Although I have ticked "contains spoilers", I would reiterate that this review DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS (in fact, if you haven't seen the episode, it is POINTLESS!) So if you've not yet seen it, STOP READING NOW!!!
Okay. The thing is, "Monk" runs 40 mins 30 secs, including titles and credits - so they have to be CONCISE. And I get the impression that a couple of bits got CUT from this superior episode of this superior show.
First, early on, Gwen DeWitt (the killer's wife) informs us that her dog is an Australian Shepherd. This later becomes relevant when the victim's pups are born without tails - like HER dog.
But the dog belonging to Amanda Castle (the victim) was an Aussiedoodle - which is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle (I know this because I HAVE one) which was ALSO relevant.
I mean, it CONNECTS the two dogs - but the fact was NEVER MENTIONED. You may say - so what? Well, if they did not intend to use this fact, why mention it in the first place?
Then there is the fact that Steve DeWitt wrapped the corpse in his carpet. AGAIN, the fact he has a NEW carpet is MENTIONED - but not followed up on. This despite the fact the corpse had by now turned up wrapped in a carpet (very Cleopatra).
Again, so what? Well, the fact that DeWitt was unwise enough to leave his carpet with the body is AGAIN RELEVANT. It MUST have held his DNA (hairs, etc.)
Now I do not know Californian Law - perhaps DNA evidence is inadmissible in court if the accused refuses to provide a sample (which DeWitt certainly WOULD have). But if that is the case, surely it should have been STATED?
All of which makes this writer think there MUST have been a longer version of this episode - or at least, the script. If so, it is a shame they couldn't have edited the show down to fit its slot, WITHOUT CUTTING the missing bits.
Shown as it was, it INFURIATED the observant viewer who DID notice these things - and expected them to LEAD somewhere.
Of course, Mr Monk's buttoned-up shirt and lack of tie has ALSO never been mentioned. But the fact Monk has OCD makes the reason OBVIOUS to anyone who has ever tied a tie - he'd never leave the HOUSE!
Therefore, one can forgive the writers THAT one - one presumes they are simply crediting the fans with INTELLIGENCE. But the failure to follow the Australian Shepherd and carpet connections HAS to have been forced on them by TIME constraints - which is SAD.
Okay. The thing is, "Monk" runs 40 mins 30 secs, including titles and credits - so they have to be CONCISE. And I get the impression that a couple of bits got CUT from this superior episode of this superior show.
First, early on, Gwen DeWitt (the killer's wife) informs us that her dog is an Australian Shepherd. This later becomes relevant when the victim's pups are born without tails - like HER dog.
But the dog belonging to Amanda Castle (the victim) was an Aussiedoodle - which is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle (I know this because I HAVE one) which was ALSO relevant.
I mean, it CONNECTS the two dogs - but the fact was NEVER MENTIONED. You may say - so what? Well, if they did not intend to use this fact, why mention it in the first place?
Then there is the fact that Steve DeWitt wrapped the corpse in his carpet. AGAIN, the fact he has a NEW carpet is MENTIONED - but not followed up on. This despite the fact the corpse had by now turned up wrapped in a carpet (very Cleopatra).
Again, so what? Well, the fact that DeWitt was unwise enough to leave his carpet with the body is AGAIN RELEVANT. It MUST have held his DNA (hairs, etc.)
Now I do not know Californian Law - perhaps DNA evidence is inadmissible in court if the accused refuses to provide a sample (which DeWitt certainly WOULD have). But if that is the case, surely it should have been STATED?
All of which makes this writer think there MUST have been a longer version of this episode - or at least, the script. If so, it is a shame they couldn't have edited the show down to fit its slot, WITHOUT CUTTING the missing bits.
Shown as it was, it INFURIATED the observant viewer who DID notice these things - and expected them to LEAD somewhere.
Of course, Mr Monk's buttoned-up shirt and lack of tie has ALSO never been mentioned. But the fact Monk has OCD makes the reason OBVIOUS to anyone who has ever tied a tie - he'd never leave the HOUSE!
Therefore, one can forgive the writers THAT one - one presumes they are simply crediting the fans with INTELLIGENCE. But the failure to follow the Australian Shepherd and carpet connections HAS to have been forced on them by TIME constraints - which is SAD.