"After You" is the second episode of the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, starring Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short. It originally aired on September 9, 2025, alongside the first and third episode.
Short Summary[]
A look back at Lester's early days at the Arconia reveals how a young dreamer became a steadfast doorman — sacrificing his future to protect the residents from the building's secrets.
Full Summary[]
A montage of doormen performing their services. A doorman, Ronald, is interviewed and lists off his duties. He asks what this is again and the interviewer says it's a student on New York City doormen. He finds it odd that people want that.
Another doorman, Damian, says it's not brain surgery, but he does help people. He talks to them and cheers them up if they need it.
Joaquin says he keeps candy for the kids being raised by nannies. And he takes dogs out.
Angelo talks about helping a woman give birth in the lobby.
TJ says everything is getting so disconnected these days. They look after the 1-on-1 thing.
Murray says of course people die in there. You open the door for them the first time and you might open it the last time.
Lester says he's been at his desk for 32 years. He never planned on being a doorman. He was going to be a movie star. He remembers the first day vividly.
Lester puts on his uniform. George tells him his work starts at 6 AM, which means in his uniform, not walking through the door. A tenant should never see him in civilian clothes. Lester is only interested in when he gets paid and if there are tips. George says there are tips around the holidays, but Lester hopes to be acting full-time by then. He asks about time off for auditions, but George says he's not leaving for auditions. When he's there, he's about the tenants. That's the job. If he does it right, he might fall in love with the place.
Lester says they're Old New York. The interview thinks he must have quite a story after so many years and asks him to share it.
Lester runs through the courtyard, checking over his shoulder.
Lester chuckles at the interviewer.
George puts the crank in the elevator and looks to see who has called it. He says Lester is starting with a tough one. She always leaves early to buy a lottery ticket. She'll ask Lester what numbers to play. George warns him not to engage. The doors open to reveal Bunny Folger. She notices Lester and says she hopes he's better than the last guy. She asks when his birthday is and he tells her. She takes the numbers from his birth date and says they're not bad. When the elevator opens, George gestures for Bunny to step out first. She tells Lester she won't share if she wins, then steps off the elevator. George tells Lester always to let the tenant go first. And he should pay attention. The trick is noticing the little things. Like how Bunny wasn't wearing a coat. She's having a hot flash. When she comes home, she'll ask Lester to turn the radiator off in her apartment. He hands the elevator crank to Lester and tells him it's part of his arm now. The safety of everyone in the building is in his hands with the crank. He reminds Lester to pay attention to the small stuff, so he knows what's coming.
George opens the door for Teddy Dimas and a woman. Lester starts to greet them and Teddy tells him she's not Mrs. Dimas.
Lester is putting newspapers on the desk when Silvia Mora comes in with baby Mabel. They're there to visit Silvia's sister. Lester welcomes Mabel to the Arconia. Lester takes the crank to get the elevator for her.
Lester is waxing the floor when Oliver comes through and dramatically pretends to slip and fall. Lester days he didn't fall. Lester saw him lie down on the ground. He asks what Oliver is trying to pull. Oliver says he made an offer on a unit in the building, but it's competitive. He wonders if Lester could make other applications disappear in exchange for Oliver not suing. Lester will see what he can do. Oliver says it's nice to meet him.
Lester finds two young women waiting on some stairs. He asks if they're there to visit someone. Just then, Charles walks in and they jump up, saying they're Brazzos' biggest fans. They want a picture but he doesn't take pictures without his Brazzos badge. Then he does some sleight of hand to put his badge on his coat. He takes a picture and then gives his badge to one of the women. Lester says Charles handled that like a pro. He says he's also an actor, just getting started. Charles wishes him luck. As he walks away, George approaches and tells him a homeless woman is making a racket in the courtyard. He needs Lester to go tell her to move along.
Lorraine is singing in the courtyard. Lester approaches and she says she'll leave, knowing what he's there for. He tells her her voice is beautiful. She's pushing a stroller and says talking them for a walk is the only way to get them down for a nap and she loves the acoustics of the Arconia.
Lester says when he's rich and famous and Lorraine's an opera star, they'll still each their lunch together at the Arconia, but up in their own apartment. She sarcastically says that sounds awful.
Newly-wed Lester and Lorraine run through the courtyard. They stop to kiss.
As Howard pushes her through the lobby, Mrs. Morris says the decorations are beautiful. She'd love to spend the holidays with a daughter-in-law and grandkids. Howard says he's working on it. Mrs. Morris wants him to hurry up. He quietly says being with a girl would be the end of the world. Lester turns when he hears George yelling at someone that they shouldn't be in a closet. Young Mabel walks out, clutching a book to her chest. She hides on the stairs. Lester goes over and sits next to her. When she says her name, he remembers her from when she was a baby. He asks if she was playing hide and seek. She says no, you need friends for that. She just was hiding. Lester could use a friend. He has to put one more ornament on the tree. He asks for her help.
Mabel hangs an ornament on the tree.
Mabel turns the crank, making the elevator move.
Mabel stands next to Lester as he holds the door and gestures, saying, "After you" to each of them.
Mabel stands beside Lester as he takes a picture of Oliver, Roberta, and Will. Roberta wants to take a nice one, but Oliver and Will still make faces. Roberta asks for one serious picture for their Christmas card, but Teddy calls to Oliver and Oliver goes to speak to him. Roberta reminds him they have dinner reservations, but Oliver insists he'll be there. Teddy argues with Oliver about the show's budget.
Mabel rides on a luggage cart, waving to people as Lester pushes her. They pass Charles and Sazz. Charles tells Sazz he's up against Russell Crowe for Gladiator. He's sure he's going to get it. They spot Lester and Charles pulls out a signed headshot for him. Mabel is surprised to hear he's an actor.
Lester opens a present. Inside is an Arconia ledger. He looks over and sees George talking to Nicky Caccimelio, who gives him a little extra for some toys for the kids. Once Nicky is gone, Lester asks if George is holding out on him, because he's seen George get those envelopes of cash before. He wants in. George asks why, since he keeps saying he'll leave any moment to become a big star, so he doesn't need the money. Lester says that's a low blow.
Lester, George and several tenants, including Howard, Mrs. Morris, Uma, and Bunny, gather and watch as the new elevator is installed. Bunny never thought she'd live to see the Arconia have an automated elevator. Howard thirsts over the workers. A worker hands Lester the crank and George says he needs to have a word with him.
Lester worries that with the new elevator, the Arconia doesn't need a second doorman and he's about to be fired. He has kids now and Lorraine is finally getting traction with her career, but it doesn't pay a lot. George says there's someone he wants to introduce Lester to. He takes Lester in to meet Nicky. Lester knows better than to mess with Nicky because he grew up across from his family's dry cleaners in Flatbush. Nicky looks at Lester and says he's a maybe. George explains that he's retiring, which means they need someone new on the desk and someone new to help Nicky. He knows Lester needs the money, so he can consider this his big break. Lester asks what he has to do. Nicky says it's not exactly legal, but no one's getting hurt. Nicky has a business in the Arconia on Saturday nights. All Lester has to do is stay a little later and let people in, then keep the night flowing. Lester says that sounds okay. Nicky gives Lester an envelope of cash and welcomes him to the family.
Lester looks at the envelope of cash as George comes in with his things packed and ready to go. He warns Lester to be careful, to let people in, but keep his head down. The less he knows, the better. George wasn't sure about Lester when he started, but he's proven himself. He says to take care of the building because it's his now. Lester opens the door for George and says his usual, "After you."
Lester checks himself out in the mirror, making sure he's ready and stroking the start of his mustache. When Bunny comes through, he says he'll make sure her radiator is off when she comes home. She thanks him for being on top of things, then yells for him to get the door.
Lester tells Charles he's sorry about Gladiator. Charles says it's no big deal. He's auditioning for National Treasure and he's sure he'll get that one.
Lester opens the door for Nicky and takes the cash envelope in exchange.
Lester opens the door for Howard and Mrs. Morris, who are dressed up in Pride garb. Mrs. Morris tells Lester her son is gay and another gay man would be happy to have him.
Lester lets in three men to see Nicky. They go into the closet by the desk.
Bunny and Uma run in, telling Lester there's a creep outside and they had to run for their lives. Lester takes his crank and heads outside.
Lester steps inside, followed by Mabel, Tim Kono, and Althea, who are carrying boxes of wine. He tells them they better not get too crazy tonight. Mabel says the wine is for cooking, but Lester isn't buying it. He asks how many guests they're expecting and Mabel says it's just the three of them plus a few friends from Bayport. If more people show up with cooking supplies, they're with Mabel. Leste remembers when Mabel didn't have any friends.
Lester tells Nicky it's his anniversary. Nicky congratulates him. He promised Lorraine they could go out for dinner, but it's Saturday. Lester was hoping to take the night off. Nicky says no. He can take Lorraine to Sunday brunch instead. Lester thinks it might be time to be done. His kids are in college now and he's been saving up. He doesn't really need the extra money anymore. Nicky says it doesn't work like that. Nicky is the reason Lester has anything. He'll stay until Nicky says he's done.
Lester answer the phone.
Lester enters Oliver's apartment. Oliver asks him to run him a bath and check to see if Roberta took the toaster because he's going to need it. Lester says that's the one thing he can't help with. Oliver wonders if he'd make it onto the Tony "In Memoriam" if he died. Oliver worries he's going to die alone in the apartment he worked so hard to keep. Lester says he has time to turn things around. He's a late bloomer like Lester. He picks up the bouquet of flowers and says they'll wither away on the counter, but if Oliver cares for them, puts them in water and sun, they'll bounce back. Lester promises Oliver he's not going anywhere.
Lester holds the door for Uma and Bunny, who lament getting older. He tells them to have a good day.
Lester reads about birds.
Lester consoles Howard as his mother's body is taken out of the Arconia.
Lester holds the door for Nicky. Nicky hands him an envelope and says it's a little heavier tonight, so Lester can buy something shiny for Lorraine.
Charles is arguing with a taxi driver. Lester comes to check on him and finds Charles is short to pay the driver. Charles came in from Atlantic City and the driver says it's $400. Lester pulls cash out of the envelope and pays the driver. Charles thanks him and says he had a bad night. Lester days he'll bounce back soon. He's Brazzos. Charles says he used to be Brazzos. People used to watch him. He had an action figure. Now he goes on courtesy calls instead of real auditions. Charles hands Lester a deck of cards. Lester says Charles just needs one thing to go right and he'll bounce back. He tries to say Charles is a late bloomer, but Charles just says it's getting late.
Lester guides people toward the exit as the fire alarm goes off. Oliver asks if this is really necessary, because it took four people to get Winnie downstairs. Lester says they're figuring it out.
Lester and Lorraine listen to the podcast. Lester says the murderer must have walked right past his desk. Lorraine says it's not his fault.
Four murders later, Lorraine admits it doesn't look good for Lester. It might be time he gets some help.
Lester tells Randall it's going to be a big day of training. He's starting on a big week. They have a wedding. Randall asks if they're having a DJ or a band because he does gigs. That's actually his plan for his life, not being a doorman.
Lester talks to Randall about the work of being a doorman, sending people out and welcoming them back home. He can't miss a single detail. He shows Randall the ledger, which has years of notes in it. Randall sees the envelope and asks about it. Lester says it's nothing but to let him handle it if a man comes in with a white gardenia. Randall doesn't want to get involved. As Oliver, Charles, and Mabel walk through the lobby, Lester tells Randall if he's lucky, he'll fall in love with the place like Lester did.
Lester says the buildings could have switched to automatic doors years ago. But they've always kept a doorman.
Oliver, Charles, and Mabel look over Lester's body in the fountain.
Uma and Howard console each other as Randall talks to the cops.
It's hard to put into words, but Lester thinks they'd miss them if doormen were gone.
As they set up the murder board, Oliver says he can't believe Lester's gone. The police report comes in and they're all in shock that it's been ruled an accidental death. Mabel says it feels weird. She guesses someone could just die in the building. She wonders if there isn't actually a story there.
Lester says there is no story.
Lester runs from someone, dropping the elevator crank on the way. He falls into the fountain.
Oliver, Charles, and Mabel misremember what Lester said when he opened doors.
Lester says he's talked enough and he has a job to do.
The killer picks up the elevator crank.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage
- Martin Short as Oliver Putnam
- Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora
- Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris
Guest starring[]
- Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Caccimelio
- Julian Cihi as Tim Kono
- Emory Cohen as Young Lester
- Teddy Coluca as Lester Coluca
- Beanie Feldstein as Althea
- Jermaine Fowler as Randall Winston
- Jackie Hoffman as Uma Heller
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Mrs. Morris
- Jayne Houdyshell as Bunny Folger
- Nathan Lane as Teddy Dimas
- Adriane Lenox as Roberta Putnam
- Jane Lynch as Sazz Pataki
- Tony Plana as George
- Dianne Wiest as Lorraine Coluca
- Madison Wray as Young Lorraine
Co-starring[]
- Isabella Aparicio as Young Mabel
- Richard Busser as Doorman #3
- James Ciccone as Doorman #2
- Derek Clarke as Doorman #1
- Martin J. Fisher as Doorman #6
- Michael Raymond Fox as Doorman #4
- Lili Ostojic Gibson as Twenty-Something Woman
- Carter Harris as Young Will
- Anna Leah Maltezos as Young Woman (Mabel's Mom)
- Robert Turano as Doorman #5
- Nicolas Vitucci as Young Theo
Notes and Trivia[]
General[]
- The title sequence to this episode shows Lester in silhouette, on the roof of the Arconia, as well as Howard pushing his mother in a wheelchair.
Cultural references[]
- Lester's flashback of Christmas 1998 has Teddy reference the Broadway version of The Lion King. Nathan Lane voiced Timon the Meerkat in the original 1994 movie.
Soundtrack[]
Media[]
Episode Stills[]
Behind the Scenes[]
Videos[]
See Also[]
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A complete overview of this episode's crew can be found here. |
References[]