The mini-series described a scene at the fourth-to-last dinner party which the Baudelaire parents held in their mansion before Bertrand's death in the fire. Each of the installments of The Dismal Dinner include three letters of a coded message, which, when put together in order, spell out "OLAF WAS THERE". The individual spying on the party is suggested to be Count Olaf, but the narrative's description of the character could also apply to Olaf's associate, the bald-headed man. Also, two individuals are disguised as dessert and described as "unusually delicious-looking". Their identities are unknown.