To be honest, I rarely write reviews. But upon reading the other ones submitted for this episode, I decided that I needed to write another. This episode was excellent. The supporting actors were, as stated in other reviews, fantastic, and the episode flowed well. The episode deals with Monk's inferiority, especially in relation to the Steve Wagner, the astronaut. But the final scene, where Monk stands up to Wagner and stops him from destroying the only evidence that would incriminate him, is incredibly moving. Monk, who was considered by all to be a coward, stands up for what he knows is right. The method of the murder was a little far-fetched, and Monk's epiphany was perhaps a little too quick for my taste, but it really showed off Monk's true character.
13 Reviews
Mr Monk and the airtight alibi killer
TheLittleSongbird11 August 2017
'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 and the Astronaut" is not one of the best 'Monk' episodes, and it is not quite up there with the very best of Season 4 (though in the better half). It is however significantly better than the previous episode "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", one of the few average or less early seasons episodes and a rare case of not feeling like 'Monk' at all. At least "Mr Monk and the Astronaut" feels like a 'Monk' episode. Do have to agree that some of the episode has some ridiculous aspects.
This is particularly true with the climax, one of the show's most far-fetched, and that the killer took so many risks and left so much incriminating evidence somehow without arousing any suspicion. The scene in the classroom was a lot of fun, showed off Tony Shalhoub's versatility brilliantly and showed exactly what the character is all about, but anybody who works in a school will have a very hard time getting their heads around how Monk was treated by the children and the behaviour somehow is condoned.
However, apart from some ridiculousness, the mystery itself is one of the fourth season's strongest. How the murder was done and everything with the airtight alibi was very cleverly done while the killer is one of the most ruthless and interesting on 'Monk'. His interaction with Monk is just terrific.
Character moments-wise, the highlights are the scene between Monk and Kroger, the exchanges between Disher and Stottlemeyer ("let's pretend this globe represents the earth" is classic Disher), the hallway confrontation between Monk and Wagner and when Monk stands up to Wagner and stands for what he believes in (the viewer completely relates and cheers him in). Did enjoy the classroom scene, providing that its lack of realism doesn't take away from things too much.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Stottlemeyer and Disher have some good moments too, and Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are great.
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.
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 wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone. Jeffrey Donovan is excellent as Wagner.
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.
All in all, despite its ridiculousness it's a very solid episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk and the Astronaut" is not one of the best 'Monk' episodes, and it is not quite up there with the very best of Season 4 (though in the better half). It is however significantly better than the previous episode "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", one of the few average or less early seasons episodes and a rare case of not feeling like 'Monk' at all. At least "Mr Monk and the Astronaut" feels like a 'Monk' episode. Do have to agree that some of the episode has some ridiculous aspects.
This is particularly true with the climax, one of the show's most far-fetched, and that the killer took so many risks and left so much incriminating evidence somehow without arousing any suspicion. The scene in the classroom was a lot of fun, showed off Tony Shalhoub's versatility brilliantly and showed exactly what the character is all about, but anybody who works in a school will have a very hard time getting their heads around how Monk was treated by the children and the behaviour somehow is condoned.
However, apart from some ridiculousness, the mystery itself is one of the fourth season's strongest. How the murder was done and everything with the airtight alibi was very cleverly done while the killer is one of the most ruthless and interesting on 'Monk'. His interaction with Monk is just terrific.
Character moments-wise, the highlights are the scene between Monk and Kroger, the exchanges between Disher and Stottlemeyer ("let's pretend this globe represents the earth" is classic Disher), the hallway confrontation between Monk and Wagner and when Monk stands up to Wagner and stands for what he believes in (the viewer completely relates and cheers him in). Did enjoy the classroom scene, providing that its lack of realism doesn't take away from things too much.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Stottlemeyer and Disher have some good moments too, and Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are great.
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.
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 wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone. Jeffrey Donovan is excellent as Wagner.
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.
All in all, despite its ridiculousness it's a very solid episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Brutally funny while not being preachy
jeremy314 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As someone with a cognitive and behavioral disability, much what Monk goes through is from my own life. His is OCD, and the only flaw is his symptoms are not well defined, and sometimes change a little from episode to episode. In my case, it is real attention deficits. In Monk's case, his obsessions and compulsions make it not possible to be a full time professional nor someone who can ever be fully appreciated in the real World.
The astronaut is sharp, confident, and seemingly highly admirable and competent. The astronauts almost successfully hides his dark side. In the classroom the kids absolutely respect the astronaut, even though he says the usual platitudes and nothing really teachable. Monk actually cares, and tries to teach the students what the real World is like in the detective's life. But, the students inmediately are aware of and pick on Monk mercilessly for his disability.
It is truly sad, but that is life still today with all the "progress". But, if Monk, became too preachy and sympathetic with the detective Monk it would have been less effective. Monk is daily in a World that is still not very flexible for someone with a disability, inspite of having a brilliant detective's mind. The show laughs with us, but also does not sellout and sugarcoat the realities that Monk faces every day - gaining basic respect with a disability. In the end though the astronauts trips up, reveals his criminality, and Monk shows that he may never be much respected in life but he truly cares about protecting and serving.
The astronaut is sharp, confident, and seemingly highly admirable and competent. The astronauts almost successfully hides his dark side. In the classroom the kids absolutely respect the astronaut, even though he says the usual platitudes and nothing really teachable. Monk actually cares, and tries to teach the students what the real World is like in the detective's life. But, the students inmediately are aware of and pick on Monk mercilessly for his disability.
It is truly sad, but that is life still today with all the "progress". But, if Monk, became too preachy and sympathetic with the detective Monk it would have been less effective. Monk is daily in a World that is still not very flexible for someone with a disability, inspite of having a brilliant detective's mind. The show laughs with us, but also does not sellout and sugarcoat the realities that Monk faces every day - gaining basic respect with a disability. In the end though the astronauts trips up, reveals his criminality, and Monk shows that he may never be much respected in life but he truly cares about protecting and serving.
Monk meets Michael Weston...sort of
maxwell1959624 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's funny really as I make my way through season four of Monk, I was just thinking boy I wonder how many cool guest starts there will be between now, and the end of the series. Then up came Monk and the Astronaut, featuring Jeffery Donovan of course now so famous for his killer roll on Burn Notice. Spoiler city.. he did it..lol. It was great fun to watch the interplay between his self assured character, and Mr. Monk who is the complete opposite. Yet another well written episode. As another reviewer mentioned the end is a bit off, but the idea was great. Monk staring down a bad guy as brave as any man alive. weeee I'm off to watch me some Monk!
A special galaxy of excellence
brucesimon-2295225 October 2023
This, for me, is one of the best Monk episodes. Imagine trying to prove an astronaut committed a murder while out in space. Seems impossible but Monk is not deterred, even after he is consistently shamed by the astronaut in public. This is when Monk feels he does not measure up to the manly persona the astronaut projects, the seemingly effortless self assured cockiness. And yet the viewers will be surprised as well as Monk , himself, at how hw can and will overcome for the sake of justice and ethics. Every time I see this, I rejoice at his eventual victory, when "everything was on the line" and there was no room for error. This episode defines what true manliness consists of and Monk is surprised at how he truly does conform to it when he is willing to stand for the courage of his convictions. Monk earns his spurs in a very unique way and does not stick his head in the sand to avoid confrontation but actually embraces it.
Quite the Plan
Hitchcoc31 March 2020
I guess a criminal with a good mind could come up with what happened here, but it is such a reach. An astronaut who has political aspirations kills a hooker who is going to reveal some nasties about him. He makes a mistake. He judges and belittles our friend and that sets things in motion. There are a couple really good scenes in this one. Monk learns.
Showdown
xredgarnetx19 April 2008
Monk faces a homicidal astronaut in MR. MONK AND THE ASTRONAUT. Jeff Donovan of BURN NOTICE and CROSSING JORDAN plays a hugely egotistical astronaut who murders an old flame in a truly bizarre fashion. It is up to Monk to figure out how the guy did it, since he was in orbit around the Earth at the time of the murder. Donovan steals every scene he is in, although after goading the shy Monk in a school hallway confrontation, it is plain the preening flyboy has sealed his fate. Monk does a fair amount of running around in this episode. And his run-in with the condescending astronaut is right out of an older episode where Monk confronts a homicidal doctor who thinks of himself as bulletproof and Monk as a mental midget. The ending is far-fetched, but watching Monk run all over creation in an attempt to expose the astronaut was different, I must say.
FA 22 for a FA28?
radarfirs724 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is ONE Episode that I must recommend reading the "Critic" Review.
Wasn't sure if I was going to write a review. But read another saying it is impossible to run along side of a FA22 Raptor. Sorry, but you can. First it is "Taxing" so slow, second stay clear of the Intake & Exhaust, Monk is clearly showing he understands that, my Problem is third, once the ATC (Air Traffic Control) would have seen someone running next to the plane, and lots of alarms, and the ATC calling the Pilot to Stand Down and inform him of the person, so no permission to take off, Pilots can even lose right to ever fly again if the plane still took off, and the person got hurt or killed more charges would be placed upon the Pilot. During my training at a NAS (Naval Air Station) as a USN / USMC Corpsman for Ambulance Driving / etc, saw many Airdales (USN Airmen) running next to Taxing FA's (Fighter Aircraft). When Monk & Natalie asks where to find Wagner they are told he is Testing a FA28, but you will notice FA22 on the Planes Tail, but if it is a really NEW plane sometimes they will paint the next SIMILAR type of Planes # on the Tail. But FA22 to FA28 unsure. I know what a FA16, 22, and 35 look like, not sure of a FA28 don't remember any USA Fighter with that #? Now F28/FA28 with Camera Lenses yes.
Many here speak of the Classroom situation, ... why would a Pilot / Astronaut give out laser pens? (Can't think of a reason that Pilots to use them? Astronaut might use them to measure distance, but only if they land somewhere) Back in 2006 (Landing & Takeoff) planes were being hit by Lasers (Pens don't have the Strength) but giving a Pen condones children to get "Stonger" Lasers. The Teachers & Natalie, and Even Wagner should have stopped it. Wagner had reasons not to stop it, but if "News" found out a Pilot gave out Lasers, and the Kids used them toward anyone he would have been in Hot Water, same with the Teachers. Today, anyone with a Weapon and poor training getting a Laser Point hitting them, something could happen bad.
The Question I have to ask, back then there were no "Lithium" Batteries. So anyone know if a Garage Opener Remote with the Button Pushed Down with Tape - how long would a "Alkaline" battery last would it 2 days. I know a small or large flashlight left on does NOT make until morning, and a small flashlight bulb probably uses similar power amt, plus would a Garage Door Remote even with the button down does it still work? If it does since back then there is only one button on that remote would it not make garage doors go the opposite direction until stop pushing the button? I remember someone was sitting on the Garage Remote, and the garage door kept going up & down, until we figured someone was sitting on it. We did NOT try to park the car in the Garage because of that. Lastly someone who could come up with the Garage Rail to hang her, would have known how to and need to patch the holes when he removed the Rail. It only take a few hours for a patch not be that viewable, and if Monk and the Cops missed the "Holes" they would never noticed patches.
Wasn't sure if I was going to write a review. But read another saying it is impossible to run along side of a FA22 Raptor. Sorry, but you can. First it is "Taxing" so slow, second stay clear of the Intake & Exhaust, Monk is clearly showing he understands that, my Problem is third, once the ATC (Air Traffic Control) would have seen someone running next to the plane, and lots of alarms, and the ATC calling the Pilot to Stand Down and inform him of the person, so no permission to take off, Pilots can even lose right to ever fly again if the plane still took off, and the person got hurt or killed more charges would be placed upon the Pilot. During my training at a NAS (Naval Air Station) as a USN / USMC Corpsman for Ambulance Driving / etc, saw many Airdales (USN Airmen) running next to Taxing FA's (Fighter Aircraft). When Monk & Natalie asks where to find Wagner they are told he is Testing a FA28, but you will notice FA22 on the Planes Tail, but if it is a really NEW plane sometimes they will paint the next SIMILAR type of Planes # on the Tail. But FA22 to FA28 unsure. I know what a FA16, 22, and 35 look like, not sure of a FA28 don't remember any USA Fighter with that #? Now F28/FA28 with Camera Lenses yes.
Many here speak of the Classroom situation, ... why would a Pilot / Astronaut give out laser pens? (Can't think of a reason that Pilots to use them? Astronaut might use them to measure distance, but only if they land somewhere) Back in 2006 (Landing & Takeoff) planes were being hit by Lasers (Pens don't have the Strength) but giving a Pen condones children to get "Stonger" Lasers. The Teachers & Natalie, and Even Wagner should have stopped it. Wagner had reasons not to stop it, but if "News" found out a Pilot gave out Lasers, and the Kids used them toward anyone he would have been in Hot Water, same with the Teachers. Today, anyone with a Weapon and poor training getting a Laser Point hitting them, something could happen bad.
The Question I have to ask, back then there were no "Lithium" Batteries. So anyone know if a Garage Opener Remote with the Button Pushed Down with Tape - how long would a "Alkaline" battery last would it 2 days. I know a small or large flashlight left on does NOT make until morning, and a small flashlight bulb probably uses similar power amt, plus would a Garage Door Remote even with the button down does it still work? If it does since back then there is only one button on that remote would it not make garage doors go the opposite direction until stop pushing the button? I remember someone was sitting on the Garage Remote, and the garage door kept going up & down, until we figured someone was sitting on it. We did NOT try to park the car in the Garage because of that. Lastly someone who could come up with the Garage Rail to hang her, would have known how to and need to patch the holes when he removed the Rail. It only take a few hours for a patch not be that viewable, and if Monk and the Cops missed the "Holes" they would never noticed patches.
Running alongside a raptor? Impossible!
imdbmerlyn8 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Not to mention the speed difference...
The jet moved by thrust.
The thrust exausts out the back and is extremely fatally hot. Monk would be killed instantly in the wake.
But the air comes from the large intakes in the front, which Monk ran in front of. He would have been sucked in!
Cruel classroom
jodi-4452819 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The classroom scene was difficult to watch. Once the kids started bullying Monk with the lasers, either Natalie or the classroom teacher would have stepped in. I don't know a teacher that would have allowed that to continue, especially knowing what Monk deals with.
Guest starring Ariel Winter
safenoe2 September 2020
I like this episode, and the photo of Jason Gray-Stanford, Traylor Howard, and Tony Shalhoub signing autographs at Edwards Air Force Base after the season-four episode "Mr. Monk and the Astronaut" just happens to be in the Wikipedia page for Monk. Having Monk being filmed at Edwards Air Force Base would have been a massive thrill for the employees.
I'm still not a fan of the Randy Newman opening theme. I really like Jeff Beal's opening composition.
I'm still not a fan of the Randy Newman opening theme. I really like Jeff Beal's opening composition.
Too unrealistic details detract from story at times
elizabeth-397-986502 April 2014
What I like about Monk is his humanity. The juxtaposition of his human frailties, shortcomings, and weakness with his strong talents in other ways and his resilience. This was explored in this show by his interaction with the astronaut who has an over abundance of self confidence to the point of arrogance that he plays against Monk to make him feel inferior. Some of the plot details here are stretched a bit far in terms of plausibility though. Most irritating to me though is the classroom speech scene. I have worked as a teacher and never would myself or any of the other teachers I worked with have allowed those students to behave like that without intervening in some way. We certainly would never leave students unattended with invited guest speakers so to think a teacher just let that go on was ridiculous to me. Nit picky maybe but this is Monk where the central character's obsession with details is both a strength and weakness. It makes the inconsistencies in characters actions, details and reality in the stories seem to stand out more harshly sometimes. Still loved Monk! :)
Too Far-Fetched For Any Kind Of Credibility
ccthemovieman-113 December 2006
An astronaut, nearing a mission, is at a girlfriend's place where she reveals to him that he's in chapter five of her new book. Apparently, it's a sexy book. Since the astronaut may also be running for political soon, he obviously don't want this book published. I say "obviously" because he is shown putting poison in her drink.
Five days later, a maid comes in and sees the dead woman hanging. It didn't take a genius to see this wasn't a suicide. Even Capt. Stottlemeyer deduces this in a hurry. So, how do they find out it's the astronaut who killed the woman?
A so-so episode that started off very promising but wound up with a bunch of unrealistic and stupid scenes, such as the classroom scene, the exaggerated character of the astronaut (played well, however, by Jeffrey Donovan) throughout and the ending - none of which were very credible.
Five days later, a maid comes in and sees the dead woman hanging. It didn't take a genius to see this wasn't a suicide. Even Capt. Stottlemeyer deduces this in a hurry. So, how do they find out it's the astronaut who killed the woman?
A so-so episode that started off very promising but wound up with a bunch of unrealistic and stupid scenes, such as the classroom scene, the exaggerated character of the astronaut (played well, however, by Jeffrey Donovan) throughout and the ending - none of which were very credible.
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