trudyr_1999

My favorite things about this episode: the film noir-ish jazz playing when Monk and Bronwyn have a toothpick (since they can't have cigarettes, of course), and the fact that Bronwyn keeps making references to crime movies she's seen as a basis for her detective work. "You do have nonfictional police experience, don't you?" Adrian asks. I may not be quoting verbatim, but you get the idea. Polly Draper's excellent, as is the guy who plays the hotel manager, Graham Harley. And Tony, Bitty, and Max Morrow as Benjy all deliver the goods as usual. I also love that Monk believes Benjy and supports him all the way.

This is one of the best episodes for showing Monk's humanity, and it even allows him to display a sense of humor--there were some episodes where he couldn't get or tell a joke, but he's pretty witty here. In this one, his OCD is present but not exaggerated, and Joe Christie's comments show what Monk was like before the tragedy. Monk also shows compassion for Joe, who's a great character played by the fine actor Enrico Colantoni--I remember him fondly as Veronica Mars' father, Keith. The Randy subplot is hilarious, and Leland and Sharona get their moments to shine. And the two slacker employees at Mega-Mart add a lot to the comedy.