When five men are gunned down at a barber shop, it is shown they are members of the mob. Monk is called in to join in the apprehension of the killer. This leads to some pretty entertaining byplay, affecting Sharona and Monk, as well as their friends and relatives. it is especially cool when people think they have become part of the mob family.
6 Reviews
Mob murder at the barbers
TheLittleSongbird25 July 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.
While not quite as good as "Mr Monk Gets Fired", which was the best episode up to this point in Season 3, "Mr Monk Meets the Godfather" is still a highly entertaining episode with pretty much everything that is so good about 'Monk' present. Complaints are few, but Benjy may as well have not been in this episode at all, that is how much Kane Richotte is wasted. While the case is fun and intriguing, with how Monk comes to the truth executed cleverly and enjoyably, the murderer did seem to give up too easily.
Plus in a story with again too few suspects the murderer became too obvious too early, like when they were first introduced and with a story that didn't add up for a second. The motive was clever and unforeseeable but came out of nowhere somewhat.
However, "Mr Monk Meets the Godfather" is very good otherwise. 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 is remarkable here that right from the first episode to when the show ended that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?
Bitty Schram is sharp and no-nonsense yet sympathetic and loyal, sharing great rapport with Shalhoub and also with Jason Gray-Stanford, the latter amusing as a goofball but proves useful for the case. Stottlemeyer is underused somewhat but one can understand because it's the FBI's investigation not his, regardless his loyal friendship to Monk and also his frustrated boss personality shine through very well thanks to Ted Levine's ever reliable acting. Phillip Baker Hall and Lochlyn Munro are good in slightly typecast roles, Oleg Zapstein and Jimmie F.Skagg have some nice moments and Rick Hoffman is a strong presence.
It's not just the cast 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 mostly deft. Monk's scene with the FBI trying to persuade Monk to wear a wire for the mob meeting is hilarious and one of the funniest moments of Season 3 to me and the very last scene is also great.
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.
Overall, very good and entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox
While not quite as good as "Mr Monk Gets Fired", which was the best episode up to this point in Season 3, "Mr Monk Meets the Godfather" is still a highly entertaining episode with pretty much everything that is so good about 'Monk' present. Complaints are few, but Benjy may as well have not been in this episode at all, that is how much Kane Richotte is wasted. While the case is fun and intriguing, with how Monk comes to the truth executed cleverly and enjoyably, the murderer did seem to give up too easily.
Plus in a story with again too few suspects the murderer became too obvious too early, like when they were first introduced and with a story that didn't add up for a second. The motive was clever and unforeseeable but came out of nowhere somewhat.
However, "Mr Monk Meets the Godfather" is very good otherwise. 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 is remarkable here that right from the first episode to when the show ended that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?
Bitty Schram is sharp and no-nonsense yet sympathetic and loyal, sharing great rapport with Shalhoub and also with Jason Gray-Stanford, the latter amusing as a goofball but proves useful for the case. Stottlemeyer is underused somewhat but one can understand because it's the FBI's investigation not his, regardless his loyal friendship to Monk and also his frustrated boss personality shine through very well thanks to Ted Levine's ever reliable acting. Phillip Baker Hall and Lochlyn Munro are good in slightly typecast roles, Oleg Zapstein and Jimmie F.Skagg have some nice moments and Rick Hoffman is a strong presence.
It's not just the cast 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 mostly deft. Monk's scene with the FBI trying to persuade Monk to wear a wire for the mob meeting is hilarious and one of the funniest moments of Season 3 to me and the very last scene is also great.
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.
Overall, very good and entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Brian Tee stars in this episode of Monk
safenoe25 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
An okay episode of Monk, which is still better than an episode of Game of Thrones (never a big fan of that). Here Monk is recruited by a mobster whose loyalists were gunned down in a barbershop, and Monk also becomes a federal informant with enticements that sounds too good to be true (one of the Monk tropes). Brian Tee stars in this episode, along with the actor who played Louis Litt in Suits later on.
For some reason I'm not a fan of Randy Newman's opening theme.
For some reason I'm not a fan of Randy Newman's opening theme.
Hilarious! One of the best episodes yet!
tedfan_10112 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A wonderful Monk episode. Definitely one of my favorites. The actors are amazing. The case captures viewer's attention and holds their attention till the end. Tony Shaloub does a wonderful job as Adrian Monk in this episode. In the episode Monk actually faces a lot of minor problems having to do with his germaphobic behavior and tons of OCD stuff. The character of Randy actually has a girlfriend and no one believes him so we actually learn a bit more about Randy especially when he picks a gum ball up off the ground and Monk's reaction to this. Ted Levine could have had more screen time but overall he did a wonderful job. Bitty Shram did a great job also. Great episode.
What have I done (as a loyal viewer) to make you treat me so disrespectfully
snickzella25 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The entire "barber shop massacre" that this whole episode is built around had nothing to do with the mafia, or the San Francisco underworld, but some jerk who stole some rare pennies from the U. S. Mint. I hate these types of monk episodes, where the mystery has nothing to do with the title or theme of the episode. But just written so the characters can do stupid things for the sake of them being so quirky. It would have been awesome to see Monk tackle organized crime, but luckily there is a much better Monk episode with gangsters later on in the series. But still this episode sucks.
True crimes
snitzell5 August 2023
It is beyond sad that although Monk is only able to see the truth and facts and the Police don't let him earn a decent living the minute he sells his talent and services to a person being framed the Police including Stottlemayer and the FBI start pressuring him to ignore his principles and find their evidence.
What a sad but true documentary on our actual legal system. At least Monk ruined the tie and found the actual murderer. Who was the funniest character in what is supposed to be a Comedy. Does anybody miss the irony in the thief and killer confessing to get away from the Godfather by going to prison where there are dozens of his people waiting only on his orders.
What a sad but true documentary on our actual legal system. At least Monk ruined the tie and found the actual murderer. Who was the funniest character in what is supposed to be a Comedy. Does anybody miss the irony in the thief and killer confessing to get away from the Godfather by going to prison where there are dozens of his people waiting only on his orders.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
