subject: Monk - Season Seven dvd review [print this page] Author: mark collier Author: mark collier
I love the character of Monk and virtually everyone who watches it is also hooked on HIM. Monk is a former San Francisco police department detective who had to go onto disability from the force because his OCD psychiatric disorder incredibly worsened after his wife was murdered by a fire bomb in her car. On its face, this sounds like it could be offensive as it satirizes a mental disorder. However, Monk is so lovable yet so aggravating with his OCD disorder that it works. Monk now consults with the police department. The reason he is such a good detective is because of his OCD. He notices everything. He is a fountain of information, including esoteric trivia, which he gravitates towards due to his illness. Put it all together and he can reach amazing deductions although he drives everyone around him completely bats.
Some viewers feared the series would suffer when the gal friday was replaced (from Sharona to Natalie) but there were no repercussions. Monk is so totally the show, which everyone else revolves around, that the change caused barely a ripple. As the series has gone on, it has evolved into more of a comedy and a character study which is also a mystery. Monk always solves a murder but that is secondary to everything else going on. Two characters I would miss are Leland Stotelmeyer, the Captain, and his sidekick Randy. They have grown very funny in their own right and are the next strongest characters to Monk himself. A month ago I rewatched every single episode of Monk and found myself every bit as fascinated with the episodes as I'd been the first time through. If anything, I was even fonder of Monk this second viewing through. Some excellent guest stars have also been on the series. Gena Rowlands was on one episode in season 7 and she was magnificent with Monk. I've read she's up for an Emmy for it. John Turturro has also guest starred as Monk's brother and he was also wonderful.
One loss to the show is that Monk's psychiatrist died (the actor in real life and thus the character on the show too). This relationship had been building with every season and the two, Monk and shrink, were very good together. Those pairings had been growing so it was a regular for them to have a session. There were some great sessions between them with both insightful and comedic moments. However, that is being soft pedaled now that a new shrink for Monk had to brought in. This new shrink is ok but it is not the same. Find out more about Monk and the Monk dvds and where you can buy them at http://www.monktv.net Here are the episodes from the season MR. MONK BUYS A HOME- ****
Monk buys a new house due to the constant piano playing that is driving him nuts; the previous homeowner died in an accident inside the house, but Monk soon figures out it was murder; this was a really great episode that is funny from beginning to end; the final shot was a nice little tribute to Stanley Kamel who played Dr. Charles Kroger who passed away after the 6th season. Hector Elizondo joins the cast as Neven Bell Monk's new shrink.
MR. MONK AND THE GENIUS- ***
A woman shows up at Monk's house telling him her husband plans to kill her and not long after that she ends up dead; problem is the prime suspect was in another country at the time of the murder; this was a good episode, but not great. At the end of the day what makes it work so well is the mystery of how the husband did it and how Monk will be able to prove it.
MR. MONK GETS LOTTO FEVER- ****
After the Lotto hostess is murdered, Natalie takes her place and becomes famous, which drives Monk crazy with jealousy as he tries to solve the case and deal with Natalie's new found fame. This was a truly great episode and Tony Shalhoub who is always great on the show gives one of his best performances of the series, Shalhoub is a comedic genius and it's all on display here; terrific episode.
MR. MONK TAKES A PUNCH- ***
A famous boxer getting ready for a shot at the title he lost 5-years ago narrowly escapes death and Monk is brought it to find out who is behind it; this was a good, but not great episode. For the most part the episode works well, but starts to drag on near the final act; still a fun episode even with the flaws.
MR. MONK IS UNDERWATER- ***
Monk gets aboard a submarine to look into a suicide that might have been murder, while Monk is on the submarine a training drill takes place and Monk is stuck on it trying to solve the case and avoid a breakdown; this was rather weak effort and Monk on a submarine could have and should have been classic, but it's just all a bit too silly. To the credit of the cast they really elevate this one, but at the end it was an ok episode with some funny moments.
MR. MONK FALLS IN LOVE- ***
After a cabbie is found dead Monk develops a crush on the main suspect, which starts to cloud his judgment; like the previous episode this one was a bit weak, but stronger as a whole. Not a bad episode by any means, but just sort of lacks; entertaining episode, but nothing special.
MR. MONK'S 100TH CASE- ****
Monk reaches a milestone with their 100th episode; this episode has a TV crew following around Monk as he attempts to solve case number 100; along the way Monk realizes something isn't right and re-investigates the case; this was a solid episode with some former guest stars appearing, but I have to be honest I did expect more out of the 100th episode; when all is said and done though this was a very entertaining episode.
MR. MONK GETS HYPNOTIZED- *****
Monk unhappy with his life gets hypnotized and it reverts him back to his 7-year old self; meanwhile an actress claims she was abducted by her husband and killed him during the escape Monk, suspects' foul play, but since he's hypnotized nobody takes him serious; without a doubt this is one of the greatest episodes of the series! The episode starts off good, but becomes hysterical; Tony Shalhoub is simply brilliant! There is no doubt in my mind he's a comedic genius and here Shalhoub's talents are on full display; Monk does things that Monk would never do and seeing him do these things are hysterical; again this is one of the greatest episodes of the series and Tony Shalhoub was brilliant.
MR. MONK AND THE MIRACLE- *****
Three homeless men show up at Monk's house seeking his help for their friend who they found dead and believe was killed meanwhile Capt. Stottlemeyer is suffering from severe back pain that isn't getting any better, but when he drinks from a fountain that heals people he decides to leave the force and become a Monk (not Mr. Monk, but a Monk). This was the Christmas episode, which they have done since the 4th season; while not as good as the previous Christmas episode this one was hysterical; Monk and 3 homeless men are just classic!
MR. MONK'S OTHER BROTHER- *****
While cooking breakfast an escaped convict breaks into Monk's house, but Monk soon finds out the man is actually his half brother! This was a really great episode that is funny through out; Steve Zahn guest stars as Monk's half brother and Zahn and Shalhoub are simply brilliant together; this episode is bound to be considered a Monk classic.
MR. MONK ON WHEELS- ****
Natalie accidentally helps a man steal a bike and she asks Monk to help her find the bike, while on the case the suspect shoots Monk in the leg and he than makes Natalie's life miserable. This episode started off a bit slow, but once it gets going it's a really fun and entertaining episode.
MR. MONK AND THE LADY NEXT DOOR- ****
Mr. Monk befriends an older lady who becomes a mother like figure to him, but while working on a case he suspects his new friend might only be using him; this was a solid episode and while not the best of the season it's easily one of the most entertaining; always funny and even a little tragic this was another solid episode.
MR. MONK MAKES THE PLAYOFFS- *****
Mr. Monk has tickets for the biggest football game of the year and he wants to take Natalie, but she talks him into taking Stottlemeyer; while at the game before they can even enter the stadium Monks suspects foul play in a supposed prank, which leads to a murder victim; the best episodes of Monk are always the ones where he's taken out of his element and Monk at a football game is way out of his element; this was one of the strongest episodes of the season and is an absolute blast from beginning to end.
MR. MONK AND THE BULLY- ****
A bully who once tormented Mr. Monk hires him to trail his wife who he thinks might be cheating on him, but soon the case turns to a murder investigation; solid episode with plenty of funny moments, not a perfect episode, but highly enjoyable.
MR. MONK AND THE MAGICIAN- ****
Mr. Monk investigates a magician he believes is a murderer, but problem is the suspect was supposedly in another State at the time of the murder; solid episode, but starts to drag a little bit towards the end, but despite that this episode works well and is highly enjoyable
MR. MONK FIGHTS CITY HALL- ****
The garage where Monk's wife Trudy was killed is set to be demolished and turned into a playground, Monk gets the support of a councilwoman, but before she can vote she goes missing; this was a solid season finale and while its not as explosive as the 6th season finale it still works well and is a very entertaining episode; one thing I can say is thanks to this episode I'll never eat a hot dog from a vendor. Find out more about Monk and the Monk dvds and where you can buy them at http://www.monktv.netAbout the Author:
