'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.
While not one of my favourites, "Mr Monk Gets Married" is agreed lots of fun and yes fake marriage has very rarely been done on television in such a funny way. Loved Monk and Sharona's rapport and some of the deliciously awkward moments that induces some of the biggest laughs, such as when they have to kiss and the whole exchange regarding the bench. Disher's concern for his mother was very nicely done.
The episode is not without its problems from personal opinion. The closet scene is a little too on the silly side and Disher getting drunk, even in the situation he was in, felt like a real over-reaction and out of character. The mystery itself is intriguing and fun, if occasionally a little padded and the who and why aspects (the why wasn't quite as obvious) are unsurprising.
"Mr Monk Gets Married" really soars in the character moments, especially with Monk and Sharona. Love the character of Disher's mother and the therapist has some good lines. The murderer is menacing enough but one can also see what Disher's mother sees in him. Not having Stottlemeyer here was a pity, but actually understandable, considering how the previous episode being Stottlemeyer heavy and in a hard-hitting situation that saw Ted Levine give some tour-De-force work the guy needed a break.
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 amusing while also showing a sympathetic edge.
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.
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.
All in all, flawed but fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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