How about an episode revolving around a cartoon or animation film where the actor that does the voice for the cartoon character is killed. (The kicker is the cartoon character's voice is really Jason! who is an accomplished voice actor in his own right)(sidebar- do they sell the Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century cartoon anywhere on DVD?).

The gang goes there to investigate the murder or series there of sabatoge. And by chance Randy (who is a big fan of the cartoon or the actor playing the character that died) is a dead ringer for the voice (duh cuz it's really his voice!) which while investigating the cartoon people or bigwigs producing the film NOTICE that (ala he imitates the voices while on the set or watching the cartoon being played in the background) and need him to Help them finish the film cuz there on a deadline and it appears that whoever is involved doesn't want the production to continue. Randy becomes the decoy to catch the killer who's motive is that the cartoon/animation film is never completed for what ever reason.

How's that????

I enjoyed that short description better than the finale last night. I really think they have to get back to a formula, which includes throwing in Trudy clues every now and then. Stop leaving Monk alone. He wouldn't be able to handle it. He would get home immediately, even if he was dying. Stop making him a wuss and effectively changing his character. He is a complainer and a Jackass, but not so stupid that he would give his gun to a guy claiming to be his "best friend" when he finds out the guy is a murderer. When Monk needs to "step up" he can do it (usually at the end of the show). Last night Natalie saved him at the end - a good idea. But she came back from having lunch in the middle of the show to save him (What is that? I know the reason, by the way.....it doesn't excuse changing the show's story line). What a waste of that great character actor last night, as the complaining patient (forget his name).

Randy should have a spinoff, possibly, but not a whole show.

Yea I agree. They really need to drop a Trudy tid bit soon. I was hoping they'd pull a season 1 and leave us hanging with a new clue. Oh well. I've found it upsetting that there has been no recent devlopments.

There has been some talk on other boards that for an episode Monk might somehow convince himself that he killed Trudy. That would be a good episode too!