(S08E15) If you were thinking that the penultimate episode of Monk, the next to last show, would be a gag fest filled with sight gags and spit takes, you were wrong. I can't remember a more serious Monk episode in eight seasons. Also, for those of you who have wondered about Monk's mourning of Trudy, here was a show that would address the issue head on. For that and other matters of life or death, read on and remember, this is only part one of the two part finale so spoilers will be shared... after the jump.
Immediately setting the tone, the show took us back to 1997. Not only was Adrian blissfully happy in his marriage to Trudy, he was also on the job as Leland's partner. The chemistry he had with both characters was clear; he felt lucky to have Trudy's love. With Stottlemeyer on the job, he was confident and secure. Oh, yes, he was still Monk with that obsessive compulsive mind. On the crime scene, he instantly saw that 58 bottles were on the floor, like Rain Main with the toothpicks. The crime had not been a robbery.
However, Monk missed connecting Trudy questioning him about Wendy's disappearance at the birthing center. In the midst of breakfast -- she forgot the onions in the omelet -- and her giving him a special gift not to be opened till Christmas, Adrian failed to ask why she wanted to know, what was the connection to the birthing center. Why did she forget the onions?
The death of Dr. Nash at the same birthing center should have been a trigger, but Monk's emotions about Trudy have always clouded his solving her murder. When the judge realized that Monk was on the case -- and had fingered the hired killer John Kazarinski -- he decided not to wait for Adrian to piece it all together, he put out a hit on him. And if they didn't think we'd recognize Craig T. Nelson in the shadows as the judge/killer, they were nuts. It seemed obvious.
But that just made the why bigger? Why was there a hit on Trudy 12 years before? What did she know? Why hadn't she confided in Adrian or Leland? Why was it necessary for a judge to have her die in a car explosion?
The judge was a strange character based on the evidence. He was living in a very modest home, yet he was getting this major appointment to the state Supreme Court. That didn't add up. And if he is corrupt, is it not for wealth that he's involved with the John K.'s of the world.
That brings up the biggest why of all for me. Why not murder Monk quickly, why slow poison? If Nash was killed with a bullet, and Trudy with a bomb, and the train controller with a gun, why opt for poison with Monk? And how, exactly, did it get into his system? I'm guessing it wasn't food but perhaps the wipes? If so, how did the killer know that he used them all the time?
Once Dr. Shuler explained the diagnosis, Monk's imminent death brought out a lot of different reactions. Leland was fueled by desperation to find the killer and fix Monk. His chase in the train station underscore how much he wanted to save Monk. Natalie is just floored; her head on his shoulder after he took his pill -- separating it by color first -- said it all.
Finally, Monk opened Trudy's gift. "It's time." Natalie was in tears, but then they started to watch Trudy's video. "Something happened, years ago before we met..." she began. Oh my god, what's going on? Monk didn't know Trudy's past and her possible link to someone who'd want her dead?
This was a great cliffhanger because I'm dying to know how it's going to be resolved. I think it's very possible we're going to get a Carousel ending, where the couple are reunited in death. That could explain a lot and give Monk a happy ending. Especially since it doesn't look like they have an answer to the poison...
Other points of interest
-- Like last week, Monk on the job was signaled with the tie.
-- Who was the six-fingered man? Was that an allusion to The Fugitive and the one-armed man?
-- The scene in bed with the ethereal Trudy was beautifully done. Tony Shalhoub projected a softness that was likely Adrian at his most vulnerable, in bed with the woman he loved. What did she mean when she said, "it won't be long."
-- Adrian about Natalie's cooking: "I can usually eat her food."
-- Worst scene was Monk and the hospital. He's been in the hospital before and the dentist. He's faced sharps before. This was a dumb scene. Also, considering his phobias about germs, wouldn't he want doctors to make sure he's uninfected?
-- To get information, Leland's suspect says nobody uses a telephone book anymore to beat a confession. Leland agreed, then gave Randy his shattered laptop and explained that it had crashed.
-- Monk said goodbye to Trudy's grave, but no mention of Ambrose or his father or the other brother. Next week perhaps?
[Check out Monk on SlashControl.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-28-2009 @ 10:26AM
bruce said...
I know it's supposed to be all sentimental that Monk never opened Trudy's christmas gift, but I don't believe for a second that he wouldn't have opened it on the chance there could be some clue inside. Granted, he wouldn't expect to find a "i've been killed" videotape, but it's monk - he would be confident enough that he could glean a clue off of anything that he'd at least want to check it out. Plus, Trudy was acting very strange about the gift - even more reason for Monk to open it (he only promised to wait until christmas morning, not perpetually as "cute" as that is). I was convinced it was a positive pregnancy test. I'm glad I was wrong - the show has been so predictable lately it's nice to feel surprised by it. But think how Monk must feel that he's had the answer sitting there in a box - with a bow and ribbon on it - for the entire 12 years since Trudy's death. I simply don't buy that Monk, who has gone to the ends of the world to solve Trudy's murder, wouldn't open that box after Christmas.
On another note, I'm hoping they actually do kill off Monk, but not before he learns the truth about Trudy's murder. I doubt they will have the balls or the guts to actually kill off Monk, though - that would drive most fans crazy. But we know Monk is too changed to ever work as a police officer again. He's forever ruined because he's "too human" and he should be allowed to die peacefully. He's suffering. But of course let him learn the truty about Trudy's murder before he goes.
Incidentally, I'm very happy that "Dale the Whale" has not been mentioned (well, not yet anyway) and that he's not the 'the guy' with respect to Trudy's murder.
Reply
11-30-2009 @ 3:05PM
Frank said...
He didn't open it because he thought he knew what it was (a watch).
I like how it's the one mistake he's made this whole time.
(as the reviewer here notes, the emotion of the Trudy case has "always clouded his solving her murder")
11-28-2009 @ 11:49AM
Pingles said...
Two things:
1) Disher's at-the-crime-scene comment "I'm gonna miss this." was great. I'd love to see a behind-the-scenes filming of these episodes.
2) While I'd love for them to wrap up the story with Monk's death and reuniting I think there may be some TV movies in the future for this cast.
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11-28-2009 @ 12:10PM
Dave said...
Randy is moving east to be closer to (or marry) Sharona.
That's my guess why he said he's going to miss this--that and the ticket to Newark in his pocket.
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11-28-2009 @ 12:45PM
Mike said...
The 6 fingered man isn't a reference to anything... other than the 6 fingered man that kills Trudy. Nothing new there.
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11-28-2009 @ 12:46PM
charleswheeler said...
"-- Who was the six-fingered man? Was that an allusion to The Fugitive and the one-armed man?"
Or maybe:
"Hello. My name is Adrian Monk. You killed my wife. Prepare to die."
"-- Worst scene was Monk and the hospital. He's been in the hospital before and the dentist. He's faced sharps before. This was a dumb scene."
Was the hospital staff perhaps show crew members given thank-you cameos?
Of course, the whole plot is a big ol' tip o' the hat to the 1950 film "D.O.A."
So, will Monk's last words be "He's the guy"?
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11-28-2009 @ 1:57PM
bruce said...
Coach is the guy.
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11-28-2009 @ 2:18PM
PurpleSlog said...
"I think it's very possible we're going to get a Carousel ending, where the couple are reunited in death."
I think so to. It has to be this way.
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11-28-2009 @ 7:08PM
RD said...
It's a small point, but "Carousel" didn't end that way. The wife was still alive at the end.
But otherwise, very good review!
11-28-2009 @ 4:11PM
mj said...
No death for Monk. Please. Let him realize that he can move on now. He has good friends, and people who care. He told his doc that he's wasted so much time. He is realizing he is ready. Plus if he dies, I will be crying for days. NO DEATH. And Natalie's reactions to all this proves she is better than Sharonna. Randy and Shar, a spin off? eww
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11-28-2009 @ 7:09PM
RD said...
What, you think Sharona wouldn't have been upset over him dying??
11-28-2009 @ 4:53PM
Javagrrl said...
If the writers kill Monk in the next episode, I will be so f-ing pissed off. Just the prospect of his character dying--last night's episode, that is--was depressing as hell. If he dies, I'll have problems watching past episodes as re-runs or buying more boxed sets. Doesn't the prospect of his dying make any one else furious??
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11-28-2009 @ 6:33PM
Kk said...
I hope they don't have Monk die. That would be the stupidest ending ever. I think having it turn out that the whole series was just a dream that his character from Wings had would be better than killing him off.
Hopefully, he recovers and he and Natalie walk off into the sunset and live happily ever after.
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11-28-2009 @ 6:49PM
joyce said...
They will not kill Monk off, that would ruin any possibility of the show in sindication. Who would watch a show where the main character dies on the last show, why bother the rest of the shows..
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11-28-2009 @ 8:31PM
nav said...
Hey, eventhough I dont want Monk to die, it would be, I dont know, beautiful in a way, because this way he will finally be happy, wont he? Also agree with the Disher thing with him going closer to Sharona.
Also I thought we all knew who the six fingered guy was, they explain that in last years finale.
BTW I totally knew in that christmas special that the present was gonna play a big part in Trudy's murder. Also I was suprised at the lack of reaction when in the videotape, Trudy said, 'if your watching this, it probably means im dead'...
Great episode...would have liked the solving of her murder in this season to be a gradual process though instead of a 2 parter.
Gonna miss Monk and Disher big time!!
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11-28-2009 @ 9:59PM
bruce said...
I agree they won't have the balls to kill off Monk, fans would whine and "focus groups" would turn their dials down in the 'negative' direction.
But it would be a great way to end the show, as long as he gets to learn the truth about Trudy's murder before he dies, as well as getting some sort of closure (even if it's only seeing the killer arrested).
Monk will never be a police officer again - as we learned in the previous episode. He's too damaged, I guess. I was actually surprised that they went in that direction, Monk giving his badge back - the badge he's fought 12 years for - after the first time he was placed at risk on the job. Surely Monk didn't just realize that being a homicide detective can be a dangerous job.
Give him closure and let him die (though not a slow painful death). The show should end with monk in a coffin, with a peaceful smile on his face (like when he was burried alive in the coffin that time).
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11-29-2009 @ 12:53AM
Jojee said...
I think the point of him leaving the force was that he had evolved? He was fighting for what he considered "sanity" by being a detective again. But he realized he was a detective already, without the badge, and that he was happy all along.
I hated Sharona but glad they gave her a send-off 2 weeks ago. I don't like him and Sharona together, but oh well. Leland got married, Natalie is moving in with her boyfriend, Randy & Sharona (ewww) - Monk needs to be happy to. I think he will die. If he still had the dog, maybe not.
11-28-2009 @ 10:32PM
H said...
I disagree that Monk's fear of needles is "dumb" just because he's dealt with them before. I used to get allergy shots twice a week during a time where I had to have some dental work done as well, but the first time I had my blood drawn, I was terrified. There's something about the "taking out" part of it that was worse. Plus, even though I've been stuck with needles literally hundreds of times in my life, I still hate them! Add in Monk's phobias and OCD and I'm not surprised he needed to be restrained.
I do agree that it seemed like a convenient opportunity to simultaneously grant cameo to the cast and crew.
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11-29-2009 @ 12:22AM
bruce said...
not liking needles and having to be restrained by a dozen people to get a little blood test are two totally different things.
11-29-2009 @ 12:41AM
H said...
Bruce,
A dislike of needles is very close to a fear of phobia of them. It's logical for someone who is afraid of something to resist it. The exaggeration of this would be the resistance of the source of fear despite the potential life-saving benefits from it.
I might only "dislike" needles, but I have almost gone into shock after being poked too many times in search of a vein. I have also taken out my own IV's because I could feel the needle moving around.