Monk is pulled into service by the FBI to pose as a notorious contract killer for the mafia. The reason: the real killer has been run over by a crosstown bus, which the FBI is keeping under wraps. And guess what? The killer and Monk could pass for twins. An old plot, but funny as all get-out here. Eventually, Monk gets a little too caught up in his role. When the FBI decides to pull the plug on the charade, Monk insists on seeing it through. Even if it means putting himself in mortal danger. Monk totally immersing himself in the contract killer's character is similar to an earlier episode where he became a devoted acolyte of a shady cult leader. It works.
7 Reviews
Hit-man Monk
TheLittleSongbird28 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.
There are better 'Monk' episodes than "Mr Monk is Someone Else", including in Season 8 (i.e. "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man"), but also worse ("Mr Monk and the Missing Granny", "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", "Mr Monk and the Rapper", "Mr Monk and the Really Really Dead Guy", "Mr Monk Takes a Punch", "Mr Monk Falls in Love" and "Mr Monk and the UFO" are particularly disappointing). "Mr Monk is Someone Else" is a very enjoyable episode though, and somehow manages to make an implausible concept (Monk having an evil doppelganger and becoming a hit-man) work when it shouldn't have done.
It is lacking in the mystery department, despite the clever ending there just isn't anything really surprising or imaginative here. There are things like Monk being happy to work for the FBI (considering how he was treated by them in previous episodes) and getting into the role of becoming his doppelganger happening rather too easily as well.
However, the episode provides some funny moments (will admit to having a giggle at the photo of DePalma and trying to imagine an evil Monk) and nice quirky little things (like with the tie), while Monk being a tough guy also works because while he could have come over as unnecessarily mean being deliberately out of character there are legitimate reasons given for the way he acts here. Seeing him really getting into it was well done, and as good a character Harold Krenshaw seeing him pushed around was entertaining.
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, Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are all fine too, their material is strong enough and they're in character. The supporting cast is good.
Writing is funny, quirky and thoughtful and the characterisation of Monk is different but also with shades of the old Monk with great Monk-ish behaviour that is unique in an only Monk way.
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, very enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox
There are better 'Monk' episodes than "Mr Monk is Someone Else", including in Season 8 (i.e. "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man"), but also worse ("Mr Monk and the Missing Granny", "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", "Mr Monk and the Rapper", "Mr Monk and the Really Really Dead Guy", "Mr Monk Takes a Punch", "Mr Monk Falls in Love" and "Mr Monk and the UFO" are particularly disappointing). "Mr Monk is Someone Else" is a very enjoyable episode though, and somehow manages to make an implausible concept (Monk having an evil doppelganger and becoming a hit-man) work when it shouldn't have done.
It is lacking in the mystery department, despite the clever ending there just isn't anything really surprising or imaginative here. There are things like Monk being happy to work for the FBI (considering how he was treated by them in previous episodes) and getting into the role of becoming his doppelganger happening rather too easily as well.
However, the episode provides some funny moments (will admit to having a giggle at the photo of DePalma and trying to imagine an evil Monk) and nice quirky little things (like with the tie), while Monk being a tough guy also works because while he could have come over as unnecessarily mean being deliberately out of character there are legitimate reasons given for the way he acts here. Seeing him really getting into it was well done, and as good a character Harold Krenshaw seeing him pushed around was entertaining.
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, Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are all fine too, their material is strong enough and they're in character. The supporting cast is good.
Writing is funny, quirky and thoughtful and the characterisation of Monk is different but also with shades of the old Monk with great Monk-ish behaviour that is unique in an only Monk way.
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, very enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Monk and the Mob
safenoe18 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Tony Shalhoub plays the deceased hitman Frank DePalma, and Traylor Howard plays Natalie Teegerb in this fun episode of double identity. Monk relishes playing a hitman for the FBI, and Natalie has fun playing DePalma's girlfriend Natalia Teegerb. Monk assumes a tough posture which carries the day to the very end of the episode. After this episode there are only 12 more episodes of this fine series. Can Monk be rebooted in these pandemic times?
OK Don't Think Too Much
Hitchcoc17 April 2020
Other than watching Tony Shaloub play a different part as Monk stands in for his double, a gangster, this is pretty weak stuff. Monk must overcome his timidness to help out the FBI. He bangs heads with some Mafia types and manages to do fairly well. The plot, however, has been done to death. The usual stereotypical mob characters.
There is Some Good in Evil !
elshikh420 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As always, Monk never fails to bewitch me, particularly in terms of writing. Now this is the idea of the lookalike; which is an old one usually-used in comedies. The thing is, Monk; as a course in writing good scripts, doesn't stop at that step, making comic situations, and some mystery only, it goes beyond, to explore its main character smartly, using previously untreated subject in the series, showing the lookalike as counterpart, or rather strong, aggressive, and unafraid alter ego which dear Monk, for that matter, needs so much!
It went well. Many moments were impressive; loved when Monk's sick trademarks, like fixing a crooked tie, were understood as scary gestures. 2 scenes I considered as classics; when our lead stands in the way of his friend, Capt. Leland, gazing at him with one long merciless look. The second is when he had to apologize for it after coming to his senses. Well, no need to repeat how great this cast is, and how much their love for what they're doing is shown on screen.
The problems: the suit that the "criminal" Monk wore?! OK, this is whether the perfect outfit for singing (Minnie The Moocher), or imitating Robert De Niro from (The Untouchable)! I don't believe for a second that there is a hireling assassin in the 2000s who still wears like that, unless he's wont to travel into time, and if it's here to make laughs; then it's in the wrong place! Unlike Monk's disguise, the script didn't come close to produce almost anything out of Natalie. And I felt the climax needed more action, or at least more heat to it.
At last, the episode - in its highest moment - doesn't forget to prove a point, when Monk uses one look of his evil image, to face some slimy bully handyman. It assures that sometimes borrowing a little something from the dark side isn't bad at all. In fact, it's so bad not to do it!
It went well. Many moments were impressive; loved when Monk's sick trademarks, like fixing a crooked tie, were understood as scary gestures. 2 scenes I considered as classics; when our lead stands in the way of his friend, Capt. Leland, gazing at him with one long merciless look. The second is when he had to apologize for it after coming to his senses. Well, no need to repeat how great this cast is, and how much their love for what they're doing is shown on screen.
The problems: the suit that the "criminal" Monk wore?! OK, this is whether the perfect outfit for singing (Minnie The Moocher), or imitating Robert De Niro from (The Untouchable)! I don't believe for a second that there is a hireling assassin in the 2000s who still wears like that, unless he's wont to travel into time, and if it's here to make laughs; then it's in the wrong place! Unlike Monk's disguise, the script didn't come close to produce almost anything out of Natalie. And I felt the climax needed more action, or at least more heat to it.
At last, the episode - in its highest moment - doesn't forget to prove a point, when Monk uses one look of his evil image, to face some slimy bully handyman. It assures that sometimes borrowing a little something from the dark side isn't bad at all. In fact, it's so bad not to do it!
I loved how he wanted the 20 cents back when he yielded to the server and gave 20 bucks as tip!
muratmihcioglu21 December 2023
Again, a visually stunning episode, this time featuring Lola's assets!
One-note and with little to nothing to give on the creative side, the shows keeps being watchable thanks to running gags, inside jokes and bold changes in the overall mood.
Calling the guy Frankie DePalma and coupling Monk with his mistress was really nice on the front of homages. However it makes no sense to see Monk can go undercover and act in character on a whim, despite all his pet peeves and germophobia. Sure, the show is already supposed to be taken lightly, but...
I don't know... Monk never grew on me, probably because the frequency of suspension of disbelief it offers is kinda "too fabricated and on the nose".
But well, yes! I loved how he wanted the 20 cent tip back after the server convinced him to pay 20 bucks instead! Now THAT was a tasteful reflection of the character in question! The duel of stares and his hitman persona growing on Monk were also nice touches. So yeah, that was one of my better Monk experiences after all.
One-note and with little to nothing to give on the creative side, the shows keeps being watchable thanks to running gags, inside jokes and bold changes in the overall mood.
Calling the guy Frankie DePalma and coupling Monk with his mistress was really nice on the front of homages. However it makes no sense to see Monk can go undercover and act in character on a whim, despite all his pet peeves and germophobia. Sure, the show is already supposed to be taken lightly, but...
I don't know... Monk never grew on me, probably because the frequency of suspension of disbelief it offers is kinda "too fabricated and on the nose".
But well, yes! I loved how he wanted the 20 cent tip back after the server convinced him to pay 20 bucks instead! Now THAT was a tasteful reflection of the character in question! The duel of stares and his hitman persona growing on Monk were also nice touches. So yeah, that was one of my better Monk experiences after all.
too absurd
sandcrab27729 November 2018
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