[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk and the Daredevil"
Season Six Episode Seven
Directed by: Jonathan Collier
Written by: Alan Zweibel
Original Air Date: August 24, 2007

We’ll Need Some Help: In the waiting room at Dr. Kroger’s, Natalie sees an article about the Frisco Fly, a daredevil who climbs the tallest buildings in the city but is never caught. Krenshaw ends his session, exchanging his version of pleasantries with Monk before departing. As they leave, Monk comes up with a great zinger.

Pedestrians watch the Frisco Fly climbing a building, but he loses his grip and falls. Thankfully he is saved by awning. He is unmasked, revealing Krenshaw.

There is a car crash that even Monk finds odd; the car was torched and identifying marks scratched off, but the crash was in the daytime though someone came back at night. It is also a week old and had an encounter with a deer. Natalie brings in news of Krenshaw and Monk is beside himself.

Natalie and Monk visit Krenshaw who is kind of a celebrity. His son is now proud of him as is a cousin Joey, who recounts childhood exploits to a reporter. The room is cleared so the Krenshaw’s bandages can be changed, but Monk has a private talk wherein Krenshawm shoving the situation in his face. Monk confronts the groupies outside giving out personal information and having a hard time disproving the situation when there are witnesses to Krenshaw falling.

Monk and Natalie go to the building to disprove public perception but find nothing to support that claim. Rather, they find Krenshaw’s missing glasses, monogramed with his name. Natalie thinks that if Krenshaw got over a fear of heights, so can Monk.

Julie and Natalie try to help Monk get over one of four fears: germs, milk, heights and bugs. A visit to Dr. Kroger does not improve matters with Monk going to the couch instead of staying in his usual chair. Dr. Kroger denies curing Krenshaw and Monk gives up, startling Dr. Kroger.

Stottlemeyer and Disher find some identification on the car, but are called away to Monk, who has items in his apartment all askew. Dr. Kroger is there removing knives as Monk is on a suicide watch. Stottlemeyer offers to go into the bathroom with Monk but neither will look. Monk decides to hold it in, his previous record being nine days.

As Krenshaw gains international attention (No other country had a daredevil?), he and Joey painfully criticize a kindergarten drawing … in front of the artists! Joey gets a call about their Uncle Ronny not doing so well though when Krenshaw asks, he claims it was an endorsement deal.

As Disher gets a call about the car owner, Monk and Stottlemeyer try to out hold the other. Why Stottlemeyer does so is an exercise for the viewer as Natalie can watch Monk while Stottlemeyer is out. Natalie comes in with news they want to hear. Disher located the owner of the car, a Hungarian acrobat who was the Frisco Fly. Natalie starts scratching from some poison oak found at the crime scene, remembering Joey scratching as well. Monk knows that Krenshaw is not the Frisco Fly, but someone is trying to kill him. Before they leave, Natalie gives Monk back his shoelaces.

Krenshaw goes off to the ‘shoot,’ but confesses to Joey he is not the Frisco Fly. Joey knows but does not care and pulls out a gun. Monk and Natalie realize they are on the roof and rush to save Krenshaw. Joey reveals the Uncle Ronny will die soon leaving everything to them both and Joey does not want to share. Natalie and Monk help subdue Joey. It seems Joey came across the acrobat and tried to throw Krenshaw off a roof. Krenshaw kept the ruse after seeing how much his son admired him.

Krenshaw tries to make amends with Monk, but it goes poorly, and Natalie is drawn into the fray. Krenshaw steps off the roof, but the parachute opens, and the crown goes wild.

This Week’s Compulsion: Monk tries to listen in on Krenshaw’s session, which is all sorts of wrong, both moral and legal.

White Courtesy Phone: Natalie wonders if the Frisco Fly has an assistant.

Captain Moustache: Stottlemeyer takes issue with the invented phonetic alphabet of Disher.

Dishing it out: Disher reports what an expert found at the scene and most of it is wrong.

Let’s Talk it Out: Dr. Kroger is uncomfortable talking about Krenshaw and then proceeds to talk about Krenshaw.

The Innocence of Youth: Julie helps prepare fears for Monk to overcome, including playing the harmonica.

It Recurs to Me: Krenshaw says that the crying Monk heard was actually laughter. He also gives his regards to Natalie.

Let’s Up the Rating: Natalie wonders if the Frisco Fly has a girlfriend.

Here’s What Happened: Krenshaw and Natalie make rare vocal cameos in this section.

One More Time: “If I could relax, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”
Monk not getting the waiting room concept.

Dear Genre: David Koechner made a career out of playing jerks, most notably on The Office as Todd Packer and The Goldbergs as Bill Lewis, so his playing a jerk as Joey is not that surprising.

Trivial Matters: In a clever bit of timing, Monk asks how Krenshaw did it when the written by credit is onscreen.

The late famed stuntman Evel Knieval gets a name check. He passed away shortly after this episode aired.

When Krenshaw is talking to Monk about having ‘it,’ he mentions Buzz Aldrin and Rocky, one of whom is real and the other is Rocky.

Dr. Kroger suggests medication, forgetting what happened in Mr. Monk Takes his Medicine.

As Harold ruthlessly mocks the picture drawn by Kindergarteners, the teacher asks if Krenshaw is on the school board, which we saw in Mr. Monk and the Election.

Disher refers to his band, the Randy Disher Project, seen in Mr. Monk goes to the Dentist and Mr. Monk and the Really Really Dead Guy.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “Me and Uncle Ronny used to throw him down the stairs, off the roof, off the dock, remember?” Parts of this episode are wonderful. Actually, most of this episode is. A focus on Krenshaw is a no-brainer as we have seen Tim Bagley inhabit the role over the course of several seasons. There is even a callback to the school board election! The scenes with him and Monk seem to just write themselves and Shaloub is old hat at them by this point.

There is some sympathy for Krneshaw taking the credit as his son now adores him. The eternal praise from everyone else does not hurt either, but we know how Monk’s friends see him and Krenshaw is often Monk’s punching bag with that. It helps showing us more of Krenshaw’s humanity even if it is brief. Koechner does a great job at being the jerk he always plays.

This puts Monk in a tizzy, as he is placed on a suicide watch. That is going a bit too far, but we see Monk off his game and disturbed by Krneshaw. It does lead to a good moment when Natalie gives him back his shoelaces but seems to happen because the script wants it to and not something that would actually occur. It shows Stottlemeyer being a friend to Monk, putting aside casework to help out.

While this is very strong, there are some huge errors made. Although Dr. Kroger does not discuss Krenshaw’s file, Monk has no problem sharing it with the public. Shouldn’t his fears be out since hE is a public figure? Also, the nursing staff is a little too eager to have a celebrity in their midst. It would take some time to overcome a huge trauma, but he has reporters, relatives and random goobers in his room for the fun of it.

We also get Disher being a moron, something that Gray-Stanford does his best with, including name dropping his band, but is just more incompetence which he has to have six seasons in for some reason. Also, Monk conquers his fears of heights, presumably, and no one congratulates him.

This is a great vehicle for Bagley with great moments written by Alex Zweibel but has too much holding it back. The tag scene is a great example of telling and not showing, a rare victory for that.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk and the Wrong Man"
Season Six Episode Eight
Directed by: Anton Cropper
Written by: Salvatore Savo
Original Air Date: September 7, 2007

We’ll Need Some Help: A mailman makes his drop off at the Davis residence but does not hear the bloodcurdling scream. That honor goes to neighbor Sarah McNally who finds the Davis family dead. She runs out calling for help. Why she did not use a phone in the house is an exercise for the viewer.

Fourteen years later, Monk is testifying in a parole hearing for Max Burton, the man in prison for the Davis murders. His testimony is interrupted by DNA evidence exonerating Burton. We get newsposition about the situation along with Stottlemeyer and Disher doing a dry run of a press conference. Dr. Kroger sees this as a good thing giving Monk an opportunity to reflect on his career.

Monk is the only one there when Burton is freed, but Burton is in no mood to accept the apology wanting to just move on without Monk in the picture. Not taking the hint, Monk visits Burton at a halfway house whereupon he finds out that Burton has tattoos of Monk’s face and a knife so he can ‘stab’ Monk when he exercises. He is still unwilling to forgive Monk and gives a referral to the clergy.

Monk is unable to think of a way to make amends when Natalie gets a call about Max trying to find his ex-wife at the beauty shop where she worked until four years ago. Despite him making quite a scene and mess, charges are not filed, and Monk is able to give Burton some closure.

At the crime scene, the family living there is unaware there was a violent murder committed years ago. Thankfully, they are half listening when Monk mentions that the Davis family was about their age. They find out that there was a dog that died the day before the family did and Stottlemeyer wants to dig up the poor pooch.

Security officer Paulie Flores gets an unannounced visit by Burton. Turns out they were criminals, and they did rob the Davis residence. Flores apologizes for not doing more, especially since the safe was empty, but Burton wants to prevent future incidents that arise from their past crimes and kills Flores.

Stottlemeyer finds out that the Davis dog was poisoned (which is totally going to be the name of my next cover band!) and asks Disher to look into suspects. Burton is not getting along well at his new job despite getting a referral from Natalie’s father. Monk winds up doing the work when Natalie arrives with news of Burton’s wife. Who is getting remarried that day. Monk convinces her after a ‘hell’ filled plea accompanied by a church organ.

McNally approaches Monk afterwards, not being able to reach him for days, apparently. The memory is as sharp as it was fourteen years ago, and they realize Burton had an accomplice, most likely the DNA found. Unfortunately, they cannot arrest Burton because of double jeopardy.

The Flores scene connects to the murder but not to Burton, initially at least. Monk remembers some of Burton’s tattoos and finds a way to tie Burton to the crime. They confront Burton who just happens to be getting remarried at the same church. Burton killed Flores but used his own belt to do so. He took the belt from Flores’s uniform. Burton is arrested and the marriage goes on with the original couple.

Stottlemeyer tells Disher about some forgotten paperwork that will lead to someone not being charged.

This Week’s Compulsion: Monk thought the worst thing he could do was to let a killer go free, until he found himself in the reverse situation.

White Courtesy Phone: Natalie tires to tell Monk to find another way to use his time since Burton does not want the help, telling Monk to curl up and die being a hint.

Captain Moustache: Visiting the current occupiers of the Davis residence, Stottlemeyer pretty much barges in without any kind of warrant. Both he and Monk are pretty creepy in the house, particularly with the kids.

Dishing it Out: For his part, Disher is thrilled he did not make the mistake since they are usually his, but he was not on the force when Burton was arrested.

Let’s Talk it Out: Monk asks Dr. Kroger to give Burton an apology letter, but Dr. Kroger does not agree. And says Natalie won’t do it either.

Let’s Up the Rating: Monk tries to get Natalie to seduce Burton to make up for the error. Natalie refuses and suggests Monk do the honors.

One More Time: “Here’s a little something from me.” “Is there fourteen years of my life in there?” “No, it’s mostly caramel.”
Monk trying to make it up to Burton minutes after the release.

The Rainbow Treknection: Tim DeZan is Burton but also played Kazon Haliz amongst two other roles in the Trek franchise.

Trivial Matters: In referring to Natalie’s standards for smooching, he refers to the leper from Mr. Monk and the Leper.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “I won’t let you quit, Adrian, You’re too good a detective.” One of the strengths of this series is making sure the guilty party is guilty. A lot of the evidence is circumstantial so when the tie is flimsy, the killer will go apeshit on Monk et. Al. In the end to make sure we got the guilty party. They are not always revealed to us, so this helps make sure that the right guy is caught.

Indeed, the first half of this episode is great. It eats Monk that he put an innocent man behind bars. Stottlemeyer is a bit more rote, though we are not aware of the extent of his involvement in the case. There is a good scene with him and Disher running through a mock press conference to give their point of view.

There are two people trying to get Monk to accept the situation. The first is Dr. Kroger who is professional when trying to keep Monk with solving cases, firmly not letting him stop. A major point of their scenes is for Dr. Kroger to eventually convince a board to reinstate Monk and here, their roles are reversed in that regard.

Natalie is there to help Monk initially. She throws cold water on the seduction scheme but is there to give Monk details of how much Burton does not want Monk’s help. As much as Monk is trying to give help, he does need a certain amount of help. We see an escalation of the gifts from a card to candies to a homemade sandwich.

Monk has problems accepting the situation eventually doing some manual labor for Burton. It is a nice touch that they got Burton a job through Natalie.

The first half of this episode is great.

Then we get to the second half. And we see Burton commit a murder. Granted this murder mystery of the week needs a murder mystery, and we did see the scene at the top of the hour. That does not mean we have to make Burton a bad guy. It is beyond cliché and takes away from the good graces made earlier in the episode.

Plus, we have a tag scene with someone going free because Disher forgot the paperwork. Disher presumably faces no consequences for this. We’re supposed to laugh at that?

Being fair, the multiple wedding stops are fun, ditto Monk giving the speech, but the bad taste is already in my mouth.

Such a great start, including a flashback we don’t know is a flashback, but this goes in the wrong direction too fast.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Is Up All Night"
Season Six Episode Nine
Directed by: Randall Zisk
Written by: David Breckman
Original Air Date: September 14, 2007

We’ll Need Some Help: Monk bumps into a woman on the street and senses something about her. He chases her down but loses track of her after she is walking calmly and he is almost hit by several cars at every opportunity. A session with Dr. Kroger does not help and reveals that Monk cannot sleep due to thinking about this woman. Calls to a televised home shopping network do not help, though the network does not seem to screen or have the ability to turn off incoming calls.

Natalie suggests Monk take a walk passing businesses that are closing after 1:00 AM. At one point, he refuses a taxi not realizing the mysterious woman is driving. He eventually comes across a drug deal gone bad and it gets worse for the undercover officer who is shot. When the police inspect the scene, there is no evidence of a fight, gun or otherwise. Hearing that Monk is not sleeping, ‘Dr.’ Stottlemeyer prescribes hooch and staring at a fish.

At the bar, Monk runs into an asshole con man named Gulliver. Monk is entertained enough to let Gulliver win and they are soon talking about Monk’s plight. Thankfully, Gulliver knows a central hub for the cabs and sends Monk out but not before pilfering the wallet. Monk finds out that the woman, Maria Cordova, will be back at 4:30 for a shift change. Monk waits nearby. Soon, he sees the man who was shot, alive and well. The man, William Lee, walks away and Monk examines the trash he threw out. There are rare coin cases and an envelope matching a name on a money clip found at the prior location.

They find coin purveyor Jacob Posner who lives at the back of his shop. Posner was asleep all night, though why he would admit to trying to buy coke is an exercise for the viewer. Monk notices he has done well recently and has a few other questions, but Stottlemeyer takes him outside. Stottlemeyer comments about the lateness of the hour and Monk realizes it is 4:30!

Monk misses the cab, but Stottlemeyer and Disher catch Gulliver at the bar. Gulliver is nice enough to pay for their drinks though he uses Monk’s credit card. While Monk is at the station, a call goes out for security finding Lee dead, shot with the same caliber bullet that Posner had. Monk has solved the case, but Stottlemeyer does not want to come owing to the late hour. Stottlemeyer realizes that Posner was at the restaurant and heads down with Disher after collecting Monk’s wallet.

Posner was the victim of a scam. He gave the coins to pay off and avoid trouble but upon hearing Lee was alive, he realized he was conned and wanted revenge. Monk knocks out Posner with a stack of newspapers from a commandeered truck while Sttotlemeyer and Disher arrest the accomplices. Cordova arrives and Monk finds out she was going blind until she got a cornea transplant from Trudy.

Natalie later comes to visit Monk, but he is asleep.

This Week’s Compulsion: Things at the barbershop got so testy that they threatened to call the police if Monk came back.

White Courtesy Phone: Natalie assured Monk that his sideburns were even. Too bad there are no mirrors in the barbershop ….

Captain Moustache: Seeing Disher is Captain America pajamas, Stottlemeyer asks to borrow an invisible jet.

Dishing it Out: Disher knows Wonder Woman has an invisible jet and Batman patrols Gotham City.

Let’s Talk it Out: Upon hearing Monk has not slept in days, Dr. Kroger recommends a sedative, but Monk will have none of it.

Let’s Up the Rating: Dr. Kroger thinks Monk’s fascination might be a crush.

One More Time: “Monk, there’s something about me. I like to sleep. I like to get into bed and not get out until I wake up.”
Stottlemeyer getting cranky.

Trivial Matters: Monk polishes his eggs, and we see there are ten in the carton, as we heard in Mr. Monk Makes a Friend.

Monk reads a book called Almost Perfect Murder by Hy Conrad. This is an actual book written by that writer and producer of the show. Amusingly, Monk reads the first page then goes to the last knowing what happened, but the book is a collection of short stories.

Levine and Gray-Stanford ad-libbed their final scene at the bar.

Disher uses a trash can as a shield, a famous comic frame.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “Nobody could possibly remember all the people that they, okay, I’m sorry, you never saw her before.” Years ago, Pocket Books held a submission contest for short stories called Strange New Worlds. A total of eleven volumes were produced and the authors eventually included tips for submissions, one of which was to not start your story with the characters being bored. Apparently, a lot of Voyager submissions started that way, but the effect was to bore the audience.

So much of this episode is a slog to get through. After the success of an episode based around reading an newspaper, having Monk walk around all night might seem like a good idea but even Shaloub cannot save this. There is so little going on as Monk wanders from place to place.

Disher and Stottlemeyer have some good scenes reminding us of the lateness and are put to good effect, but one wonders why they let Gulliver get away with stealing from Monk for so long. Is the bar owner out the money? Is Monk?

We do get some good scenes and a rare instance of Monk’s actions making things worse, but they do not add up to a greater good. The ending is dramatic but not worth everything we saw and the tag seems to be there to give Natalie something to do as she is absent for most of the episode.

Some good moments do not add up in this instance, though Terri Hoss gives a soulful performance as Cordova, but it is not worth the price of admission.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa Claus"
Season Six Episode Ten
Directed by: Randall Zisk
Written by: Daniel Schofield and Ben Gruber
Original Air Date: December 7, 2007

We’ll Need Some Help: It is Christmastime! We know because there is a jazzy rendition of ‘Oh Christmas Tree’ along with a solid three-hour montage of set decorations. A traffic jam is interrupted by Santa throwing stuffed animals off a roof. Monk goes up to confront him. A gunshot rings out causing Natalie and Julie to check on Monk. They find him holding a gun alongside a shot Santa.

Stottlemeyer and Disher investigate while being careful with Monk and it does not help that Santa identifies Monk as a bad person. Reporter Randy Barber is on the scene to cover the story. Needing to get footage of crying kids, she tells a group that she hopes Santa doesn’t die. Stottlemeyer gets her vow to protect a decorated former cop, and Barber agrees before we cut to a very negative news report.

Monk is questioned with his lawyer, Garret Price, present. Michael Kenworthy was tossing off toys while dressed as Santa when a gun fell out of his belt. Monk confronted him and grabbed the weapon. Kenworthy went after him with a pipe and Monk shot him twice. Kenworthy was wearing gloves, so the only prints belong to Monk.

Barber is excited about this new story causing her to forget a local exhibit of a fancy diamond. She gets an anonymous tip about Monk burying something near his place. The find a missing piece of the gun handle at the spot.

After Monk gets too much attention at a local department store (knocking over baby Jesus in a nativity scene) Monk decides to do a live interview with Barber since he has the truth on his side. The strategy does not pay off when she produces the missing handle, not wearing gloves thus causing contamination. Stottlemeyer and Disher question Kenworthy but, other than confirming retired parole officer Kenworthy is still in touch with some of his charges, they get nothing.

Alice Dubois is walking down the street and passes Kenworthy when a mugger named Thorne comes after her. She maces his face but Kenworthy comes and hits her with his bell. Monk is able to discern that Thorne was waiting for Dubois but the crowd jeers Monk away. They are not by the staging area across the street where Monk sees the remnants of Kenworthy’s stand, causing Monk to suspect him.

Kenworthy and his crew go over a heist for the diamond, though they do so in a manner that does not involve talking about the plan at all.

Dr. Kroger is now seeing children after Monk’s declaration that Santa does not exist. Monk has a string of horrible holidays prompting Dr. Kroger to ask about 1964, the year Monk got a single Walkie Talkie. The memory gives Monk inspiration, and he leaves to find Natalie.

On the roof, Monk realizes that the toys were a diversion, an attempt to snarl traffic. Kenworthy had a single walkie talkie and was preparing for a robbery, but Monk foiled that scheme. As it happens, there is a truck blocking the museum and Barber is there reporting on the jewel. The heist goes off without a hitch as the diamond is handed off but not before Monk gives chase, Natalie and Barber close behind.

The chase stops at a group of kids singing ‘Noel.’ These tykes are so professional, they do not stop when Monk and Kenworthy duke it out, when the latter takes out a knife or when the former uses a prop candy cane to knock his opponent out. Kenworthy is arrested and Barber has an interview with Monk which is much more favorable this time. Just to remind us of her character, she goes drinking after they are off the air.

Natalie and Julie try to bring some Christmas cheer to Monk.

This Week’s Compulsion: When a child asks Monk why he shot Santa, Monk’s first response is to explain a grand jury.

White Courtesy Phone: Natalie delays Monk getting questioned by Disher.

Captain Moustache: Stottlemeyer knows that when the anniversary of Trudy’s death approaches, Monk can get forgetful.

Dishing it Out: Disher treats the diamond like a beanbag before realizing it is worth millions.

Let’s Talk it Out: Dr. Kroger is seeing more kids and has some toys around to play with.

The Innocence of Youth: Natalie lets Julie try some eggnog and the youngster hates it and vows never to drink again. Natalie calls it her Christmas present.

It Recurs to Me: Larry Miller makes his second and final appearance as Gary Price after Mr. Monk is Stuck in Traffic, though the advice is not worth what he charges.

Let’s Up the Rating: Barber takes out a tube of lipstick, puts some on her finger and then applies it to her lip, something your humble rewatcher has never seen anyone apply the cosmetic in that manner before.

Here’s What Happened: We get a sequence ten minutes in; a record!

One More Time: “Children are very resilient. Though I may need you to leave by the side door.”
Dr. Kroger telling Monk about his new younger clients who heard Monk say Santa wasn’t real.

Dear Genre: Randle Mell played asshole Santa Kenworthy but was asshole boss of CTU 24 Brad Hammond.

The Rainbow Treknection: Gins Phillips is the cold-hearted Barber but was Varis Sul on Deep Space Nine.

Trivial Matters: The unopened present from Trudy makes an appearance after Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa.

While shopping for Monk, Natalie requests a shirt inspected by number 8 as seen in Mr. Monk Goes to a Fashion Show.

In the teaser, Monk should ‘Damn Joy!” One of Howard’s first roles was Joy Brynes in Boston Common.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “All we need is a couple wiccans and witches on the jury and we’re home free.” “That’s your strategy?” “That’s just the beginning.” This is a fun little Christmas episode, the third we have had. There was the office party and the road trip, so it was only a matter of time before Monk was the antagonist.

Schofield and Gruber wrote a good script. It puts Monk in a bad situation and while we know he is a good guy; he becomes hated throughout the city. Part of it is on the parents for letting their kids watch the news story, as if that will help, but they are careful to put Monk in a bad situation and find a way out of it. Monk is able to temporarily overcome his fear of heights, but the story is solid nonetheless. The set decorators went all out reminding us of the holiday, whether it is a plot point or not.

There are some quibbles, specifically with the crowd who throws an egg at an active crime scene and does not get disbursed by Stottlemeyer. Monk and Natalie go to the staging area mere feet away and the crowd has vanished. Plus, a children choir so professional, they do not stop singing or drop their quality when Monk is going at it with Santa.

Philips is great as Barber. Stottlemeyer gives her a great introduction, but she takes that and runs with it. Monk takes the interview despite everyone telling him it is a bad idea.

Both Stottlemeyer and Disher try to protect Monk, even when he is the leading suspect. Stottlemeyer even calls Price for Monks own good, a decision he soon regrets. Natalie and Julie help protect him from Barber and while Monk is not entirely blameless, he does make the situation a bit worse.

Price is workable in his one scene but is more of a distraction than anything else. Shaloub has a great performance as he tries to clear his name but the whole town is against him. There is redemption at the end but is it enough to overcome what he has bene put through?

It is a fun take on a Christmas episode.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Joins a Cult"
Season Six Episode Eleven
Directed by: Anton Cropper
Written by: Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan
Original Air Date: January 11, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: Monk and Natalie are window shopping when they spot a couple who recently lost their daughter. Monk talks himself into helping them, before he is even approached.

Amanda Clark was killed by a cult called Siblings of the Sun. There is an eyewitness who identified their leader, Ralph Roberts, who now geos by Father. The problem is evidence as Father has witnesses and an army of lawyers. Since the official police cannot go undercover, Monk volunteers but Natalie steps in to take the bullet.

Things go sideways when the recruiters notice Natalie has a World’s Best Mom keychain and takes a call form Julie. Monk steps in and is brought in on a van. Monk gets a tour of the retreat and meets Zack who was on security detail on the night in question. There was no direct line of sight, but he heard Father all night long along with some beeping, like a microwave. Monk also meets the charismatic Father who picks up on Trudy. Monk also notices a strange mark on the ground near Father’s house.

Disher hit a brick wall questioning Ted as Natalie breaks the news to Stottlemeyer. While Natalie testifies to Monk’s assuredness, we cut to a service where Monk is jamming as well as he can. Father talks to Monk and cures him of a dependence on wipes and seemingly gets rid of his fears.

Some time passes and Stottlemeyer finds Monk selling flowers at the airport. Father asks to speak with Monk privately. Monk helps by plugging in a stovetop and finds the cap of a syringe while doing so. Father knows Monk is a with the police and kicks him to the curb. Monk likes being there and is allowed to stay but Father wants proof.

Monk withdraws his savings, but it is not enough. Monk is taken away by the rest of the main cast. Under the guidance of Dr. Kroger, Natalie brings some food, his favorite, but Monk refuses to eat what he did not grow himself and does not need a wipe. Stottlemeyer tries to bring casework and Disher drinks the Kool-Aid. Dr. Kroger shows Monk how rich Father is and puts on an act of getting rid of Trudy’s picture. Monk comes back to Earth and is distracted by Dr. Kroger’s pager, though it does lead to him solving the case.

They meet the eyewitness, Tom Donovan. He could not have seen Father commit the murder since Father was visited by a chiropractor in secret, leaving behind the syringe cap. Donovan sticks by his story, even with a parking ticket to prove he took Clark to the hospital. They look at the car, a company car which Monk realizes Donovan picked up Clark one night but got caught by a camera. Needing to explain it, he murdered Clark knowing her past. The problem is Clark has her seatbelt in the picture, but the car’s seatbelt is not bloodied.

Father publicly thanks Monk for clearing his name while Monk asks him to tie his shoelace. Monk later makes sure Natalie canceled the check.

This Week’s Compulsion: Father asks Monk about fears and Monk starts listing.

White Courtesy Phone: Monk shops for a pager to reach Natalie whenever he needs, and Natalie is expected to pay for it. At this point, Natalie is not surprised.

Captain Moustache: In mentioning Monk’s gullibility, Stottlemeyer mentions he spoke with Joey Heatherton.

Dishing it out: Disher fails at his saving roll to get Monk out of the headspace when he is shirtless, and they are both harmonizing to a song.

Let’s Talk it Out: Dr. Kroger tells Monk that Father tried to recruit Krenshaw.

The Innocence of Youth: Julie calls Natalie during a recruitment effort apparently asking to go on a ride with a friend.

It Recurs to Me: Ambrose and his house are mentioned after Monk withdraws a paltry thirty-two thousand from the bank.

Let’s Up the Rating: Stottlemeyer refers to the oldest profession which Monk figures is stone masonry.

One More Time: “I there something you want to tell me?” “Sister Gina has a radio.”
Father sneakily asking Monk about his profession and getting honest answer.

Dear Genre: Howie Mandel, starting to host Deal or No Deal, plays Father. Also, John Ross Bowie was years away from playing Kripke on Big Bang Theory is Donavan.

It’s a Jungle Out There: ”Father protect me.” This episode does a great job of dismantling cults. We get an inside look at how they operate and prey on the vulnerable. They do not get a lot of people but the effects they have are devastating.

Mandel is great as Father. He has a history of being a presenter and is great as the leader. He is calming and does his homework, knowing Monk and managing to cure him, to a point at least.

Dr. Kroger is on hand for deprogramming and that sequence is done perfectly, showing off each character. Natalie is more nurturing trying to apply to Monk’s base needs. Stottlemeyer tries to go the professional route but to no avail. Disher asks about the cult and goes down the rabbit hole while Dr. Kroger is another kind of professional who manages to get him out of the slump. It is a great way to show off each character, giving them a moment.

We never lose track of the case. The cult is a distraction but there is a murder investigation going on. It is tossed in a bit at the end, but we find out what happened to Clark. Her parents do a great job at the teaser not saying a word but asking Monk quietly to take the case.

Some great character moments including the guest cast.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Goes to the Bank"
Season Six Episode Twelve
Directed by: Michael W. Watkins
Written by: Hy Conrad
Original Air Date: January 18, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: A couple beat cops are at a bank during the graveyard shift. A van is parked in the fifteen-minute spot, but they do not write a ticket due to a pen running out of ink. One remarks that this is their lucky night before heading out. Locked inside the bank vault are Stottlemeyer and Disher, knocking on the door while Natalie shouts for help. Monk is in the corner, resigned that no help is on the way.

Two days earlier, we get newsposition about the branch being robbed buy a masked gunman who shot one of the tellers. Stottlemeyer interviews the staff who say that a masked man with an accent came in, shot one of them then ran off with the money. Disher asks outside the bank and speaks to a Living Statue who corroborates the account.

Monk comes to check on his safety deposit box, which had Trudy’s bracelet, but it was one of the items stolen and Monk vows to get it back. He points out signs of an inside man to Stottlemeyer; a tree was moved in front of a security camera, the alarm was off and a gate in the alley was unlocked. Monk is able to work as a security officer but is not able to find someone who was strong enough to move the plant, tall enough to disable the alarm and knows the area enough to unlock the gate, except perhaps the bank manager, Peter Crawley.

Monk and Natalie stake out Crawley’s place and find him shot. Stottlemeyer is checking the scene, but Monk has secreted away a pawn ticket. Natalie knows she has to inform the captain, but Monk asks her not to since if they find the bracelet, it will be held in evidence. The proprietor, Tiny Werner, has a few pieces but says Crawley mentioned half a box left.

Stottlemeyer and Disher meet Monk and Natalie at the bank after hours. The branch is closed but a teller, Madge, is there. There was one large deposit box that the robber did not open, and it is connected to Crawley. Madge goes off to get the key but notices Monk finding some discarded toothpicks in the garbage, one of which is shorter than the others. Alarmed, she locks them in the vault.

There was no singular accomplice, all six staff members were in on the robbery. One of them played the robber and they drew straws to determine who would be shot. Crawley broke the rule of not spending the ill-gotten gains and was killed.

The staff turns off the air in the vault but there is a locked box that might have a phone line. Trudy’s bracelet is able to cut through but there is no phone line though there is the controller for the billboard which Stottlemeyer uses to send for help. No one is around but Disher realizes the Living Statue is there and sends a message to him. When the alarm goes off, he calls the authorities.

A new staff is hired, and Monk gets a complementary toaster as they give one to anyone opening a new account. Disher has a statue off and impresses at least one person.

This Week’s Compulsion: Monk believes he can call a repairman for his broken toaster.

White Courtesy Phone: Amused by Disher trying out to be a Living Statue, Natalie sticks two pencils up his nose.

Captain Moustache: Stottlemeyer finds Monk sitting at his desk. When Monk needs to get into the bank, Stottlemeyer quips that he can’t just hang out at the branch.

Dishing it out: Disher threatens the Living Statue to cooperate with the investigation, but the bluff is called.

Let’s Up the Rating: Natalie swoons over men in uniform, likely due to Mitch.

One More Time: “Excuse me. Lieutenant Disher, SFPD. You've got a pretty good view of the bank from here. We're investigating a robbery that took place earlier this morning. Sir? Sir, this is official police business. It will just take a minute. If you're not too busy. Ok, I know you can hear me. Look, I just saw you blink. You blinked. Oh. I get it. Normally, we don't pay for information! So, what time did arrive at the park this morning, sir? Ok. You know what, pal? I can get a crane here in 20 minutes, lift you up and drag you downtown.”
Disher to the Living Statue.

Dear Genre: Werner is played by Dan Castellaneta, voice of several Simpsons characters. As in in joke, one of the tellers is named Madge.

Trivial Matter: Monk is presumably playing with the yo-yo Stottlemeyer got in Mr. Monk and that Captains Marriage.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “Call 911 U silver bastard” As someone who has monologued, it is hard thing to do. You have to own the stage with very little to assist you. It is a little easier on screen when you can shoot things interestingly but not a walk in the park. All that said, Jason Gray-Stanford nails his monologue! We do not know that it is a living statue and Grey-Stanford has great pausing and inflection with a little bit pf physically thrown in. It is superbly played and a crowning moment of awesomeness. Michael Watkins just let the camera roll and watched the magic. It pays off later when it proves vital to their rescue.

The running gag through the episode is less successful but gives us some fun vignettes not as much at Disher’s expense than usual but a bit, nonetheless. The tag doesn’t really help matters.

Also not helping is the big hole in the middle of the episode. It very much drags as Monk cannot nail down a single accomplice. The montage of Monk as a security guard is a fun one, although we only get a couple scenes, but Monk trying to make sure the ink levels in the pens are equal plus rounding out everyone’s money are a hoot.

When everyone is in the vault, we see a distillation of their characters. Disher does a ‘deposit’ and Stottlemeyer asks Monk to sacrifice Trudy’s bracelet, which Monk acquiesces to. Things get tense but not so much that secrets are revealed.

There are some odd things that happen such as the ‘deposit’ not having an odor. Plus, the statue did impede an investigation. Also, the bank is a little too quick to hire Monk, even short term.

Castellaneta is best known for being a prolific voiceover actor and while he has been good onscreen here and there, particularly Veroncia Mars, he does not always make the transition to, live action as seen here.

The monologue is still worth the price of admission and occurs early enough to keep your attention.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk and the Three Julies"
Season Six Episode Thirteen
Directed by: David Breckman
Written by: Tom Scharpling and Joe Toplyn
Original Air Date: January 25, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: The police stand ready to execute a search warrant and Stottlemeyer is showing off his new ride, three years in negotiations and pleading. When he goes in, he leaves the car in care of Monk while Disher gives Natalie the radio. Suddenly, the radio calls about a homicide victim named Julie Teeger and Natalie zooms off. In Sottlemeyer’s car.

Natalie makes it to the scene with the car mostly intact, the side mirror sustaining damage. It is not her Julie. It seems to be a simple robbery gone wrong. Natalie is calling Julie to hear her voice when another report comes in for another victim named Julie Teeger. Natalie grabs Stottlemeyer’s car and is off once more. This victim was both on a bike and not Natalie’s daughter. The car is damaged due to a shortcut but what appears to be an accident is proven to be a targeted hit with the driver backing up to make sure the victim was hit. Natalie gets a couple cruisers to get Julie who is preparing for her driving test.

They find al old case of a schizophrenic man named Matthew Teeger who was obsessed with his mother, Juliet Teeger. They go to her house and find a Psycho situation set up with Monk finding the body, propped up by amateur taxidermist Matthew. Juliet died months ago, and Matthew was carrying her around. Dr. Kroger looks at the file but can only make an educated guess since this is not his client.

Matthew gets a newspaper with his picture on it and tosses it into the trash.

Julie is pretty much locked up for safety, but she is resolute on taking her test. The Teegers are soon brought to the station after a check reveals that she is the only Julie Teeger in a several state radii. A sting is set up with Disher playing Juliet. Matthew comes in talking about the bad things he did and going onto ‘Juliet’s’ lap right before he is arrested.

Julie briefly considers changing her name until Natalie reminds her of the namesake. Matthew is brought in and Julie is excited to take her test. Natalie pushes the decision off to Monk and, after a brief confrontation with Matthew, Monk gives her permission.

In questioning, Matthew has a truck matching the one that killed Julie-2 and a knife that he always carries in his boot. Monk wonders why Julie-1 was killed with a knife in the house if Matthew had one on his person. As Julie begins her test, Stottlemeyer comforts Natalie when gunshots ring out in the station. Matthew has escaped.

At the apartment of Julie-2, Monk finds a part of a mailing slip from an e-bay package. Julie does well on her test, but Matthew arrives, going after the car causing her to go off course, much to the consternation of the assessor who is oblivious to the man chasing them.

George Teeger, husband of Julie-1 is questioned. He was having an affair and the woman scorned sent a package with his stuff, but the address was wrong and sent to Julie-2. It happened frequently enough that Julie-2 brought it to Julie-1 and things got heated. George killed Julie-1 in a fit of rage and then had to take out Julie-2 who was a witness to the argument. Natalie gets some bad news as Julie passes her driving test.

Stottlemeyer is waiting at the bus stop while his car is in the shop. Julie pulls up with her car and offers him a ride.

This Week’s Compulsion: When preparing a list of people named Natalie Teeger, Monk makes sure that youth are included along with women who may have changes their name.

White Courtesy Phone: Seeing the care Stottlemeyer puts into his car, Natalie asks Monk is he sees anything familiar to which Monk says no and starts wiping the car.

Captain Moustache: Thankfully the card is insured, but that is little solace for Stottlemeyer.

Dishing it out: Not allowed to eat a salty snack in the new car, Disher waits until he is outside. He hands it off to an extra who puts the half-eaten bag in his … coat pocket?!?

Let’s Talk it Out: After calling in the middle of the night for Dr. Kroger, Monk recalls hearing his wife in the background over the phone. Monk asks if she has Tourette’s.

The Innocence of Youth: In preparation for her driving test, Julie forgot her turn signal at which point two cop cars arrive, and her mother whisks her away.

Let’s Up the Rating: Matthew crawls up to Disher as Juliet asking for some sugar. Later, we see Disher in a bra.

One More Time: “We just passed a stop sign, but I might be imagining things. Just pull over.” “Sorry, I didn’t see it.” “I can understand that. They hid it so cleverly, on top of that big post.”
Asshole driving instructor and Julie.

Trivial Matters: Disher suspects there might be a Terminator situation which Stottlemeyer digs into him for and has a horrible Schwarzenegger impression.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “Another Julie Teeger.” “Impossible.” “Or Nearly.” As a series, Monk has had success looking at families and giving Julie a meatier plot. Plus, the saga of Stottlemeyer as a family man has provided some good groundwork and stories.

Turns out, combing all three would make for a successful story. This series can be reluctant to give scenes to people not named Monk, but here, both Stottlemeyer and Disher have great scenes with Natalie. Stottlemeyer is concerned about his new (and expensive) ride but understands Julie running off. He makes keeping Julie safe a priority, getting cars stationed at her home and doing an exhaustive search for Julies. Stottlemeyer has kept them at arm’s length in the past, but when a danger emerges, he wastes no time in keeping them safe. We also have a rare parent to parent scene with them. Stottlemeyer has been kind of a not great dad, but we see his caring side on full display throughout this episode.

Disher has a good scene where he is in their house keeping an eye on things and refuses to give Natalie a gun. This is a pairing that is usually there to riff of each other, but you see the camaraderie here. It is the best use of both characters and shows how close they have gotten professionally and personally.

This Is also a great showing from Natalie who gets to be in mom mode. We even get a scene of the two together with Julie laughing it off. This is a side of Natalie we see on occasion, but it is usually brief. For her part, Julie is eager to drive and has a good showing, though some of it is a bit juvenile. Still, it is another good showing of Emmy Clarke, with driving being a good metaphor for the increased screen time and more adult roles she can take in the series as a whole.

The rest of the episode is good, in contrast to those that feature good character work and have a poor structure to support them. We lean into Psycho heavily, but John Hawkes is great as Matthew. He has a character down pat from the relative calmness of being at the station to manic running on the driving course.

An all around great hour giving us some characters that don’t usually get this type of material.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Paints His Masterpiece"
Season Six Episode Fourteen
Directed by: Andrei Belgrader
Written by: Jon Wurster
Original Air Date: February 1, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: Bigot Benny Wentworth runs a junk shop and has traps that can be lethal to interlopers, as he tells his assistant Hector Morales. One night, someone breaks in, trips a wire and is shot.

Monk is despondent after putting a murderer away and Dr. Kroger tells him to engage in a hobby to express his creative outlet. At Wentworth’s, Stottlemeyer identifies the proprietor as someone who served multiple tours and is for special forces. The victim had an accomplice but there is little to go on. Natalie spots a paint set which Wentworth is happy to sell/get rid of for fifty dollars.

Monk’s first attempt at painting is … horrible, leading Natalie to sign him up for a local class. Morales reports to work to find a stabbed Wentworth. After a class where the teacher decides not to say that there are no wrong answers after seeing Monk’s work, we are back at the junkyard. Monk determines that Wentworth was killed somewhere else in the yard and placed at a booby trap. The logbook has a page missing. Monk needs to find Hector to determine what was worth killing over.

Art connoisseur Peytra Lovak visits Monk, having stalked the art class. Impressed by the two pieces produced, he purchases two of Monk’s works for a thousand dollars and tells Monk to keep at it.

Stottlemeyer and Disher find Morales and, after convincing him they are not with the INS, ask him about the items on the missing page. They interrupt Monk showing his masterpiece to Natalie, which turns out to be a portrait of her. We do not see the entire work, but the reactions are unflattering. They want to canvas the area with Monk, but he is dedicated to painting, which he took up days earlier. Lovak comes in and pays twelve hundred for the additional works. He is interested in ‘Pig Lady’ but Natalie turns down the offer. Which is doubled. And also turned down.

Monk is so into his work, he draws in session with Dr. Kroger. When payment with a drawing is requested, Dr. Kroger writes a check but is proud of the Monk’s success. Lovak goes to an art show where he purchases two of Monk’s works on the spot for thousands of dollars, to the astonishment of the other students. As Monk helps load the van, he sees a painting from the junk shop in as well.

Stottlemeyer and Disher are led to Wendy Larson whose painter uncle Scott had recently passed away. Scott’s work got the attention of Lovak, though Wendy does not remember the name. They find a picture which shows Carson Printing, a paper company that has a deal with the treasury to make the paper for currency.

Back at the art show, everyone sees the brilliance of Monk’s work! Stottlemeyer and Disher come with additional news; Lovak is part of the mob, and the paper was smuggled in as canvas. The paint peels right off, allowing them to make counterfeit funds. After realizing the scheme, the arts world realizes how crappy Monk’s work is. There is only one painting unaccounted for, Natalie’s portrait which she took with her.

Lovak offers thousands to Natalie but is refuted. Lovak pulls a knife, taking the painting whether she accepts payment or not. Monk is there, burning the portraits on the lawn. Lovak comes out with a fire extinguisher only to be tackled by Stottlemeyer.

The only remaining painting is Pig Lady which Natalie wants to burn but it is evidence. With the Secret Service involved, it will be all over the news which incentivizes Natalie more to destroy it. Stottlemeyer fills in the gaps for the story, Lovak’s accomplice and other particulars, and tries to interest Monk in stamp collecting.

This Week’s Compulsion: Natalie’s suggestion at writing a novel is met with wondering what the characters will say along with what the other characters will say.

White Courtesy Phone: It is Natalie who gets Monk into painting as he is visual. Also, after Monk complains that his banana picture is flat, Natalie smashes his inspiration.

Captain Moustache: Upon hearing of Monk’s landscape, Stottlemeyer asks if Natalie hung it on the refrigerator.

Dishing it out: A spider web encrusted pile of junk is confused as a booby trap by Disher. A bike is ‘broken’ and a forty-dollar remittance is requested but that is halved. Multiple times.

Let’s Talk it Out: When asked if his work is fulfilling, Dr. Kroger says that there are downs, but the ups far outweigh them.

The Innocence of Youth: For reasons not explained to the viewer, Natalie sets Monk up for painting right about when she has to pick up Julie.

Let’s Up the Rating: When Dr. Kroger mentions that he has taken up ballroom dancing, but his wife is not as into it as he is, Monks says he will not dance with Dr. Kroger.

One More Time: “English., learn English. My three-year-old nephew knows it and he’s an idiot. How hard can it be?”
Wentworth violating laws both ethical and legal.

Trivial Matters: This would be the final appearance of Stanley Kamel as Dr. Kroger. He passed away after the season.

Picasso and da Vinci get a name check from Stottlemeyer.

Edvard Munch’s The Scream is reinterpreted as a marriage, with a bride as the central figure.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “There’s more to life than working …” “I know that.” “Let me finish. Or cleaning.” Like many artists before and many after, this was not intended to be Kamel’s final television role. Nonetheless, it is a good showing for him, getting Monk to try something new and not accepting the art as payment. Thankfully, Monk does not try to use the counterfeit funds, though he does not know their status at the time. The scene with him talking about dancing with Dr. Kroger is great on multiple levels, particularly for a Tony award winning actor in a musical!

The ‘Homer tries a job for a week’ stories can wear thin easily. Thankfully, this does not by embracing the idea. Monk’s success is temporary at best, and we see his work. While it is horrible, there is potential for minimalistic approaches. They draw a lot of money! Plus, Monk can make a perfect circle freehand, a very impressive feat. Even though the success is ill gained, it is good to see Monk be happy.

Stottlemeyer and Disher play second fiddle having to do the pesky work of solving the case. Disher’s inexperience with Spanish is a plot point and you figure Stottlemeyer would see through it and get an interpreter after a couple tries, but that would require paying someone else to act and deprive us of making Disher look like a buffoon.

Natalie is supportive of Monk finding a hobby and is happy it works out. Her reactions to Pig Lady are fun to watch as she hates it but tries to be supportive. She is torn and even tries to burn it rather than have it be seen by the world at the end, hopefully as a tease for Disher because it Is obstruction otherwise. Unless Monk kept a painting. Which would be smart.

The other actors are great with Peter Stormare getting the coveted ‘and’ credit as Lovak. Victoria Tennant is fun as art teacher Ms. Benson and Annabelle Mayline has excellent reactions as goth Angie.

Most ‘Homer takes a job for a week’ fail because they are from another series altogether, or can appear so at least, but this one leans into the joke and works, credit to the actors and Jon Wurster’s script.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Is on the Run (Part One)"
Season Six Episode Fifteen
Directed by: Randall Zisk
Written by: Tom Scharpling
Original Air Date: February 15, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: Monk is called to a burglary site. There was a note left saying “To Force Heaven, Mars shall have a new Angel.” The materials stolen are for a bomb. Not just any bomb, one similar to the one that killed Trudy. A crowbar left at the scene has six fingerprints. That night, Monk dreams of Trudy’s death. The clue proves to be too hard to solve, despite Natalie buying a codebook.

But Monk has secretly solved the code realizing it is an address. Monk takes a gun from his closet and rides a bus to another town where he encounters Frank Nunn, a man with six fingers. A fistfight ensues and as Monk has his gun on Nunn, a shot rings out killing Nunn. Sherriff Rollins is there and arrests Monk.

Things are not good at the initial trial as although Monk has many phobias, he was able to overcome them the night in question. The bullet matches the one from Monk’s gun leading the judge to set a high bail. Monk is able to escape causing a manhunt. The dogs check every tree Monk touched, but they have a sighting from a campsite Monk visited.

Monk tries to steal a truck from a gas station, but the wheel is protected, causing Monk to go around in circles. Rollins sees that Monk is heading home. Monk visits Natalie, asking her to hep without alerting Stottlemeyer. Disher visits at that moment and Natalie covers by making a smoothie so that Disher is distracted, and Monk can escape, but not before giving some money and Mitch’s old uniform.

Rollins ordered a wiretap on Dr. Kroger’s phone. Stottlemeyer raises the implausibility of a judge signing off on that, but the judge is an old drinking buddy of Rollins.

Monk goes to the scene running into a ‘fellow’ Navy supporter. He finds here was a second shooter, lined up right with where he was standing that night. He also finds a plastic ring.

As Stottlemeyer learns that Natalie’s mail is being intercepted on the authority of Rollins, Monk calls, knowing who set him up. Rollins snuck in and switched barrels with Monk’s gun after helping himself to some juice. He shot Nunn then switched the barrels back. Monk found the ring from his juice container as proof, but there are no prints. They arrange to meet but Stottlemeyer has to bring the information to Rollins.

The sting is set but Monk hears someone else, leading him and Stottlemeyer to draw guns on each other. Gunfire is exchanged and Monk falls off the pier.

To be continued.

This Week’s Compulsion: It takes three men to get a single fingerprint from Monk.

White Courtesy Phone: Natalie tries to get Monk to try a show on channel eleven, but he is a fan of channel ten.

Captain Moustache: Given the nature of the burglary, Stottlemeyer gets Dr. Kroger on standby.

Dishing it out: Disher notes the irony in Monk being the chief suspect in the kind of case he would normally, and easily, solve.

It Recurs to Me: We see Trudy’s death by a car bomb, or Monk’s dream version thereof.

Let’s Up the Rating: Natalie asks Monk if he wants a bath but at that time, Monk is hiding and Disher is visiting.

One More Time: “Bail is set at 900,000 dollars.” “With the court's permission, can you make it an even million?”
The judge setting bail and Monk’s lawyer addressing the court after conferring.

Dear Genre: Rollins is played by Scott Glenn who has had many roles, perhaps most notably Stick in the MCU.

Trivial Matters: We first heard about the six fingered man in Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan.

Stottlemeyer brings Chicken Pot Pie to Monk, a favorite mentioned in Mr. Monk and the Candidate.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “Can’t do it can you? It’s not in you, I can tell.” References to the Fugitive are obvious and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Monk being booked, running through the forest; these are textbook images imbedded in the zeitgeist.

Though of course, there is the Monk spin on things. Monk has issues with being booked and we see him touching every tree, inadvertently helping his escape by throwing the dogs off his scent, which they could not get from his clothes. Plus, he is not initially deterred by a locked steering column. Frequent director Randy Zisk had a lot of fun with the direction.

Between the MCU and The Leftovers, we’ve seen Scott Glenn as the good guy, but here he is the bad guy and there are a lot of things to dislike about Rollins. He is beyond overstepping his bounds with wiretaps and mail interception, the former of which is wrong on many levels and the latter impacts a close friend of Stottlemeyer. Rollins is doing his job but seems to relish in being extra dickish at it. Glenn plays the role great. As an outsider, we see him not trusting Monk, but he goes too far.

Natalie gets to be the clown for once instead of Disher as she prepares a smoothie with the drill she intended to free Monk with. So many scenes in this episode had the potential to drag on, but that preparation does not nor does anything else.

Stottlemeyer is a key figure that Monk only contacts when there are no other options. Monk know Stottlemeyer will be duty bound to report any communication so waits until there is evidence before making contact. Stottlemeyer is crestfallen after realizing that it won’t work.

Best of all, the ball is rolling with finding out what happened to Trudy. That is the one case Monk can’t solve and put him where he is. With Nunn killed, there is one less person that can lead him to the truth. With two more seasons to go, they cannot go too far but it is nice to see things moving.

Shaloub will never be an action star, but there was a lot of action from the running montage to the reenactment of Trudy’s murder where he is running but cannot get any closer to her, another amazing visual courtesy of Zisk, selling the gag where ethe visuals cannot entirely come together. A great first part of the season finale set things up very nicely for the conclusion to come.

[Faithful Reader]

"Mr. Monk Is on the Run (Part Two)"
Season Six Episode Sixteen
Directed by: Randall Zisk
Written by: Hy Conrad and Daniel Dratch
Original Air Date: February 22, 2008

We’ll Need Some Help: After a recap of part one, Stottlemeyer meets Monk on a beach, Monk having worn a bulletproof vest. Monk has to lay low while Stottlemeyer finds out just how deep the conspiracy is. In the meantime, Monk leaves and does not contact anyone, not Natalie or Dr. Kroger.

Disher visits Natalie, bringing some flowers sent from Sharona. Natalie is planning the service and is cold towards Stottlemeyer who comes and says that the body is not found. Upon hearing that Natalie took out a loan to pay for the services, Stottlemeyer ‘remembers’ Monk saying he did not want anything extravagant, and that Monk would not want anyone to go into debt, at which point Natalie kicks him out.

Monk is a car washer at Sparks Nevada, and he is good at his job. Too good as he is meticulous and that slows things down in a business where you are paid by the car. One asshole customer is displeased with the lengthy wait of twenty minutes and drives away furiously. By night, he is trying to solve the case at a sleazy motel. A housekeeper notes the nearby murder of a highway worker.

Rollins visits the morgue but realizes the body is not Monk’s since there is a tattoo. He calls someone on the phone who is sure Monk is alive.

The squad wears black armbands in memory of Monk. Rollins visits refencing the body found and surprised Stottlemeyer did not check it out. He sticks around for a couple more days and leaves the office. Sottlemeyer has dug up dirt on Rollins who recently purchased a house, car and a couple offshore accounts.

Monk finds the car used in the highway murder although it has been repainted to conceal that fact.

While packing up Monk’s effects, Natalie hears about Monk’s exploits and realizes where he is. She interrupts an interrogation to confront Stottlemeyer who gives up the act. After promising not to go to Monk, Natalie goes off to see him, unknowingly tailed by Rollins.

Disher is rehearsing a song to sing at the funeral and a bit into the fourteen verses, Stottlemeyer breaks the news.

Natalie visits Monk as the car wash closes and Rollins is there to arrest them. Monk turns off the lights and they make off with Rollins’ car. When they have a chance to search, the find a check under several shell companied owned by Dale Biederbeck. A visit by Natalie confirms that Biederbeck knows Monk is alive and does not want him killed but does want to switch places. Natalie plays the recording, and Monk sees a weather report in the background, from a city Nunn visited. They are planning a centennial celebration and Biederbeck wants to kill the governor, who will not commute his sentence, but the lieutenant governor will.

At the parade, Monk realizes that the bomb is set to trigger via a trigger in a banner. Rollins is there to make sure things go off but sees Monk. There is a pissing match between Rollins, Stottlemeyer, Disher and Natalie but they manage to get the message to Monk, who is able to stop the car and Stottlemeyer defuses the bomb.

Rollins is arrested and Monk visits Biederbeck, who has a lot of his privileges and homemaking items removed. In Nunn’s apartment, they find a refence to the person who hired him known only as The Judge. As Monk leaves, Biederbeck says Monk is in a worse prison; one of his own making.

This Week’s Compulsion: When giving Monk fresh sheets, the housekeeper finds the prior sheets clean and neatly folded.

White Courtesy Phone: It takes Natalie all of five seconds to realize that Leland Rodrigues is a crappy alias. They can’t all be Kevin Johnson.

Captain Moustache: It is up to Stottlemeyer to figure out the conspiracy, a task made difficult without Monk and the complexity of the case.

Dishing it out: Disher wants to sing at the memorial and is given approval by Natalie as Monk knew how music of a music fan Disher is.

The Innocence of Youth: Benjy is mentioned as flying in with Sharona to the service.

One More Time: “Thanks for killing me.” “That’s what friends are for.”
Monk and Stottlemeyer

Trivial Matters: This is the third and final appearance of Biederbeck,, played by a different actor each time. Ray Porter concludes the trilogy.

A picture of Monk smiling taken in Mr. Monk and the Man who Shot Santa is seen.

This two parter is a bit of a twist on the Silence of the Lambs in which Ted Levine played a killer and Scott Glenn played the law enforcement.

It’s a Jungle Out There: “How do you feel?” “I don’t know.” “How about happy to be alive?” “No, that’s not it.” Landing the two partner is a balancing act, one that does not always work. Trek has had some success as well as some failures in that regard.

One of the strengths this episode has running for it is the two parts aired in the same season. There is a lot wider variety in the quality of writing when it spans a finale and premiere. In theory the writing staff is refreshed but they do not have the immediacy of having just finished the first part.

The first act of this is very much showing us what the loss of Monk would be. The scene in Natalie’s place where she reluctantly invites Stottlemeyer in and kicks him out over objections to the service is one of the best dramatic moments we have seen. Stottlemeyer ordered Monk to keep the secret, and he did so on his end telling Natalie and Disher reluctantly.

This series has shined the light on the three main characters not played by Tony Shaloub in the past and they shine on their own without him for a good portion of this episode. While we are brought back to the world of justice, they take time to show the effect Monk’s death would have, with the force wearing two armbands, one on each arm to be even.

Of course, real world budgetary reasons abound, and they could not afford to show us too much, what with the parade climax, but the scenes we do get show off the situation.

There is a bit of a dip at the midpoint where Rollins has Natalie and Monk at gunpoint. We will find out that Biederbeck wants Monk alive, but we do not know at the time, leading us to wonder why Rollins doesn’t just shoot Monk. Also, Biederbeck’s third appearance does not impress. Either the prosthetics are horribly applied, or the lighting is bad, but they do not work. He is the bad guy in all this, but he is not appealing to the audience the way Q or Dukat are. Porter brings nothing new to the performance or character. Also, Monk and Natalie steal Rollins’ car to prevent them from being followed but couldn’t Rollins hot wire something? He is in a car wash! Biederbeck also unknowingly gives Natalie a clue, but he should be smart enough to not do so, having done his homework on Natalie and knowing she has a camcorder to record the conversation. If she has something audio only, there would be a problem.

We learn at the top that Stottlemeyer and Monk planned the shooting and get good moments between the two. Stottlemeyer puts enough pieces together to help Monk solve the case. We also have some forward momentum in catching Trudy’s killer, even if it moves the goalposts. You can get away with that a limited number of times and this is not pushing it. An amazing finale.