POSSIBLE SPOILERS!. New season just started yesterday) Friday (January 9, 2009).

I just started watching the new episode, and the PQ looks so friggin (excuse my language), SHARP!!! :eek: No more soft picture. Anyone else think so?

If this is Monk's last season, I hope they give it closure ...
Have a super final episode(s), that Allow Monk to finally solve his wife's murder, & in doing so "snap out of" the quirky mental state he's been in since her killing, that forced him to quit the 'force ....

^^ Hi MeatChicken. I agree about the part where they should solve Trudy's murder.

And the last 2 episodes, karma chips, the football episode and the swirly episode were great!

Monk--the Defective Detective. And my ALTER ego.

Wait, is this the last season?

I like this show, but I really wish they'd have a more underlying ongoing plot with Trudy's murder. They've only touched on actually trying to solve it a couple times, and none recently.

It would be nice if that was an additional ongoing investigation throughout the series. You know, have the standalone episode like they do now, but maybe sprinkle 3-5 minutes throughout the show to him investigating Trudy's murder as well as following leads and making progress, leading up to a finale where he actually solves it.

EDIT: Just read that season 8 (16 episodes beginning summer '09) will be the last. Guess Tony Shalloub is quitting to do other things.

Monk to Clean Up His Final Murder Case in 2009

From TV Guide, by Matt Mitovich Nov 14, 2008

USA Network has announced its pick-up of an eighth and final season of Monk, to debut in the summer of 2009. The OCDetective series, fronted by three-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub, will say goodbye with a 16-episode run.

"We want to build to a spectacular conclusion for this wonderful show," USA Network's executive vice president of original programming, Jeff Wachtel, said in making the announcement. " By many measures, Monk is the most successful series in the history of basic cable.... Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and Season 8 should prove to be a very satisfying reward."

Monk delivered series-high ratings last February, with 7.55 million viewers.

One Last Season for 'Monk'

From the Hartford Courant, by Roger Catlin November 15, 2008

USA Network is washing its hands -- very fastidiously -- of one of its most successful series.

"Monk" will have one more 16-episode season next summer, but that will be it, the network announced.

For the eighth and last season of the delightful detective yarn about an ex-cop with OCD, network officials hint they'll be wrapping up of one of its longest mysteries -- who killed the wife of ex Det. Adrian Monk.

Tony Shalhoub has won three Emmys in playing the obsessive compulsive lead of the show. They read best lead actor in a comedy, but "Monk" has been more than that, providing satisfying whodunits both for basic cable and during a second run on NBC.

Its theme music has won Emmys as well -- both the first one, an instrumental used only in season one, and the Randy Newman tune "It's a Jungle Out There," which has been used since the second season.

There have been a string of great guests on the show, as well, including two who have won Emmys, John Turturro and Stanley Tucci.

With a splendid ensemble cast, "Monk" deftly maneuvered around two big changes through its run -- the departure of Bitty Schram as his assistant Sharona, who was replaced quite well by Traylor Howard as Natalie; and the death of actor Stanley Kamel, who played his psychiatrist.

Well, I've enjoyed the run from the very beginning. I'm glad we are at least getting one more season out of it.

I'm a little concerned that it is 16 episodes, however. 20 is such a nice round number. Yes, 20 is better than 16. 16 is so not 20.

Well, I've enjoyed the run from the very beginning. I'm glad we are at least getting one more season out of it.

I'm a little concerned that it is 16 episodes, however. 20 is such a nice round number. Yes, 20 is better than 16. 16 is so not 20.
But 16 is mathematically better. It's a perfect square. So is its square root (four perfect sides) as well as the square root of its square root (an even bookended 2).

But 16 is mathematically better. It's a perfect square. So is its square root (four perfect sides) as well as the square root of its square root (an even bookended 2).

.....well, OK, when you put it that way :D

Another great episode (Season Finale/Parking Garage)! I liked how they brought back somebdy. I don't want to spoil it for anybody.

I thought the "Magic" episode was dumb last week. It dragged for me. I had to keep myself from leaving the room. :)

The last couple of seasons have been pretty bad. I'm surprised they're gonna pump out 16 more. I was kind of hoping they'd just finish with one two-hour movie.

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/monk-exclusive.html

Sharona to return for an episode in the final season.

spoiler alert

http://www.gossip-celebrities.info/img/bitty-schram-pictures/23ae8d8cBitty_Schram-10.jpg

Thought you guys might be interested in this:

Nice little tribute for the final season of monk starting up next friday...

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/29/usa-scores-with-monk-tribute-promo/

Thought you guys might be interested in this:

Nice little tribute for the final season of monk starting up next friday...

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/29/usa-scores-with-monk-tribute-promo/

Thanks for the link. I've seen the tribute running on USA for the past few days, actually, and it's great -- VERY funny!

I'm looking forward to the last season -- 1 week from today. :)

DGK

the site (http://usanetwork.com/series/monk) has a bunch of stuff to keep you occupied until friday...

looking forward to seeing how they start wrapping up the overarching storylines over the years..

What did everyone else think about the 1st episode of the new season? I liked it I guess. There's been better, though. IMO it was actually a bit irritating for the first 15 minutes or so....

BTW there's a couple of new tribute/promo spots for the show similar to the original one which are running on USA now -- saw one of them this evening during L&O: CI. Very funny, just like the first!

DGK

Spoiler Alert:

The last three episodes of Monk will feature Bitty Schram (Sharona Fleming) on the Nov. 20th episode, and the final two will solve the murder of Trudy Monk (Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th), entitled "Mr. Monk and the End".

Spoiler Alert:

Gee ... thanks for the warning. :rolleyes:

Spoiler Alert:

The last three episodes of Monk will feature Bitty Schram (Sharona Fleming) on the Nov. 20th episode, and the final two will solve the murder of Trudy Monk (Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th), entitled "Mr. Monk and the End".


Some people prefer that actual spoiler tags be used for information like that.

[ spoiler ]Spoiler information [ /spoiler ]

For it to work, remove the leading and trailing spaces in the tags. It will then show up as:

This is spoiler information

Thanks jojo...I knew that Bitty was going to be on this last season, and only hoped for the ending to be just that kind of ending. It's fitting, after all this time, and will please many (most? if not all?) Monk fans, I'd think...wraps things up nicely, IMO.

DGK

Spoiler Alert:

The last three episodes of Monk will feature Bitty Schram (Sharona Fleming) on the Nov. 20th episode, and the final two will solve the murder of Trudy Monk (Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th), entitled "Mr. Monk and the End".

i don't think that news is a spoiler?
it's been widely reported

i don't think that news is a spoiler?
it's been widely reported

Some people may not have read that news.

Generally it is more considerate to not reveal/discuss major plot points (including cast member additions/changes) before an episode airs.

Some people may not have read that news.

Generally it is more considerate to not reveal/discuss major plot points (including cast member additions/changes) before an episode airs.

if someone is that sensitive to news about a show they watch, i recommend they stay out of forum posts dedicated to them

if someone is that sensitive to news about a show they watch, i recommend they stay out of forum posts dedicated to them

The problem with that approach is that it prevents people from freely discussing aired episodes---which is why the discussion thread exists in the first place.

Do keep in mind that there are Forum rules that are posted concerning spoilers:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=492121

One Last Season for 'Monk'

From the Hartford Courant, by Roger Catlin November 15, 2008

Its theme music has won Emmys as well -- both the first one, an instrumental used only in season one, and the Randy Newman tune "It's a Jungle Out There," which has been used since the second season.



I must admit to not paying much attention to 'Monk' since Bitty Shram left (but thanks to those "spoilers", I'll be sure to tune into the last 3!), but I've always wondered why they changed that delightful instrumental theme song after the first season. I like Randy Neuman okay (much of his music sounds derivative to me) but that was a change that didn't need to be made. Heck, the original even won an Emmy! Anybody know the scoop on why they did that?

if someone is that sensitive to news about a show they watch, i recommend they stay out of forum posts dedicated to them

Of course the other side of the coin here is that the OP recognized that it was a potential spoiler and posted it in the clear anyway. Hence my sarcastic "thanks" for the warning.

if someone is that sensitive to news about a show they watch, i recommend they stay out of forum posts dedicated to them
Except this isn't a fan site devoted to a specific show or a gossip site and spoilers are quite definitely controlled here.

May I remind you that the name of the site is "Audio Visual Science", meaning people come here to discuss technical issues, too, not just dish about plot points. They may simply be popping in to discuss some horrendous new snipe that USA might be using.

Some people go out of their way to avoid the entertainment sites and the news they report to avoid spoilers, but come here to discuss the details of when shows air, whether they were HD, etc. Of course, they also come to discuss the episode after it airs.

If someone really feels they have to dish out a "scoop" on a show, they can feel free to do it on any of the other 100's of sites that allow it. For that matter, they can feel free to start up any site they want on their own where the rules outlined here do not apply. There are rules you need to follow here if you wish to be allowed to post.

Lecture over.

Except this isn't a fan site devoted to a specific show or a gossip site and spoilers are quite definitely controlled here.

May I remind you that the name of the site is "Audio Visual Science", meaning people come here to discuss technical issues, too, not just dish about plot points. They may simply be popping in to discuss some horrendous new snipe that USA might be using.

Some people go out of their way to avoid the entertainment sites and the news they report to avoid spoilers, but come here to discuss the details of when shows air, whether they were HD, etc. Of course, they also come to discuss the episode after it airs.

If someone really feels they have to dish out a "scoop" on a show, they can feel free to do it on any of the other 100's of sites that allow it. For that matter, they can feel free to start up any site they want on their own where the rules outlined here do not apply. There are rules you need to follow here if you wish to be allowed to post.

Lecture over.

Funny. Ken H reported in February that they may solve Trudy's murder:

"For the eighth and last season of the delightful detective yarn about an ex-cop with OCD, network officials hint they'll be wrapping up of one of its longest mysteries -- who killed the wife of ex Det. Adrian Monk."

I guess Ken H feels the same way I do about "spoilers"?

from the guidelines:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=492121

If a thread title warns that spoilers are inside, then anyone reading the thread is considered warned about the contents. You can't read a spoiler thread and complain that it contains spoilers. On the other hand, if a thread has "no spoilers" in the title or the warning "spoilers" isn't in the subject header, then you MUST give a warning before you post a spoiler. There is nothing worse to a fan than reading a thread in anticipation of a film, only to have the twists and turns of the movie thrown at him. Warning that spoilers are coming is a sign of mutual respect among members. Please bear that in mind.


Geez, is it really that hard to add spoiler tags out of respect for the rest of us? Seriously? It would take you like 10 seconds and be nice and respectful of you. I mean, what you posted is a grey area (at best) so show some respect and add some simple spoiler tags around things like that.

[/rant]

Mproper,
if you are referring to me then i must respond?
1) Name calling trumps spoilers
2) Wasn't even me that posted spoiler
3) Take it up with a moderator like the one who did post it (Ken H)

Your cute little chart describes you to a T, so get off your soap box!

I don't like having important plot points or big reveals spoiled anymore than the next guy. I guess my definition of spoiler isn't as strict or radical as a few others here. I don't think that simply noting widely reported news about a former cast member appearing in the final season of Monk is a spoiler. It doesn't reveal anything important about what will or will not happen in any episode, none of the actual "twists and turns" of the cases that are solved in each episode. Honestly, whose enjoyment of the show is really going to be ruined by it?

I'll refrain from posting any such general information again, but really, a person who is that sensitive to such general information about the show should just avoid reading anything about it, including this thread. You have to realize that people are going to post such things from time to time, with no malicious intent.

i don't like having important plot points or big reveals spoiled anymore than the next guy. I guess my definition of spoiler isn't as strict or radical as a few others here. I don't think that simply noting widely reported news about a former cast member appearing in the final season of monk is a spoiler. It doesn't reveal anything important about what will or will not happen in any episode, none of the actual "twists and turns" of the cases that are solved in each episode. Honestly, whose enjoyment of the show is really going to be ruined by it?

I'll refrain from posting any such general information again, but really, a person who is that sensitive to such general information about the show should just avoid reading anything about it, including this thread. You have to realize that people are going to post such things from time to time, with no malicious intent.

+1

I'll refrain from posting any such general information again, but really, a person who is that sensitive to such general information about the show should just avoid reading anything about it, including this thread. You have to realize that people are going to post such things from time to time, with no malicious intent.

I have edited my post above to not sound so...rantful.

The point is if you post spoilers (even unintentionally, as does happen), and someone points it out, points you to the guidelines, the easy thing to do is just add spoiler tags, and everyone is happy with really no effort.

It's the whole, posting spoilers, having it pointed out, then arguing why spoiler tags aren't needed that bugs me. Just add the tags and be done with it...no harm done.

Apologies for going off.

Everyone enjoying the season so far? both episodes were good IMO, but i'm definitely getting sadder that this is going to be the final season..

Everyone enjoying the season so far? both episodes were good IMO, but i'm definitely getting sadder that this is going to be the final season..


Oh yeah. Each episode reminds me that we are approaching the end of original episodes.Tony has truly created an iconic character as Monk.

Everyone enjoying the season so far? both episodes were good IMO, but i'm definitely getting sadder that this is going to be the final season..

I liked episode 2 much more than the first. It's episodes like that one that are the reason I like "Monk" so much. Tonight's show looks like it may be a little lighter/more amusing in tone -- that's also a good thing about this show.

DGK

I liked episode 2 much more than the first. DGK

Definitely! I thought last week's episode ("Mr. Monk and the Foreign Man") was top notch (though not quite as good as "Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike", one of my all-time favorites of any series).

The episode hit all of the right notes, at all of the right times. The guest star was very good, it was touching without being maudlin, and Disher was silly yet again.

The actual murder mystery wasn't much, but then that's not why I watch the show.

:)

Cliff

Monk taking on the Internet UFO nuts and "struggling" in the desert heat to find help was a hoot last night. Another good one IMO. -- John

Sharona to reappear in final episodes. Monk to solve Trudy's murder. Sharona = Trudy's murderer?

Monk taking on the Internet UFO nuts and "struggling" in the desert heat to find help was a hoot last night. Another good one IMO. -- John

That was one of the better episodes of Monk. I moaned when I saw the UFO story line, but they surprised me by pulling it off nicely.

Monk going back to bed after opening the curtain was pretty funny.

That was one of the better episodes of Monk. I moaned when I saw the UFO story line, but they surprised me by pulling it off nicely.

Monk going back to bed after opening the curtain was pretty funny.

It was. At the end I kept waiting for him to finally give in (and surprise everyone) by showing them his belly button after all.

Re: Sharona being Trudy's murderer? No way! Far as I know he'd never even met her until afterwards...plus it would make no sense at all for her to do such a thing. I do wonder what will bring her back -- maybe Natalie will want to talk to her about some aspect of Monk's life for some reason? Who knows...guess we'll find out.

DGK

Oh yeah. Each episode reminds me that we are approaching the end of original episodes.Tony has truly created an iconic character as Monk.

Do you think an emmy is in order for Shaloub? I do at least...he's been great so far, in addition to the rest of the cast.

Do you think an emmy is in order for Shaloub? I do at least...he's been great so far, in addition to the rest of the cast.

As Monk he has already won three (2003, 2005 and 2006).

As Monk he has already won three (2003, 2005 and 2006).

Though it would be cool if he got just one more for this last season...

DGK

Considering it is Monk it needs to be 4. Three isn't 4. 4 is a nicer number. :D

Another good one tonight. The Monk as a hit man. What a hoot.

Another good one tonight. The Monk as a hit man. What a hoot.

Except some of the plot was taken from NCIS S6 E7 "Collateral Damage". I was watching and saying to myself, "Hang on, I've seen this before".

And Kelly Carlson looks as hot as ever. Wow! I think I missed the rest of the episode. (You can also see her in Nip/Tuck on FX)

Liked last night's ep...see a different side of Randy for a change.

Anyone know how many eps are left? I thought they'd start ramping up to solving Trudy's murder here, but so far they haven't even mentioned it.

It looks like there are 4 episodes left, the next two, then the two-part finale.

I would not be surprised if we get some mention of the case next week, there are only 4 episodes left, after all!

Seriously, no comments on Part I of the series finale?

I thought it was good and am on the edge of my seat for the Final Episode on Friday.

Seriously, no comments on Part I of the series finale?
OK, I'll bite:

- I'm somewhat underwhelmed that they had to create a whole new case and suspect to address Trudy's murder, rather than it being a truly surprising reveal on something we had encountered earlier in the series.

- The whole "solving your own poisoning murder" thing has already been done in "D.O.A." and its remake "Five Days to Midnight".

- It seems a little rushed to have it all come down to two episodes.

- I think Monk is going to be kicking himself for not opening the present sooner.

However, I still enjoyed it.

I enjoyed Part 1 of the finale very much...on one hand I can't wait to see Friday's episode, to see how everything works out. On the other hand, I don't want the show to end, so I'm kind of dreading seeing Friday's show knowing it will be the last one (not counting reruns and syndication of course).

Speculation follows --

IMO I think it might be the wipes that are poisoning Monk. It makes sense...they tested his food, and all other kinds of things in his house that he came into contact with. But can't recall if they tested the wipes. Like I said, it's just a wild guess on my part, but it'll be interesting to see if I'm right, or not! ;) Will be interested also to see if we will see Monk's brother Ambrose one last time in the last show. I hope so.

(Am watching the all day Sunday marathon right now and I'm enjoying it a lot.)

DGK

While it also seemed a little strange to introduce a new set of characters at this stage, and the solving of who killed you has been done before, this was still a great episode.

I knew it was going to be a two parter, but I missed the part that it was going to be split over a week's time. Anyway, that aside, the contents of Trudy's "final" present to Monk was kind of cool.

I know that once an episode airs any discussion, even speculation is just fine.

So yes, the wipes are poisoned and he will figure that out before long.

As for other speculation... anybody else think the caller who commissioned the hit man sounded like the "dirty" judge? How about Trudy's awful secret? Had an affair with the judge years ago which would be embarrassing to have come out now? Trudy had a kid or aborted it? Gave the kid up for adoption? Monk has an unknown son or daughter?

So many possibilities!!! Is it Friday yet????

was hoping for a 'dale the whale' return (by whomever they chose to play the role this time) - as he seemd to know who the killer was -he is still alive, isn't he?

was hoping for a 'dale the whale' return (by whomever they chose to play the role this time) - as he seemd to know who the killer was -he is still alive, isn't he?

As far as I know, still alive and still in a prison cell (with a window).

The bad thing was the stunt casting of Craig T Nelson. I like him... but since he hadn't been on the show, the stunt casting makes it too obvious that he has something to do with the major plot. I would have liked a surprise.

So yes, the wipes are poisoned and he will figure that out before long.

I sure hope so! I figured it out about 20 minutes before the end of part 1, and spent a part of that time hollering at my TV! LOL

I hope Trudy's secret isn't TOO awful. I don't want to have the show ending up with Monk being devastated by something she did, when he's worshiped his memory of her for all these years. I also don't want to have it end with Monk finally dying from poisoning -- too ironic, too sad. Hopefully they will figure things out in time to save him.

DGK

I would have liked it better if they had incorporated Trudy's killer earlier in the series instead of added in penultimate episode. I not going to say who it is and spoil it for any one who hasn't figured it out but they made it kind of obvious.

Agreed. Unless he turns out to be a brother or close friend of "Dale the Whale"! And even then......

What a fantastic final episode! That was a great way to end the series.

Although I will miss it.

Tomhunter,

Agreed.

The part about Trudy's daughter was touching too.

Thanks for the memories Monk.

Final episode: Very disappointing.

Exceedingly saccharine. Very contrived that everybody has to go off and get married (i.e., and they all live happily ever after—or at least until they get divorced).

And a bumbling guy who can barely tie his shoes becomes a police chief? I hope they don't have too much crime in that county—maybe it's like Mayberry.

And how would you feel if you got a letter from someone saying that, some number of years after you were born, he married the mother you never knew? And then he wouldn't leave you alone? How creepy would that be? Restraining order anyone?

By the way, Trudy said she had an affair when she was in law school, some period of time (I can't recall) before she meant Monk. I might be wrong, but I thunked that, based on a prior episode, they met in college.

I was looking forward to this finale, but I was very disappointed.

And how would you feel if you got a letter from someone saying that, some number of years after you were born, he married the mother you never knew? And then he wouldn't leave you alone? How creepy would that be? Restraining order anyone?

I have to agree... Compound all that you said + her father conspired to cover up her existence by killing the midwife, killing her mother, and hiding her existence... then when finally caught he kills himself!

Seems she and Monk became "fast friends" a little quickly.

By the way, Trudy said she had an affair when she was in law school, some period of time (I can't recall) before she meant Monk. I might be wrong, but I thunked that, based on a prior episode, they met in college.

Yeah, that seemed odd to me too. Also, somehow her family never knew she was pregnant and lost a baby? They have always been shown as a close-knit family but they had to have gone a year or more without seeing Trudy to not know... AND she never told anyone? And Monk somehow met her at the same college some time later and no one who knew her when she was pregnant ever had any contact with Monk?

I really hate when shows spring surprise backstory to fill a hole. Both parts really felt like something that had no real connection to the rest of the series. What did "Dale the Whale" ever have to do with any of this if it was all about an affair Trudy had before she ever met Monk?

To me, a finale for a show like Monk really should have felt more connected to the rest of the show and other references to Trudy in the past. As it is, they pretty much introduced everything in the finale so nothing that happened before really mattered in the scheme of the solution.

Also... we always heard about how Trudy was the one crime Monk never solved... but apparently he never solved the missing midwife case either! Yet, no mention of that until the finale.

And a bumbling guy who can barely tie his shoes becomes a police chief? I hope they don't have too much crime in that county—maybe it's like Mayberry.


That was really far-fetched, but maybe not by this show's standards. It is scary to think of him as being in charge of a department. He must have had one heck of an embellished resume and list of recommendations to get that promotion/position. They probably caught wind of the tantalizing "Randy Disher Project." :D

That was really far-fetched, but maybe not by this show's standards. It is scary to think of him as being in charge of a department. He must have had one heck of an embellished resume and list of recommendations to get that promotion/position. They probably caught wind of the tantalizing "Randy Disher Project." :D

To be fair... they have actually shown on several episodes how Disher is much more competent when alone or when left in charge. He seems to bumble more when he is around his superiors or people he perceives as better (like Monk) detectives... and it looks like they play his character as a bumbler in reaction to that nervousness.

There was an episode last season, for example, where he was left in charge while Leland was sick... and Dish was pretty straight-laced competent for that episode.

What did "Dale the Whale" ever have to do with any of this if it was all about an affair Trudy had before she ever met Monk?


Dale had the connections, so I'm guessing he hooked the judge up with the six-fingered guy, who rigged the bomb that killed Trudy.

They probably caught wind of the tantalizing "Randy Disher Project." :DGood one there.

Yeah, that seemed odd to me too. Also, somehow her family never knew she was pregnant and lost a baby? They have always been shown as a close-knit family but they had to have gone a year or more without seeing Trudy to not know... AND she never told anyone? And Monk somehow met her at the same college some time later and no one who knew her when she was pregnant ever had any contact with Monk?From what I saw on another forum, Monk and Trudy graduated college in 1981 (according to the college reunion episode). But in the final episode she said she had her affair in 1983, which she said was before she met Monk.

Dale had the connections, so I'm guessing he hooked the judge up with the six-fingered guy, who rigged the bomb that killed Trudy.

Dale was working inside the prision for the Lt. Governor, who was trying to kill the Gov, to ascend to the top. Plus Scott Glenn as the crooked cop who framed Monk, makes me think there is still major conspiricy material left over for a reunion show or mini-series. After all, if Shaloub's career slides a bit, he may want to come back and do Monk again to regain lost prestige.

I especially didn't like the judge pulling the trigger on himself, after going so far to cover things up and get rid of anyone. It was against his established character. It makes me think there was more reason to his suicide - again leading to a bigger conspiricy for Monk to solve in the future.

I also didn't understand why not move the body of the midwife. Certainly he had connections who could have done it for him, or he could have done it himself. The sun dial was a bit too convenient for Monk to figure out where the body was.

What a fantastic final episode! That was a great way to end the series.

Although I will miss it.

It was a perfect ending to a great show, and I will miss it. The clue was right in front of our eyes this whole time, which is this show's trademark. I wished I had watched this when it first started, instead of having to do the marathon sessions. I had caught up to the middle of season 5, but didn't want to wait to watch this last season.

Awesome final episode. Grear closure, excellent. Wow. Loved it. Also liked to see monk as a different person. That final scene, he was dressed different, acted different, not as obssessed as he use to be.

It was a disappointing ending. The shows always left it open that monk and natalie could get together, but the next to last episode they insert some previously unknown boyfriend for natalie.

I especially didn't like the judge pulling the trigger on himself, after going so far to cover things up and get rid of anyone. It was against his established character. It makes me think there was more reason to his suicide - again leading to a bigger conspiricy for Monk to solve in the future.I think that was just one more (contrived) instance of the "And they lived happily ever after" theme that they were clearly striving for in the finale.

It was a disappointing ending. The shows always left it open that monk and natalie could get together, but the next to last episode they insert some previously unknown boyfriend for natalie.

I never remember seeing any Monk + Natalie vibe in the series. In fact, Natalie not only has dated several men (including the leper!) but the guy she is with now was in a couple of episodes and originally introduced as one of her and her deceased husband's oldest friends.

It was a disappointing ending. The shows always left it open that monk and natalie could get together, but the next to last episode they insert some previously unknown boyfriend for natalie.

They never made it that Monk and Natalie would get together. She always talked about her dating other guys, and really liking military guys etc.

It was OK, but here's my nitpcks: * Why would the judge say 'take care of her' to Monk ... She a grown woman, & not related to Monk.
* I also agree that it seems unrealistic or even a little creepy, that a 20-something adopted from birth girl would want to 'hang out' with a 50 yr old guy who later married the biological mother she never knew.. Most people would meet with the guy, perhaps get a few photos of BM from him & say thanks.
* I would have liked to see a more dramatic 'cure' of his quirkiness, tied into the story.... Perhaps a scene were he drives Leyland to a crime scene, or he's eating something sloppy he's enjoying that drips on his sweatshirt.... They (PD) probably should have re-instated him at the end of the finale, after solving the Trudy/Judge crime, & after he returns to 'normal' ...

*** If anyone remembers 'Lou Grant' :.. They transitioned the exact same Ed Asner Lou Grant character from a comedic 1/2hr Sitcom on the "Mary Tyler Moore Show", to a hard-hitting serious character in a 1hr filmed drama in "Lou Grant"....
Monk would be an excellent candidate for this 're-invention' / New series... His character moves to another city, & becomes a PI helping others in a serious 'Law & Order' Style Drama... but he's still Monk.

They (PD) probably should have re-instated him at the end of the finale, after solving the Trudy/Judge crime, & after he returns to 'normal' ...

They already re-instated him about 3 episodes ago... for one episode, after which Monk himself decided it wasn't what he hoped it would be and he resigned himself and decided to go back to being his own boss as a P.I.

They already re-instated him about 3 episodes ago... for one episode, after which Monk himself decided it wasn't what he hoped it would be and he resigned himself and decided to go back to being his own boss as a P.I.
I know ... I though perhaps it would have been better in the Finale ...

I know ... I though perhaps it would have been better in the Finale ...

Oh, ok... I thought maybe you hadn't seen that.

Personally, I kind of liked that handling of the reinstatement better... because it seemed more realistic. In real life we sometimes are disappointed when we finally achieve a long-anticipated goal. Often something gets built-up to be more than it is AND we change over time in our pursuit.

It actually seemed more "real" to me that OCD Monk who was fired originally had actually grown over time such that when the police saw him as "fit" for duty again, he actually had outgrown the job and really wanted more.

If Monk had not grown over that time, he likely would settle back into his "old" routine at the police dept which in some ways would mean he had not gotten as much better/independent after all.

Well, look, you can always pick apart this kind of episode and come up with inconsistencies.....e.g. I thought (perhaps from conversations with his therapist) that Monk was always OC and perhaps even a bit, how shall we put it, reticent when it came to relating physically to Trudy. The brief flashback to their time together didn't seem in any way consistent with that.

That said, I just thought it was lazy writing. I was sort of hoping that they would drop clues to the mystery throughout the final season, one more or less each episode. Then maybe have the resolution make more sense than simply "dropping in" a villain to take the fall. Seemed awfully simplistic and rushed. I mean, do you really think a murderer would tell a hit man over the phone that he murdered someone's wife?

Also, I probably would have liked to see a final episode(s) where some of the people Monk helped from the past returned to help him solve Trudy's case (sort of like a version of the Seinfeld finale) but that was just one way dedicated writers could have finished the series. With all due respect to those who liked it the Monk finale just seemed like something the writers wanted to get over with.