Mr. Monk Meets His Dad
- Episode aired Nov 17, 2006
- TV-PG
- 41m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Monk meets his long lost father after 39 years.Monk meets his long lost father after 39 years.Monk meets his long lost father after 39 years.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe guest actress who plays the waitress Sara Jo in the diner scene was Catherine Bach who famously played another waitress, Daisy Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) from 1979-1985.
- GoofsWhen Adrian & his dad are in the 18-wheeler, they can't stop the truck because the brake line broke. 18-wheelers actually use an air brake system, not fluids. Jack Monk could have hit the emergency brake button anytime to release all the air & stop immediately.
- Quotes
Jack Monk: ...and he sends me on this wild goose chase. Son of...
[swears]
Jack Monk: [swears again] 'scuse my language.
Adrian Monk: It's okay, we're truckers.
- SoundtracksThe Twelve Days of Christmas
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Jason Gray-Stanford, Traylor Howard, and Ted Levine
Featured review
Road trip 'Monk'
'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.
While still a very enjoyable and touching episode, "Mr Monk Meets His Dad" was very nearly a special episode and had potential to be. The main focus of Monk getting to know his dad was wisely the main focus and it was done brilliantly. With that being said, this is not the first time in 'Monk' where we get to know members of Monk's family, there are the two previous episodes with Ambrose "The Three Pies" and "Goes Home Again". Now those were special episodes, not just because of how brilliantly the chemistry between Adrian and Ambrose was, but their quirks and problems and also the mystery in "The Three Pies" balanced with it just as believably.
The mystery here was a somewhat disappointing one here. Liked that it was atypical and it is intriguing, but it was not focused on enough and pretty much takes a near-complete back-seat to the main plot. Natalie, Disher and Stottlemeyer are fairly underused again. While not as much a fault, suspension of disbelief is needed here as there are parts that are silly and implausible.
However, as said, the main plot with Monk getting to know his father was done extremely well, almost as much as Monk with Ambrose. Tony Shalhoub and Dan Hedaya (in a wonderful performance) work beautifully together, and while there are humorous moments (like the incredibly funny moment with Monk's phone call to Natalie) and a suspenseful one when they are both in jeopardy it's the emotional moments that shine particularly. The standout scenes in the episode are the scene in the diner and Monk being taught to ride a bike, the latter bringing tears to my eyes and one of the most touching scenes on the whole of 'Monk'.
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.
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 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.
Overall, very good and nearly special. If only the mystery was executed better. 8/10 Bethany Cox
While still a very enjoyable and touching episode, "Mr Monk Meets His Dad" was very nearly a special episode and had potential to be. The main focus of Monk getting to know his dad was wisely the main focus and it was done brilliantly. With that being said, this is not the first time in 'Monk' where we get to know members of Monk's family, there are the two previous episodes with Ambrose "The Three Pies" and "Goes Home Again". Now those were special episodes, not just because of how brilliantly the chemistry between Adrian and Ambrose was, but their quirks and problems and also the mystery in "The Three Pies" balanced with it just as believably.
The mystery here was a somewhat disappointing one here. Liked that it was atypical and it is intriguing, but it was not focused on enough and pretty much takes a near-complete back-seat to the main plot. Natalie, Disher and Stottlemeyer are fairly underused again. While not as much a fault, suspension of disbelief is needed here as there are parts that are silly and implausible.
However, as said, the main plot with Monk getting to know his father was done extremely well, almost as much as Monk with Ambrose. Tony Shalhoub and Dan Hedaya (in a wonderful performance) work beautifully together, and while there are humorous moments (like the incredibly funny moment with Monk's phone call to Natalie) and a suspenseful one when they are both in jeopardy it's the emotional moments that shine particularly. The standout scenes in the episode are the scene in the diner and Monk being taught to ride a bike, the latter bringing tears to my eyes and one of the most touching scenes on the whole of 'Monk'.
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.
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 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.
Overall, very good and nearly special. If only the mystery was executed better. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 22, 2017
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