This is my favorite episode of MONK. Great script, great performances, and the inestimable presence of one Bradley Whitford, who lifts everyone up around him. Or down, in the case of the character of Adrian Monk, who is at his meanest, miserliest, unlovable best. Or worst. The script cheers you to boo Monk, and we do. We're even glad Natalie shoots him in the other leg. The humor comes from Natalie's seriousness about "a stolen bicycle case" and Monk's embarrassed attitude about it. Randy Disher is at his quirkiest (the former cop shooter dialogue is great, as is Disher's insistence that the basket might be made of gold). The Sanitation worker scene is a gem, the Bike Squad scene is a gem, and on and on. The heart is Whitford's eco-politically correct scientist who lifts everyone in the case to higher than normal levels. And Shalhoub is right there with him, making Monk as mean-spirited as he ever was in the series.
From the West Wing to Cabin in the Woods to Get Out, Whitford is right there, lending comic acting chops and class and timing to all. All of those tv shows and movies would not be as good if bereft of his talent. Like Jeff Goldblum in any movie or Daniel Stern in any rare appearance in front of the camera, like Monk's UFO episode, Bradley Whitford is unsung to most in the audience who only say, "Hey, I know that guy! He's always good." and let it go at that. But those of us who appreciate great character work, these guys are often, no, usually the difference between good and very good. And yes I know Jeff Goldblum is well-known, but he hasn't been a real leading man since...The Fly? Independence Day? He shoulda gone to tv with the right project. So should Stern. Okay, he narrated The Wonder Years but we deserve more of him.
And Whitford is too much in demand from the movies as a supporting player.
But we have this episode of MONK. And this episode of MONK has him.
From the West Wing to Cabin in the Woods to Get Out, Whitford is right there, lending comic acting chops and class and timing to all. All of those tv shows and movies would not be as good if bereft of his talent. Like Jeff Goldblum in any movie or Daniel Stern in any rare appearance in front of the camera, like Monk's UFO episode, Bradley Whitford is unsung to most in the audience who only say, "Hey, I know that guy! He's always good." and let it go at that. But those of us who appreciate great character work, these guys are often, no, usually the difference between good and very good. And yes I know Jeff Goldblum is well-known, but he hasn't been a real leading man since...The Fly? Independence Day? He shoulda gone to tv with the right project. So should Stern. Okay, he narrated The Wonder Years but we deserve more of him.
And Whitford is too much in demand from the movies as a supporting player.
But we have this episode of MONK. And this episode of MONK has him.