'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 Earthquake" may be a lesser episode of Season 1, but that is not a bad thing when it is still a pretty good episode in a solid season. Just have a preference for the likes of "Mr Monk and the Candidate", "Mr Monk and the Psychic", "Mr Monk Goes to the Asylum", "Mr Monk and the Other Woman" and "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale".
Agree that it is a predictable episode, especially at the end which has events that one can smell from a mile off. For Season 1, the crimes were silly, even sillier than that of "Mr Monk Takes a Vacation", sadly to the point of ridiculousness and stretching plausibility.
However, "Mr Monk and the Earthquake" is still a good episode and has many great things. 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.
Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs', while Jason Gray-Stanford is almost up there with the other three leads though his material isn't always as inspired in general.
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 chemistry between Monk and Sharona and Monk and Gail are very entertaining and sees some very funny moments, especially the latter. Schram also shares good chemistry with Cameron Daddo (who is good, though to me there are killers on the show that are more interesting and better-acted).
While some of the story and crimes are not as good as usual, the deductions and how Monk comes to them don't disappoint.
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.
In conclusion, pretty good. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"Mr Monk and the Earthquake" may be a lesser episode of Season 1, but that is not a bad thing when it is still a pretty good episode in a solid season. Just have a preference for the likes of "Mr Monk and the Candidate", "Mr Monk and the Psychic", "Mr Monk Goes to the Asylum", "Mr Monk and the Other Woman" and "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale".
Agree that it is a predictable episode, especially at the end which has events that one can smell from a mile off. For Season 1, the crimes were silly, even sillier than that of "Mr Monk Takes a Vacation", sadly to the point of ridiculousness and stretching plausibility.
However, "Mr Monk and the Earthquake" is still a good episode and has many great things. 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.
Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs', while Jason Gray-Stanford is almost up there with the other three leads though his material isn't always as inspired in general.
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 chemistry between Monk and Sharona and Monk and Gail are very entertaining and sees some very funny moments, especially the latter. Schram also shares good chemistry with Cameron Daddo (who is good, though to me there are killers on the show that are more interesting and better-acted).
While some of the story and crimes are not as good as usual, the deductions and how Monk comes to them don't disappoint.
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.
In conclusion, pretty good. 7/10 Bethany Cox