Mr. Monk Is Underwater
- Episode aired Aug 15, 2008
- TV-PG
- 43m
Monk is put in an uncomfortable position when Natalie asks him to help investigate the apparent suicide of her old friend's commanding officer.Monk is put in an uncomfortable position when Natalie asks him to help investigate the apparent suicide of her old friend's commanding officer.Monk is put in an uncomfortable position when Natalie asks him to help investigate the apparent suicide of her old friend's commanding officer.
- Captain Leland Stottlemeyer
- (credit only)
- Chief of Boat
- (as Scott Macdonald)
- Lt. Jason Pierce
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene when the submarine emerges from underwater towards the end of the episode is taken from The Hunt for Red October (1990).
- GoofsThere are two problems with Monk and Natalie being trapped inside the ballast tank: First, the ballast tanks are not accessible from the inside of a submarine. The other problem is that the ballast tanks are only used to take the sub above or below the surface. Once below the surface, the ballast tanks are full. To dive or ascend, the submarine moves devices called "dive planes" up or down.
- Quotes
Commander Nathan Whitaker: When I'm on land, I am a decorated Commander of the United States Navy. When I'm on this ship, I am the Lord, thy God! I am Jehovah! Do you understand? No one questions me! Now, I've asked around. I know all about your problems, your fears, your claustrophobia. You are having a breakdown, sir. It happens on submarines all the time to men far better than you. You are *delusional*.
Adrian Monk: I have my share of problems, I don't deny it. But when it comes to this case, the *last* thing I am is delusional.
[turns to an imaginary Dr. Bell]
Adrian Monk: Tell him.
[Whitaker shows an expression that suggests that he does think Monk is delusional]
Adrian Monk: Does that sound like I'm delusional to you?
While not one of 'Monk's best episodes, "Mr Monk is Underwater" is significantly better than the disappointing (one of my least favourite 'Monk' episodes) previous episode "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". "Mr Monk is Underwater" is not perfect but has much more here that makes the show as good as it is, making it more recognisable as a 'Monk' episode. Whereas the previous episode seemed to have forgotten what was so good about 'Monk'.
Not everything seemed to be relevant to the story and could have been trimmed or left out easily and it wouldn't have affected anything. Despite Monk's "Ocean in my pants" line/rant, which showed that the writers had not forgotten about his OCD, his quirks and deficiencies, the ballast tank sequence lacked tension and didn't hold much relevance, those who know anything about submarines too in particular will be dismayed at the lack of research shown in this sequence.
Disher is very underused, and when he does appear he is close to wasted, and one really misses Stottlemeyer in the one Season 7 episode he doesn't appear in.
However, Monk is not out of character this time (or so not as badly as before), actually making a deal out of things that upset him which at least two of the previous Season 7 episodes and being too comedy-oriented. The mystery, despite things that served little point, is more engaging and not as simplistic or as obvious as previous Season 7 episodes. The murderer is known early, but the how and why take more time to be explained, and how Monk deduces it is closer to the methodical old self rather than the baseless conclusion jumping self seen in episodes of the later seasons.
Natalie works so well with Monk here in a story that serves the character in a surprisingly good way. Liked what was done with Dr Bell (Hector Elizondo is settling in well considering the difficult circumstances of earlier on in Season 7), once the strangeness of his inclusion is gotten over.
In regard to the writing, it delivers on the funny humour and never overdone or exploited quirky aspects (especially between Monk and Natalie) though one misses the tender easy to relate to dramatic aspects (though the story doesn't exactly lend itself well to having them). Am not exactly a fan of Casper Van Dien usually, but he does a nice job.
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 is earthy, sassy and sympathetic.
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, pretty good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 15, 2017
- Permalink
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- Runtime43 minutes
- Color