'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.
As far as season openers for 'Monk' go, "Mr Monk Takes Manhattan" is not one of the best, the previous season openers "Mr Monk and the Candidate" and "Mr Monk Goes Back to School" for example are far better. It is however still a good episode and not a bad start for Season 3 at all, not a great one, but even 'Monk' was not at its best its not so good episodes (up to this point for me the only one to fit this distinction was "Mr Monk and the Missing Granny") were still a lot better than a lot of other shows' worst.
"Mr Monk Takes Manhattan" could have been better. While most of it is fine, some of the more slap-sticky comedy is overdone and makes the characters come over as a bit too buffoonish, such as the break in into Cage's office and with the street preacher.
Disher doesn't have much to do here, his most notable contribution is the whole thing with the Rolex watch.
However, there are also a lot of good things. 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 right from the first episode to when the show ended 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. The two are so enjoyable together and the best detective duo of any show in recent years from personal opinion.
Jason Gray-Stanford as said has little to do, but Ted Levine is very amusing and there is plenty of the tough guy cop/loyal friend relationship between Stottlemeyer and Monk, mostly he has a professional side but also a quirkiness. The guest stars are 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 on the most part, if a little overdone at times. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done mostly deft. The moments with the taxi and the "urinator" are classic 'Monk', while the concept of Monk being a fish out of water in a big city is handled very entertainingly but in a way that's also very easy to relate to (speaking as someone who was out of her depth on a day trip to London two weeks ago after not having been there for five years). Oh and before one forgets, the highlight is the very powerful scene with Monk and Tennyson.
The mystery itself is fun and engaging, it goes at a good pace and is never too simplistic or convoluted. With so few suspects though it was not particularly challenging and the murderer's motive was rather silly even for 'Monk'.
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.
Overall, enjoyable if flawed season opener. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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