'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 Airplane" is a great end to a solid first season, and one of the better episodes of Season 1. Yes, even with knowing who's responsible for the crime right from the start, which does dilute the mystery/suspense levels a little. As said, Season 1 has been really impressive (a season where even the weakest episode "Mr Monk and the Earthquake" is still pretty good), especially for a period where many shows are still settling whereas 'Monk' is one of those exceptions where everything feels well-established early on.
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 is growing in confidence and comic timing with each episode. Maud Adams is delightful as the flight attendant, and it was fun seeing 'Wings' Tim Daly. Ted Levine's Stottlemeyer is somewhat missed however.
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 but extremely deft. The character moments are such a joy with the principal cast as always, and the inside joke with Daly was clever. It is the chemistry and scenes between Shalhoub and Adams where "Mr Monk and the Airplane" is the most fun, Shalhoub is just hilarious, though it is also easy to relate to and feel sorry for Monk if also scared of flying, and one really has to feel sorry for the poor flight attendant.
The story, despite the obviousness of those responsible (not the first time on the show and not the last), is compelling, both as a comedy and a mystery with very enjoyable deductions and how Monk came to the solution, which has always been part of the charm of the show.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed.
Overall, great episode and one of the better ones of the season. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk and the Airplane" is a great end to a solid first season, and one of the better episodes of Season 1. Yes, even with knowing who's responsible for the crime right from the start, which does dilute the mystery/suspense levels a little. As said, Season 1 has been really impressive (a season where even the weakest episode "Mr Monk and the Earthquake" is still pretty good), especially for a period where many shows are still settling whereas 'Monk' is one of those exceptions where everything feels well-established early on.
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 is growing in confidence and comic timing with each episode. Maud Adams is delightful as the flight attendant, and it was fun seeing 'Wings' Tim Daly. Ted Levine's Stottlemeyer is somewhat missed however.
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 but extremely deft. The character moments are such a joy with the principal cast as always, and the inside joke with Daly was clever. It is the chemistry and scenes between Shalhoub and Adams where "Mr Monk and the Airplane" is the most fun, Shalhoub is just hilarious, though it is also easy to relate to and feel sorry for Monk if also scared of flying, and one really has to feel sorry for the poor flight attendant.
The story, despite the obviousness of those responsible (not the first time on the show and not the last), is compelling, both as a comedy and a mystery with very enjoyable deductions and how Monk came to the solution, which has always been part of the charm of the show.
Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed.
Overall, great episode and one of the better ones of the season. 9/10 Bethany Cox