Mr. Monk Is the Best Man
- Episode aired Nov 13, 2009
- TV-PG
- 43m
While investigating the death of a man found shot and burned beyond recognition, things begin to go horribly wrong for Stottlemeyer and his bride-to-be, causing her to have second thoughts.While investigating the death of a man found shot and burned beyond recognition, things begin to go horribly wrong for Stottlemeyer and his bride-to-be, causing her to have second thoughts.While investigating the death of a man found shot and burned beyond recognition, things begin to go horribly wrong for Stottlemeyer and his bride-to-be, causing her to have second thoughts.
Photos
- Jared
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMichael Shalhoub, who plays the minister, is Tony Shalhoub's brother.
- GoofsTowards the end, when Stephanie fires the pistol in the air, the slide stays open but Leland has the magazine in the tuxedo bag. The slide would only stay open if there were an empty magazine in the pistol.
IRAAG: The slide would lock backward in the open position if there were no magazine in the pistol or the magazine was empty. If there was a round in the chamber and the slide was locked forward, the pistol would fire, but would lock open.
- Quotes
[about his fiancee]
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer: Uh, look, are you okay about this? I mean, about her name...?
Adrian Monk: Oh, sure! I think it's great! Everybody should have a Trudy in their life.
- ConnectionsReferences Top Hat (1935)
After the underwhelming previous episode "Mr Monk Goes Camping" (the second worst of Season 8 to me after "Mr Monk and the UFO"), "Mr Monk is the Best Man" is a huge improvement and sees Season 8 back on track with its best episode since "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man". It is near-classic 'Monk', with so much here that is so good about 'Monk' in the first place especially when at its very best. There could have been more prominence on the murder agreed and TK could have had more development to her, we have met her twice in the season and her development has been very thin to put it lightly. Other than that, "Mr Monk is the Best Man" is great.
The mystery is a very good one here, one of the best of the eighth season easily and the best one since "Mr Monk and the Voodoo Curse". Unlike "Mr Monk Goes Camping", it actually feels like there is one, some of it is quite suspenseful and keeps one guessing, and it is one that isn't too simple or obvious, neither is it confusing. The deductions and investigations are closer to "classic" 'Monk' and the denouement is clever and surprising.
Even more successful are the character moments, some of the most delightful of the season and of the later 'Monk' episodes. Love how Monk takes his best man duties seriously and how everybody of the four regulars has plenty to do and are true to character. There is plenty of humour, with the funniest moments being the whole bachelor party stuff (hilarious) and Carol Kane's deliciously eccentric and wonderfully nuts turn as a florist in a scene reminiscent of 'Monk's' glory days. Disher is also the funniest he's been in a while. There are touching moments too, the ending is very sweet and to me the relationship between TK and Stottlemeyer is generally more emotionally investable than when it was first introduced due to that there is more chemistry between the two and Virginia Madsen has more personality.
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, Jason Gray-Stanford has fun comic timing and is likable and in particular Ted Levine is amusing but gets to show more dramatic chops than he has been able to do all season. Madsen is pretty good considering what she's given to work with, while Teri Polo convinces and doesn't overplay or underact her role. Kane is the supporting standout though.
Humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue are beautifully balanced here in "Mr Monk is the Best Man" and all four components 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
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 6, 2017
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