I'm watching this episode and a scene showed me millions, so to speak.
Monk and Natalie are heading to court to see if he gets jury duty. Natalie moves ahead and Monk starts...well, walking in place. So Natalie comes back and? Encourages him to walk, even saying how proud she is of him.
All right. Let's think back... Baack, baaack, baaaaack...
How would Sharona have handled the same situation? Easy. She would've frowned and belittled him in every way she could, probably threatened yet again to quit, before dragging him in. What a way to kill a person's growing confidence, don't you think?
Yes, I think, no matter why, the change from Sharona to Natalie was a good thing.
It has allowed the character Monk to grow and therefore the show to grow. In the beginning, Sharona's harsh treatment was something he needed. But as Monk grew closer and grows closer to "wellness" the switch in attitude toward him negative to positive...well, positive.
Full Version: Monk and Natalie
I agree that Natalie has helped Monk's character to build confidence. Sharona was tough on Monk but I think she was trying to help in her way. I think that if Sharona didn't do what she did Monk would never have made any progress in his recovery. 
QUOTE (Kawasakifan @ May 30 2008, 06:47 PM) 
Good point. Tough love doesn't equal meaness for meaness sake but may simply be love expressed differently.
However, as you correctly state another type of love may be necessary now. There is a scene in the episode "Mr. Monk and the Dare Devil" when Monk is nearly catatonic, resting on a sofa. Natalie sits near him and the captain is standing nearby. He tells her to have a life and go back home, he will stay. She says nothing at first but the look on her face seems to be saying "I have a life and it is to be here with this man" and reveals the type of person Natalie the writers are trying to create. The fragile looking willow tree can be as strong as a sturdy pine tree.
Kawasakifan
However, as you correctly state another type of love may be necessary now. There is a scene in the episode "Mr. Monk and the Dare Devil" when Monk is nearly catatonic, resting on a sofa. Natalie sits near him and the captain is standing nearby. He tells her to have a life and go back home, he will stay. She says nothing at first but the look on her face seems to be saying "I have a life and it is to be here with this man" and reveals the type of person Natalie the writers are trying to create. The fragile looking willow tree can be as strong as a sturdy pine tree.
Kawasakifan
I so agree with you!
QUOTE (Kawasakifan @ May 30 2008, 05:47 PM)
Good point. Tough love doesn't equal meaness for meaness sake but may simply be love expressed differently.
However, as you correctly state another type of love may be necessary now. There is a scene in the episode "Mr. Monk and the Dare Devil" when Monk is nearly catatonic, resting on a sofa. Natalie sits near him and the captain is standing nearby. He tells her to have a life and go back home, he will stay. She says nothing at first but the look on her face seems to be saying "I have a life and it is to be here with this man" and reveals the type of person Natalie the writers are trying to create. The fragile looking willow tree can be as strong as a sturdy pine tree.
Kawasakifan
However, as you correctly state another type of love may be necessary now. There is a scene in the episode "Mr. Monk and the Dare Devil" when Monk is nearly catatonic, resting on a sofa. Natalie sits near him and the captain is standing nearby. He tells her to have a life and go back home, he will stay. She says nothing at first but the look on her face seems to be saying "I have a life and it is to be here with this man" and reveals the type of person Natalie the writers are trying to create. The fragile looking willow tree can be as strong as a sturdy pine tree.
Kawasakifan
I never thought of putting it that way, good one!
QUOTE (NataliesBuddy @ May 30 2008, 05:45 PM)
I'm watching this episode and a scene showed me millions, so to speak.
Monk and Natalie are heading to court to see if he gets jury duty. Natalie moves ahead and Monk starts...well, walking in place. So Natalie comes back and? Encourages him to walk, even saying how proud she is of him.
All right. Let's think back... Baack, baaack, baaaaack...
How would Sharona have handled the same situation? Easy. She would've frowned and belittled him in every way she could, probably threatened yet again to quit, before dragging him in. What a way to kill a person's growing confidence, don't you think?
Yes, I think, no matter why, the change from Sharona to Natalie was a good thing.
It has allowed the character Monk to grow and therefore the show to grow. In the beginning, Sharona's harsh treatment was something he needed. But as Monk grew closer and grows closer to "wellness" the switch in attitude toward him negative to positive...well, positive.
Monk and Natalie are heading to court to see if he gets jury duty. Natalie moves ahead and Monk starts...well, walking in place. So Natalie comes back and? Encourages him to walk, even saying how proud she is of him.
All right. Let's think back... Baack, baaack, baaaaack...
How would Sharona have handled the same situation? Easy. She would've frowned and belittled him in every way she could, probably threatened yet again to quit, before dragging him in. What a way to kill a person's growing confidence, don't you think?
Yes, I think, no matter why, the change from Sharona to Natalie was a good thing.
It has allowed the character Monk to grow and therefore the show to grow. In the beginning, Sharona's harsh treatment was something he needed. But as Monk grew closer and grows closer to "wellness" the switch in attitude toward him negative to positive...well, positive.
I do agree that I like the natalie switch. However in all fairness to Sharona it's one of those in her mind if it isn't broke don't fix it. We have to remember she isn't Dr. Kroger. She used that brash treatment to get Mr. Monk out of the house. She probaly felt it was the best way to reach him.
Even though she was kind of pushy at times she did protect monk alot as well. Which is why I said the natalie switch was better becuase he was forced to defend for himself more. However she was a good nurse and to get him as far as she did was worthy of a medal. but, after a certain point he only needed an assitant not a nurse.
Sharona's impatience was part of the character fun. She never intended to be mean to Adrian. She liked him, but she didn't show that much, maybe because her personality didn't have the same sweetness Natalie has. Well, I just didn't like when she exceed in that way.
I like to see how Natalie demonstrates how much she cares about Adrian.
That scene in "Daredevil" was really lovely! Adrian sleeping and his only two friends (I think Randy isn't too close to Monk as Natalie and Leland) looking after him...I guess Adrian has never expected to have that kind of love. He always thought of himself as someone who didn't deserve to be loved. This is so heartbreaking! And I think that's why he adores Trudy so much. She was the only one who has ever gave him that. But now that he has Natalie and Leland, and Randy, and also had Sharona, I guess he'll move on and become happier. At least, a little.
I like to see how Natalie demonstrates how much she cares about Adrian.
That scene in "Daredevil" was really lovely! Adrian sleeping and his only two friends (I think Randy isn't too close to Monk as Natalie and Leland) looking after him...I guess Adrian has never expected to have that kind of love. He always thought of himself as someone who didn't deserve to be loved. This is so heartbreaking! And I think that's why he adores Trudy so much. She was the only one who has ever gave him that. But now that he has Natalie and Leland, and Randy, and also had Sharona, I guess he'll move on and become happier. At least, a little.
QUOTE (Kawasakifan @ Jun 1 2008, 01:15 AM)
Good observation about Sharona. I am glad that supporters of Natalie are beginning to appreciate the strengths (and allow for the weaknesses) of Sharona and her pivotal role in Monk's long process of recovery.
Thank you for your kind words about Sharona. I am very glad that fans of Natalie (as you say) are beginning to appreciate Sharona`s strengths. I think we can talk about both ladies, without being unkind to either. They are both very talented women. Monk loves each of them, for what they have done for him.
QUOTE (quinfran @ Jun 1 2008, 08:32 AM)
Thank you for your kind words about Sharona. I am very glad that fans of Natalie (as you say) are beginning to appreciate Sharona`s strengths. I think we can talk about both ladies, without being unkind to either. They are both very talented women. Monk loves each of them, for what they have done for him.
I agree, we should praise both women. They are both very talented and have their own strengths. Monk cared for both women, and for what they did for him. They may have had differing approaches to how to handle him, but he appreciates it non the less.
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