Warning: This article contains discussions of violence.
It came as no surprise to Only Murders In The Building fans and critics alike that the show has been nominated for numerous Emmy awards. The series has captivated audiences from around the world with its addictive and exciting murder mysteries, compelling characters, hilarious dialogue, tropes of the genre, and stunning backdrop of Manhattan.
However, what did come as a surprise to fans and cast alike is that Selena Gomez did not receive an Emmy nomination. With fans' current focus on Selena Gomez's outstanding and compelling portrayal of Mabel, they have been ing her best moments and best quotes in the show, of which there are many.
Mabel On The Investigation
"Who was Tim Kono? I'm gonna f***ing find out."
Concerned for her own safety, Mabel, portrayed by actor and musician, Selena Gomez, begins to record videos explaining what she knows about Tim Kono and is motivated to find out what happened to him. Indeed, this quote sums up season 1.
By the end of the episode, "Who is Tim Kono?" Mabel is emotionally exhausted. She had underestimated how difficult it would be looking into Tim's death, having been friends with him. She is partly reminded of the person she knew and once cared about, and partly feels like she never knew him at all. But, above all, Mabel is adamant uncover the truth.
Mabel On Her Recurring Dream
"I have this recurring dream: I'm in bed, I wake up and there's a man standing over me ..."
Full quote: "... So, I kick him right in the nuts and I grab my knitting needle and I take him down to the bone with that thing. Sometimes, when I can't sleep, I imagine brutally murdering that dude and I'm out like a light. Works every time."
When Mabel explains her experience of being a young woman living in New York, she describes a recurring dream that she has and how it comforts her.
Mabel is certainly a feisty person and it seems that imagining successfully defending herself in an emergency situation makes her feel safe. Importantly, these words are in the trio's podcast. This risks incriminating her and makes her a suspect in the murder of Bunny (who was stabbed with a knitting needle) in season 2.
Mabel On Oliver's New Pet
"Even in death, Bunny figures out a way to give you the bird."
Following Bunny's death, it transpires that she had a pet bird. Oliver is appalled to discover that Bunny left him her bird in her will, and it now belongs to him.
It is clear to Mabel that Oliver and Bunny had a difficult and tumultuous relationship, and the trio interprets her parting gift to Oliver as delivering the final blow. Mabel's pun certainly worked well in this situation and entertained both characters and fans.
Mabel On Age
"70's the new 40."
When Oliver and Mabel witness Charles flirting with Jan in the elevator, Mabel hints that Charles should make a move. However, Charles, portrayed by Steve Martin, is reluctant about the idea of putting himself out there and says it's not the right time. Mabel says this tongue-in-cheek quote, suggesting that Charles is running out of time to find someone.
This is a banterous quote between friends and pokes fun at the age difference between Charles and Oliver, and Mabel. While it is a humorous quote, the overarching message about age in the show is that friendship has no age.
When Mabel Finds Out Charles' Speech Is From 'Brazzos'
"Can I just stream it later and spare myself?"
After Mabel accuses Oliver and Charles of not being respectful enough about Tim Kono and his death, Charles accepts his wrongdoing. However, Mabel is already angry, having discovered that Charles' speech about his father came from 'Brazzos'.
When delivering this cutthroat line, Mabel feels upset and betrayed by Charles' lie. She is not in the mood to listen to another of Charles' heartfelt, 'fake' speeches. However, it turns out that Charles' didn't lie - he wrote the speech for Brazzos and it was based on his own life (but they do it it's weird that Charles recited it word-for-word).
Mabel On Living In New York
"2,000 women report assaults here every year, so it's a place that makes you binge dateline so you don't end up on dateline."
At the beginning of the first episode of Only Murders In The Building, Mabel talks about what it is like living in New York. This contradicts Charles' view, which is that New York is a very safe place to live.
The juxtaposition between Mabel and Charles' experiences certainly says something interesting about the different experiences of a younger woman and an older man and their perceptions of safety in the same place. That Mabel recalls this statistic certainly speaks to her high level of intelligence and introduces her as a strong, female protagonist who takes interest in social issues.
Mabel On Caring About Others
"He was alone. Isn't that enough to make us care?"
After visiting Tim Kono's apartment to look for clues, Charles and Oliver begin brainstorming what they know about the victim and Oliver explains that they are looking for an angle to make listeners care about him. However, in this episode, "Who is Tim Kono?" Mabel is reminded of her friendship with Tim and becomes emotional.
Mabel's former friendship with Tim certainly makes it difficult for her to hear Tim being talked about like a commodity rather than a person. While Mabel is so often sarcastic and witty, in this instance, she is sad and defensive.
Mabel On Her Attachment To Charles
"Is it cancer? I just need to know how invested I should get in you. You don't adopt a 20-year-old dog."
During Mabel and Charles' visit to fellow Arconia resident and suspect, Howard, it gets awkward and Howard isn't receptive to Charles' questioning. Charles has a nosebleed, which causes Howard to faint. Afterward, Mabel expresses concern that Charles is sick.
While this quote perfectly depicts Mabel's savage and blunt sense of humor, she is also being genuine here. After reconciling after it seemed that Charles lied about his father (although really he was being truthful), Mabel begins to grow fond of him, helping him with his love life and laughing at the nonsense texts he sends her using voice control.
Mabel To Oliver And Charles About Safety
"I mean, a murderer probably lives in the building, but I guess old white guys are only afraid of colon cancer and societal change."
When Mabel appears in Oliver's apartment, she startles Charles and Oliver. Mabel explains that the door was open and Oliver exclaims that he never locks his front door.
In this meme-able Only Murders In The Building quote, Mabel references the age difference between herself, Charles and Oliver, and their differences in priorities. Mabel rarely delivers standard jokes but can always be relied upon to entertain fans with her sarcasm and dry sense of humor. Many of her funny moments also involve an element of making fun of Charles or Oliver, but in a tongue-in-cheek way.
Mabel On Knocking
"Women who knock rarely make history."
During a visit to see her mother, Mabel realizes how important it is to her to find out what happened to her former friend, Tim Kono. She returns to The Arconia and bursts in on Charles and Oliver with a new lease of energy for their investigation. Charles comments on her abrupt entrance.
This quote is a nod to the famous phrase, "Well-behaved women seldom make history." This is a very important part of Mabel's character - she cares about social issues, including sexism and stereotyped gender roles, and is a strong, female protagonist. This quote is also one of the most well-known from Only Murders In The Building and has even been made into memes.