Mr. Monk Goes Home Again
- Episode aired Jul 15, 2005
- TV-14
- 44m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
A killer is on the loose and Monk returns to his brother's house for a visit from their father on Halloween.A killer is on the loose and Monk returns to his brother's house for a visit from their father on Halloween.A killer is on the loose and Monk returns to his brother's house for a visit from their father on Halloween.
Jasmine Jessica Anthony
- Witch Girl
- (as Jasmine Anthony)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Turturro and Tony Shalhoub have been friends for a long time and have worked together on many projects including the film Barton Fink (1991)
- GoofsIn the beginning, the witch cashier checks out the armored car driver and, in an adjacent line, the shooter is being checked out. Later, Stottlemeyer questions the cashier who checked out the dead guy. They mention the shooter was in her line when he was actually in the next line over.
- Quotes
Capt. Stottlemeyer: Well, Ambrose, that's very... that's... I don't know what the hell that is.
- ConnectionsReferences Dracula (1931)
Featured review
Halloween time with Adrian and Ambrose
'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.
After the above average but somewhat disappointing season premiere in "Mr Monk and the Other Detective", Season 4 improves immensely with one of its, and the show's, standout episodes "Mr Monk Goes Home Again". Having made such a huge positive impression in Season 2's "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", Ambrose's return was much anticipated and it was well worth the wait. Like "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", everything about it just works, it's hilarious, it's touching, it's heart warming and there is even a little bit of tension.
Not many episodes of 'Monk' make me laugh and cry in the same episode, in what is essentially a quirky and humorous show with fun mysteries and some very well done dramatic elements, but examples that did have that effect on me are "Mr Monk and the Three Pies" and Season 3's "Mr Monk and the Kid" and this.
Like "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", it is the relationship (in both tension and bonding) between Adrian and Ambrose that makes "Mr Monk Goes Home Again" so special. Individually and together they have so many delightful character moments that make you laugh until your sides are sore and also until one is reduced to sobbing. There are many touching moments too and plenty to get amused by both characters' numerous quirks and problems.
Some wonderful character moments like the poisoned candy bar, Ambrose's sweet chemistry with Natalie, the whole Halloween atmosphere and how Ambrose takes it so seriously and the whole father returning home scenario.
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.
John Tuturro comes incredibly close to stealing the show from under Shalhoub, a bravura performance that tugs at the heart-strings and induces gales of laughter, like in his previous appearance. Definitely in the top 10 best guest stars on 'Monk'. The other show regulars do very well, if not as much to do or with as meaty material. The Halloween setting captures the creepiness and excitement of the holiday brilliantly.
It's not just the cast 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. The mystery is a very good one, figuring out the perpetrator is not hard but the fun, regardless of the oft-obviousness of the villains' identities on 'Monk', has always been in the why, the how and how Monk comes to the conclusions.
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.
All in all, outstanding and one of the show's best episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
After the above average but somewhat disappointing season premiere in "Mr Monk and the Other Detective", Season 4 improves immensely with one of its, and the show's, standout episodes "Mr Monk Goes Home Again". Having made such a huge positive impression in Season 2's "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", Ambrose's return was much anticipated and it was well worth the wait. Like "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", everything about it just works, it's hilarious, it's touching, it's heart warming and there is even a little bit of tension.
Not many episodes of 'Monk' make me laugh and cry in the same episode, in what is essentially a quirky and humorous show with fun mysteries and some very well done dramatic elements, but examples that did have that effect on me are "Mr Monk and the Three Pies" and Season 3's "Mr Monk and the Kid" and this.
Like "Mr Monk and the Three Pies", it is the relationship (in both tension and bonding) between Adrian and Ambrose that makes "Mr Monk Goes Home Again" so special. Individually and together they have so many delightful character moments that make you laugh until your sides are sore and also until one is reduced to sobbing. There are many touching moments too and plenty to get amused by both characters' numerous quirks and problems.
Some wonderful character moments like the poisoned candy bar, Ambrose's sweet chemistry with Natalie, the whole Halloween atmosphere and how Ambrose takes it so seriously and the whole father returning home scenario.
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.
John Tuturro comes incredibly close to stealing the show from under Shalhoub, a bravura performance that tugs at the heart-strings and induces gales of laughter, like in his previous appearance. Definitely in the top 10 best guest stars on 'Monk'. The other show regulars do very well, if not as much to do or with as meaty material. The Halloween setting captures the creepiness and excitement of the holiday brilliantly.
It's not just the cast 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. The mystery is a very good one, figuring out the perpetrator is not hard but the fun, regardless of the oft-obviousness of the villains' identities on 'Monk', has always been in the why, the how and how Monk comes to the conclusions.
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.
All in all, outstanding and one of the show's best episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 2, 2017
- Permalink
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- Runtime44 minutes
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