Monk (TV Series) Mr. Monk and the Election (2005) User Reviews

Great Episode with a Copier and Harold

[chadwick-86955 · 8/10 · 11 March 2023]

Terrible violence toward a copier. Hysterical.

Some items thrown in: A used copier that wasn't broken open for maintenance isn't realistic ... just pull the lock, make a pretty cut in the metal, etc.; Needlemyer (Stottlemeyer) keeps his jacket open for an extended time to show his badge?; the roof is "slanted at a weird angle", yes, it is for drainage; Monk asks for a "bullet", not a cartridge case/casing/etc.; Needlemyer hands him a case from his pocket, I guess fingerprints don't matter much; Randy looks at the found casing by picking it up with his ungloved hand, and says 7.62 ... there are many sizes of 7.62 (stamped on the head) ... an AK usually fires a 7.62x39, 7.62x51 is NATO ... no one would just say "7.62". He then gingerly puts the case in an evidence bag.; after they find the note, Needlemyer uses a folded glove to pick up one side of the note, his left hand isn't covered at all; the AK taken out of the car has no scope, but miraculously grows one when attacking the copier. Realistically, this is a mess, but this is Monk :-)

Whenever Monk and Harold get together, it is awesome. One-upmanship, paranoia; poor others that must make him feel better. It was a great idea to include Harold,

My goodness, Nick Offerman is in the episode. Parks and Recreation, as Ron Swanson. The claymore mine and field trip episode ("Road Trip", S3E14) was one of my favorites. Many of his quotes are highly memorable.

Mythbusters did an episode on what to do when a grenade. Yes, throw it into a fridge. I guess the shrapnel from the grenade is lessened by the plastic and steel. Grenades usually have a 3-second fuse, he never would have made it, not after 10.

"Truth" about Mitch comes out. If it is the truth :-)

The public forum is sadly Monk-like, makes me want to cringe. Poor guy. Episodes with Harold are always hysterical.

One of the funniest

[isaiahjjohnson · 9/10 · 7 March 2019]

Monk and Harold's relationship is one of the funniest parts of the entire show. I love the contrast of their compulsiveness. Super funny episode. Also Nick Offerman is in this episode and I love him cause of Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec

One explosive election

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 3 August 2017]

'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.

"Mr Monk and the Election" may not be one of the best episodes of 'Monk', but it has a lot to make it such a hugely enjoyable one. Enjoyed the election angle, having some back-story for Natalie (which gave her some development and allows one to warm to her more, being more than the other replacement assistant) and even more the absolutely hilarious rapport between Monk and Harold Krenshaw.

Natalie is settling in well, her chemistry with Monk is sparkling even more, her personality is starting to become more differentiated and more interesting, she's useful and the two characters function very well together. She has a down-to-earth-ness, sensitivity and sass that makes one warm to her as well as being more sympathetic to Monk's issues. Traylor Howard is doing just fine.

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.

Stottlemeyer is as ever very solidly played by Ted Levine, and he does have some memorable moments like the doughnuts, talking about Jack Whitman, rhetorically asking Monk if he is tired of being right and the talk of the grenade. Disher is fun and not too much of an idiot.

There are some great character moments, especially with Monk and Harold Krenshaw. Really liked the doughnut scene too.

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 hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.

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.

Perfect "Mr Monk and the Election" is not. The perpetrator is obvious from the get go, mainly because it's a case of there only could have been one person. Outside of Tim Bagley (who is a riot as Harold), a very appealing Emmy Clarke and a solid Stanley Kamel, the supporting cast are fairly forgettable (even for the perpetrator).

In conclusion, very good and enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Dirty politics

[safenoe · 10/10 · 18 March 2020]

Here Natalie is at the center of this episode, where she is the apparent victim of an assassination attempt. Natalie is running for the School Board, and we wonder, who is out to get her? Monk's heart is broken when Dr Kroger, is pals with his nemesis, who happens to be running against Natalie. We see Dr Kroger make a guest appearance at the end.

Natalie in the Political Arena

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 20 March 2020]

Natalie Teeger runs for school board. One day at her campaign headquarters, a man opens fire on the place, killing a security guard. Monk is conflicted. This is one of those episodes where his behavior is beyond the pale. Still, it is quite funny. One of the better scenes has to do with selecting donuts from a bakery box.