'Monk' has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend.
"Mr Monk Goes to Vegas" is again one of Season 3's stronger episodes. It has been a very solid season overall that coped remarkably well with difficult circumstances mid-season to write in a new character and find a new actress to fill it, following the abrupt departure of Sharona and actress Bitty Schram. It features a very lavish yet slightly seedy setting, that for 'Monk' is different, and one of the best murderers not just of the season but also in a while, one worthy of Monk and wonderfully played by James Brolin.
Natalie is settling in well, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.
As said many times, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Stottlemeyer really shines in "Mr Monk Goes to Vegas" and even gets to let his hair down, which is so much fun to see. Disher is amusing enough if not with as much to do. Both Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are solid. The mystery is always engaging with a pretty ingenious murder and a very cleverly staged summation.
It's not just the cast or story though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
The episode's only fault is that, like "Mr Monk and the Game Show", there is a little sloppiness in familiarity with the subject matter, here with how casinos work. Especially the business with the chips with Stottlemeyer and Disher, something that would never be done in a casino.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk Goes to Vegas" is again one of Season 3's stronger episodes. It has been a very solid season overall that coped remarkably well with difficult circumstances mid-season to write in a new character and find a new actress to fill it, following the abrupt departure of Sharona and actress Bitty Schram. It features a very lavish yet slightly seedy setting, that for 'Monk' is different, and one of the best murderers not just of the season but also in a while, one worthy of Monk and wonderfully played by James Brolin.
Natalie is settling in well, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.
As said many times, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Stottlemeyer really shines in "Mr Monk Goes to Vegas" and even gets to let his hair down, which is so much fun to see. Disher is amusing enough if not with as much to do. Both Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are solid. The mystery is always engaging with a pretty ingenious murder and a very cleverly staged summation.
It's not just the cast or story though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
The episode's only fault is that, like "Mr Monk and the Game Show", there is a little sloppiness in familiarity with the subject matter, here with how casinos work. Especially the business with the chips with Stottlemeyer and Disher, something that would never be done in a casino.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox