User Reviews

Well, at least I got my wish for one week as this series went back to what it used to do: concentrate both on the crime and Monk's quirks. They had totally gotten away from the crime angle with a lot of silliness but this episode is more like the older ones in which the crime is the story and Tony Shaloub's comedic talents are mixed in.

Actually, Traylor Howard as Natalie takes center stage here, pushing Monk into going into the private detective business. That part gets a little carried away and she's already gone ahead and rented an office, bought all the furniture, etc., without him knowing.

After a few days of no clients, he finally gets a "fender bender" case, which winds up leading to two things: 1 - catching a murderer, and 2 - Capt. Stottlemeyer finding a girlfriend, real estate agent "Linda Fusco" (Sharon Lawrence), who is the one whose car was dented and says "son-of-a-bitch four times in about a minute in here. Was that necessary? That's the kind of woman the captain thinks is cool.

Overall, it wasn't a great episode but it good enough and a pleasant break from all the goofiness of the first few episodes of this fifth season.

'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, Private Eye" is a step down from the previous four Season 5 episodes but is still a very entertaining episode, where the mystery and character development are just as important as the humour and quirks. On occasions, Natalie and Monk are out of character, he a little too on the bitter side and she too aggressive (though you can understand why). More of a problem though to me is that it is annoying that Disher (even for a character who was often comic relief and rarely the brightest bulb on the block) is becoming really stupid and childish.

There are some great character moments though, and there are parts that are genuinely hilarious. Absolutely loved the parts with the toilet seat, Monk trying to read the instructions on how to swim and Monk pretending to be a client on the phone (funny but also admittedly a little mean). Natalie mentioning her grandfather was a nice touch, as was Monk's reaction. Also appreciated what was done with Stottlemeyer as he comes to terms with his marriage ending. The mystery is not a surprising one but is engaging and fun to watch unfold and explained.

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.

Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are good as usual as Disher and Stottlemeyer. The supporting cast are solid.

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.

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.

Altogether, very entertaining but not one of my favourites. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Natalie decides it's time for Monk to spread his wings. She takes some of Monk's earnings and sets him up in a detective agency without his permission. This leads to numerous pratfalls. This time he has a real point. The case involves a doctor who is a sociopath. It also sets up a love interest for Leland Stottlemeyer. The one thing that just won't work is the swimming incident. Too far fetched.

Here Monk sets up his own detective agency because he needs more work. Apparently there aren't enough crimes I guess to keep Monk busy, so being a private detective will supposedly pay the bills.

This alone could have been a spin-off following the end of Monk, but not to be.

Mr moron is such a great detective he can't detect crap on his upper lip ... he obsesses over the cost of printed business cards, sharpens a dozen pencils and when confronted by the killer he wilts like flower without water ... natalie is the real brains of the pair but she never gets credit for it and captain stottlemeyer is even dumber than randy ... as stupid an episode as most