Directed by Paris Barclay
Written by Andrea Newman
The recovery of a gun reopens the case of Dennis Hofferman, who had been mugged and killed on the night that he was to appear on a community theatre production of Cabaret.
Tropes:
- Accidental Public Confession:
- Gloria visited the stage during rehearsals, and came to the sound room where Lyle was. But Lyle deliberately left the speakers on for Dennis and Nora's microphones, so Gloria heard an intimate conversation between Nora and Dennis, and found out their relationship was developing into more than friendship.
- The above example helped Lilly figure out Lyle was the killer, as Nora trying to convince Clinton to scare Dennis by disguising as a burglar, just as the killer had done, was overheard by Lyle through their microphones.
- All for Nothing: Lyle believed that killing Dennis would make him the replacement actor, so he could be noticed by the talent scout in the audience. Problem is that it was a lie made up by the director to keep the actors motivated, and Lyle was never cast in Dennis' place, as the show got cancelled.
- The Bet: The detectives wager among themselves as to who the killer was.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Nora reveals how selfish she is during her and Dennis' lunch with Rafe.
- Chekhov's Gun: The Accidental Public Confession from Nora and Dennis when Lyle’s tech sound let him hear whatever they said while wearing their microphones is what makes Lilly realize that Lyle could have also overheard Nora's plan to attack Dennis.
- Complexity Addiction: Lyle would rather murder Dennis to take his spot rather than audition like a normal person.
- Everybody Did It: An incidental version as all of Dennis' cast mates had a role in his death. Rafe wanted a real gun. Clinton got him the gun. Nora told Clinton of a plan to disable Dennis. Lyle overheard it and carried it out.
- Evil Is Hammy: Lyle seems like a quiet guy until he is revealed as the killer.
- Green-Eyed Monster:
- Lyle was jealous of Dennis' talent and courage to audition for the show while Lyle was too scared, even though he knew every line of the show. He hoped killing Dennis on opening night would give him the chance to step into the spotlight for once.
- Lyle got the murder plan after overhearing Nora, who wanted to prevent Dennis from outshining her and getting his big break, so she tried to convince Clinton to attack him. However, Clinton refused, preferring to let his performance stand on its own.
- Performance Anxiety: Dennis auditioned for a musical production but found himself having trouble performing. The director managed to help him through it by asking him to perform with his back facing the audience.
- Reformed Criminal: Clinton was a small time criminal before becoming an actor.
- Romance on the Set: In-Universe, this happens between Dennis and Nora, resulting in a Love Triangle with Dennis' fiancée Gloria. Not much comes out of it though, after Dennis realized that Nora is willing to throw him under the bus to get noticed and goes back to Gloria.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Theater director Rafe lied to the actors that a famous talent scout will be in the audience, in order to motive them. However, he underestimated the lengths the actors would go to get noticed, with one even willing to kill.
- Villain Song: The Nazi anthem "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" was sang by a child actor during Dennis' murder.
