Mr. Monk and the Critic

'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.

While better than the previous episode "Mr Monk Takes a Stand" and especially "Mr Monk and the UFO" (up to this point of Season 8 the only near-outstanding episode was "Mr Monk and the Foreign Man"), "Mr Monk and the Critic" could have been much better and is vastly inferior to the other theatre-based 'Monk episode, Season 2's "Mr Monk Goes to the Theater". That was classic 'Monk', a show high-point, this was worth watching but very middling with great character moments but a bland mystery.

It's the mystery that brings things down. Just far too obvious from the start (and it's not just the very distinctive voice of the killer and the actor playing him, the looking at the watch gave it away too) and not much of one. The solution is weak and something that can be seen from miles away, this is hardly the first episode to do what this killer did in order to commit the perfect crime which made it very easy to suspect that was what happened. Plus it was hard to swallow considering the frequency of Natalie looking up where they were sitting and that she didn't see what was done. How it's proved borders on the ridiculous and comes close to being against the law.

Elsewhere there is not much wrong, but after seeing a more likable and back-to-classic Monk so far in Season 8 compared to Season 7, the cheque scene saw an unnecessary return to the mean for no reason Monk seen in some of the previous season. While it was nice for somebody to jump to conclusions other than Monk, that Natalie did it due to bias and not tangible evidence felt a little overdone.

However, there are some delightful character moments. The biggest delight is Monk being in heaven with the restrooms, now that was classic but also refreshing Monk. For a Natalie-centric episode, even with her conclusion jumping she was the most charming and most interesting she's been in a while, while Julie (played with likable maturity by Emmy Clarke) similarly brings a lot of charm to the episode.

Disher and Stottlemeyer are also not without moments, Disher with his reaction to Natalie's repeated "he did it" and Stottlemeyer's exchange with Natalie regarding Natalie sending Disher on a newspaper errand, both were very amusing. Love them all together.

Writing has a nice mix of humour and Monk-ish quirks, both of which also done well individually. There are more dramatic and emotional episodes but not every 'Monk' episode needed to have those to be good when the premise didn't necessarily call for it.

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.

As ever, Traylor Howard, Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine give great support, and Dylan Baker also does a good job and makes the most of his material despite his character being on the slightly bland side. The rest of the cast are workmanlike.

Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever. 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.

In summation, could have been much better but not bad. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Monk and Natalie have gone to the theater to see Natalie's daughter, Julie, in a presentation of community theater. They both notice the local critic John Hannigan in a balcony seat. Natalie thinks that's odd since Hannigan usually doesn't review community theater.

After the show, they notice police activity down the block. A woman has either jumped or been pushed to her death from her hotel room. Monk does some investigating of the scene and determines that she was probably pushed. From the setting of the room they determine she was waiting for a boyfriend. Then the review for Julie's play comes out and the reviewer calls Julie forgettable. Natalie decides to confront the reviewer about the review, and based on a couple of minor similarities to what the police said about the suspect, Natalie reaches the conclusion that Hannigan is the killer.

Monk is a bit inconsistent in this one, because he completely dismisses Natalie's hunch, just figuring she thinks this is a bad guy based on the fact that he didn't like her daughter's performance. He's had hunches he's doggedly followed based on less. But Monk is right when he says that if Hannigan is the killer, then he would have had to leave the play in the middle of the performance, and that they both looked up at different times and saw Hannigan's silhouette in the balcony. Complications ensue.

The funniest bit in the episode is Monk reluctantly learning that the men's room at the theater is like an oasis of cleanliness and decorum, complete with a friendly attendant. Monk mentions he is tempted to become a patron just so he can use this bathroom.

The actor who plays the drama critic is a guy who usually plays a psychotic murderer. He has made a career of being unbalanced. When Julie is in a community theater production, he is in attendance. But when the review comes out, he attacks her viciously. Natalie is livid. But there's more to this. Once again, she is the smart one and the males all dismiss her. For some reason, I remember every moment of this episode. I particularly liked the scenes in the fancy men's room where Bernie Koppel (the Doc on "The Love Boat" plays the attendant. Monk is in paradise.

Monk and Natalie attend a community theater show featuring Natalie's daughter, Julie. While there, they discover a prominent newspaper critic is in attendance, although why he would want to see a community theater produced has them mystified. While the show progresses, a woman is thrown from a high-rise balcony just blocks away. Monk is called in on the case, but it Natalie who figures out who dunnit. At first, Monk and the cops dismiss her findings. So it's up to Natalie to come up with some solid evidence. This one's tricky, and delightful. A running gag has Monk going to the theater men's room,which has an attendant and is immaculate. Real hand towels! And many different soaps! Monk is in heaven.

Sorry when investigating a murder Any and ALL people are "persons of interest" and no cop would blow off Natalie. I especially dislike how Monk dismissed Natalie time and again. I know he is arrogant and all but his quirks should be enough humor, blowing off his friend and coworker just comes off as rude and mean.