murderer is on the set. And she continues to be at the top of my suspect list along with Marshall.