'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.
"Mr Monk and the Election" may not be one of the best episodes of 'Monk', but it has a lot to make it such a hugely enjoyable one. Enjoyed the election angle, having some back-story for Natalie (which gave her some development and allows one to warm to her more, being more than the other replacement assistant) and even more the absolutely hilarious rapport between Monk and Harold Krenshaw.
Natalie is settling in well, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.
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.
Stottlemeyer is as ever very solidly played by Ted Levine, and he does have some memorable moments like the doughnuts, talking about Jack Whitman, rhetorically asking Monk if he is tired of being right and the talk of the grenade. Disher is fun and not too much of an idiot.
There are some great character moments, especially with Monk and Harold Krenshaw. Really liked the doughnut scene too.
It's not just the cast or story 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 hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and 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.
Perfect "Mr Monk and the Election" is not. The perpetrator is obvious from the get go, mainly because it's a case of there only could have been one person. Outside of Tim Bagley (who is a riot as Harold), a very appealing Emmy Clarke and a solid Stanley Kamel, the supporting cast are fairly forgettable (even for the perpetrator).
In conclusion, very good and enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk and the Election" may not be one of the best episodes of 'Monk', but it has a lot to make it such a hugely enjoyable one. Enjoyed the election angle, having some back-story for Natalie (which gave her some development and allows one to warm to her more, being more than the other replacement assistant) and even more the absolutely hilarious rapport between Monk and Harold Krenshaw.
Natalie is settling in well, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.
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.
Stottlemeyer is as ever very solidly played by Ted Levine, and he does have some memorable moments like the doughnuts, talking about Jack Whitman, rhetorically asking Monk if he is tired of being right and the talk of the grenade. Disher is fun and not too much of an idiot.
There are some great character moments, especially with Monk and Harold Krenshaw. Really liked the doughnut scene too.
It's not just the cast or story 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 hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and 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.
Perfect "Mr Monk and the Election" is not. The perpetrator is obvious from the get go, mainly because it's a case of there only could have been one person. Outside of Tim Bagley (who is a riot as Harold), a very appealing Emmy Clarke and a solid Stanley Kamel, the supporting cast are fairly forgettable (even for the perpetrator).
In conclusion, very good and enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox