'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 Psychic" is only the third episode and the show is showing no signs of declining.
After Season 1 started off so brilliantly with the two parter "Mr Monk and the Candidate" and "Mr Monk and the Psychic", both show highlights, "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is still a very good episode indeed if a step down. It is notable for introducing Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck, a character who returned two other times in Season 2 and the final season with Adam Arkin replaced by Tim Curry and then Ray Porter, and a great introduction it is too. As said before, some 'Monk' episodes are better than others, which is true of most shows, but that is true of many shows, even the best ones have not so good episodes and even they on the most part are still better than a lot of shows at their weakest.
"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is at its weakest during the scenes between Biederbeck and Sharona, a situation that was more than unlikely and there is one bit where our revolted reaction mirrors Sharona's own exactly, even though she in full view of it we more than get the drift. Yeah, the solution is on the predictable side but it was fun to spot the clues and see how Monk came to solving the case through some enviously genius detective work.
On the other hand, 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. It is remarkable here that for an episode that only introduces him that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?
He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two.
Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Jason Gray-Stanford is not quite as entertaining, with not quite as memorable lines (only because the other three are so good that's all) but shows great chemistry with everyone and is appealing enough with his earnestness and goofiness. Adam Arkin makes a very good impression as Biederbeck, a pretty loathsome individual though with some golden lines that Arkin relishes in a way that it's both fun and menacing. Of the three interpretations of the character, Tim Curry is my favourite acting-wise but Arkin is the one with the best lines.
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, which elevates what could have been just a conventional and formulaic story to a greater level.
On paper, the story may have been conventional but is absorbing and clever with some nice twists, and it was wonderful to see and hear Monk's deductions. The banter between Monk and Sharona was immensely enjoyable and a large part of the episode's charm. It was however the malicious taunting of Monk by Biederbeck and the biting-the-nails but also gleefully enjoyable chemistry between them that made "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale", parts were very funny but there were degrees of tension as well.
"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed throughout.
All in all, another winner from Season 1 and 'Monk' overall. 9/10 Bethany Cox
After Season 1 started off so brilliantly with the two parter "Mr Monk and the Candidate" and "Mr Monk and the Psychic", both show highlights, "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is still a very good episode indeed if a step down. It is notable for introducing Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck, a character who returned two other times in Season 2 and the final season with Adam Arkin replaced by Tim Curry and then Ray Porter, and a great introduction it is too. As said before, some 'Monk' episodes are better than others, which is true of most shows, but that is true of many shows, even the best ones have not so good episodes and even they on the most part are still better than a lot of shows at their weakest.
"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is at its weakest during the scenes between Biederbeck and Sharona, a situation that was more than unlikely and there is one bit where our revolted reaction mirrors Sharona's own exactly, even though she in full view of it we more than get the drift. Yeah, the solution is on the predictable side but it was fun to spot the clues and see how Monk came to solving the case through some enviously genius detective work.
On the other hand, 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. It is remarkable here that for an episode that only introduces him that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?
He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two.
Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Jason Gray-Stanford is not quite as entertaining, with not quite as memorable lines (only because the other three are so good that's all) but shows great chemistry with everyone and is appealing enough with his earnestness and goofiness. Adam Arkin makes a very good impression as Biederbeck, a pretty loathsome individual though with some golden lines that Arkin relishes in a way that it's both fun and menacing. Of the three interpretations of the character, Tim Curry is my favourite acting-wise but Arkin is the one with the best lines.
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, which elevates what could have been just a conventional and formulaic story to a greater level.
On paper, the story may have been conventional but is absorbing and clever with some nice twists, and it was wonderful to see and hear Monk's deductions. The banter between Monk and Sharona was immensely enjoyable and a large part of the episode's charm. It was however the malicious taunting of Monk by Biederbeck and the biting-the-nails but also gleefully enjoyable chemistry between them that made "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale", parts were very funny but there were degrees of tension as well.
"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed throughout.
All in all, another winner from Season 1 and 'Monk' overall. 9/10 Bethany Cox