Some Monks are better than others. This one is pretty good because the murderer (Steve Valentine) uses a ruse that he is narcissistic enough (but right) to say is both simple and clever, giving Monk a run for his money, and because Monk finds the limits of his self-centeredness in ways both funny and sad. His annoying neighbor, Kevin, is the victim, and after the murder, Monk feels guilty about bad-mouthing Kevin while he was alive. He confesses to lying just to avoid Kevin. Trying to comfort Monk, Natalie comes close to admitting that she sometimes deliberately avoids Monk. Monk has more in common with Kevin than he knows.
Kevin, played by Jarred Paul, really is annoying. At the funeral, Monk and Natalie find out that his whole family is annoying. Funerals are not usually this funny. (Especially if you know who Colin Robinson is - I think the secret is that Kevin's whole family are energy vampires.)
The punchline is that Monk is so squeamish about germs that he recoils at being kissed by a beautiful woman (Peyton List) even knowing that her kiss could literally save his life. That is very, very neurotic, and her wordless reaction to his squeamishness is priceless. (I'm trying to save your life, here; and, besides, men don't usually turn down my kisses!)
Kevin, played by Jarred Paul, really is annoying. At the funeral, Monk and Natalie find out that his whole family is annoying. Funerals are not usually this funny. (Especially if you know who Colin Robinson is - I think the secret is that Kevin's whole family are energy vampires.)
The punchline is that Monk is so squeamish about germs that he recoils at being kissed by a beautiful woman (Peyton List) even knowing that her kiss could literally save his life. That is very, very neurotic, and her wordless reaction to his squeamishness is priceless. (I'm trying to save your life, here; and, besides, men don't usually turn down my kisses!)