Monk Review: 5+/5
Monk(2009) is a timeless show featuring a brilliant, quirky detective that solves cases like they are puzzles. Adrian Monk weaves an interesting narrative of being a workaholic. In Monk, many themes were explored: respect, order of society, and control. Respect is illustrated brilliantly with Sharona and Natalie, as they are constantly taken for granted by Adrian(Tony Shalhoub). This respect also applies vice versa: many times people have counted out Adrian because he is different.
Next, the writers of Monk weave a basket made up of societal order. This “basket” holds themes like morality, respect, and the drive to keep going. Monk refuses to label anything a suicide, as a “open-shut case”. His morals often come into play: when really gruesome musters happen, he dedicates himself even more. He also rejects many who try to imitate him or become better: both Marty Eels in “Mr. Monk and the Other Detective” and David Ruskin(Stanley Tucci guest stars) in “Mr. Monk and The Actor”, figure out he is a more complex character than they thought. He is also caught in bad experiences of the past, like when he was buried alive in “Mr. Monk vs the Cobra”. These experiences have incredible allusions that are used in other episodes, to tie all the episodes together.
Monk cannot be reviewed without talking about the constant character Lieutenant Randy Disher(Jason Gray-Stanford). He is super funny and sometimes really annoying to Captain Stottlemeyer(Ted Levine). An example of this is when cases arise and when he needs to present facts: he takes a long time standing in silence and waiting for Captain Stottlemeyer to sit down or finish some task, doesn't say it at all, or misses the most important facts. In “Mr. Monk and the Class Reunion”, it follows,
“(Captain) So there's no motive. (Randy) Right, Number Two: he's dead. He died in 1995, and Number Three: He moved to Europe in the late 80s, so there's no record of him ever returning to the United States...[Stottlemeyer interrupts] (Captain) Randy? Randy? Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt you, but could you repeat Number Two again? (Randy) Okey-doke. Uh, he's dead. (Captain) Right... See, I probably would have stopped reading after Number Two. In fact I would have read Number Two first. (Randy) You would have switched them? (Captain) Yeah. But that's just me. And probably every other adult on the planet Earth.” This demonstrates how Randy just doesn't stress the important facts.
Another funny Randy moment is when he presents his wild ideas and gets rejected. In “Mr. Monk and the Julies”, Randy presents an idea that the serial killer of many Julie Teegers was actually a robot that was killing all the women named Julie Teeger like the one from the Terminator franchise, which eliminated a series of girls named Sarah. He is ignored after this idea, but it just proves that he’s trying to keep up with Adrian. These hidden quips are important but seldom understood to the common viewer.
Randy also shows his “brilliance” when trying to present facts of the case. In one instance, he annoys Captain Stottlemeyer even before the news, stating that “Are you ready for this Captain? You should really sit and put the cup down.” He continues for a while and angers the Captain, but then when Randy delivers the news the Captain throws the cup. This drives home that Randy has a well-meaning, playful relationship with the Captain.
That is a perfect reason to move on to the Captain, Leland Stottlemeyer. He is featured having a playful attitude and always disciplining Monk. He likes going to football games but sometimes he is forced to stay with Monk and solve a case. One example is when Monk is buried alive in a coffin(on the Sonny Chow case). The Captain figures that the police have a lot less time to find Monk because he is probably panicking.
The Captain has his satirical moments, but what is really interesting is how disciplined he is. He is always looking out for others and is very quick on his feet in gun-fights. In one episode, where Mr. Monk is framed for killing the hit man of Trudy, Capt. Stottlemeyer helps him fake his own death. So, the Captain is a critical character to the spinning storyline of Monk.
To save the best for last: Adrian Monk(Tony Shalhoub). He is why this show is so amazing: intricate voicings, thoughts, and hate for change. His quirkiness is why he is a trailblazer fo main character: OCD is “a gift… and a curse” in his mind. From not just helping himself and close assistants in his own funny way, to solving magnanimous and often misleading cases, Adrian Monk inspires everybody. This even leads many characters to be in competition with him: Harold Krenshaw(Tim Bagley). His funny chemistry with Monk, as they fight through psychiatrists, organizing books, and finding health methods lightens the show. But ultimately, Monk does win: in “Mr. Monk Fights City Hall”, he wins the case of keeping the parking garage until he calls a pregnant woman a “dolt”. In “Mr. Monk is Someone Else”, he gets to treat Harold badly as being in the character of Frankie DePalma. So, these funny characteristics and niggles are what add subtly to the show. Next, Adrian always references gaps in someone’s stories: like in “Mr. Monk Goes to a Carnival”. He is adept at figuring out these misses and ultimately, finding proof.
There are also instances where it seems incredulous: in “Mr. Monk Goes to a Rock Concert”, he figures out the killer but his only proof is in a plastic beach ball that is being hit around. Further, trouble seems to follow him around. In “Mr. Monk Goes to a Wedding”, his former assistant Sharona’s son spots someone being killed in a hotel building. So, Adrian is the perfect lead for the show: sometimes shy, rude, confusing, and solitary, he complements the normal cast perfectly, with his over 300 phobias.
Of course, I can't mention all of the side characters, but the show incorporates famous actors that prompts me to say “hey, is that George from Young Sheldon?” (Yes, in “Mr. Monk is Someone Else”, Lance Barber plays a young deliveryman). Or even seeing a young Rick Hoffman(well known for Louis Litt in Suits) as an FBI agent in “Mr. Monk meets the Godfather”. So, Monk uses the amazing talent of actors to give viewers a kick anytime they go to watch it. That's why it is a 5/5 show, and anyone would love it!
