Disappearing in Only Murders in the Building are Mabel Mora's Love Interests
Selena Gomez's Mabel Mora character in Hulu's popular series Only Murders In The Building has a continuous narrative problem: her love interests vanish. Although the camaraderie between Mabel, Charles Haden-Savage (Steve Martin), and Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) as they investigate murders in their apartment building takes front stage in the program, Mabel's character development suffers from the change in the always shifting supporting cast.
Tobert's Missingness in Season 4
Season 4 of Only Murders In The Building brings a change in environment, sending the trio to Los Angeles as their podcast is turned into a Hollywood movie. While Tobert, Mabel's love interest from season 3 played by Jesse Williams, was headed to Los Angeles to work on a new film, his absence in season 4 feels stark, especially given that Mabel, Charles, and Oliver visit Oliver's love interest, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep).
A Reversing Trend
The loss of Tobert carries on Mabel's trend of her love interests vanishing in next seasons. Despite their long personal history, seasons 2 and 3 lacked her season 1 love interest, Oscar Torres (Aaron Dominguez). The absence seemed startling even although co-creator and executive producer John Hoffman clarified that Oscar's absence in season 2 was due to his and the creative team's goal to prevent a trauma bond-based relationship for Mabel.
The similar trend followed Mabel's second love interest, artist Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), who did not reappear in season three. Though their importance in Mabel's life and their friendly farewell with her, neither Oscar nor Alice was mentioned in the next seasons.
Solving the Trend
Mabel's love interests seem to be lost chance for character growth and closure. Should a love connection not be meant to last into the following season, it should finish in the present one. This would provide the engaged characters a feeling of finality and help to lessens their absence's shockfulness. On the other hand, should a new love interest surface in a season, the connection should only last if there is intention to bring the character back in next seasons.
Mabel's character can be suited for both with and without a love partner, though. The way Mabel, Charles, and Oliver interact dynamically and with their funny and touching chemistry makes the show strong. But if Only Murders in the Building keeps bringing Mabel romantic interests, the show has to deal with the tendency of their abrupt absence and offer a fitting ending.
Trio Power: The Authority
Only Murders in the Building excels ultimately due of the special connection among Mabel, Charles, and Oliver. The show is particularly engaging because of their friendships, humorous exchanges, and common love of mystery solving. Though they provide an element of mystery, romance subplots should not take front stage in the trio's main dynamic. While making sure any romantic relationships are handled carefully and with closure, the program should center on strengthening their bonds and investigating their personal development.
