'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.
After the enjoyable if flawed season opener "Mr Monk Takes Manhattan", "Mr Monk and the Panic Room" continues that enjoyable if flawed streak. Although we are only two episodes into Season 3, Season 3 generally hasn't started off as strongly as the previous two seasons, Season 1 started off exceptionally and was a very solid season with the weakest episode still being pretty good. Season 2 also started off incredibly well even if not as consistent later on as the previous season and also contained the show's first not-so-good-episode.
"Mr Monk and the Panic Room" is a long way from one of the best 'Monk' episodes, but it isn't among the worst and is much better than what has been said of it on TV.com. It could have been better certainly, it is very obvious from the start that it was somebody else responsible, despite how it initially appeared their suspect for obvious reasons couldn't possibly have done it, and although not found yet the murderer had found a clever way (cleverer than initially thought) to commit the crime.
The identity of the real murderer at the end in a mystery of rather few suspects is as a long way from a shocker as you can possibly get, suspected them early on actually and was proved right which can spoil the suspense for me. The scene with Monk in the panic room is a little too over-written, too much of an overlong reaction scene for Monk and Tony Shalhoub overdoes it somewhat.
Supporting cast are a mixed bag. Faring best are the absolutely adorable chimp, who gives the episode so much charm and wins the viewer's heart straight away, and Stanley Kamel who has more to do than he did previously and seems to have gotten more used to Monk's quirks. Can't stand Carmen Electra usually, always have considered her a terrible actress especially in the Friedberg-Seltzer travesties, but while brief her appearance is a refreshingly quirky one and surprisingly well done. Willie Garson is wasted and the murderer is a very forgettable presence.
On the other hand, there is a lot to like about "Mr Monk and the Panic Room". 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?
He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two. The two are so enjoyable together and the best detective duo of any show in recent years from personal opinion.
Jason Gray-Stanford has little to do and is reduced to comedy relief, but this is something that he does well and it suits the character. Ted Levine is very amusing and the seesaw chemistry between him and Monk never fails to entertain. A lot of people disliked the interrogation scene between Stottlemeyer and the chimp, cannot bring myself to agree on this and there is a tendency with me to be on the same page as critics and general consensus. To me, the scene is one of the funniest scenes of the earlier seasons and of the whole show where Monk isn't the source of the humour.
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 on the most part, if a little overdone at times. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done mostly deft. The mystery is engaging and fun if obvious, and there are always great moments with Monk.
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, a lot to enjoy but not one of the best 'Monk' episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox
After the enjoyable if flawed season opener "Mr Monk Takes Manhattan", "Mr Monk and the Panic Room" continues that enjoyable if flawed streak. Although we are only two episodes into Season 3, Season 3 generally hasn't started off as strongly as the previous two seasons, Season 1 started off exceptionally and was a very solid season with the weakest episode still being pretty good. Season 2 also started off incredibly well even if not as consistent later on as the previous season and also contained the show's first not-so-good-episode.
"Mr Monk and the Panic Room" is a long way from one of the best 'Monk' episodes, but it isn't among the worst and is much better than what has been said of it on TV.com. It could have been better certainly, it is very obvious from the start that it was somebody else responsible, despite how it initially appeared their suspect for obvious reasons couldn't possibly have done it, and although not found yet the murderer had found a clever way (cleverer than initially thought) to commit the crime.
The identity of the real murderer at the end in a mystery of rather few suspects is as a long way from a shocker as you can possibly get, suspected them early on actually and was proved right which can spoil the suspense for me. The scene with Monk in the panic room is a little too over-written, too much of an overlong reaction scene for Monk and Tony Shalhoub overdoes it somewhat.
Supporting cast are a mixed bag. Faring best are the absolutely adorable chimp, who gives the episode so much charm and wins the viewer's heart straight away, and Stanley Kamel who has more to do than he did previously and seems to have gotten more used to Monk's quirks. Can't stand Carmen Electra usually, always have considered her a terrible actress especially in the Friedberg-Seltzer travesties, but while brief her appearance is a refreshingly quirky one and surprisingly well done. Willie Garson is wasted and the murderer is a very forgettable presence.
On the other hand, there is a lot to like about "Mr Monk and the Panic Room". 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?
He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two. The two are so enjoyable together and the best detective duo of any show in recent years from personal opinion.
Jason Gray-Stanford has little to do and is reduced to comedy relief, but this is something that he does well and it suits the character. Ted Levine is very amusing and the seesaw chemistry between him and Monk never fails to entertain. A lot of people disliked the interrogation scene between Stottlemeyer and the chimp, cannot bring myself to agree on this and there is a tendency with me to be on the same page as critics and general consensus. To me, the scene is one of the funniest scenes of the earlier seasons and of the whole show where Monk isn't the source of the humour.
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 on the most part, if a little overdone at times. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done mostly deft. The mystery is engaging and fun if obvious, and there are always great moments with Monk.
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, a lot to enjoy but not one of the best 'Monk' episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox
