'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.
Although it is one of the most entertaining episodes of the early half of Season 6, "Mr Monk and the Birds and the Bees" is another 'Monk' episode where it is a must see for the character and character development (some of the best of the season), including some of the funniest scenes of 'Monk' and one of the show's most touching, but the mystery is somewhat of a let down and best forgotten. Not that it is awful, at first it is actually pretty intriguing and the murder is reasonably clever.
Unfortunately, it is let down by over-obviousness and by getting ridiculous in the second half. The murderer starts as a pretty decent opponent and then behaves in an erratic, increasingly stupid and self-incriminating fashion and the incriminating evidence coincidence is very hard to swallow that it begs belief that it wasn't picked up straight away. Usually Monk's premature conclusion jumping has tended to be an issue in the later seasons of 'Monk', here it is justified.
However, the characterisations and character development more than make up for all this. Love Natalie and Monk together, and Monk's scene with Julie is very powerful and touching, loved Monk in this scene and how warm and caring he was. The funny moments here are also some of the show's funniest, the funniest Monk moment is the scene in the morgue with the urns which reminds one of prime 'Monk'. The lockbox and the bumper car scenes are also entertaining. Disher and Stottlemeyer also have two of the episode's best moments with the security tape and with the photo on the mug.
All the characters here are closer to their former selves too, even Disher who is a goofball but an endearing and funny one not a childish and idiotic one. It was interesting to actually see Disher right over Stottlemeyer, though it was a stretch to believe that Stottlemeyer wouldn't know Ginger Rogers is dead and Disher did, a bit of a role reversal moment there. The Lovely Rita character was quite fun.
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.
Traylor Howard brings out the sassy and sympathetic sides to Natalie very well, Emmy Clarke gives a heartfelt performance here, Jason Gray- Stanford is likable enough and Ted Levine is amusing. Vincent Ventresca does well with what he's given.
Writing-wise, 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, very good but more for the character moments than the mystery. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Although it is one of the most entertaining episodes of the early half of Season 6, "Mr Monk and the Birds and the Bees" is another 'Monk' episode where it is a must see for the character and character development (some of the best of the season), including some of the funniest scenes of 'Monk' and one of the show's most touching, but the mystery is somewhat of a let down and best forgotten. Not that it is awful, at first it is actually pretty intriguing and the murder is reasonably clever.
Unfortunately, it is let down by over-obviousness and by getting ridiculous in the second half. The murderer starts as a pretty decent opponent and then behaves in an erratic, increasingly stupid and self-incriminating fashion and the incriminating evidence coincidence is very hard to swallow that it begs belief that it wasn't picked up straight away. Usually Monk's premature conclusion jumping has tended to be an issue in the later seasons of 'Monk', here it is justified.
However, the characterisations and character development more than make up for all this. Love Natalie and Monk together, and Monk's scene with Julie is very powerful and touching, loved Monk in this scene and how warm and caring he was. The funny moments here are also some of the show's funniest, the funniest Monk moment is the scene in the morgue with the urns which reminds one of prime 'Monk'. The lockbox and the bumper car scenes are also entertaining. Disher and Stottlemeyer also have two of the episode's best moments with the security tape and with the photo on the mug.
All the characters here are closer to their former selves too, even Disher who is a goofball but an endearing and funny one not a childish and idiotic one. It was interesting to actually see Disher right over Stottlemeyer, though it was a stretch to believe that Stottlemeyer wouldn't know Ginger Rogers is dead and Disher did, a bit of a role reversal moment there. The Lovely Rita character was quite fun.
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.
Traylor Howard brings out the sassy and sympathetic sides to Natalie very well, Emmy Clarke gives a heartfelt performance here, Jason Gray- Stanford is likable enough and Ted Levine is amusing. Vincent Ventresca does well with what he's given.
Writing-wise, 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, very good but more for the character moments than the mystery. 8/10 Bethany Cox
