Only Murders in the Building Proves DaVine Joy Randolph is Perfection

Episode 6 of Hulu‘s Only Murders in the Building shows us a whole new perspective on the murder of Tim Kono. Instead of rejoining the likes of Mabel (Selena Gomez), Charles (Steve Martin), or Oliver (Martin Short), we’re brought into the world of the woman officially on the Tim Kono case: Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). While we briefly met Detective Williams in Episode 1, Only Murders in the Building Episode 6 “To Protect and Serve” takes us inside her world…and loops her in on Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s own investigation. More importantly, though, Only Murders Episode 6 once again proves that Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a pure treasure.

Only Murders in the Building tells the story of three neighbors in a glorious Upper West Side apartment banding together to solve a murder. Charles, Oliver, and Mabel seem to have nothing in common, but immediately bond over their shared love of a true crime murder podcast. When the trio realizes they were the last people to see a deceased neighbor alive, they also realize that they themselves are embroiled in a murder mystery. They brazenly traipse into crime scenes and launch outlandish theories in their pursuit of justice…meaning that Detective Williams â€" the person who is supposed to be in charge â€" isn’t initially fond of them. It’s only upon realizing that her wife is a fan of “Only Murders in the Building” that Randolph’s character listens in and discovers the podcasters might be on to something.

Only Murders in the Building has a stacked cast â€" everyone from Tina Fey to Jayne Houdyshell pop up in supporting roles â€" but the way the show used Da’Vine Joy Randolph this week was a true treat. The actress first caught our attention in scene-stealing comic turns in Dolemite is My Name and High Fidelity, but in Only Murders she balances the show’s prickly wit with world-weariness. Detective Williams gets to narrate this episode, explaining to us her history loving TV and the way her job grinds her down. It’s hard for a show that’s built on the bedrock of three characters’ chemistry to re-introduce a new narrator. Moreover, it’s hard to like such a character when our only other interaction with her was antagonizing our heroes. But Da’Vine Joy Randolph pulls it off because Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a queen!

So, yeah, keep your Tina Fey and Sting and Nathan Lane cameos. My favorite celeb guest spot on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building to date is Da’Vine Joy Randolph. (And yes I’m still angry at Hulu for cancelling High Fidelity.)

Where to stream Only Murders in the Building

Source: NYPOST

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