4x05 Adaptation

The episode kicks off with some solid tension, picking up right where we left off with Bev pointing a gun at the trio, but still keeping that sharp humor the show always delivers. Oliver joking about how death caught him “at his peak” is exactly the kind of line that OMITB nails in the middle of a murder investigation.

But the real standout here is the introduction of Marshall, the movie’s writer. He’s got this low-key vibe, but it oozes suspicion. From the moment he starts watching the trio, it’s clear he’s trying to get way too close, always observing, acting like he’s smarter than he really is. I love how the show plants those little hints that make you side-eye him, even though there’s no solid proof yet. He’s the kind of guy who talks about impostor syndrome, rocks a fake beard and glasses to look more experienced, and mixes in random references... He tries to seem confident, but ends up coming off like exactly what he’s afraid of: a total impostor.

The writing does a great job playing with our perception, while also having fun with how smart the characters are. It’s almost frustrating watching Mabel, Charles, and Oliver buy into Marshall’s story without actually doing any real digging. They don’t even bother checking his alibi, which is odd since they’re usually more careful. The introduction of the idea that there might be two killers – one who shot and one who cleaned up the mess – was a genius twist, making the mystery even juicier.

Another cool element was Oliver’s personal drama, which brought a ton of humor. His freak-out over Loretta’s possible cheating and his insecurity about “Jack Jonk” led to some hilarious moments, but also showed a more vulnerable side to him, something the show knows how to tap into. Oliver trying to recreate the killer’s movements in 12 minutes, and failing in spectacular fashion, was one of the funniest parts of the episode, but also gave his character some emotional weight.

That cliffhanger ending was perfect and left me even more pumped for what’s next. The lights go out, shots are fired, and we’re left wondering who got hit. It’s that kind of suspense that makes me want to binge the rest of the season ASAP.