User Reviews

The first four episodes (if you count the opening 2-parter as two episodes) of Monk were okay but nothing special. The first three episodes relied more on gimmickry, in particular Monk's weirdnesses, than on intrigue or substance.

The fourth episode - Dale the Whale - had a reasonable amount of mystery and it appeared that the style was starting to be replaced with substance. However, the solution to the mystery was fairly obvious so it wasn't exactly riveting viewing.

This, the fifth episode, is where things at last start to come together. Less superficial weirdness and a genuine head-scratcher for a mystery. Not perfect but it does bode well for subsequent episodes.

Monk finds himself in the horrors of the carnival. Lots of people. Food handled by everyone. Clowns. On and on. There are two plot developments. One involves the stabbing of a young man on a Ferris wheel which is blamed on a volatile cop. The other is Monk's efforts to be reinstated on the police force. There is a third, involving counting jelly beans.

'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. Four episodes (count the two parter "Mr Monk and the Candidate" as one episode) in and, while not one of the show's best and not as good as the previous episodes, "Mr Monk Goes to the Carnival" is solid, fun stuff.

It is agreed that the case is not as strong as the character moments and the main reinstatement subplot with Monk, being not as clever or as twisty as the previous episodes. Also agree that the final solution underwhelms, the explanation is good if obvious but the lack of proof and how Monk's explanation is substantiated by the murderer didn't ring true to me. That "Mr Monk Goes to the Carnival" is still solid is proof that while some 'Monk' episodes are better than others (like it is with most shows), the weaker episodes are still better than most shows at their weakest.

On the other hand, 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. It is remarkable here that for an episode that only introduces him that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?

He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two.

Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs', you also see a sympathetic and loyal side to Stottlemeyer. Jason Gray-Stanford is not quite as entertaining, with not quite as memorable lines (only because the other three are so good that's all) but shows great chemistry with everyone and is appealing enough with his earnestness and goofiness. Support is good.

It's not just the cast 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 but extremely deft.

While the case and ending could have been stronger, Monk's reinstatement subplot is brilliantly done, the hearing being the highlight of the episode and the scene in the corridor a lovely and superbly written and acted touch.

Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed throughout.

Overall, solid and fun but it could have been better. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I love the carnival atmosphere in this episode of Monk. It was poignant with Monk seeking to be re-instated into the Police Force, but not to be. The ending was a bit of a teaser with Stottlemeyer handing back the badge but not what you think it is! Very clever writing for sure. Hrant Alianak played one of the judges in this episode. I give much credit to the producers for casting Tony Shalhoub, as poke-in-the-eye to the hysteria towards Arab-Americans after 9/11.

Stottlemeyer brings his friend, Detective Adam Kirk, to meet the informer John Gitomer in the Carnival to learn where a load of drugs will be delivered. Gitome insists to go to the Ferris wheel with Kirk and, out of the blue, start to scream that Kirk wants to kill him. The operator Kitty Malone stops the Ferris wheel, Kirk leaves the seat and Gitomer is found dead, stabbed in the chest. Monk is waiting to be released by the board to be detective again, and Stottlemeyer asks him to secretly investigate what happened in the Ferris wheel since Internal Affairs is investigating Kirk, who is a crucial witness against the criminal Leonard Stokes. Soon Monk resolves the case but Stottlemeyer's evaluation is not he is expecting.

"Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival" is another well resolved case by Monk. The story is mysterious, and Monk's sense of observation easily resolves the case. The DVD released in Brazil by Universal has a ridiculous and shameful translation for Ferris wheel ("roda gigante" in Portuguese, translated as "roda Ferris"). My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Sr. Monk Vai ao Parque de Diversões" ("Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival")

Stottlemeyer tanks the moron at the police review board hearing ... i'm guessing because he'd rather take credit for cases solved by the moron ... its obvious that the moron is smarter than the captain or the lieutenant ... not sure why the moron is so desperate to get back in a police dept that doesn't want him.