As much as I like this show, I feel like I don’t have much to say about this most recent season. I enjoyed it, I always enjoy it, but it feels a little bit like diminishing returns. They’re giving us more of the same things we like (murder mystery, wacky comedy, surprisingly sweet moments of friendship between the three main characters) but the more we get, the less impactful it feels each time. I guess most shows suffer from the same dilemma: once the newness wears off, how do you keep the show fresh while still staying true to the elements that make it what it is?

Maybe that’s asking too much for a show like this. And maybe that’s not even what we want. I like the show the way it is. It’s not that serious and it doesn’t need to be. Despite the murder mystery plot at the center of the series, it’s mostly lighthearted, fun, and funny. I laugh out loud at least twice an episode. This season did lean a little too far into the abstract sometimes for my taste, but always managed to be funny.

Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd as new additions to the cast this season were both perfect in very meta roles. Meryl Streep playing a failed actress while in real life being one of the greatest actresses of all time and Paul Rudd playing an actor known for superhero movies while in real life being Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’re both so talented and funny in the show and bring such star quality that really helped give this season a boost.

The actual murder mystery plot always feels a little convoluted and like they’re trying so hard to make sure no one figures out who the killer is before the show reveals it that some of it doesn’t make any sense or feels forced or silly. However, I’m not sure anyone is tuning into this show for a good mystery. I’m not sure how much I even care who the killer is from season to season. What I really care about is watching Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez interact in their bizarre, hysterical, heartwarming friend group. I would watch that crew do anything, even if it’s not solving murders.

Season 3 was not the best season of this show but it still contains all the elements we love about it. It’s a guaranteed laugh and good time and I would recommend it to everyone!

2023 Count: 26 seasons, 42 movies, 1 special