Mr. Monk and the Earthquake (4 Oct. 2002)

Renowned philanthropist Henry Rutherford is killed when a minor earthquake rocks the city and sends a display case falling on top of him. But when Monk examines the scene, he finds clues that suggest foul play.

Director:

Adam Shankman

Writers:

Andy Breckman (creator), Tom Scharpling,

Stars:

Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Jason Gray-Stanford

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Shalhoub	...	Adrian Monk
Bitty Schram	...	Sharona Fleming
Jason Gray-Stanford	...	Lt. Randall Disher
Ted Levine	...	Captain Leland Stottlemeyer
Amy Sedaris	...	Gail Fleming
Cameron Daddo	...	Darryl Wright
Stanley Kamel	...	Dr. Charles Kroger
Janine Theriault	...	Christine Rutherford
Max Morrow	...	Benjy Fleming
Damir Andrei	...	Father Hatcher
Ross Petty	...	Henry Rutherford
Andy Marshall	...	Police Officer
Russell Ferrier	...	Workman
Eric Fink	...	Taxi Driver
Henri Li	...	Uniformed Cop

Storyline

Renowned philanthropist Henry Rutherford is killed when a minor earthquake rocks the city and sends a display case falling on top of him. But when Monk examines the scene, he finds clues that suggest foul play.

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Plot Keywords:

phobia

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Crime

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Details

Release Date:

4 October 2002 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandeville Films, Touchstone Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

After Sharona discovers Monk in his aphasic condition she calls his therapist. He tells Sharona that the aphasia is centered around the occipital cortex of the brain. This is incorrect. Aphasia is due mostly to damage or stress to the brain's language center, Wernicke's Area in the cerebral cortex. The occipital cortex is the vision center of the brain, and damage to this area typically leads to blindness or other vision issues.

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Quotes

[as they sit with the new widow, gibberish-speaking Monk attempts to express his condolences. Sharona tells him to leave the room]
Father Hatcher: Um... Where's he from?
Sharona Fleming: Neptune.
Adrian Monk: [Meanwhile, Monk begins wandering through the other room. While their conversation continues, Monk begins to straighten pictures on the walls. Then he stops, something seems odd to him] Dwon lear brannegaa nusis?
[...]

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Connections

References The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

User Reviews

Average episode

This has the Australian actor Cameron Dado in it - one of the famous Dado brothers (Andrew is one but I forget the other ones name) - who plays the villain. He's a looker and his acting is pretty good, but the script is so predictable. The problem with this episode is that the exact timing of the crime and the follow up crimes is too unbelievable, but I do like the interaction between Gail (Sharona's sister) and Monk (who Gail clearly has a problem with). I did wonder how Gail had such a hot pad given her personality (it looked like the decor was out of a ritzy apartment interior design mag) but otherwise I have no problem with the characters. It is the banal murder crimes that remind me too much of Murder She Wrote.