'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.
Am one of those people who generally likes Season 5, though can definitely see why some will not, with more emphasis on the humour and the mysteries being more obvious and in some cases playing second fiddle. "Mr Monk Gets a New Shrink" and "Mr Monk and the Leper" are particularly outstanding. "Mr Monk Visits a Farm" may not be one of the best Season 5 episodes or of the show, but it is very good and entertaining. It is a case of the mystery being secondary to the character moments and the chemistry between Monk and Disher, and other than the motive the mystery was very average and not a hard one to figure out, one where we solve it well before both Monk and Disher from the very beginning.
There is also an error in continuity, finding out that Disher had an uncle out of the blue just like that despite being told earlier on in the show's run with "Mr Monk Gets Cabin Fever" that he didn't have one. Another thing that jarred a little was Monk suddenly seemed to overcome some of his phobias, again just like that with not so much of an issue (in normal circumstances with Monk that would have been impossible).
However, the character moments are delightful. Loved the more compassionate and generous Monk, and that Disher is more developed than usual was much appreciated after Season 5 had episodes that saw him too much of a goofball and not always a funny one. How he was developed was done beautifully, did find myself feeling a little emotional. His chemistry with Monk was similarly done beautifully. "Mr Monk Visits a Farm" is a very funny episode, especially Monk in the hen/chicken house and when he thinks that he has inhaled marijuana (evoking fond memories of Season 4's "Mr Monk Stays in Bed", when he only has a cold but thinks he has the Ebola virus).
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.
Jason Gray-Stanford, in very much a Monk and Disher-centric episode, gives some of his best acting as Disher, showing more emotion to usual while also being amusing. Brooke Adams is a nice presence.
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 wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
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. The episode is made with a lot of slickness and style as always.
Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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