Fans were thrilled to hear that Only Murders In The Building has been renewed for season 3. There are many reasons why fans and critics alike enjoy the show so much: the fast-paced and exciting mystery, the backdrop of Manhattan, the use of murder mystery tropes, the loveable and over-the-top characters, and the hilarious dialogue between unlikely friends.
Indeed, fan-favorite character Charles certainly has a mixture of heartfelt and hilarious quotes in Only Murders In The Building, and these are the ones that stand out.
When Charles Discusses His Love Of New York
“As any true crime aficionado will tell you, it’s the boondocks you need to worry about. I mean, let’s face it, nobody ever discovered 19 bodies buried in the backyard of a 14-story apartment building.”
At the very beginning of the first episode of season 1, Charles, portrayed by Steve Martin, explains that he doesn’t understand why anyone would be afraid of living in New York. He suggests that it is a very safe place to live.
This is the perfect setup for the rest of the show. Of course, Charles lives to regret these words when, almost immediately, there is a murder in the building he lives in: The Arconia. The story immediately contradicts his impression of New York as safe and murder-free.
Charles On Oliver’s Story
“Even the elevator wanted that story to end.”
The first time the trio meet is in the elevator in The Arconia and Oliver tries to make conversation with both Charles and Mabel. Oliver asks Mabel if she likes her headphones and explains that he left his on the subway.
From this funny Only Murders In The Building quote, it is clear that Charles does not initially take to Oliver. He finds him irritating, not least because he is offended that Oliver doesn’t remember who he is. However, although they are very different people and their relationship starts out as rocky, they go on to build a fan favorite friendship.
Charles On The Difficulties Of Secrecy
“Sometimes it’s easier to figure out someone else’s secret than it is to deal with your own.”
In the first episode of the podcast, Charles explains that dealing with the problems of others can be easier than dealing with ones’ own problems. This is incredibly relevant to the main characters, who focus on uncovering the secrets of suspects in Tim Kono’s murder, while all hiding important information about themselves.
Mabel hides that she was friends Tim Kono, Oliver hides his financial problems and his difficulty getting work, and Charles hides his loneliness resulting from an abrupt separation from his partner and his stepdaughter. Indeed, this quote insightfully depicts that the trio are distracting themselves from their own problems.
When Charles Tries To Comfort Howard
“A cat never really leaves you because they transmit parasites.”
During their investigation, the trio begin to suspect Howard. Mabel and Charles visit him to try and get some more information, but Howard is still devastated about the loss of his beloved cat.
When Charles says these words, he really is trying to offer comfort, however, he totally misses the mark. Instead, socially awkward Charles accidentally implies that Howard’s cat was unclean, rather than showing sympathy for Howard’s loss. Nonetheless, it is a hilarious Only Murders In The Building quote and the best thing about it is Howard and Mabel’s bewildered and appalled expressions.
Charles To Mabel On Kindness
“I want you to be less mean.”
When Mabel, portrayed by actor and musician Selena Gomez, witnesses Charles flirting with Jan in The Arconia elevator, she suggests that he should ask her out. Charles is reluctant and suggests it is not the right time and Mabel jokes that he has plenty of time (really suggesting that he doesn’t).
In addition to being a funny moment between the friends, this highlights a difference between Oliver and Mabel, and Charles. Mabel and Oliver are both very blunt – they are happy to say what they think, even if that’s difficult for someone else to hear. This is different from Charles’ approach, which is kindness first always.
When Charles Delivers His Famous Brazzos Catchphrase
“This sends the investigation into a whole new direction.”
The pinnacle of Charles’ acting career was playing a famous television detective: Brazzos. He so fondly remembers his time on the show and it is clear that he is a bit lost without it.
It is perfect for the story that Charles’ used to play a television detective – of course, this is (sort of) who his real character is in the show following the death of Tim Kono. Charles’ finds reasons to repeat this line numerous times on the show in an attempt to relive the glory of his heyday.
Charles On The Internet
“You checked all the websites?”/ “Yep. All the websites.”/ “Well, we’ve exhausted the internet.”
As part of their investigation, Mabel researches Tim Kono’s “online world” and finds very little information. She explains that he kept a low profile, but Charles questions whether she checked the entire internet.
This hilarious quote highlights the generational difference between Charles and Oliver, and Mabel. However, while Oliver takes a lot of interest in learning about the modern world and the younger generation, as demonstrated by his knowledge of slang, Charles likes to stay very much in what he already knows.
Charles On Dating
“You know, I’m thinking of putting myself out there again. I mean, I slept with a murderer! That is a great story to tell on a first date.”
Following the trio’s successful attempt to stop Jan from murdering everyone in The Arconia and prior to Bunny’s murder at the end of Only Murders In The Building season 1, Mabel, Charles and Oliver celebrate a murder mystery well solved. In his excitement, Charles confidently tells his friends that he will start dating again.
Firstly, fans enjoy that Charles, who was so lonely at the beginning of the show, has built his confidence and now remembers the value of having loved ones in his life, having been hurt so deeply previously. Secondly, however, this quote demonstrates Charles’ amateur approach to first dates – he thinks sleeping with a murderer will make a good impression on a new potential love interest.
Charles To Mabel When She Lies
“How was the chillin’ in Washington Square Park? Was it, like, so chill? Did you chill it up so hard?”
When Oscar surprises Mabel, the two visit a tattoo parlor in hopes of finding more clues about Tim Kono’s death. However, at this point in the season, Mabel has still not been honest about her history with Tim Kono and so she lies to Oliver and Charles about being in Washington Square Park.
Charles feels hurt and betrayed and, when he sees Mabel, conveys this with these words. However, he is not someone to use the word ‘chill’ and he doesn’t really understand slang (as referenced numerous times in the show). As such, this quote is what he comes out with – hilarious but lacking in sense.
Charles On Protecting His Friends
“You won’t shoot my friends. Shoot me if you need to, but not them. Because I don’t want to live in a world without them.”
When Jan gets found out by the iconic Only Murders In The Building trio and tries to poison Charles, she has also put her plan of gassing the whole of The Arconia into action. The trio does their best to stop her and Charles tries to deliver a heartfelt speech about friendship.
While this quote echoes genuine and heroic sentiments about his new friendships, that isn’t what makes this quote great. At this moment, Charles is drugged and unable to speak clearly. While in Charles’ mind he says these words, in reality, he mumbles gibberish, startling Mabel, Oliver and Jan. While he tried to be a hero, everyone else thought he was out of his mind.
