Monk and Natalie end up on a submarine as they investigate the suspicious death of an officer. They have been asked to do so by an old friend of Natalie's, played by Casper Van Dien of "Starship Troopers" and who also appeared in the 2001 submarine thriller, "Danger Beneath the Sea." This is a locked-room thriller, as Monk dismissively observes. We know who the killer is right away, as we did in "The Genius," but it takes Monk time to work out the details. Meanwhile, he has Dr. Bell at his side to guide him -- even though Monk is apparently the only one who can see and hear the good doctor. A wonderful episode. And we get to see a lot more of Hector Elizondo as Dr. Bell as he helps Monk solve the crime. Not to knock the late, great Dr. Kroger, but he would have never shown up on a submarine. That would not have been his style. Somehow, it seems fitting that Bell would show up to help Monk, even if Bell is simply a figment of Monk's imagination. Monk imagines the trim and athletic Bell dressed from head to foot in black. Elizondo looks quite dashing.
13 Reviews
Terribly Unrealistic in Many Cases, Realistic in Some
chadwick-8695517 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
William Atherton does a great shop as the Commander, reminds me of others I have met. A Commander in the Navy is equivalent to a Major in the Army. He isn't a Captain, which would be a Colonel in the Army. Lt. Pierce is referred to as a Lt. Cdr. His insignia clearly shows two stripes ... a LT, not a LCDR.
Again, there are many inconsistent/unrealistic components, like a LT (a doctor?) allowing civilians on a USN submarine, especially during war trials, he/she has no authority at anytime. Doesn't make much sense. The LT having a Walther P38 pistol (German, not US issue) in his cabin, says (without checking), that it is unloaded (ever hear of gun safety?), is completely unrealistic for many reasons. SIdearms and others are locked up. A bottle being used as a silencer? I guess a Beretta P95 or a Colt 1911 (I don't know the timing) was too big to fit in a bottle? Where's the shattered glass? And an LT arresting the CMDR. Where's the XO? The firearms/military consultant simply didn't do his/her job.
Others commented about the two being in a ballast tank was impossible.
So the entire episode was ridiculous and unrealistic, except for Natalie being desired, that is always a constant.
I am sure others can pick on this episode for additional inaccuracies, however, it was still enjoyable. Dr. Bell's presence was awesome. Alizondo has character in all of his roles.
Again, there are many inconsistent/unrealistic components, like a LT (a doctor?) allowing civilians on a USN submarine, especially during war trials, he/she has no authority at anytime. Doesn't make much sense. The LT having a Walther P38 pistol (German, not US issue) in his cabin, says (without checking), that it is unloaded (ever hear of gun safety?), is completely unrealistic for many reasons. SIdearms and others are locked up. A bottle being used as a silencer? I guess a Beretta P95 or a Colt 1911 (I don't know the timing) was too big to fit in a bottle? Where's the shattered glass? And an LT arresting the CMDR. Where's the XO? The firearms/military consultant simply didn't do his/her job.
Others commented about the two being in a ballast tank was impossible.
So the entire episode was ridiculous and unrealistic, except for Natalie being desired, that is always a constant.
I am sure others can pick on this episode for additional inaccuracies, however, it was still enjoyable. Dr. Bell's presence was awesome. Alizondo has character in all of his roles.
Submarine Monk
TheLittleSongbird16 September 2017
'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 not one of 'Monk's best episodes, "Mr Monk is Underwater" is significantly better than the disappointing (one of my least favourite 'Monk' episodes) previous episode "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". "Mr Monk is Underwater" is not perfect but has much more here that makes the show as good as it is, making it more recognisable as a 'Monk' episode. Whereas the previous episode seemed to have forgotten what was so good about 'Monk'.
Not everything seemed to be relevant to the story and could have been trimmed or left out easily and it wouldn't have affected anything. Despite Monk's "Ocean in my pants" line/rant, which showed that the writers had not forgotten about his OCD, his quirks and deficiencies, the ballast tank sequence lacked tension and didn't hold much relevance, those who know anything about submarines too in particular will be dismayed at the lack of research shown in this sequence.
Disher is very underused, and when he does appear he is close to wasted, and one really misses Stottlemeyer in the one Season 7 episode he doesn't appear in.
However, Monk is not out of character this time (or so not as badly as before), actually making a deal out of things that upset him which at least two of the previous Season 7 episodes and being too comedy-oriented. The mystery, despite things that served little point, is more engaging and not as simplistic or as obvious as previous Season 7 episodes. The murderer is known early, but the how and why take more time to be explained, and how Monk deduces it is closer to the methodical old self rather than the baseless conclusion jumping self seen in episodes of the later seasons.
Natalie works so well with Monk here in a story that serves the character in a surprisingly good way. Liked what was done with Dr Bell (Hector Elizondo is settling in well considering the difficult circumstances of earlier on in Season 7), once the strangeness of his inclusion is gotten over.
In regard to the writing, it delivers on the funny humour and never overdone or exploited quirky aspects (especially between Monk and Natalie) though one misses the tender easy to relate to dramatic aspects (though the story doesn't exactly lend itself well to having them). Am not exactly a fan of Casper Van Dien usually, but he does a nice job.
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 is earthy, sassy and sympathetic.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever. 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.
Overall, pretty good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
While not one of 'Monk's best episodes, "Mr Monk is Underwater" is significantly better than the disappointing (one of my least favourite 'Monk' episodes) previous episode "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". "Mr Monk is Underwater" is not perfect but has much more here that makes the show as good as it is, making it more recognisable as a 'Monk' episode. Whereas the previous episode seemed to have forgotten what was so good about 'Monk'.
Not everything seemed to be relevant to the story and could have been trimmed or left out easily and it wouldn't have affected anything. Despite Monk's "Ocean in my pants" line/rant, which showed that the writers had not forgotten about his OCD, his quirks and deficiencies, the ballast tank sequence lacked tension and didn't hold much relevance, those who know anything about submarines too in particular will be dismayed at the lack of research shown in this sequence.
Disher is very underused, and when he does appear he is close to wasted, and one really misses Stottlemeyer in the one Season 7 episode he doesn't appear in.
However, Monk is not out of character this time (or so not as badly as before), actually making a deal out of things that upset him which at least two of the previous Season 7 episodes and being too comedy-oriented. The mystery, despite things that served little point, is more engaging and not as simplistic or as obvious as previous Season 7 episodes. The murderer is known early, but the how and why take more time to be explained, and how Monk deduces it is closer to the methodical old self rather than the baseless conclusion jumping self seen in episodes of the later seasons.
Natalie works so well with Monk here in a story that serves the character in a surprisingly good way. Liked what was done with Dr Bell (Hector Elizondo is settling in well considering the difficult circumstances of earlier on in Season 7), once the strangeness of his inclusion is gotten over.
In regard to the writing, it delivers on the funny humour and never overdone or exploited quirky aspects (especially between Monk and Natalie) though one misses the tender easy to relate to dramatic aspects (though the story doesn't exactly lend itself well to having them). Am not exactly a fan of Casper Van Dien usually, but he does a nice job.
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 is earthy, sassy and sympathetic.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever. 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.
Overall, pretty good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Great episode except for one thing....
jmat409 August 2022
Weps!
safenoe1 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I love the homage to Crimson Tide at the beginning of this episode, with the captain calling out to Weps, who was the name of a character in Crimson Tide. Congratulations to the camera crew for capturing the realism of an obsessive-compulsive ex-SFPD detective solving a murder in a submarine. Casper Van Dien, who was married to Catherine Oxenberg, makes a guest appearance in this gripping episode.
Natalie misses out
danrs00000828 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Casper Van den, as lieutenant Stephen Albright, makes a great appearance in this episode where Monk solves a case while being confined inside a submarine. It makes for an interesting episode as Monk is barely able to keep his wits about him while dealing with claustrophobia. Natalie however really misses the boat here as lieutenant Albright is a great prospect for a new husband, but Natalie just walks away.
CGI Hilarity
babstoyfish5 July 2020
I rather enjoy bad CGI as I find it amusing. Two scenes in this episode, as they board and leave the submarine have some of most comically terrible CGI I've ever seen. Especially the last scene, where the dashing submariner is descending the ramp back onto the sub, the ramp just stops on top of the vessel! Where is he supposed to go next? They couldn't even draw a door on? Come on! Hahaha
Out of Their Depth
Hitchcoc14 April 2020
This is a weak premise. Monk and Natalie find themselves on a nuclear submarine during maneuvers. They were brought there to investigate a murder or possible suicide. Of course, they are constantly in the way, clashing with the submarine commander. Many of the scenes are the same old silliness we are used to with this series. And then, Monk has visions of his new counselor appearing on deck.
Average Locked Room Mystery with Some Bad Writing
WYAdams27 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Hollywood writers really need to get expert advice before writing stories on subjects about which they know absolutely nothing. The ignorance of the writers is glaring in this episode. In addition, they have another of the continuity inconsistencies for which the writers on Monk are infamous (yes I meant infamous, not famous).
I am going to address the errors in three groups, holes and errors in the crime method, errors in the setting and procedures on board a navy submarine, and backstory inconsistencies (something the writers on Monk do all the time).
This section has spoilers.
The locked room mystery itself is not particularly ingenious nor original. Even to the average TV viewer who may have never read Sherlock Holmes, some of the problems with the plot should be obvious.
1) While it may seem ingenious to use a cigarette as a fuse timer, it has been done so many times that it is trite. The problem here is that the cigarette smoke would trigger alarms, and even if that did not happen, the smell would be obvious to anyone entering the room, especially if it were in the vent.
2) Unless he planned this crime ahead of time, which it does not seem likely given the spontaneous decision of his victim to blow the whistle, he would not have cigarettes aboard a nuclear submarine where smoking is prohibited.
3) One wonders how he could use the cigarette to get the time exactly right, so that he and the other men would be standing outside the door just as it went off. Did he sit in his cabin burning cigarettes until he got the timing, and if so, how did he avoid detection since smoking is prohibited?
4) Using the same reasoning as in 2 above, he would not have a firecracker on board, either.
5) Firecrackers sound nothing like gunshots.
6) Unless we are to believe that NCIS is completely incompetent, they would have detected pieces of plastic in the wound, as well as the lack of blow back (gun shot residue) on his hand.
Next, I will talk about problems in the procedures and setting.
1) Civilians would not be allowed aboard a top-secret nuclear submarine without express permission of the Commander. Had the junior officer somehow managed to sneak them on board, their presence would be reported by the first man who saw them, the officer would be relieved of duty and arrested, and they would also be arrested. In real life a submariner was arrested and sent to prison for taking and sending a selfie inside a nuclear submarine, so imagine the penalty for bringing unauthorized civilians on board.
2) Monk and Nataly would be confined to quarters with a guard at the door so they would not be able wander freely around the top-secret vessel.
3) Ballast tanks do not have hatches making them accessible from inside the submarine.
4) Ballast tanks do not have lights inside them.
5) Ballast tanks do not fill gently like a bathtub.
6) Ballast is blown out with compressed air, not drained like water going down a sink drain, so Monk and Nataly would be subjected to extremely high, possibly fatal, air pressure.
Finally, I will address the problems with back story continuity for which the writers on Monk have problems. They seem to just make up whatever suits them for the particular episode without any regard to what has happened before. In this episode, Monk claims he can't swim, and yet in the previous season, Season 6, he is shot, falls into the cold, dark, rough ocean and SWIMS to shore where he meets Captain Stottlemeyer. Not bad for someone who supposedly can't swim.
When I complain about these things my wife says, "TV!" She is correct, it is fantasy, but after a while the errors piling up on top of each other can no longer be ignored.
I am going to address the errors in three groups, holes and errors in the crime method, errors in the setting and procedures on board a navy submarine, and backstory inconsistencies (something the writers on Monk do all the time).
This section has spoilers.
The locked room mystery itself is not particularly ingenious nor original. Even to the average TV viewer who may have never read Sherlock Holmes, some of the problems with the plot should be obvious.
1) While it may seem ingenious to use a cigarette as a fuse timer, it has been done so many times that it is trite. The problem here is that the cigarette smoke would trigger alarms, and even if that did not happen, the smell would be obvious to anyone entering the room, especially if it were in the vent.
2) Unless he planned this crime ahead of time, which it does not seem likely given the spontaneous decision of his victim to blow the whistle, he would not have cigarettes aboard a nuclear submarine where smoking is prohibited.
3) One wonders how he could use the cigarette to get the time exactly right, so that he and the other men would be standing outside the door just as it went off. Did he sit in his cabin burning cigarettes until he got the timing, and if so, how did he avoid detection since smoking is prohibited?
4) Using the same reasoning as in 2 above, he would not have a firecracker on board, either.
5) Firecrackers sound nothing like gunshots.
6) Unless we are to believe that NCIS is completely incompetent, they would have detected pieces of plastic in the wound, as well as the lack of blow back (gun shot residue) on his hand.
Next, I will talk about problems in the procedures and setting.
1) Civilians would not be allowed aboard a top-secret nuclear submarine without express permission of the Commander. Had the junior officer somehow managed to sneak them on board, their presence would be reported by the first man who saw them, the officer would be relieved of duty and arrested, and they would also be arrested. In real life a submariner was arrested and sent to prison for taking and sending a selfie inside a nuclear submarine, so imagine the penalty for bringing unauthorized civilians on board.
2) Monk and Nataly would be confined to quarters with a guard at the door so they would not be able wander freely around the top-secret vessel.
3) Ballast tanks do not have hatches making them accessible from inside the submarine.
4) Ballast tanks do not have lights inside them.
5) Ballast tanks do not fill gently like a bathtub.
6) Ballast is blown out with compressed air, not drained like water going down a sink drain, so Monk and Nataly would be subjected to extremely high, possibly fatal, air pressure.
Finally, I will address the problems with back story continuity for which the writers on Monk have problems. They seem to just make up whatever suits them for the particular episode without any regard to what has happened before. In this episode, Monk claims he can't swim, and yet in the previous season, Season 6, he is shot, falls into the cold, dark, rough ocean and SWIMS to shore where he meets Captain Stottlemeyer. Not bad for someone who supposedly can't swim.
When I complain about these things my wife says, "TV!" She is correct, it is fantasy, but after a while the errors piling up on top of each other can no longer be ignored.
Biggest plot hole in the history of television
jdc-facebook26 January 2013
This may have been a decent "locked room" mystery, if they had simply left out the "trapped in the ballast tank" sequence. As you may have read in the goofs, ballast tanks aren't accessible from inside a sub. What is worse, though, are all the lights in the room they were in. There are lights in the ceiling, lights on the wall, even lights in the floor. This sequence really shows that Hollywood writers just don't have any new ideas anymore. Also (rambling a bit to get to 10 lines required by IMDb), the way the water rises and falls in the room is ridiculous -- slowly, like a bath tub or swimming pool. I think the poster saying the tanks are completely full whenever they are underwater is wrong, but I do believe the tanks fill and empty with water at a much greater rate. Otherwise, the sub would be stuck at the surface way too long. BTW, there is no spoiler here. The ballast tank stuff doesn't really have anything to do with the mystery of the show, especially the resolution of "how it was done."
Losing the plot a little
Aroura6413 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The one element of this episode that I have a big issue with, is the use of CGI, it bugs me so much. The qualities that made Monk so enjoyable seem to be slowly disappearing. The show existed perfectly well without the CGI, it adds nothing. Rant over
Seriously, budget getting low or something?
MyEinsamkeit29 April 2022
When exactly was the evidence discovered?
CrimeDrama127 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't paying full attention to the TV while watching this episode so I thought I missed the scene where Monk and company find the exploded firecracker and cigarette ash. I went reverse and forward on my DVR countless times trying to find that scene only to learn that it doesn't exist. Since when do the show-runners NOT show Monk finding the evidence critical to the case? He has it in two zip-lock bags immediately after being rescued from the ballast tank (really?). What a stupid leap by the writers. If the same case had been investigated during an "NCIS" episode, it would have been: solved much smoother and more enjoyable to watch. Meanwhile, a preview for upcoming episodes show that Mark Harmon is appearing on "NCIS: Hawaii" now. After all, he has been an Executive Producer for NCIS shows for many years but he recently departed his role for good on "NCIS".
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