Released on the same day as episode 1, Only Murders in the Building season 5’s episode 2: After You offers us a glimpse of Lester’s (Teddy Coluca) colorful life behind the open doors of the Arconia as its trusted doorman, much more as its caretaker, including how he came to know the other victim, seedy mobster Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale).
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for Only Murders in the Building season 5 episode 2. Read at your own discretion.
With 32 years of service under his chapeau, Lester became a witness, an audience, and a companion in the eccentric lives of the Arconia residents, including the show’s main stars. He had been through every tenant’s highs and lows, often putting them first, as he always said, “After you!” Especially when there seem to be only murders in the building.
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Dreams of Hollywood Fame
After showing us clips of interviews with several New York doormen, episode 2 introduced us to a younger, bright-eyed Lester, played by Emory Cohen, who had just begun his apprenticeship at the Arconia under the stern George (Tony Plana). By the early 90s, George kept showing Lester the ins and outs of the Arconia and the foundations of being a good doorman.
Even though Lester was still reluctant to make it a full-time gig, as he still yearned to become a showbiz hotshot, time hadn’t been kind to his dreams of becoming a bona fide actor. Yielding to what seemed meant for him, Lester continued working as Arconia’s junior doorman.
Over the years, we’ve seen how some notable residents built relationships with the simple doorman. Of course, there was little Mabel (Isabella Aparicio) and a younger, sprightly Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short), who all had Lester by their side.
Lester even met and married the love of his life, then-aspiring opera singer Lorraine (younger Rainey played by Madison Wray), in the building, forever intertwining his life with the Arconia.
Plus, you’ll see a few cameos from special guests and recurring characters from the previous seasons throughout Lester’s doorman years. You can spot season 1’s first murder victim, Tim Kono (Julian Cihi), Season 4’s primary victim and Charles’ stunt double Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), and a younger Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell), who was Season 2’s central mystery.
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An Offer He Can’t Refuse
Now, how did Lester come to know Nicky Caccimelio? In episode 1: Nail in the Coffin, we’re shown a secret passageway from a personnel room leading to an empty, shabby casino and Lester’s bloodied envelope. When Lester was just starting, Nicky had already been showing at the Arconia front desk, always handing George the same kind of envelope, much to Lester’s envy. The deal was just to let Nicky and his associates into the secret doorway.
When George retired and passed the helm to Lester, Lester also took over doing business with Nicky. With a “don’t ask, don’t tell” understanding between the two, Lester had received big wads of cash sealed in the same kind of manila envelope from Nicky ever since.
But then, needing a break from the usual racket as he didn’t need the extra money anymore, Lester wanted out. However, Nicky made it clear to Lester that he now owed him everything he had accomplished because of his business with Nicky, leaving Lester trapped in Nicky’s corrupt doings.
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Possible Items for Clues
Seeing Nicky’s threats might actually heighten our suspicions of him unaliving Lester, but maybe there’s something more. Possibly a red herring, right?
In one of Lester’s flashback scenes, he received a green ledger as a holiday present. Fast-forward to when he was training an apprentice, Randall (Jermaine Fowler), and he showed him his ledger with “years of notes” written in it. However, the manila envelope right next to it piqued the interest of the new doorman. Lester warned Randall not to talk to “the man with a white gardenia,” aka Nicky.
The ledger is now in the hands of Randall, whom Lorraine gave it to at Lester’s wake. It might hold cryptic hints about Lester’s association with Nicky and, eventually, their demise.
Another piece of evidence the Arconia sleuths should find is Lester’s elevator crank, which might lead them to his murderer. During Lester’s final moments, we can see him fumbling with his elevator crank before getting hit by it on the head in the courtyard.
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Here’s to the Doormen
There’s a reason why this episode was the highest-rated in the show yet, according to IMDb. Apart from giving us context on Lester’s shady dealings with Nicky and how he ended up in the courtyard, the episode was a touching ode to the dedicated doormen of New York’s urban neighborhoods.
Like George said to the younger Lester and Lester to Randall, the little things should matter to doormen like them. Every little detail, down to the residents’ most crucial situations, became significant in Lester’s life for over three decades, as Lester was to them. He wasn’t just a doorman to them but also a friend, confidante, and shoulder to cry on.
What’s in store for Episode 3?
Even though a mysterious gloved figure with a deadly motive was revealed in the episode’s final minutes, we’re still unsure who’s out for whom. Maybe we’ll find out in episode 3: Rigor, where the trio “stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence.” It might be one of the objects we’ve noted earlier. We’ll see.
This is your sign to tune in to Hulu and Disney+ for episodes 1 through 3, with brand-new episodes every Tuesday. Meanwhile, you can still catch up with the show’s cast discussing bits about episode 2: After You in the Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast hosted by Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard Morris from the show):
Source: Hulu, @hulu (official Youtube channel)
