TV shows often introduce new romantic partners for their main characters each season. This keeps the show fresh, brings in new actors, and adds new storylines. But Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building seems to be struggling with how it handles Mabel’s love life.
However, there’s a recurring issue with Mabel’s romantic interests. Mabel, played by Selena Gomez, is a key character in the show alongside Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short). Each season, she gets a new love interest, but these relationships often end abruptly and off-screen.
In Season 1, Mabel dates Oscar Torres (Aaron Dominguez), a childhood friend. They work together to solve a murder, and their connection seems strong. But by Season 2, Oscar is gone with no explanation other than Mabel mentioning they decided to stay friends.
Series co-creator John Hoffman explained that the writers chose not to show the breakup because they wanted to avoid focusing on the trauma bond between Mabel and Oscar. While this makes sense, seeing their breakup on-screen would have given Mabel a chance to process it and grow.
Season 2 sees Mabel in a relationship with Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), a gallery owner. At first, Alice seems to help Mabel deal with her past trauma. However, Mabel later learns that Alice was using her experiences for art inspiration. Mabel ends the relationship because she can’t trust Alice.
This breakup is shown on-screen, which is better than Oscar’s, but Alice is quickly forgotten. We don’t get to see how Mabel deals with this heartbreak, missing an opportunity to explore her character’s struggles with trust.
In Season 3, Mabel begins a promising relationship with Tobert (Jesse Williams), a documentary filmmaker. They connect while solving a new mystery, and there’s clear chemistry between them. However, Jesse Williams recently confirmed he won’t be returning for Season 4. This means Tobert and Mabel’s relationship will likely end off-screen, which is frustrating for fans who wanted to see Mabel’s growth in a long-term romance.
The show often fails to show Mabel’s emotional journey through these relationships. Her past trauma might be affecting her ability to have lasting relationships, but this isn’t explored in depth. The focus seems to be more on her romantic entanglements rather than other aspects of her character.
Charles and Oliver have had their share of partners, but their stories feel more complete. Mabel’s romantic arcs often end abruptly with no proper closure. Going forward, the writers should either resolve Mabel’s relationships more clearly or let her remain single. Mabel’s character deserves better than being defined by a series of short-lived romances, and fans would appreciate more thoughtful development of her storylines.
Mabel’s revolving door of romances on Only Murders in the Building is a troubling trend that reflects a missed opportunity in the show’s storytelling. While the show excels in many areas, including its clever blend of humor and mystery, Mabel’s love life feels like an afterthought.
The abrupt endings of her relationships, often occurring off-screen, deprive the audience of seeing her character’s emotional growth. It’s not just about showing the breakup itself; it’s about giving Mabel the space to process her feelings, reflect on her past, and evolve as a person.
This lack of focus on her emotional journey reduces her character to someone whose primary role is to cycle through romantic interests rather than develop in meaningful ways.
As the series progresses, it’s crucial for the writers to either provide closure to Mabel’s romantic relationships or allow her to remain single without sidelining her character development. Mabel is a vital part of the show’s trio, and her story should be given the same depth and attention as those of Charles and Oliver.
Fans of Only Murders in the Building deserve to see Mabel as a fully realized character, one whose journey is as compelling as the mysteries she helps to solve. By taking this approach, the show can ensure that Mabel is not just a character defined by her relationships but one who stands out for her resilience, intelligence, and complexity.
