Mr. Monk and the Astronaut
- Episode aired Mar 3, 2006
- TV-14
- 44m
Despite everyone's disbelief that a hero making the news is actually a coldblooded killer, Adrian tries to prove that a celebrity astronaut is responsible, despite an airtight alibi.Despite everyone's disbelief that a hero making the news is actually a coldblooded killer, Adrian tries to prove that a celebrity astronaut is responsible, despite an airtight alibi.Despite everyone's disbelief that a hero making the news is actually a coldblooded killer, Adrian tries to prove that a celebrity astronaut is responsible, despite an airtight alibi.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scenes at Paxton Air Force Base were filmed on location at Edwards Air Force Base. In the newscast seen at the very beginning of the episode that describes Wagner's mission, the reporter mentions that the spacecraft is launching from Edwards.
- GoofsThe astronaut is visiting his ex-girlfriend the day before he is launched for a week in orbit. But in reality, astronauts who are bound to be sent into space are secluded from the outside world for a distinct period of time to prevent contamination or illness.
- Quotes
Lt. Randall Disher: [after demonstrating his very unbelievable escape pod theory] It's just a theory.
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer: No, I don't think so. I've heard theories before, and, uh, they don't sound like that.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Monk: Mr. Monk and His Biggest Fan (2007)
"Mr Monk and the Astronaut" is not one of the best 'Monk' episodes, and it is not quite up there with the very best of Season 4 (though in the better half). It is however significantly better than the previous episode "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", one of the few average or less early seasons episodes and a rare case of not feeling like 'Monk' at all. At least "Mr Monk and the Astronaut" feels like a 'Monk' episode. Do have to agree that some of the episode has some ridiculous aspects.
This is particularly true with the climax, one of the show's most far-fetched, and that the killer took so many risks and left so much incriminating evidence somehow without arousing any suspicion. The scene in the classroom was a lot of fun, showed off Tony Shalhoub's versatility brilliantly and showed exactly what the character is all about, but anybody who works in a school will have a very hard time getting their heads around how Monk was treated by the children and the behaviour somehow is condoned.
However, apart from some ridiculousness, the mystery itself is one of the fourth season's strongest. How the murder was done and everything with the airtight alibi was very cleverly done while the killer is one of the most ruthless and interesting on 'Monk'. His interaction with Monk is just terrific.
Character moments-wise, the highlights are the scene between Monk and Kroger, the exchanges between Disher and Stottlemeyer ("let's pretend this globe represents the earth" is classic Disher), the hallway confrontation between Monk and Wagner and when Monk stands up to Wagner and stands for what he believes in (the viewer completely relates and cheers him in). Did enjoy the classroom scene, providing that its lack of realism doesn't take away from things too much.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Stottlemeyer and Disher have some good moments too, and Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are great.
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 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. Jeffrey Donovan is excellent as Wagner.
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.
All in all, despite its ridiculousness it's a very solid episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 11, 2017
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color