I think we've reached the total war threshhold with them.

I didn't think the preview showed much, so I'm going to have to wait and see.

Here are two photos





And here are puzzles...

Small Pieces
First photo
Second photo

Medium Pieces
First photo
Second photo

Two preview videos made by ElectricArtists:

Monk August 24, 9/8c Preview

Scene from Aug 24 Episode

Edit:

One more : Mr. Monk Wants To Know How

Thanks metacomet They're so funny, it's going to be a really funny episode...I can't wait....

So far, its not really that funny to me. I haven't felt this sad watching a Monk episode since the one where Monk thought Trudy was still alive.

It's been a whole season since I've seen a sad Monk (Suicide watch! Hang in there, Monk!), but I still enjoyed it. Probably my favorite!

"R as in 'Randy Disher Project'..."

For me so far the Two minute replay and episode guide must be enough before I'll see full episode. I can tell right now...BEST EPISODE EVER

Yeah, not too funny at all. My biggest questions are: Why did Harold walk off the building for no reason? And why did Natalie turn into a guy for two seconds when she hit the guy with the metal pipe on the roof? Then there are about a dozen other questions, but why bother?

I think it was average at best. I guessed the "guy"when I saw the guy from "Anchorman," figuring he had to be the "guy" since he was in "Anchorman" and some other movies and TV shows. They really should "throw" us every once in a while by making someone else be "the guy." I also saw him scratch his leg weirdly, but figured it was a "professional character actor move" until the end. Or maybe they were just sloppy and used that take even though his leg itched. I really don't understand the production sloppiness...........why can't they get a better stunt double for Traylor Howard, or just film more quickly? I thought I was watching William Shatner in a "Star Trek" fight scene at the end. This is 2007!

The writers pulled everything together, but they were doing WAY too many things for a one hour show (I admit I like the "classic" style). The dialogue wasn't that good. The scene where Monk tries to conquer a random phobia was a good idea, but I was just uncomfortable and not laughing at all. The later more serious parts when Monk was on suicide watch were okay, I guess. Randy had the funny "thing" going on as usual. At the end, Crenshaw (Harold?) just casually walks off the building? Why? Boy, I'm in a great mood.

Okay, okay, it was the best show ever.

I must have missed something, because I didn't get Randy and the "V is for...." at all; I had to leave the room at one point so someone fill me in please!


It was pretty obvious that Harold wasn't the real Frisco Fly, but it took me a while to figure the cousin was in on it. Not till the phone call came from the Dr. and the cousin lied about it. Good episode, although I would liked to have seen more than a quick Dr. Kroger glimpse, especially after being in the chat tonight.

Hello! New here! Been reading the boards and watching "Monk" forever.

Now, about the episode, let me just dive right in shall I? While I didn't spend every five seconds laughing out loud, it was a nice change of pace to bring out the more dramatic life of Adrian Monk. Underneath his OCD and genious, he's still a sad man. It's great to watch Tony gp through a wide range of emotions each episode. However, I was laughing during the beging of that interaction between Monk and Dr. Kroger. "As long as you're comfortable. Can I get you anything?!" So perfectly played. And I also laughed pretty much everytime Disher was on screen. I love Randy, and it's nice to see the writers sharpen him up a bit while keeping his humor. And Stottlemyer and Monk can hold it in, that's a good skill to have. I've heard horror stories from road trips about people who couldn't hold it in. If only we can all be as gifted as Monk.

Maybe it's because I never try to follow the mystery, but I didn't know the cousin was involved till he faked the reason for the phone call. I stopped watching for the mysteries, which was the reason I tuned in to begin with. Now I'm just here for the characters, and if a get a little murder mystery fun out of the deal, then it's been a good hour.

Yes the whole thing was crazy and far-fetched, but I'v come to accept and expect that. If the cases were more open and shut, Monk's help wouldn't be needed, now would it?

And I know this is really, really, really nitpicking (esp. since i've come to really like Natalie), but those grunting noises she made during the "strugle" (cause yeah, that was tooootally her, right) were really pissing me off. They were the strangest sounds. I thought she was giving birth! Some proper voice overs and editing couldn't have hurt.

All in all, I give this episode an 8.5. Not their comedic best, but one of their absolute most heartfelt ones to date. And I stand behind that, because not since Mr. Monk Gets Fired has there been an episode with such a sad Adrian that did not involve Trudy.

And next week- Stupid US Open. Who watches that anyway? There'd better be shirtless Randy when they come back!

Nice to see some negative reviews on the USA-cable tv board. An actual surprise. ... ... ...I'll watch it again as I always do. Off-hand, I didn't like it much. Not so very funny (I generally love Harold), and the crime aspects were really far-fetched. All these things came together for the criminal:
¶ Their rich uncle is about to die and leave his money to Harold and the evil cousin!
¶ the wicked cousin happens to come across the dying Fly in car wreck with his fly suit!
¶ Harold happens to be nuts and alone, so he can be manipultaed into aiding the plot, unwittingly.

Okay, this is "cop-speak"; also used by firefighters, EMTs and so on. It is a way to not get the alphabet letters mixed up. I.E.: if your license plate read VCR112, the police call it in as Victor Charles Robert 112. That way the V is not mistaken for a letter that sounds the same: C B D T

Hope that helps.

Meme

Yeah, I mentioned that I had "other questions," but I really try not to be too nit picky like I have been in the past. No, really. But if you think about the coincidences in shows like these, there are "standard" coincidences that are always there, like how does someone get murdered in a small town every week on "Murder She Wrote"(?) or something unavoidable like that. But when the writers really dig deep and change the plot lines and character personalities to try and be "fresh" in later years like they have in Monk the past two seasons, you get some scenarios that are just laughable if you think too hard. This was one of those episodes. If the crime is an afterthought and the show is more about Monk's OCD, then fine. Then just don't have a crime that week. But then you have a soap opera, right?

The episode was brilliant: acting, dialogue and plot.

Reversechapter, I have to ask myself again, why are you even watching this show? You don't like it and you don't get it. The characters have evolved. This is a good thing. The plot lines vary. This is a good thing. The mysteries, however, have always been far fetched, even in the beloved season one, and oh so easy for the literal minded to pick apart. I know because because I've seen someone do it with every single episode since the pilot. Yes, even the Edgar nominated ones. If it's not a strange, unlikely, or impossible crime it's not a Monk crime. The Murder-She-Wrote coincidental style was used in season one and two and three and four and five and just as often as it is in season six. So was the open mystery where we know who did it. Not too funny? Not every episode or every moment of Monk is supposed be a laugh riot. (Psych is very good at that.) So you didn't get a chuckle out of Monk being on a suicide watch? Go figure. There was no golden age of grittty, realistic, yet always funny, whodunits on Monk.

Production sloppiness? Wow! You just don't have a clue what goes into making this show do you? Yes, they have stunt people, but I watched them film some of that scene and a heck of a lot of work, by Traylor in particular, when in to it. So you noticed they used a stunt double. Give yourself a pat on the back. I'll save mine for the Monk crew and writers and actors who work so hard to give us sixteen fresh, original, entertaining episodes a year. You didn't like the grunts? Nah, that's not too nit picky.

What reason did Harold have to step off the building? He was busy taunting Monk and accidentally fell. Seven broken ribs, painkillers, standing really close to the edge. It happens. It's just another example of you not understanding what Monk is about, whether it's the intention of a particular scene or the concept of the show as a whole. And Tony Shalhoub enacting Monk's meltdown is "okay, I guess"? Buddy, you are watching the wrong show.

No, you don't have to like every episode and you can obviously say whatever you want, it just makes me a little sick to see you insult the people who make it, but that's pretty easy to do from your arm chair, I guess. There is such a thing as constructive criticism, but I don't think what you dish out each week even comes close.

So how about that Burn Notice? Good show, right? Oh wait, no. I definitely detected some stunt people in some scenes. And you know what, I pretty much know who did it in every episode. Maybe they should just hang it up right now.

Well said Teresa!
I loved it. I was ready for a more serious Monk. Aldebaran and I just had a discussion about if Monk is or has ever been suicidal, so this was a treat for me to see that subject in this episode.
Very well done, can't wait to watch it again tonight.

Locations!! During the ending, I could see One Rincon Hill, that bluish thing with the crane still working on it. But were all the shots in the end from SF?

They mentioned "Telegraph Tower" which doesn't exist, though Coit Tower is on Telegraph Hill.

I didn't understand the sequence where Monk was lying down in Kroger's office and then he went on suicide watch. Didn't work right.

David Koechner (who played the bald guy) was in The Office sometimes as Todd Packer.

I couldn't believe the idea that Harold would wake up and decide to use the situation for all that. It was just silly. The scene with Julie was kind of lame.

None of Daredevil was shot in SF. The rooftop was in downtown Los Angeles. Every once in a while they CGed in a SF background. I'm not sure what you found difficult to understand about the Monk/Kroger scene leading into the suicide watch. From what Monk was saying and his unusual behavior (his shirt unbuttoned, throwing the kleenex, getting angry at Kroger) Kroger determined he was suicidal. Monk certainly seemed depressed enough to justify Kroger's determination.

I also think Harold more than sufficiently explained his reasoning for the charade and the nurses did say that at first he was denying it. The idea didn't come to him until after the positive attention. Of course Cousin Joey didn't plan any of that. He thought Harold would be dead already.

I don't think any scene with Julie has ever been "lame." What a terrifically talented young lady Emmy Clarke is. Natalie trying to address his concern about overcoming his phobia and setting up a safe envirnment for him to do so, was a nice idea on her part. It also led very well into the Kroger scene.

Question for a San Fransisco native...I've always heard that they (People of San Fransisco) did not like the moniker "Frisco", in fact, the Captian had a little hissy about it in Manhattan...is it something that only San Fransiscans are allowed to call each other?

As a matter of fact it was the only part of the episode that really bugged me. San Franciscans do not refer to the city as "Frisco" nor do we like anyone else to. I think I did grumble something like "rassemfrasem &#^$% east coast writers," when I first saw the moniker "Frisco Fly," but I was almost over it by the time the episode aired. I'm also not so sure real San Franciscans woud go gaga over a guy just because he climbed buildings in a bright costume. If he did it naked that might be another story.

Tony Shalhoub was brilliant as always in this episode and I am never disapointed in his performance and he is always very credible. Tony has become Adrian Monk. I totally forget that I am watching Tony Shalhoub portray Monk every episode in all the seasons. The mysteries have not been as good but Tony's portrayl of Monk is why I keep watching the show. Everyone has been jealous of someone in their life someone that makes them feel inferior for some reason or other and even though it is harmful it is a human quality. That part of the show I related to unforntunately. All I can say about Natalie trying to play therapist is wow she wears a lot of hats on this show. They are trying to remove what I thought was so funny about the show. Let Monk keep his phobias. He is much funnier with them than without them. I hate it when the writers of a show give the main character a personality transplant like the writers for Monk have, but it won't stop me from watching the show. I do because of Tony Shalhoub's acting. I can see why he won all those emmys. Go Tony.

1. Your skills of deduction are really poor. I'd get them looked at.
2. Harold ACCIDENTALLY fell off the building.
3. When is it MANLY to fight back? What the... ? I guess she should have just stood there... and cried... Sounds feminine, right?

I was concerned when Monk and Natalie went to the roof the first time and Monk kept hearing voices, and sometimes he spoke to them and asked them to be quiet and even answered their questions. Excellent acting by Tony, here he was talking to Natalie and talking to imaginary voices at the same time. Tony made me feel bad for Monk, I think that is great acting, I knew I was watching a show and I felt sooooo bad for Monk. Let's give Tony and Emmy now. When he is with Dr. K I think Tony continued his great work, I feel he really understands depression.

OK. I loved it. Can I say that again? In capital letters, I LOVED IT! I realize there are "things" that are not perfect about Monk. I think Andy Breckman described Monk as a fantasy on one of the earlier DVDs. Take Vinton Street, the street that is freaking everywhere. It's meant to entertain and not be a cerebral brain teaser. I choose to not be bothered by the little inconsistencies and just enjoy the stories for what they are. The show is called Monk because it is about Monk and his crazy messed-up life.

What I loved about this show: It must have been fun to make. The scenes between Tim and Tony were fabulous. The fact that Harold Krenshaw could rise above him and succeed where he has not rattles Monk to the core. He has lost his "Northern Star," his guiding light. Monk could care less that Harold had injured himself. He is completely devastated by Harold's transformation and gives up. It was obvious that he didn't care anymore when Stottlemeyer and Disher arrive at his apartment.

I loved the apartment scene, the way the cameras show the mat, then the umbrellas, then scoop over the jacket on the floor. All of his friends came to watch over him. I always enjoy scenes with Dr. Kroger since I'm a "closet psychologist." The little scene where he is sleeping is sweet with Natalie and Stottlemeyer discussing him. He wakes at the mention of Harold's name, reads the blurb in the paper, then notices his shoelaces are missing. The next section with the bathroom issue had me in stitches. Later, when the two of them are talking on the couch, you can see they are both in misery. Wonder who got to the bathroom first?

The ending was funny to me. I totally got how Harold walking off the building was funny. He was disoriented, blinded by his hatred, and completely went the wrong way. The fact that his parachute opened and he was carried off with adulations by his fans was a blow to Monk. Harold surviving and looking like a hero was like the moment in "Big Game" when they put 2 minutes back on the board.
So much of this ep was enjoyable.

There is a quote that we die a little every day. It's about the things that crush the spirit. Monk's condition is one of misery with moments of light. The writers are always inflicting difficulties on him and, truly, it's one reason I watch the show. It's the black humor. There is something funny about the sadness and the horrible things that happen to him and how he reacts.

I want to see him make it through that next painful moment and move on. Broken people make this world. The best heroes play hurt, it's true. It's the flaws that keep me watching and hoping eventually he may find Trudy's killer. But that won't make him less obsessive-compulsive. He'll still be afraid of milk and 311 other things. Trudy will still be dead and Monk will need a new reason to continue bringing down the bad guy. Or he may need to find some new reason to continue living.

There was some very sad scenes in this one and I could certainly feel Monk's emotions. Tony is good!! Really thought the part where Adrian and Leland was on the couch and both trying to hold it in was funny. They looked sooo miserable tho' and then the race to the bathroom!

When Monk finally went out on the roof to help Natalie that was great. He gets the job done regardless of his fears when it comes to those he cares about being in danger.

I could not believe my eyes when Harold turned around and fell off the building! I did understand why it happened...it just shocked me.

I especially enjoy the episodes with Stanley Kamel as Dr. Kroger and Tim Bagely as Harold. Harold is my favorite guest on this series.

About #3: I was talking about the stunt man who obviously took Traylor Howard's place, which was way too obvious. I'd get your deduction skills looked at for seeing that comment as an attack on all women. You must live in San Francisco or something.

About #2: No, he really didn't.

I can watch whatever show I like, and I watch because I enjoyed it until last season. I don't need you to suggest shows for me to watch, by the way. I didn't think Tony Shalhoub's performance was his best in this show, to be honest. Besides, he is only as good as the material. I agree he and Ted Levine are two of the best actors around. Every show is brilliant with you. I can "call out' production sloppiness and hope the show gets better (or ends it's run) on a message board. That's what they are for: Giving opinions. So why don't you stop commenting about me and just say whatever great things you want about the show? If I had been on the board the first four years I would have been listing nothing but great things about the show. I am actually trying not to be too picky this year, but season five was horrible, and this season is average. I'd like to see it get better or end. If the network wants this board to be a "positive comment only" board they can stop me from logging on easily.

Developing characters in a television series can actually go too far. Mysteries about characters are important. That is the difference between soap operas and shows like this. Sticking to a standard format is not always a bad thing. The producers can do whatever they like, and I can have an opinion. My opinion is that if they overdevelop the characters for another year or two - like they have done in the last two seasons - they will destroy the legacy of the great show they created.

I like the show, don't get me wrong, but I have to agree with some of what's been said about this episode and give it a YELLOW CARD (the yellow stands for cheese because it gave off a cheesy aftertaste after watching).

Why cheesy you ask?
OK, even ignoring the Natalie-as-super-assistant-wielding-a-metal-pipe-and-beating-someone-up-who's-carrying-a-gun (one of my pet peeves is to see Natalie turn into some kind of silly-risk-taking life-on-the-line reckless super-assistants; nothing against the Natalie CHARACTER per se (for all you self-appointed DOT's (that's Defenders-Of-The-Show) out there, waiting to pounce on any open or implied criticism of your beloved show (I too hold the show at least somewhat beloved, but I digress) )--Natalie has a certain sexiness, rowwwwrrrrrr ) part of the episode, there were several cheesy parts to the show.

Cheesy part #1: Harold Kramer's first fall off the building and LIVING--
Uh-huh. How many stories was that? Yes, it's possible to survive, I watch Mythbusters too, but come on. Suspension of disbelief only goes so far. The cheesy smell started with that little stunt.

Cheesy part #2: Monk's suicide watch--
OK, by itself, probably wouldn't have raised the cheese flag, but combined with all the other sensationalistic devices in the plot-line, it DID give off a whiff of...what could it be? cheddar? swiss? no, I think maybe gorgonzolla.

Cheesy part #3: Harold Kramer's second fall off the building and (wait for it...) LIVING AGAIN--
This really sealed the deal--purely gratiuitous sensationalism--probably intended for humorous effect, but misfiring badly to this viewer.


By the way, I don't look at the writer's names before the shows. I don't have a grudge or something against a particular writer. The episodes are usually very entertaining (I especially liked the recent one with Stottlemeyer's murderous girlfriend--the rolling pen in the trailer that was BRILLIANT, WONDERFUL, classic Monk, noticing some small detail, put in at just the right level of conspicousness in the plot line (I remember thinking, why focus on that pen? was that an oversight in the final edit of the episode--seemed sloppy, but then the reveal towards the show end)).

No disrespect meant to the writers of the show, but what about a VIEWER-WRITTEN EPISODE contest? Simple to do--just have people submit plot summaries on-line. Winner gets to be in the episode or something like that. Eh?

About #2: I seriously doubt Harold actually jumped off the building. It was accidental. Watch the scene a few times. You'll get it... maybe... eventually. I can't guarantee it, as you seem to have problems.

About #3: You must be incredibly blitzed to think they'd use a MAN to do Natalie's stunts.

And no, I don't live in SF. I'd like to, though, if given the option.

Firstly I have never asked or told you not to watch Monk. I never asked or told you not to post here. I merely wonder why somebody devotes so much time to watching and posting about a show they don't even like. "I used to like it" doesn't seem like much of a reason to me. Call me crazy, but when I stop liking a show I stop watching. I don't stick around to imply that those who do enjoy it are stupid and undiscerning. I don't clamour for a show to be canceled just because I don't like it anymore. If other people want to continue watching and enjoying it that doesn't affect me. You're attitude seems to be if you don't enjoy something nobody should. I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think every Monk is brilliant, but I don't think any of them are so deeply flawed as to be unwatchable. They all have something to offer. Even when mistakes are made, and every episode of every season has them, it's not an indication of "sloppiness." It's just a mistake. They're human. They make them. Everybody makes them. Nothing wrong with pointing out mistakes, but characterizing those who make them as unprofessional is inaccurate. Of course, you have the freedom here to make whatever inferences and assumptions, baseless as they may be, whenever you feel like. In turn I have the freedom to call you on it whenever I feel like it. That's part of the posting privilege. People get to respond. Negative opinions are welcome here. Andy Breckman said so. However, nobody is under any obligation to agree with you or to keep their mouth shut if they don't.

It's too bad for you that the Monk writers aren't writing the show the way you like it. It seems they're too busy writing it the way I like it. I will take you up on the suggestion to write all about the episode itself and why I thought it was so good. That should still leave me a little time to tell you I think you're wrong, because after all, it's all about you, right?

Please don't stop posting or watching for that matter. It's like having my own personal Harold Krenshaw. My north star.

That was Traylor Howard, and they didn't cut away and have a stunt double? If you say so; but then why did they edit the scene to look like that? If it was not a man I should probably apologize. It looked like someone who was a LOT bigger than Ms. howard though, wearing the same color outfit. I like that they tried to get a little action in the script though.

I think the poster above you had the point correct: Having Harold fall twice was just at best a bad plot decision. Cheesy, indeed. I think they were rushing to tie together so many plot lines I didn't see any accident. He just walked straight off the building for some reason. If he was that messed up, he's really lucky the chute opened, huh?

Come on......are you really Nancy Pelosi?

Wait a minute: YOU'RE Nancy Pelosi! I think I'm being double-teamed here. I need to get my arch-nemises(es?) straight.

Anyhow, I can't wait until Liz posts. That should be about 10 pages long. I'm not reading it - let me say that in advance. I'm not intelligent enough and don't have the attention span. So that's why I didn't notice that Traylor Howard did her own pipe-wielding and didn't have a stunt double. Although I still swear I thought I saw it.

I thought it was okay. I was hoping Monk would get up in Harold's face, I hate that guy. Good for Monk for trying to take on his phobias.

It WAS my secret indentity. Curse you, Reversechapter.

Yes, he really did.

According to the synopsis on the official site:

"With his cousin subdued, a disoriented Harold puts his own life back in jeopardy by mistakenly walking off the roof. "

I thought it was one of the stronger recent episodes. Good enough to watch both airings last night. It was pretty "dark" with the suicide watch and all, but also very sweet and gentle in a way. It was a nice change of pace that no-one was shot or stabbed and that the "crime" took a back seat to character development. When Adrian was sleeping and Nat and Stott were watching over him, Nat imagined he was dreaming of Trudy and the understated knowing smile from Stott was so tender.

I guess one thing that bothered me was Monk's boast that he could jump from 100 stories- for two reasons. They say that kids sometimes imitate things on TV, so I would worry that some teen might get high or drunk and try a stunt like that. But the more serious objection I had was that the reference brought to mind (at least my mind) images of some of the panic-stricken poor souls jumping to their deaths from the World Trade Center after the attacks of September 11th.
Maybe I'm over-analyzing it, but that comment wasn't at all entertaining for me.

Again, though, I think it was like Stanley Kamel suggested during his appearance here before the show- a nice change-of-pace episode. Between his online "session" with us and a solid MONK outing, it made for a pleasant evening.

Jerry

I give it a 9.1. I was wondering if they'd be willing to try and put Monk in a situation where he'd feel suicidal, and they managed to pull it off just wonderfully. Great chemistry all around, with another Grade A turn by Tim Bagley; rest assured he'll be back again if the show continues on.

I am commenting on the last paragraph in your post and I agree most wholeheartedly with what you said in it.

I don't want them to put the crime too much on the backseat because that is one of the reasons I watch the show. To see Monk solve the crime.

I loved "Mr. Monk and the Daredevil". The episode brought out the jealousy Harold and Adrian harbored towards each other. They also wanted Dr. Kroger's attention.

I wonder if this is the reason why Adrian doesn't really watch TV, because of the mistakes?

Maybe you right that mistakes are the reason why Monk doesn't watch TV, or maybe because something will be there crocked

It was great eppy. Especially I like moment when Monk lied down on the dr. Kroger's couch. 
And one more thing. Excellent was also moment in hall of dr. Kroger's office, when Adrian was arguing
with Harold

I enjoyed the episode (it's Monk after all), but the main thing that bothered me was accepting Monk's schizophrenic behavior (voices in his head). I know he's OCD, so I can accept depressive tendencies, but psychosis? Now they're giving him 2 separate psychiatric diagnoses!

- Dr Monk

Yeah. That was a bit scary. I know he's not schizophrenic nor bi-polar so hearing voices is out of the ordinary. All I can figure is he was so over-the-edge about the whole Harold thing he was borderline psychotic. He probably was amplifying his own thoughts and imagining them to be actual "voices." It's probably something that won't pop up again. It'll be one of those "never happened" things. Quirk of the week.

Watched the epi this morning...I didn't think it was the best this season but was enjoyable. I thought there was a error when I noticed that he was unbuttoned in dr k's office Then Dr K said "Adrian, your unbuttoned"...I wasn't surprised with Harold jumping off the building...was hoping that Monk would push him instead of him walking off accidently Guess I should have attended that writers meeting ..Pissed off that Monk won't be on for 2 weeks Still think Naked man was the best for the this season!

What makes the character Harold such a crucial element of the show Monk is that it allows Adrian to demonstrate the ability to be aggressive and competitive. It's well and believably established that Adrian is passive by default, and to have an outside influence that spurs him inexorably to the other extreme is a source of fascination. This will manifest itself so that when speaking of Harold causes Adrian to spit out the memorable line "He's acting like a baby-year-old!" and, now, actually smiling and sneering as he mocks Harold's crying in Dr. Kroger's office. It's a repellent personality trait, but absolutely crucial to both fleshing out a complete Adrian to the audience and for acknowledging there is a fully accessable reserve of emotions within the character that could ultimately be balanced into a fully functional whole.

So the resolution of this case, although not quite kiss-and-make-up between Harold and Adrian, worries me. I can only hope that the writers and directors allow a feud between the two to continue to simmer, or at least transmute in some form or another.

The Suicide Watch sequence I defend as a terrific bookending of tragedy and comedy that I've rarely seen since the final scenes of the woefully underrated "Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan." Closing a scene of it with the deadpan delivery of "my record's nine days," was outstanding because a) it's a life-affirming remnant of the ability to challenge others surfacing and b) of course it is — regular viewers wouldn't doubt it at all. Couple this with the hours-later return to the scene with Stottlemeyer sitting on his hands and looking alarmingly like Beaker from the Muppet Show (check again: you'll notice it, too) and you've got a noteworthy situation being played for us.

For the record, I approve of Natalie rushing to clobber the bad guy. It's not like she goes all Kato every episode, so sling some action around the cast.