Charles, Oliver and Mabel begrudgingly pair off with new investigating... actors Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria.
Who was the true target of the killer? Charles feared Sazz died because someone mistook her for him. She was once again his stunt double for all the dangers in life. He could no longer hide behind her protection. He had to step up and face the threats head-on. When the podcast trio get a response on the ham radio though, they are warned that the last person who started asking questions around the West Tower was killed. They are warned to drop the investigation. If they don't, they will face the same consequences as Sazz. That suggests Sazz was the true target all along. She was silenced for what she discovered. Someone had to prevent her from sharing the truth with Charles. And now, Charles is getting close to the residents of the West Tower. He had assumptions about each of them. However, they are all much more complex than his perception from across the courtyard conveyed. That was to be expected. Mabel and Oliver already came to that realization. Yet, secrets are still prevalent throughout this space. Plus, Mabel has decided to make it her new home.
At this point though, production on the film adaptation of the podcast isn't directly connected with the latest murder investigation at all. It presents solely as the new complication Charles, Oliver and Mabel must deal with as they conduct their regular business. It's not like the Broadway show of Season 3. The murder didn't occur on the film set which populated this new world. Instead, the focus has returned to the Arconia. A new building has been added. It provides a new crop of characters. But the show still has bigger aspirations. It wants to showcase newfound success for the trio. It comes in their life rights being a desirable property. It's still unclear what deal Mabel struck with Bev. She actively researches squatter's rights instead of trying to build something new with her life. That keeps her in the middle of the investigation. Her new home is a crime scene. That's not strange or unnerving to her. This is her way of staying present to uncover the secrets of the West Tower. That still doesn't have much to do with the movie.
Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria are invited to spend a day with the trio to help get into character. It's a task Charles and Mabel don't take seriously at all. Charles is flattered by the compliments Eugene has for his performance on Brazzos. He saw depth and complexity when others only saw a performance and career worth forgetting. Meanwhile, Eva has her own take on Mabel. She doesn't particularly care who the true Mabel is. Casting has already made changes to the central dynamic. As such, it's not important to get everything right. Of course, it's still a blast when Eva brings some crazy energy into the investigation. She has a hard out to get dinner with Michelle Obama. She has already made her big character decisions. There isn't much more for her to do. Yet she's enthralled by the idea of helping solve a murder. She wants to brag about that. She has no personal stakes in the story. That makes her reckless with the severity of this world. She pulls a gun off the wall and shoots. That helps Mabel get answers. It's still precarious getting to that reveal.
Moreover, that doesn't immediately prove Rudy's innocence. He was introduced as a guy who loves Christmas all year long. In reality, he found a niche online and is subjected to keeping the gag going despite how frustrating it has become. It's the only way he remains relevant. Christmas isn't his personality. Fitness is more important. He has the strength to move Sazz's body. He claims to have an alibi for the night of the murder. The item left behind in Dudenoff's apartment wasn't tinsel. Rudy disproves that immediately upon being asked. The situation required Mabel to be more upfront with what she wanted. The same applies to Charles and Eugene as they interrogate Vince. They scheme to remove his eye patch to see what lurks beneath. It truly is a bad case of pink eye as he claimed. Moreover, he is just as awkward as Charles is. That forges a friendship. They can now wave at each other from across the courtyard. They needed this conversation. And yet, one picture is enough to suggest something bad happened amongst this group of friends. The podcasters find reasons to empathize with these residents. Threats are still delivered. The clue just happens to be the Perfect Strangers theme song.
Oliver was the one more invested in ensuring his portrayal in the film was accurate. Zach has no interest in studying the man. He wants to perform what's in the script. That informs his performance. He eventually realizes the epic tragedy of Oliver's life. That's a role worth exploring. It requires Howard to defend Oliver in a way that highlights his constant failures. Oliver always gets back up and perseveres. Part of it is willfully being oblivious to life. He's caught up in his own ego. He's devastated when he receives bad news. Those are often centered around his creative pursuits not being appreciated or allowed to continue. He always finds something new to latch onto. That always provides hope. He doesn't see the end coming in his relationship with Loretta. Others are betting on its failure. That's inevitable. He refuses to see it. That end may be coming. That makes him the tragic figure of this story. In reality, he's a self-indulgent man who wants to remain open to life's possibilities. He's eager to get that across. Yet the day he spends with Zach doesn't accomplish that task. He will be immortalized in a different way. It may still be rewarding and fulfilling. It just continues to show how little control Oliver actually does have in life.
