Some great Monk moments where you can see that Adrian Monk hates Dale the Whale (a bed ridden obese man who is a master criminal), because he thinks Dale was responsible for killing his wife. Meanwhile, Monk has to figure out how Dale killed a judge who identified Dale by telephone moments before she was bludgeoned to death. How the crime was done was predictable but there is some business with Sharona getting work with Dale that was unlikely - why would Dale do it knowing she is Monk's assistant? But still, the tension created by Monk's reaction to Dale's taunting about Trudy's death (Monk wife) is priceless. And the last two scenes are rewind moments.
11 Reviews
The first appearance of Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck
TheLittleSongbird9 July 2017
'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
The Large Appearance of Dale the Whale
Hitchcoc21 February 2020
Adam Arkin plays an 800 pound man who Monk knows from the past. He is mean and cynical and totally immobile. He may have been responsible for the death of Trudy, Monk's late wife. He is really despicable and that's what makes him so interesting. The murdered woman shouts Dale's last name as she is being killed. Also, there is a girl who saw an enormous man through an upstairs window. Fun episode which sets up the future of the series.
Wrong episode. This is number 3.
cocoapuffs-0153926 November 2018
Alan Arkin chews the screen as Dale the Whale
safenoe15 January 2020
Alan Arkin (son of Adam) chews the screen in this early episode of Monk in more ways than one. There's so much to ponder in this episode, especially the nature of gross obesity, crime, power, and corruption in public institutions. I'm heartened that the producers weren't afraid to cast Tony Shalhoub as a poke-in-the-eye to anti-Arab sentiment post 9/11.
Fairly obvious but entertaining nevertheless
grantss18 July 2022
Good but predictable - (7.3)
sujith789_reviews15 March 2020
- Watched this episode in Amazon prime.
- This is a murder mystery whodunnit episode where the prime suspect is an 800 pound man who haven't left his bed in 11 years.
- Comedy is good in this episode, but climax was predictable.
- Verdict: Good one time watchable episode.
The Almost Perfect Crime
claudio_carvalho4 April 2024
A woman calls 911 and tells the attendant that the notorious criminal Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck has invaded her house. Then she is murdered and identified by the police as Judge Lavinio. A young girl is an eyewitness and reports a very fat man as the criminal. Stottlemeyer summons Monk and Sharona to help the investigation since Dale has morbid obesity and weights almost 400 kg. It is not possible to leave his room without removing the window and using a crane to move him. Dr. Christian Vezza, who treats him, tells the police that his client cannot leave the room. But Monk and Stottlemeyer are sure that Dale is the killer, and they have to investigate how.
"Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is an intriguing episode of "Monk", with a mysterious plot. The killer is known since the beginning, and Monk has to solve how the crime happened. In 2022, Brendan Fraser performed a similar morbid obese character in "The Whale". My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Sr. Monk Encontra Dale, A Baleia" ("Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale")
"Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is an intriguing episode of "Monk", with a mysterious plot. The killer is known since the beginning, and Monk has to solve how the crime happened. In 2022, Brendan Fraser performed a similar morbid obese character in "The Whale". My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Sr. Monk Encontra Dale, A Baleia" ("Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale")
"You're an abomination. An odious, gluttonous...putrid freak of nature."
Hey_Sweden27 March 2024
A judge is murdered inside her own home, but is able to actually name her attacker (Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck) in a frantic 911 call before he bludgeons her with a baseball bat. The trouble is, Biederbeck (guest star Adam Arkin) is an enormous invalid (coming in at over 800 pounds) who's been bedridden for years. How will Monk prove he did it - or, at least, prove that he was responsible in some way?
Guest star Arkin is amusing as the arrogant villain, a character who will make multiple appearances over the course of the series. The mystery to be solved, much like the first two episodes, is not a particularly complicated one, and when the perpetrator is revealed, it comes as no surprise. The real joy is watching Monk as he mentally notes each clue that comes his way, and, when he's solved the case and goes over what he's learned, we can see how well it's all been set up. It's still hilarious watching him succumb to his OCD as he can't help but rearrange things and neaten them even while interviewing people.
Best of all are two moments: Lt. Disher caroming about in a bulky "empathy suit" which Monk has him wear to illustrate a point, and the scene of two children extorting money from Monk & Sharona to buy their lemonade, in exchange for information. It's really the bright sense of humor that makes this detective series as pleasant to watch as it is.
Seven out of 10.
Guest star Arkin is amusing as the arrogant villain, a character who will make multiple appearances over the course of the series. The mystery to be solved, much like the first two episodes, is not a particularly complicated one, and when the perpetrator is revealed, it comes as no surprise. The real joy is watching Monk as he mentally notes each clue that comes his way, and, when he's solved the case and goes over what he's learned, we can see how well it's all been set up. It's still hilarious watching him succumb to his OCD as he can't help but rearrange things and neaten them even while interviewing people.
Best of all are two moments: Lt. Disher caroming about in a bulky "empathy suit" which Monk has him wear to illustrate a point, and the scene of two children extorting money from Monk & Sharona to buy their lemonade, in exchange for information. It's really the bright sense of humor that makes this detective series as pleasant to watch as it is.
Seven out of 10.
This episode is good
snickzella14 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Monk is defiantly a hit or miss show overall. This show is a comedy drama. But hasn't always felt like it's trying to be a drama, especially in these early seasons. It felt more real, and more serious, with the levity feeling more natural and honest then in later seasons. But the comedy in this episode is very restrained. Even though by all logic the character of Dale The Whale, should be a lot grosser and more akin to Eddie Murphy's Nutty Professor. But instead, Dale Whale makes for a pretty entertaining and unique antagonist for this show, and it's sad that he only made a few more appearances after this. Because he's not sill or over the top, or even farcical, he chews the scenery wonderfully. Even though this is a pedestrian mystery show, i still think there was definitely more room for improvement. So I'm about to give away the reveal of the mystery so Spoiler*. The mystery is that a state judge is found murdered in her home, with all the evidence pointing that it was Dale The Whale, even though it's impossible that he could have done it at all. He was the mastermind behind the murder, by using her personal physician to kill the judge because was being blackmailed by Dale for being a fugitive from the law. Personally if i were writing this, i would have gone a step further and add Dale's Spanish housekeeper in on the murder plot. After all, Dale is rich and powerful, he could have offered extra money to help kill the judge, plus her involvement would be ideal for someone like Dale to be the primary suspect, all the police had to do was figure out who his housekeeper use to work for, and if the police found out and she would reveal that it was Dale, even though he couldn't have possible commit the crime. I would have had her help the Physican break into the house and help make the mess.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
