Murder in a Small Town – Masterpiece

There was so much going on in this episode – it’s by far one of my favorite episodes of Murder in a Small Town this season. From everything going on between Cassandra, her mother, and Mayor Holman to the return of Tommy Cummins, I was on the edge of my seat the entire episode. 

I was expecting more backlash from the budget vote outcome. Especially with how Karl handled hearing the news in last week’s episode. It seems like they sort of glossed over it in the beginning. I felt like this was something that really needed to be discussed. I didn’t like that Karl basically took ownership of their argument and Cassandra basically let him. Again, I understand why she was passionate about the things she wanted, but where was the empathy for Karl and the entire police department that has been running on fumes? It would’ve been nice to hear her at least apologize for the position she put him in (unless I missed it). 

Sid has been working doubles for over a month – running on fumes. It’s no wonder he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his car. He was MIA the entire night and people just assumed he was sleeping in for the day. Thankfully Laila found him and he was able to get the help he needed, but man could you imagine if they never found him? 

“Masterpiece” – MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Guest star Jamie Chung as Lanni Soo and Rossif Sutherland as Karl Alberg. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  © 2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

I loved the return of Tommy Cummins. Terrible – I know, but he’s one of those characters that never leaves you. His arc continues when Lanni Soo, an assistant attorney, stops by to visit Karl and inform him that his services are needed. She needs Karl’s help in convincing him to disclose the location of the rest of his victims but specifically, Beth Falconer. Tommy agreed to give the location of the rest of his victims, but will only divulge these locations to Karl. 

Karl knows something is off with Tommy, but Lanni has tunnel vision of getting justice for Tommy’s victims’ families. The way she was so adamant on getting this man out into the wild, I thought she was in cahoots with him. I mean she took so many risks during this transport; even quickly getting this transport approved was suspicious. I was wrong though, she was just too focused on the end goal and was unfamiliar with Tommy’s game. It’s no wonder Tommy managed to get the upperhand on them. At one of the gravesites, the box he buried his victim in was rigged with an explosive. When that went off Tommy took this opportunity to escape taking Lanni with him. 

“Masterpiece” – MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Rossif Sutherland as Karl Alberg, guest star Noah Reid as Tommy Cummins, and guest star Patrick Roccas as Stewart. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  © 2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Tommy’s prison cell depicted an incomplete painting; yes, it could be because he lost his privileges, but Karl knew better than that. Putting the incomplete pieces together, he figured out that Tommy was completing his own version of Dante’s Inferno. What was sick about Tommy is that he posed his victims into famous paintings. This man is so sick and twisted – when Karl catches up to him, he has turned this warehouse into a version of hell for anyone who enters creating a literal inferno. Multiple drum barrels up in flames except one – the one Tommy put Lanni in. 

Let’s take a pause for a minute to talk about this phone conversation between Cassandra and Karl. Karl calls her and the way he’s speaking, this man did not think he was making it back home to her. You can just tell he’s exhausted but giving it his all to take Tommy down. Kudos to this man Karl though, because whether or not he made it out of there alive, he set it up to make sure whatever backup came, Tommy wouldn’t make it far. 

“Masterpiece” – MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN, Pictured: Kristin Kreuk as Cassandra Lee. Photo: Kailey Schwerman/ FOX  © 2025 Fox Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

He messed up when he didn’t take Karl out at that moment if we’re being honest (glad he didn’t). Making Karl pick between catching him or saving Lanni was a bit overconfident there, Tommy. Of course he’s captured, but returning back to the scene, you know those drum barrels on fire? Yeah, the remaining victims Tommy kept hidden. I’m glad despite the ordeal for the day, Beth Falconer’s parents and everyone else will get the closure they deserve. 

Do we think this is the end of Tommy Cummins? Something tells me it’s not but we shall see. 

The last few minutes of tonight’s episode were enough to make me want the next episode yesterday. Cassandra is handed an envelope and man is her next encounter with Mayor Holman going to be an interesting one. Someone clearly hacked the mayor’s account and sent Cassandra proof of why Christie has been pushing to get this budget passed.

What’d you think of tonight’s new episode of Murder in a Small Town? Share your thoughts below or connect with me on X/Twitter @chenfordhugs