'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.
After such a brilliant, special previous episode in "Mr Monk Gets a New Shrink", "Mr Monk Goes to a Rock Concert" was underwhelming and one of Season 5's weaker episodes. Not bad at all, it just doesn't quite deliver in some aspects and is one of the strongest examples of problems that pop up every now and then being more obvious. It does deliver on many of the aspects that makes 'Monk' so good when at its best though. A particular weak point is the mystery, which felt too rushed, very predictable and sometimes too silly (like the final solution). The perpetrator is so lacking in subtlety and likability from the get go that his involvement in the crime is obvious which takes away from the surprise and suspense.
The episode could have been more sharply paced too, the character moments and humorous moments keep things afloat but there are dull stretches that feel like padding. The crowd scenes are over-populated, even for a rock concert that sometimes the episode is confused visually. While the Stottlemeyer's truant son subplot gives the episode heart, to me it wasn't quite focused on enough.
However, the character moments and humorous moments more than make up for it. Highlights are the porta-potty scene, which is classic 'Monk', and Disher faking illness on the phone to Stottlemeyer without realising that Stottlemeyer is just feet behind him, which is one of the funniest Disher/Stottlemeyer moments. Disher is actually funny here and Stottlemeyer is given plenty of focus and more interesting than in a lot of Season 4 episodes that underused him.
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 writing has some funny and quirky dialogue, though one misses the more dramatic moments and how it balanced so well with other elements that 'Monk' often did so well in. 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. While the use of rock music is too constant in places, it's authentic and catchy. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
Summing up, above average but underwhelming. 6/10 Bethany Cox
After such a brilliant, special previous episode in "Mr Monk Gets a New Shrink", "Mr Monk Goes to a Rock Concert" was underwhelming and one of Season 5's weaker episodes. Not bad at all, it just doesn't quite deliver in some aspects and is one of the strongest examples of problems that pop up every now and then being more obvious. It does deliver on many of the aspects that makes 'Monk' so good when at its best though. A particular weak point is the mystery, which felt too rushed, very predictable and sometimes too silly (like the final solution). The perpetrator is so lacking in subtlety and likability from the get go that his involvement in the crime is obvious which takes away from the surprise and suspense.
The episode could have been more sharply paced too, the character moments and humorous moments keep things afloat but there are dull stretches that feel like padding. The crowd scenes are over-populated, even for a rock concert that sometimes the episode is confused visually. While the Stottlemeyer's truant son subplot gives the episode heart, to me it wasn't quite focused on enough.
However, the character moments and humorous moments more than make up for it. Highlights are the porta-potty scene, which is classic 'Monk', and Disher faking illness on the phone to Stottlemeyer without realising that Stottlemeyer is just feet behind him, which is one of the funniest Disher/Stottlemeyer moments. Disher is actually funny here and Stottlemeyer is given plenty of focus and more interesting than in a lot of Season 4 episodes that underused him.
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 writing has some funny and quirky dialogue, though one misses the more dramatic moments and how it balanced so well with other elements that 'Monk' often did so well in. 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. While the use of rock music is too constant in places, it's authentic and catchy. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
Summing up, above average but underwhelming. 6/10 Bethany Cox
