Yes, you read that right. Selena Gomez is the best part of Only Murders in the Building.
Now that Season 4 is upon us, I thought I would reflect a bit on what keeps me tuning into this quirky little show week after week.
The short answer to that is Mabel Mora, played by Selena Gomez.
I’m not a Selenator (I didn’t even know what that was until I looked it up,) and I have no interest in Gomez’s personal life or struggles. That’s her business.
What I do care about is how much enjoyment I get out of watching Gomez play Mabel and why we need more of her and fewer distractions that take away from the dynamic that made the show so appealing to begin with.
Mabel is Tenacious
Mabel stays on point when it comes to the focus of the show, which is to solve murders. Everything else is fluff.
While the side stories add dimension to the series as a whole and can be entertaining, sometimes they become such a big part of a season that the original charm is lost.
This was particularly evident in Season 3.
When Mabel went off on Oliver and Charles in Only Murders In the Building Season 3 Episode 6, “Ghost Light,” because he was more concerned about his musical than finding Ben’s real killer, it was like she took the words right out of my head:
Cinda fu**ing Canning asked me to partner with her, and I said that I was already part of a team. She said that I don’t need you guys, and I’m starting to see that she’s right.
All I do is put up with your self-involved insanity!
The musical, the White Room, the proposal, but a man is dead! A man who actually meant something to me! And I’m gonna figure out who did it whether the two of you give a sh*t or not!
Mabel
Oliver has been self-indulgent from the beginning; that’s part of his personality, and Oliver wouldn’t be Oliver without it.
But why do we need to see an entire season about the trials and tribulations of making a musical, even if it’s a showstopper that might finally give Oliver the recognition he so desperately craves?
Of course, the musical’s producers were important to the overall arc of the season’s story, but it just seemed to be more focused on showcasing A-list celebrities than solving the mystery of who killed Ben.
For example, was Matthew Broderick‘s appearance an integral part to the mystery?
Would the story have been incomplete without him rehearsing over and over ad nauseum as Charles’ backup in Death Rattle Dazzle?
More Guest Stars Means Less Mabel
And then there’s Meryl Streep, a grand actor, indeed, who deserves all the accolades she’s been given throughout her lifetime, who played Loretta.
Clearly, Loretta’s story was compelling and an integral part of Ben’s murder mystery, and her budding romance with Oliver was cute and intriguing. They make a great couple.
But she took up so much screentime singing that she elbowed out other core characters, particularly Mabel and all of her adorable self.
All of this side fluff also took away important screentime that could have been devoted to building Mabel, Oliver, and Charles’s friendship and collaboration.
These three are the heart of Only Murders in the Building and their developing dynamic is why people like me first fell in love with the series.
But that development seems to have fallen to the wayside in favor of (choose your guest star here.)
Let me add that guest stars have always been a part of this show, and it’s always fun seeing who pops up. Season 1 had the perfect mix.
But when the guest stars start taking over the show, that’s when the fun stops.
Mabel Keeps It Real
I’ve read numerous comments throughout various social media claiming Gomez’s acting is “flat.” I totally disagree.
Mabel is low-key and vulnerable. She’s also smart, savvy, and talented.
She’s experienced plenty of personal tragedy in her young life, which she handles extremely well.
She could just roll up into a ball and let the world pass her by.
Instead, she stuffs it down, which may not be the healthiest thing to do, but she carries on and is tenacious in seeking resolutions to the problems at hand.
How she’s able to handle all of the drama and function as a human being is a testament to her strength and bravery.
Perhaps the reason she pushes through like she does, despite the obstacles, is that it’s her own version of therapy.
That’s not playing a character “flat.” That’s playing a character extremely well, and Gomez nails it.
You also have to remember that Only Murders in the Building already has two over-the-top characters: Oliver and Charles.
If she was as blaring and glaring as Oliver and Charles (and even Charles’ double, Sazz), the show would become unbearable. Mabel adds balance.
Steve Martin and Martin Short do fine jobs with their characters, making them entertaining and not overly obnoxious. Gomez is the perfect fit.
Mabel Doesn’t Need Romance to Be Mabel
Mabel is a strong and independent young woman. She doesn’t need a romance to make her whole.
The implied romantic rivalry between Tobert and Theo for Mabel’s heart in Season 3 was unnecessary. She didn’t seem all that into it, anyway.
In fact, she seemed a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing.
I get that Theo and Tobert were sort of taking the place of Oliver and Charles because those two were too preoccupied with the musical and not particularly interested in solving Ben’s murder.
And it was cute when Charles gave his “approval” of Tobert after learning the two had a “date.”
But the entire “romance” with Tobert seemed forced. Plus, he tricked her into meeting him at the club. Oh, I know she dressed up for a date, but it doesn’t matter.
It almost seemed as if the writers were giving her a love interest because Oliver had fallen head over heels with Loretta and Charles has somewhat of a revolving door of romantic interests.
But Mabel doesn’t need it. Let her figure out her life before adding unnecessary complications. Let her breathe!
She said so herself when she told Tobert she wouldn’t follow him to California, but the door was still left open.
Her romance with Oscar in Season 1 made sense because there was a history there.
Now that she’s living with Theo, there’s a strong possibility that something will develop between them if she doesn’t move out before it does.
But don’t force a “ship” just to have a “ship.” Is it such a bad thing for her to be friends with guys around her age without having them turn into love interests?
On the other hand, Mabel and Howard made a great team, and I’d love to see Howard more involved with solving future Arconia murders. He’s a lot of fun.
And there’s probably NO chance of a romance happening there.
Mabel Bridges the Gap Between the Old Generation and the New
The relationship between the younger Mabel and the much older Oliver and Martin is the most important part of the show.
It’s what binds everything together and makes the series so appealing, at least for me.
The trio’s relationship shows that two generations very far apart can not only share the same interests but also come together for a common cause, even if that cause is solving murders.
Through each other, they get a better view and understanding of the other side of the mirror, slowly shedding preconceived notions they each had about each other’s generation.
But more importantly, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver learn from each other, which helps make them grow as individuals.
We’ve seen some of this already.
Mabel is coming out of her shell. She’s learning to trust people and is becoming more bold, not afraid to show others that she’s smart and talented.
Charles is learning to live again instead of locking himself inside, both physically and mentally.
Oliver, well, he’s got a ways to go. Still, slowly but surely, he’s learning there’s more to the world than just himself.
This was particularly evident when he said something innately cruel to Mabel in Season 3: Ghost Light:
Oliver: “Now, I know you’ve never had a grown-up job before, but guess what? They matter.”
Oliver’s remark not only showcased his overbearing ego and selfishness but also an attitude that sometimes comes with an older generation engaging with a younger one: We know everything, and you don’t.
The key is that he realized he was wrong for saying it. That’s growth.
Mabel Knows the Meaning of Respect Your Elders
Mabel is quick-witted and sassy without being snarky when responding to her older counterparts.
Yes, there are times she thinks Oliver and Charles are corny. And it comes through with her deadpan, witty responses, especially when they fail at their attempts to be cool and hip to the younger generation.
But she doesn’t embarrass them, which she could easily do with a simple roll of the eyes and a smart-ass comeback.
She can express her disgust, annoyance, and anger in a kind, empathetic, and respectful way.
And as a member of the older generation, I appreciate that.
Selena Gomez has done an outstanding job making Mabel Mora her own.
The name Mabel means “loveable” and it exemplifies everything Gomez’s character is — one of the most delightful characters to watch on TV today.
We just need more Mabel, more of the Arconia trio, and much less fluff. Hopefully, we’ll get that in Season 4.
What say you, TV Fanatics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.