The third episode of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, titled “Rigor,” delivered shocking revelations and deepened the mystery surrounding the murder of Lester, the Arconia’s beloved doorman. The episode, which premiered on September 9, 2025, on Hulu, ended with a cliffhanger that identified the owner of a severed finger found earlier in the season. The discovery ties directly into a web of power, wealth, and crime involving some of New York’s most influential figures.
The Velvet Room Revelation
In the final moments of Episode 3, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel stumble upon the Velvet Room, a secret underground gambling den beneath the Arconia. This hidden speakeasy, historically used by powerful figures to conduct high-stakes deals, becomes the setting for a tense confrontation. While hiding behind a bar, the trio observes three billionaires engaged in a conversation. Among them is Jay Pflug, a tech billionaire played by Logan Lerman. During the encounter, Pflug pours a drink, revealing a bandaged hand with a missing finger. This confirms that the severed finger discovered by Oliver in Episode 1 belongs to Pflug.
The Velvet Room is described as a pivotal location linked to the criminal underworld of New York. It once hosted illegal activities involving the city’s elite, and its reappearance suggests a modern-day revival of these dealings. The other billionaires present are Camila White (Renée Zellweger), a hotel magnate, and Sebastian Steed (Christoph Waltz), another tech billionaire. Their presence implies a connection to the deaths of Lester and Nicky Caccimelio, a mobster whose body was found earlier in the season.
Jay Pflug’s Role and Background
Jay Pflug is portrayed as an heir to a pharmaceutical fortune valued at $19 billion. His character is introduced as one of the new generation of powerful figures potentially controlling New York’s criminal landscape. The bandaged finger directly ties him to the threat received by the trio—a severed finger delivered in a manner reminiscent of a mafia warning. This development positions Pflug as a central suspect in Lester’s murder and the broader conspiracy involving the Arconia.
The episode suggests that Pflug and the other billionaires may have replaced traditional mobsters as the key players in the city’s underworld. Their wealth and influence allow them to operate in shadows, using places like the Velvet Room to conduct their affairs. The trio’s discovery of this group adds layers of danger and complexity to their investigation.
Nicky Caccimelio’s Body and Mabel’s Discovery
Earlier in Episode 3, the trio makes another critical discovery related to Nicky Caccimelio, a mobster whose body was found in his dry-cleaning business. Mabel performs an impromptu autopsy on Nicky’s body, which had been stored in a freezer. She determines that Nicky was murdered hours before being frozen, indicating foul play. This finding contradicts the initial assumption that his death was accidental or natural.
The condition of Nicky’s body suggests he was killed and then preserved to conceal the timing of his murder. This revelation connects to Lester’s death, as both men were involved in shady dealings tied to the Arconia. Lester, as revealed in flashbacks, had a long-standing relationship with Nicky, accepting money in exchange for facilitating various tasks within the building.
Charles’s Hallucinations and Mental State
Throughout the episode, Charles struggles with hallucinations, particularly visions of the dead bodies he encounters. These hallucinations, which include conversations with corpses, mirror his experiences in previous seasons, such as with Sazz Pataki. The psychological toll of the investigations appears to be affecting his mental health, leading to paranoia and confusion.
By the end of the episode, Charles is shown obtaining medication, likely to manage these symptoms. This subplot adds a personal layer to the mystery, raising questions about how his condition might impact the trio’s ability to solve the case.
Fan Reactions and Theories
Fans of the show have expressed excitement and speculation about the introduction of Jay Pflug and the billionaire group. Social media discussions highlight theories about Pflug’s possible motives, with some suggesting he might be orchestrating events to protect his interests or eliminate rivals. The Velvet Room has also sparked interest, with viewers drawing parallels to historical secret societies and their influence in New York.
The performances of Logan Lerman, Renée Zellweger, and Christoph Waltz have been praised for adding depth and intrigue to the season. Their characters’ wealth and power create a formidable challenge for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, raising the stakes significantly.
Connections to Previous Episodes
Episode 3 builds on events from the first two episodes of Season 5. In Episode 1, Oliver discovers the severed finger while handling shrimp at his wedding reception. This leads the trio to investigate Lester’s death, which they believe is murder despite official claims of an accident. In Episode 2, flashbacks reveal Lester’s history with Nicky Caccimelio, showing how Lester became entangled in Nicky’s operations in exchange for financial support.
The map discovered by Charles using a deck of cards left by Nicky’s wife, Sofia, guides the trio to the Velvet Room. This location becomes the epicenter of the season’s mystery, linking the billionaires to the Arconia’s dark secrets.
The Future of the Investigation
The ending of Episode 3 sets the stage for further exploration of the Velvet Room and its occupants. The trio must now navigate the dangers posed by these powerful figures while uncovering the truth behind Lester and Nicky’s deaths. The presence of corrupt cops and mobsters adds to the complexity, suggesting that the conspiracy extends beyond the billionaires.
As the season progresses, viewers can expect more twists and revelations about the relationships between the characters and their roles in the overarching mystery. The trio’s podcast may also play a larger role, as Oliver emphasizes the importance of documenting their findings for their audience.
Background on Lester and the Arconia
Lester Coluca, portrayed by Teddy Coluca, was the longtime doorman of the Arconia. His character, introduced in Season 1, was known for his kindness and dedication to the residents. Flashbacks in Episode 2 reveal that Lester initially took the job as a temporary measure while pursuing an acting career. Over time, he became deeply embedded in the building’s community, even facilitating deals for Nicky Caccimelio in exchange for money to support his family.
Lester’s murder in the courtyard fountain during Oliver’s wedding reception kickstarts the season’s investigation. His death symbolizes the end of an era for the Arconia, as new, more dangerous forces take root beneath its surface.
Also Read: Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episodes 1-3 Global Release Timings and Regional Guide
Credits: fandomwire.com, directv.com
