A paperboy is killed as he tries to deliver a paper to Monk's house. It seems senseless. Monk solves two cases while trying to solve this one, including one in Paris over the phone. The central issues are twofold. Is Sharona stronger than Monk and why does a foxy young woman put the moves on Monk's nerdy upstairs neighbor?
5 Reviews
Intriguing episode
safenoe13 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Mr Monk and the Paperboy is an improvement of the previous episode, with the audience kept guessing until the very end. In fact, Monk solves a couple of extra murders whilst reading the newspaper in question, which was delivered by Nestor played by Luis Chávez.
One thing that grated was Monk's lack of empathy for the death of Nestor.
This episode still dates well despite the hardcopy newspaper, a time no-one could envisage a paywall for online newspapers.
One funny moment was when Dr Kroger insists Monk walk about his sex-life with Trudy. Instead of spending 20 minutes revealing himself, he decided to sing showtunes for 20 minutes!!
Susan Moore-Chong was the Sound Mixer for this episode.
One thing that grated was Monk's lack of empathy for the death of Nestor.
This episode still dates well despite the hardcopy newspaper, a time no-one could envisage a paywall for online newspapers.
One funny moment was when Dr Kroger insists Monk walk about his sex-life with Trudy. Instead of spending 20 minutes revealing himself, he decided to sing showtunes for 20 minutes!!
Susan Moore-Chong was the Sound Mixer for this episode.
Paper trouble with Mr Monk
TheLittleSongbird20 July 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.
There are many great episodes of Season 2. "Mr Monk and the Paperboy" is one of them, and to me actually one of the season's, and show's, best. There hasn't been a bad episode of 'Monk' up to this point in Season 2 and even the weakest episode of Season 1 ("Mr Monk and the Earthquake") was still enjoyable, but "Mr Monk and the Paperboy" stands out. Loved the fact that Monk doesn't discover properly the truth until late and that most of the time he is on the wrong trail, which is not often seen with 'Monk' where he knows who it is but has to prove it and how it was done.
"Mr Monk and the Paperboy's" mystery was also very diverting and refreshingly unconventional (only "Mr Monk Goes to Mexico" to me was more unique) with a number of surprises and an interesting final solution that rings true and never takes improbability too far. So yes, it delivers more than most Season 2 episodes on the mystery factor.
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.
Both Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are very amusing, with Stottlemeyer's loyalty and frustration towards Monk a lot of fun to watch and Disher's quirks and goofiness never coming over as annoying. The supporting cast are strong.
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, of which some of the funniest writing of the whole show is in this episode. The character moments are such a joy with the principal cast are always, with some genuinely hilarious moments with Monk and great interplay with him and Sharona.
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, a season and show highlight. 10/10 Bethany Cox
There are many great episodes of Season 2. "Mr Monk and the Paperboy" is one of them, and to me actually one of the season's, and show's, best. There hasn't been a bad episode of 'Monk' up to this point in Season 2 and even the weakest episode of Season 1 ("Mr Monk and the Earthquake") was still enjoyable, but "Mr Monk and the Paperboy" stands out. Loved the fact that Monk doesn't discover properly the truth until late and that most of the time he is on the wrong trail, which is not often seen with 'Monk' where he knows who it is but has to prove it and how it was done.
"Mr Monk and the Paperboy's" mystery was also very diverting and refreshingly unconventional (only "Mr Monk Goes to Mexico" to me was more unique) with a number of surprises and an interesting final solution that rings true and never takes improbability too far. So yes, it delivers more than most Season 2 episodes on the mystery factor.
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.
Both Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are very amusing, with Stottlemeyer's loyalty and frustration towards Monk a lot of fun to watch and Disher's quirks and goofiness never coming over as annoying. The supporting cast are strong.
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, of which some of the funniest writing of the whole show is in this episode. The character moments are such a joy with the principal cast are always, with some genuinely hilarious moments with Monk and great interplay with him and Sharona.
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, a season and show highlight. 10/10 Bethany Cox
How do you kill a kid?
joey_isham4 October 2021
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