As the title suggests, Monk has his gold shield back and is hot on the trail of a cop killer. The episode starts off with the capture of a serial killer, but unfortunately Monk is on desk duty at the time, answering the tip line. It is only after a young cop is shot to death that Monk finds himself back in the saddle, as it were. Meanwhile, Natalie takes a job with a concert promoter, and is desperately unhappy to be separated from her old boss. Interestingly enough, we do not hear a word about the captain's new wife, whom he married at the conclusion of last week's episode. On the other hand, we get to see plenty of the captain and Lieut. "Dizzy" Disher in action. That's good enough for me. The final two episodes will be taken up with Trudy's killer.
6 Reviews
The main plot here was needed for Monk's psyche
FlushingCaps5 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
We open with Captain Stottlemeyer excited about getting to tell Monk that a meeting has determined that he finally gets his badge back and will again be an active detective with the SFPD.
Monk's first disappointment on returning to work is that he isn't a part of the task force to try to help capture a serial killer. Because he has been off the force so long, he is to begin with "desk duty" where we see him totally mishandling a phone-in tip line, then he hears that the serial killer has been captured. Seemingly, the next morning, the captain holds a press conference where the person who sent in a tip that led to the man's arrest is being honored as a hero and has been given a wonderful reward.
Monk is sent on a call with another detective to a woman (played by Tony Shaloub's real life wife) with some sort of domestic complaint. After bursting into her apartment, he learns she was only talking about a cat. Later, he is sent back to her place where, suspecting it's another cat when he learns that a "Mr. Lewis, who lives upstairs and loves milk" has entered her place against her will. As Monk is about to enter, an object is thrown through the window and a big, burly man appears.
Monk then gets to see the scene of a policeman's murder and he suspects the cop was receiving a payoff for some sort of illegal dealing. His police superior-not Stottlemeyer-makes it very clear that as a detective, he has to say nothing of his suspicions unless he is 110% certain, to protect his police "family" member.
Monk discovers a clue, which experienced Monk viewers knew would tie in the policeman's death with the serial killer and the man who got the reward for his capture. There is a death-defying scene where Monk shows great physical skill in outbattling his assailant while several stories above the street on a platform.
Here comes a necessary spoiler: After defeating the foe, Monk immediately announces he is resigning from the force. He is going back to being a consultant, and is rehiring Natalie, who had a job with a music promoter, but is much happier to return to Monk-except for his announced intention of paying her less than before, telling her, "you shouldn't have quit."
I praise this episode as one that was needed. All through the series, whenever Monk was looking to get reinstated, I (on first viewing) wondered why he wouldn't prefer the setup he has. He gets paid enough to continue living where he was before with Trudy, and have a full-time assistant to help him with most aspects of his life. He gets to work with the same two police partners on untold crimes, and even free-lance as a private detective whenever he wants. He is his own boss. When a criminal is caught, he doesn't have to spend hours filling out all sorts of paperwork, the paid police people do that.
So Monk finding out that he really is happier working on his own, once he has the satisfaction of having earned his badge back-that he has made so much progress with his various phobias and such to be trusted with a badge again-seemed like something that had to come. As they were bringing this series to a conclusion, I praise them for having this episode about getting his badge back and deciding he was better off before. Totally logical.
On the illogical side, I include the opening sequence where Leland's way of giving Monk the good news was done in the dumbest way possible. He told Adrian somberly there was a meeting where Monk's psychiatrist and others were there and the department decided they don't want him to be a police consultant any more..." Before he can say it's because they are giving him his badge back, Monk and Natalie angrily storm out of the room believing he has been fired for one mistake he allegedly made recently.
Monk is twice sent out on a domestic disturbance call to the "crazy cat lady's" place. I am fairly certain from all my years of watching realistic police shows that patrol cars with uniformed officers would be the ones going out on such calls, not plain-clothes detectives.
The cop who was killed is revealed by Monk to have spotted a pick-axe through a car window of a car parked on the street and determined the car belonged to the notorious "Pick-Axe Murderer." Because he was on the force he was ineligible for the reward, so he arranged with someone he knew to let him turn in the clue, receive the reward, and then would split it with him. Of course, the friend got greedy, leading to the cop's death. Now I just have a couple of problems with this: I cannot conceive of a man, infamous for killing people with a large pick-axe, leaving it in plain view inside his car while it is parked on a San Francisco city street.
It also doesn't really make sense for the man, portrayed as honest otherwise, to decide to kill the man who made him rich. Yes, his policeman buddy gave him the information that he used to turn in that led to the killer's capture. But at that point he didn't do anything illegal. He didn't really have to split it with any one. In fact, the only thing illegal would have been if the cop HAD gotten some of the reward money.
If the patrolman had sued to get the reward, I believe the ruling would be that this agreement (contract) was unenforceable because it was unlawful for the policeman to receive a reward for capturing a felon-that's what he's paid for in the first place. Assuming the policeman was honest otherwise (as he was portrayed), he wouldn't have been gunning for his former buddy, he would have just had to accept that he lost out.
But the main focus was the continued healing of Mr. Monk as through these years he is shown to have recovered enough to deserve to get his badge back, and did a good job while on his own. So despite the illogical aspects, I give this an 8.
Monk's first disappointment on returning to work is that he isn't a part of the task force to try to help capture a serial killer. Because he has been off the force so long, he is to begin with "desk duty" where we see him totally mishandling a phone-in tip line, then he hears that the serial killer has been captured. Seemingly, the next morning, the captain holds a press conference where the person who sent in a tip that led to the man's arrest is being honored as a hero and has been given a wonderful reward.
Monk is sent on a call with another detective to a woman (played by Tony Shaloub's real life wife) with some sort of domestic complaint. After bursting into her apartment, he learns she was only talking about a cat. Later, he is sent back to her place where, suspecting it's another cat when he learns that a "Mr. Lewis, who lives upstairs and loves milk" has entered her place against her will. As Monk is about to enter, an object is thrown through the window and a big, burly man appears.
Monk then gets to see the scene of a policeman's murder and he suspects the cop was receiving a payoff for some sort of illegal dealing. His police superior-not Stottlemeyer-makes it very clear that as a detective, he has to say nothing of his suspicions unless he is 110% certain, to protect his police "family" member.
Monk discovers a clue, which experienced Monk viewers knew would tie in the policeman's death with the serial killer and the man who got the reward for his capture. There is a death-defying scene where Monk shows great physical skill in outbattling his assailant while several stories above the street on a platform.
Here comes a necessary spoiler: After defeating the foe, Monk immediately announces he is resigning from the force. He is going back to being a consultant, and is rehiring Natalie, who had a job with a music promoter, but is much happier to return to Monk-except for his announced intention of paying her less than before, telling her, "you shouldn't have quit."
I praise this episode as one that was needed. All through the series, whenever Monk was looking to get reinstated, I (on first viewing) wondered why he wouldn't prefer the setup he has. He gets paid enough to continue living where he was before with Trudy, and have a full-time assistant to help him with most aspects of his life. He gets to work with the same two police partners on untold crimes, and even free-lance as a private detective whenever he wants. He is his own boss. When a criminal is caught, he doesn't have to spend hours filling out all sorts of paperwork, the paid police people do that.
So Monk finding out that he really is happier working on his own, once he has the satisfaction of having earned his badge back-that he has made so much progress with his various phobias and such to be trusted with a badge again-seemed like something that had to come. As they were bringing this series to a conclusion, I praise them for having this episode about getting his badge back and deciding he was better off before. Totally logical.
On the illogical side, I include the opening sequence where Leland's way of giving Monk the good news was done in the dumbest way possible. He told Adrian somberly there was a meeting where Monk's psychiatrist and others were there and the department decided they don't want him to be a police consultant any more..." Before he can say it's because they are giving him his badge back, Monk and Natalie angrily storm out of the room believing he has been fired for one mistake he allegedly made recently.
Monk is twice sent out on a domestic disturbance call to the "crazy cat lady's" place. I am fairly certain from all my years of watching realistic police shows that patrol cars with uniformed officers would be the ones going out on such calls, not plain-clothes detectives.
The cop who was killed is revealed by Monk to have spotted a pick-axe through a car window of a car parked on the street and determined the car belonged to the notorious "Pick-Axe Murderer." Because he was on the force he was ineligible for the reward, so he arranged with someone he knew to let him turn in the clue, receive the reward, and then would split it with him. Of course, the friend got greedy, leading to the cop's death. Now I just have a couple of problems with this: I cannot conceive of a man, infamous for killing people with a large pick-axe, leaving it in plain view inside his car while it is parked on a San Francisco city street.
It also doesn't really make sense for the man, portrayed as honest otherwise, to decide to kill the man who made him rich. Yes, his policeman buddy gave him the information that he used to turn in that led to the killer's capture. But at that point he didn't do anything illegal. He didn't really have to split it with any one. In fact, the only thing illegal would have been if the cop HAD gotten some of the reward money.
If the patrolman had sued to get the reward, I believe the ruling would be that this agreement (contract) was unenforceable because it was unlawful for the policeman to receive a reward for capturing a felon-that's what he's paid for in the first place. Assuming the policeman was honest otherwise (as he was portrayed), he wouldn't have been gunning for his former buddy, he would have just had to accept that he lost out.
But the main focus was the continued healing of Mr. Monk as through these years he is shown to have recovered enough to deserve to get his badge back, and did a good job while on his own. So despite the illogical aspects, I give this an 8.
Reinstatement, a serial killer and police corruption
TheLittleSongbird7 October 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.
Season 8 of 'Monk' is a mixed bag quality-wise, with it being the final season it leans towards the worth watching but could have been better end. There are disappointing episodes, especially "Mr Monk Goes Camping" (bland) and "Mr Monk and the UFO" (excessively silly), and with both with weak mysteries, but there are a few outstanding ones up to this point in "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man", "Mr Monk is the Best Man" and now this. "Mr Monk and the Badge" is an excellent episode and to me one of the better episodes of the later seasons. My only complaints are the stuff with Monk manning the tip line, which was ridiculous, not easy to swallow and was beneath Monk, and Natalie's side story not being fleshed out enough.
Otherwise, the mystery itself, while derivative, was fun and had intrigue value, one of the season's better mysteries by far in a season that has had some underwhelming ones. Monk's deductions are nicely done and closer to "classic" methodical Monk than the rapid conclusion jumping Monk, while the climax is thrilling, not only having nail-biting tension but one is very proud of Monk at the end of it.
Character-moments-wise, "Mr Monk and the Badge" is a winner. How the episode handles exploring and resolving a long overdue on-going issue (the reinstating) is immensely satisfying, it's handled beautifully and probes some thought-provoking questions/feelings yet wisely shows that over-time Monk has changed and not the man he was. "Mr Monk and the Badge" may not be a laugh-out-loud funny episode, though it has shades of that with Edith, but it is very thought-provoking (Dr Bell's Oscar Wilde quote is an example), boasts some subtle and touching emotional moments in how Monk's situation is handled and the climax is tense. Season 8 has also been great in addressing and resolving on-going problems and phobias, showing that Monk is progressing and improving, and doing it gradually rather than all in one go just like that, this is true with "Mr Monk and the Badge".
One of the best things about 'Monk' has always been Tony Shalhoub, who was as Monk consistently one of the best things about every episode regardless of what material is thrown at him.. 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 sassy and sympathetic, while Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are amusing (Levine also showing Stottlemeyer as a firm, frustrated boss but loyal friend, which is very "classic" 'Monk' Stottlemeyer). The supporting cast are good.
Pathos, mystery, intrigue and the sprinkling of humour are beautifully balanced here in "Mr Monk and the Badge" and all four components are executed to a high standard.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever with some lovely scenery. 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.
In conclusion, excellent and one of the season's best episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Season 8 of 'Monk' is a mixed bag quality-wise, with it being the final season it leans towards the worth watching but could have been better end. There are disappointing episodes, especially "Mr Monk Goes Camping" (bland) and "Mr Monk and the UFO" (excessively silly), and with both with weak mysteries, but there are a few outstanding ones up to this point in "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man", "Mr Monk is the Best Man" and now this. "Mr Monk and the Badge" is an excellent episode and to me one of the better episodes of the later seasons. My only complaints are the stuff with Monk manning the tip line, which was ridiculous, not easy to swallow and was beneath Monk, and Natalie's side story not being fleshed out enough.
Otherwise, the mystery itself, while derivative, was fun and had intrigue value, one of the season's better mysteries by far in a season that has had some underwhelming ones. Monk's deductions are nicely done and closer to "classic" methodical Monk than the rapid conclusion jumping Monk, while the climax is thrilling, not only having nail-biting tension but one is very proud of Monk at the end of it.
Character-moments-wise, "Mr Monk and the Badge" is a winner. How the episode handles exploring and resolving a long overdue on-going issue (the reinstating) is immensely satisfying, it's handled beautifully and probes some thought-provoking questions/feelings yet wisely shows that over-time Monk has changed and not the man he was. "Mr Monk and the Badge" may not be a laugh-out-loud funny episode, though it has shades of that with Edith, but it is very thought-provoking (Dr Bell's Oscar Wilde quote is an example), boasts some subtle and touching emotional moments in how Monk's situation is handled and the climax is tense. Season 8 has also been great in addressing and resolving on-going problems and phobias, showing that Monk is progressing and improving, and doing it gradually rather than all in one go just like that, this is true with "Mr Monk and the Badge".
One of the best things about 'Monk' has always been Tony Shalhoub, who was as Monk consistently one of the best things about every episode regardless of what material is thrown at him.. 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 sassy and sympathetic, while Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are amusing (Levine also showing Stottlemeyer as a firm, frustrated boss but loyal friend, which is very "classic" 'Monk' Stottlemeyer). The supporting cast are good.
Pathos, mystery, intrigue and the sprinkling of humour are beautifully balanced here in "Mr Monk and the Badge" and all four components are executed to a high standard.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever with some lovely scenery. 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.
In conclusion, excellent and one of the season's best episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox
The Ring on the Merry Go Round
Hitchcoc20 April 2020
When Monk gets reinstated, he is thrust into a world eleven years in the future. He is also a freelancer which puts him at odds with protocol. When a rookie becomes a suspect, Monk crosses the thin blue line, even though he is right. There are a couple pretty good scenes, but the hard part are the goodbyes and the helloes. A quote by Oscar Wilde sums it up when he sees his counselor. Well crafted episode which frees up some pretty significant ending events.
Monk and cop corruption
safenoe3 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was directed by Oscar winning director Dean Parisot, who directed Mr Monk and the Candidate parts 1 and 2. The opening scene with Monk getting his badge back was incredibly emotional. But I never expected Monk would hand his badge back at the end. Brooke Adams (Tony Shalhoub's wife) makes her fifth appearance in Monk, playing her fourth character.
This is the third last episode of this fine series.
This is the third last episode of this fine series.
Interesting episode except....
wkozak2216 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Pretty good episode except... I had a problem with Stanley Kamel and have a problem with Hector Elozondo. I have been around doctors all my life, 64 years. Most of the Pschologists/Psychiatrists I have been around are not stiff, don't really have beards and moustaches, etc. They are easy going, have a sense of humor, etc.
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