Mr. Monk and the Kid

This was a beautiful storyline, that shows Monk as a father figure to a 2 year old boy, named Tommy. For once, the show didn't focus on Monk's OCD, in fact I don't think he asked for a wipe once, and it showed that love could help him, not overcome, but certainly help with his OCD and other phobias. It is also probably why Trudy was such a big help to him, and he became helpless when she died.

I enjoyed this episode because it showed us a side to Monk that hasn't been shown before and it was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. One of my favourite episodes of the series and certainly memorable.

'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.

Not many television episodes make me laugh and cry in the same episode, at least not in recent memory and in general actually there are fairly few. There are episodes and films that make me laugh, others that make me cry, but at the same time and in the same episode/film? Not always. "Mr Monk and the Kid" did exactly that and is one of the strongest ever examples of that being the case with me. It is not just an exceptional episode and one of the best episodes of Season 3 and 'Monk' in general, but it is also a special one.

What makes "Mr Monk and the Kid" so special? It's the rapport between Monk and Tommy. It was so sweetly charming and incredibly touching, Tony Shalhoub shows one of the best examples of an actor working with child actors (which is not an easy feat and hasn't always been achieved), there is a real natural-ness in their scenes, and the twins who play Tommy Preston and Trevor Shores are wholly believable being adorable and affecting.

Natalie, Stottlemeyer and particularly Disher don't have as much to do, but it wasn't a problem to me. They work well within the episode and are well acted. Ted Levine's Stottlemeyer has always been one of the best things about 'Monk', that hasn't changed. Disher is a bit bland but isn't in the episode enough to make it a flaw and it is not distracting. Natalie is settling in well in her best episode yet at this point, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.

As said many times, 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's not just the cast or story 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. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.

Regarding the character moments, they are particularly strong here. Loved the similarities Tommy has to Monk. The 911 operator scene had me falling me off the chair and nearly rolling about on the floor laughing, a hilarious scene and one of the funniest on 'Monk' easily. As for the touching moments, the standout is definitely the heart-breaking ending that had me bawling, it was clear what the outcome was going to be but it was so tenderly acted and written that that was overlooked entirely.

With the mystery, it's not as memorable as the character moments and the "who"-dunnit element is fairly obvious and easy to narrow down. The "how" and particularly "why" were a complete surprise though. The story-book summation was very clever, a very memorable denouement certainly, and it looks good on screen. Also liked that the crime itself was not entirely known straight away, with the severed finger having one than one thing.

Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and 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. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.

Overall, simply brilliant and a show highlight. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This is such a tender little story. If it had been done badly, it could have been so syrupy. But when Monk tries to explain the law to a two year old, it is hilarious. But what makes it outstanding is Monk giving up some of his phobias in the name of love. There is a hilarious call to a 911 dispatcher when the little boy poops. It's hard to imagine a dry eye during the last five minutes. Excellent.

This episode shows the magic of TV. Such a sweet story about Monk and the kid who melts his heart and helps him in becoming more human. The little boy is precious. It's a classic! A different feel from the usual Monk episode with less police interaction and more personal elements. It's a gem. Also a little Trivia: Tony Shalhoub's wife plays the mother of the kidnapped violin player. The last scene will absolutely tear your heart out. This episode could be used as a sort of litmus test to sort out humans from hard-hearted people incapable of love or empathy. I almost fell off the couch during the 911 call scene. It's one I could watch over and over. Enjoy!

A foster mother is looking for her charge, two year old Tommy, who is lost in the park. When he reappears he seems to be fine, but he's carrying a dismembered finger. Stottlemeyer, Disher, Monk, and Natalie assemble at the scene. At first they think that the finger probably belongs to a murder victim, and that maybe the rest of him is in a dismembered state, but only Tommy could tell them where he found the finger and he can't talk yet. So Monk takes him by the hand and lets Tommy lead him through the park.

Monk with a - by definition - unsanitary toddler? I'd think he'd have a terrible reaction, but no. You see them walking along with Monk talking to the child and obviously getting attached. Later, when Tommy is removed from his foster home because of the dismembered finger incident, Monk offers to take him until a more permanent home can be found for him. Oddly enough, the caseworker agrees and the two become roomies.

Great episodes of Monk generally fall into two categories. Either the mystery is particularly compelling or it has good character development. This one falls into the latter group. At the end Monk is rolling around on the ground with the child, indicating that when Monk has love - Trudy or in this case this child - his compulsions melt away just a bit.

Funny bits include a panicked Monk calling 911 over Tommy's first soiled diaper and the unfazed attitude of the operator, who gives him a few basic tips and then tells him he's on his own.