User Reviews

This episode is special because of the character of Joe Christie, Monk's last police partner before Monk's wife's death, and the admiration Christie has for Monk despite the fact that Monk, Stottlemeyer, and the others came to think that Christie was a "bad" cop, getting Christie fired, so that Christie ends up a security guard in the department store that is the setting for this episode. I am new to the Monk show this year (2008) so I did not see this episode "in order," but it seems to me that Christie should have been a recurring character. The way the actor plays him is very warm and affecting and you get the sense that he might well be intended to re-appear in later episodes -- but he does not. However, the actor got a regular part on another series (Veronica Mars) that same year, so perhaps what happened is that he had to choose between series and chose the Mars series.

'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 Employee of the Month" to me is one of the highlights of Season 3 and among the better 'Monk' episodes and very, very close to the top. The gun and particularly dog scenes don't really add very much and could have been excised and one wouldn't miss them and wouldn't have said no to more Sharona, considering that it is one of her last appearances before being replaced by Natalie. Otherwise it is one of those episodes that is hard to fault.

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?

Bitty Schram is sharp, no-nonsense, loyal and sympathetic as Sharona, would have loved to have seen more of her as aforementioned but the scene in the café is a great one. Jason Gray-Stanford makes the most of Randy's amusing and sweet subplot, which sees a more sympathetic side to him rather than just being comic relief. Ted Levine is his usual reliable self, meaning very good and amusing, shining particularly in the bubble wrap and apology scenes.

In support, Patrick Thomas O'Brien effectively plays a deceptive character straight, bringing the right amount of sincerity and not-so-sincere under the surface. Even better is Enrico Colantoni, playing a very well-rounded and pretty complex character and giving one of the season's, and show's, best guest star performances. His rapport with Shalhoub's Monk is truly special, sometimes hilarious (when they were talking about the rewards for Employee of the Month), sometimes untrustworthy and sometimes poignant, also showing great insight into what Monk's life was like when Trudy was alive. Having Monk characterised as more normal with quirks rather than a nutcase that he could have been in this sort of situation was not just a good move but the right move.

The mystery is a good one, who is responsible is obvious but the motive is not and comes over plausibly and doesn't feel far fetched. There is another mystery too, involving drugs, that was very interesting and does a lot for Monk's character.

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.

All in all, terrific episode and one of Season 3's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I know that Monk's OCD is why he is a unique detective. But sometimes it is so continual that it detracts from the story line. In this episode we get to see more of his humanity and his kind nature. Sharona gets much of this episode off. Monk is investigating the death of a woman who was a top store employee at a Walmart kind of place. Some fun character are placed there, including a guy who was fired as detective previously. Also, a couple of young guys who are basically worthless. Anyway, it works quite well.

This is one of the best episodes for showing Monk's humanity, and it even allows him to display a sense of humor--there were some episodes where he couldn't get or tell a joke, but he's pretty witty here. In this one, his OCD is present but not exaggerated, and Joe Christie's comments show what Monk was like before the tragedy. Monk also shows compassion for Joe, who's a great character played by the fine actor Enrico Colantoni--I remember him fondly as Veronica Mars' father, Keith. The Randy subplot is hilarious, and Leland and Sharona get their moments to shine. And the two slacker employees at Mega-Mart add a lot to the comedy.