Monk

The subtext in this show feels more like the 80s then the 00's. I notice because I'm watching daily I guess. It's copaganda obviously but also finds time to look down on any one not squeaky clean whenever it gets a chance, style of the time. As for the show's content, it varies wildly, there are a couple ace episodes here and there with some amazing guest stars coming in. I stayed for the comfort and seeing the great work of Shaloub and Levine, two extremely watchable actors. YMMV

The cases, especially in the first seasons, are interesting and creative. The writers lose some of their "mojo" in the later seasons, with "how they did it" becoming obvious from the beginning, but it is still very enjoyable. The ending of Trudy's story arc is acceptable. Overall a nice detective show.

The first episode showed a lot more potential than what the show turned out to be. Without the main actor this show would be weak cases, loveable goofball copaganda, and a mixed bag portrayal of disability. I preferred Sharona to Natalie as well.

Season 1: 55, Season 2: 45

Rating for Season 1

Monk as a TV character creation is top-notch, his OCD is an endless treasure chest of storylines. The individual episodes never really get lazy, they generally have interesting twists and turns, and sometimes really hits very high notes of comedy and drama. The side characters are good, particularly Stottlemeyer (they didn't do an IR camera scene, but maybe he hates that affiliation). The only problem with the series is that the main story does not move for a long time, making it directionless .

good

Amazing

Monk is a brilliant comedy and detective series, led by the brilliant Tony Shalhoub. But Tony isn't the only star here. There's a large cast of supporting characters that you will fall in love with. Monk is right up there with Psych as one of the best long running detective shows ever created.

Season 1

heartwarming and entertaining

Small plot stretched far too long.

main character should be played by someone else. that actor ruined everything.

great series

Very watchable rerun fare, and Tony Shalhoub is definitely superb the whole way through. I feel like the show kind of peaks with the pilot (with more time to write the pilot they were able to come up with clues than genuinely seemed like only a Monk-level genius would notice) and gradually goes downhill for the entire run, though, from good to ok to really broad and obvious to a series finale with the biggest anticlimactic reveal ever about Monk's wife's killer.

Light-hearted daytime fare. Shalhoub makes things bearable.

Shalhoub's good but the characters foibles were inconsistent, sometimes a part of the plot, others just using mental illness as light relief. Still, a good deal better than the average housewife murder show.

Shalhoub makes this series.