'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 Goes to the Circus" is not as good as the previous three episodes of Season 2 but is still a fun and intriguing episode, though perhaps one of the season's weaker episodes. Although they still have some amusing moments and both are incredibly well acted, the hostility between Monk and Sharona is out of character, neither have been this cruel and uncaring towards each other and Monk's OCD seems to have been neglected. Especially Sharona, who, like with the cigarette, shows some unprofessionalism.
As clever as it was, the final solution and how the crimes were committed were rather easy to guess early on, also figured out the business with the broken foot and thought that would have been more obvious earlier. The acting from the supporting cast is not too great, Lolita Davidovich oddly enough comes off best. She does her best with some inspired lines, apart from a very inconsistent accent that never sounds authentically Russian. Lola Glaudini lacks warmth and Mark Avenir is just as cold.
However, as much as it sounds like a negative review, there is a lot to enjoy about "Mr Monk Goes to the Circus". 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.
Bitty Schram is sharp and no-nonsense and brings a sympathetic edge when the material allows it and doesn't make Sharona out of character. Still love her and Shalhoub's Monk together, and there are plenty of amusing exchanges that serve as a good reminder as to why they are one of the best developed detective duos on television. Benjy is still cute.
Ted Levine is vastly entertaining and will always love Stottlemeyer seesaw (from loyalty and appreciation to frustration) chemistry with Monk. Jason Gray-Stanford is nice support too.
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 but extremely deft. The mystery is an interesting one with a colourful circus setting and the elephant murder one of the show's cleverest and most gruesome.
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.
In summary, good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk Goes to the Circus" is not as good as the previous three episodes of Season 2 but is still a fun and intriguing episode, though perhaps one of the season's weaker episodes. Although they still have some amusing moments and both are incredibly well acted, the hostility between Monk and Sharona is out of character, neither have been this cruel and uncaring towards each other and Monk's OCD seems to have been neglected. Especially Sharona, who, like with the cigarette, shows some unprofessionalism.
As clever as it was, the final solution and how the crimes were committed were rather easy to guess early on, also figured out the business with the broken foot and thought that would have been more obvious earlier. The acting from the supporting cast is not too great, Lolita Davidovich oddly enough comes off best. She does her best with some inspired lines, apart from a very inconsistent accent that never sounds authentically Russian. Lola Glaudini lacks warmth and Mark Avenir is just as cold.
However, as much as it sounds like a negative review, there is a lot to enjoy about "Mr Monk Goes to the Circus". 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.
Bitty Schram is sharp and no-nonsense and brings a sympathetic edge when the material allows it and doesn't make Sharona out of character. Still love her and Shalhoub's Monk together, and there are plenty of amusing exchanges that serve as a good reminder as to why they are one of the best developed detective duos on television. Benjy is still cute.
Ted Levine is vastly entertaining and will always love Stottlemeyer seesaw (from loyalty and appreciation to frustration) chemistry with Monk. Jason Gray-Stanford is nice support too.
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 but extremely deft. The mystery is an interesting one with a colourful circus setting and the elephant murder one of the show's cleverest and most gruesome.
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.
In summary, good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
