As a long time Monk fan (in fact, the show helped me to ID my own OCD), I anxiously awaited the finale knowing that somehow, Monk had to find out who killed Trudy, and why. He does, and her "last secret" Christmas gift is the key. Why wouldn't he have opened it earlier? Because he would have had to finally accept her death and move on, but his own mortality staring him the face inspires him and it rips it wide open. I, too thought he would die so he could be with Trudy for eternity, but those of us who suffered with him for eight years were going to get a happy ending. His hatred keeping him alive was awesome, as we saw in season six, he's much tougher physically when there's reason to be, and despite being horribly sick, he kicks some ass when he needs to, and I was cheering him on! But there's more, the incredibly poignant scene where he asks his oldest friend to kill, and the agony that Natalie suffers seeing her beloved boss so close to death is incredibly touching. The scene where she just lays her head on his shoulder brought the tears flowing freely. Then, the killer is finished, things go...sort of back to normal and then Monk finds Trudy's real gift, even though she never knew about it. Just amazing. All the loose ends are wrapped up, and you know, that even though the case is solved, Monk will be needed again, and Dr. Bell will be there to help him because he's still got a host of other problems. Natalie will be at his side even though you know she's happy as well, and Captain Stottlemeyer will be gruff and short tempered, but he'll still be happy for having TK in his life. Even Randy gets the happy ending he's deserved for so long, and you know he and Sharona will be perfect for each other.
The future? TV movies seem to be a worthy continuation, as one can imagine the less phobic Monk will travel to New Jersey to help Randy with a baffling case, and the Captain will come along as he's taking a vacation, and a happy reunion will take place, but for now, I am happy that our hero is finally at peace, and that he has indeed, moved on. You know, that somehow, Trudy is also finally at peace, but still very proud of Adrian.
The future? TV movies seem to be a worthy continuation, as one can imagine the less phobic Monk will travel to New Jersey to help Randy with a baffling case, and the Captain will come along as he's taking a vacation, and a happy reunion will take place, but for now, I am happy that our hero is finally at peace, and that he has indeed, moved on. You know, that somehow, Trudy is also finally at peace, but still very proud of Adrian.