'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.
Not everybody seems to like Season 5. Count me in as somebody who on the most part does, though not every episode works, wasn't totally enamoured with "Mr Monk Goes to a Rock Concert". "Mr Monk Gets a New Shrink" and "Mr Monk and the Leper" are special episodes (a few other episodes nearly were but just fell short of being due to not quite as good mysteries) though and the first two episodes were similarly outstanding. "Mr Monk is at Your Service" is one of the great episodes, despite having a mystery where saying it isn't a tough one is an understatement.
Although the methods are clever the perpetrator and motives were not surprises at all. Disher and Stottlemeyer also deserved much more than just cameos, there are 'Monk' episodes that have done a great job developing them (especially with Stottlemeyer), treating them this way is a disservice.
However, the character moments are a delight. Loved the change of pace with Monk, where of all the episodes where he goes undercover he is finally in a situation where he appears happy in. Being a butler plays to his quirks and obsessions brilliantly and better than most episodes of Season 5. The silverware part is the epitome of classic 'Monk', Natalie coming to dinner was a lot of fun and seeing more development to Natalie was much appreciated.
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 despite not being used well. Sean Astin surprisingly excels here too, it's not usually a typical role of his but it expands his acting range and he fares better than a lot of people who attempt to do it.
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.
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. The episode is made with a lot of slickness and style as always.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Not everybody seems to like Season 5. Count me in as somebody who on the most part does, though not every episode works, wasn't totally enamoured with "Mr Monk Goes to a Rock Concert". "Mr Monk Gets a New Shrink" and "Mr Monk and the Leper" are special episodes (a few other episodes nearly were but just fell short of being due to not quite as good mysteries) though and the first two episodes were similarly outstanding. "Mr Monk is at Your Service" is one of the great episodes, despite having a mystery where saying it isn't a tough one is an understatement.
Although the methods are clever the perpetrator and motives were not surprises at all. Disher and Stottlemeyer also deserved much more than just cameos, there are 'Monk' episodes that have done a great job developing them (especially with Stottlemeyer), treating them this way is a disservice.
However, the character moments are a delight. Loved the change of pace with Monk, where of all the episodes where he goes undercover he is finally in a situation where he appears happy in. Being a butler plays to his quirks and obsessions brilliantly and better than most episodes of Season 5. The silverware part is the epitome of classic 'Monk', Natalie coming to dinner was a lot of fun and seeing more development to Natalie was much appreciated.
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 despite not being used well. Sean Astin surprisingly excels here too, it's not usually a typical role of his but it expands his acting range and he fares better than a lot of people who attempt to do it.
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.
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. The episode is made with a lot of slickness and style as always.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
