The final episode of Monk should be:
One mystery of closing in on Trudy’s killer, is that armed people seem to get off close range shots at him, but do not stop him, and thus are killed themselves. The captain and the other police can not go with Monk to follow up on an obscure lead, but says he will try to get some retired officers to meet him there. Of course, Monk is not wrong, and he does find Trudy’s killer, but he is in full body armor and impervious to Monk’s 9 mm pistol. Just as the killer is about to shoot Monk, there are two loud bangs, and the killer is tossed back across the room. The photographic shot then switches to a close up of two smoking .44 magnums (as in Die Hard), which the focus then moves back to the faces of Clint Eastwood and Michael Douglas (sorry Carl Malden was unable to make it). Mike says to Clint, “Glad you talked me into carrying the magnum”. To which Clint replies, “Always bring a tool big enough to do the job” (or some other such quotable Dirty Harry line), then he reaches down and says “Com’on Clyde, let’s go home”, and picks up the orangutan and walks out.

It would be better than Newhart (or at least as good).

Hasn't anyone else been thinking about the last episode? I was expecting Monk fans, more than average TV fan, to be thinking and to have ideas about the series will end. Or is this a sacred area that we dare not tred upon?

Of course everyone wants the Monkster to finally solve Trudy's murder and bring the murderer to justice. So we will learn what role Adam Arkin's obese character played, or what he knows about the case. Some of the the best shows were those that touched on Monk's poignant memories of his beloved Trudy. The casual Monk viewer would not have "gotten it", but the true fans would be hard pressed to not get sentimental, or dare I say, even shed a tear at those scenes?!

I think it would be too far fetched however for him to get reinstated to the SFPD. What keeps him off the Force is in fact those idiocyncracies (sp?) that allow him to see what others can not see. If you take that away from him, he will no longer be Monk.

Certainly, the episodes featuring his family, Trudy, his brother, his father, even his half brother, have been the best. The serial aspect of Monk is the main thing that’s been bringing me back. I don’t want to miss the next insight into his life or clue to Trudy’s killer. (Technically, Trudy’s killer, the six-fingered bomber, has already been killed. So I’m actually referring to the person who hired him.)

I'm not sure what in my prediction, made you think I’m not for resolving Trudy’s murder. I’m hopping he gets shot by Dirty Harry (a former SFPD member)! I’m mainly concerned about the last 30 seconds or so. As good as the last episode of Seinfeld was, bringing back the old characters and stories, the closing shot was pretty flat. I’m hoping Monk’s writers get it better.

As far as Monk being reinstated, the promos have him using a public toilet, and carrying his uniform. So I’m not sure that they have closed that door.

Maybe you should look here:

http://forums.usanetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=436040

I hope that helps.

Thanks. Your topic didn't get many responses either, and they were more wish lists than predictions. As I said earlier, I was expecting more detailed responses from the fans of the most detailed oriented guy on TV. And overall, I'm hoping the writers can pull in all the great characters and story lines of the series, into a surprice, funny, outrageous ending. Don't you?

I noticed the word choice games get a lot of responses. So let's ask if Monk will be re-instated or find a new lady. So that would be...

Badge or Broad?

I assume that the closing scenes of the final episode will not simply be anticlimatic in terms of the Trudy's murder and the issue of reinstatement, etc being answered but that the writers wanting to set the stage for the emergence of a new Monk will bring the series to a conclusion by going full circle and have Monk finally open Trudy's gift on the one hand, ending it perhaps with another Natalie kiss.

KF

the last episode - trudy comes out of witness protection - they are together - happiness reins

The reason Monk hasn't been able to solve Turdy's case for so long, is because she's in WITSEC (witness protection) and he can't solve the case because he knows on some level she isn't dead. A spiritual level, obviously.

haha

I'd like to see him solve trudy's murder, and possibly get reinstated... but not much else... cause I want to leave it open for a future made for tv or straight to dvd movie (Like Stargate SG1 continues to do long after it was cancelled.

I also do not like the idea I've seen passed around that Monk's OCD is cured. It wasn't like Monk's OCD happened over night... he had it all his life, including when he was married to Trudy... it got worse when she died, but it wasn't like it came out of nowhere, so for him to be miraculously cured after solving her murder would be unrealistic. OCD doesn't work like that.

I also don't think Trudy should simply be in the witness protection program. If that happened, I seriously think the show would jump the shark on the last episode as they say. that would be a shame. It would ruin the show's credibility, at least IMO, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy watching the DVDs.

I wouldn't be able to enjoy the reruns, knowing how it all ends up so... gah! you know? I mean, if you like the whole witness protection angle... check out USA's show In plain sight. You can get your fill of the Witness protection program there.

I mean, 8 years and no one ever eluded to him that she was safe? to go from an idea never even hinted at to, Hello Trudy's home... that would be silly. It's too much like a work of fan fiction, not the professional script writing of Monk IMO.

so my opinion

solve trudy's murder, reinstatement or not, either way I'd be fine... leave it open for a possible Monk tv/dvd special ala Stargate SG1 who do about 1 a year or so since their cancellation.

wrap the series up with a pretty little bow in case they don't come back for a Monk special... but leave it open enough for them to be able to.

Oh I really like the witness protection program. That makes a lot more sense since Monk hasnt been able to solve it. Otherwise, how else would it have gotten by him this long.

That was my thinking too: be like Stargate SG1 and have a Monk movie in 1-2 yrs and more if the demand for Monk is still high.

As far as the finale goes, I saw an interview with Jason Gray-Stanford where he said that the finale was the best written one that he's been a part of so that's very encouraging.

However, there are a couple of things I don't want to see:

1. Mitch is alive.
2. Trudy is alive.
3. Lt. Albright and Natalie together.
4. Gang splits up (e.g. Randy moves, Leland retires, Natalie and Monk part ways, etc.).


Indifferent:

1. Monk and Natalie together (I don't see it, but not totally against it).
2. Randy and Sharona together (as long as Randy doesn't leave I'm ok).


Would like to see:

1. Leland and Randy get promoted (e.g. Commissioner Stottlemyre and Capt. Disher has a nice ring to it).
2. Monk reinstated or still serving as a consultant.
3. Natalie remaining as Monk's assistant or be given a job with the SFPD if Monk is stays on the force
(secretary maybe?).
4. Randy and Natalie go out on a first date (Ideally it would be in the end when Randy gets promoted and finally
works up the nerve to ask Natalie out and she agrees. Leave the rest to the imagination or the movie)

Trudy died with Monk by her side. Her eyes were implanted in another woman. If she comes back now it would throw millions of fans over the edge and Obama would have to declare another national emergency

But Trudy has no eyes, so how would that work??

I saw somewhere online that Casper Van Dien (Lt. Albright of Mr. Monk is Underwater) is returning for the finale, but that could be bad information. I also saw that Virginia Madsen (T.K. Jensen of Happy Birthday, Mr. Monk) is returning for Mr. Monk is the Best Man and for the second half of the finale. So, I propose the following options for Albright:

1. Albright killed Trudy (don't know why/how).
2. Albright and Natalie get together (supported by some romantic evidence from "Underwater").

If Albright really does return, these are the only two possibilities I can see. I prefer option two.

As for Stottlemeyer, I say he marries T.K. Jensen in "Best Man." That one's sort of obvious.
As for Randy, I say his backstory is complete, after getting together with Sharona in "Mr. Monk and Sharona."
As for Monk, he sets re-instated in "Mr. Monk and the Badge." Again, pretty obvious. And of course, he'll solve his wife's murder.

Lets discuss the Trudy Murder Options:

1. It was Stottlemeyer. Not likely, due to his backstory wrapping up in "Best Man."
2. It was Randy. Not likely, due to his backstory wrapping up in "Sharona."
3. It was Natalie. Highly unlikely, for obvious reasons.
4. It was Sharona. Highly unlikely.
5. It was Kroger. Highly unlikely, since the writers wouldn't want to destroy Stanley Kamel's image, especially after his death.
6. It was Dr. Bell. Highly unlikely.
7. It was T. K. Jensen. Highly unlikely, since Stottlemeyer's previous girlfriend also was a murderer.
8. It was Albright. Possible. See above.
9. It was Kevin Dorfman. Highly unlikely, as he was murdered in season 7.
10. It was Harold Krenshaw. Highly unlikely, as his backstory was wrapped up in "Group Therapy."
11. It was Dale the Whale. Possible, since he seemingly already knows everything about the murder.
and my favorite...
12. It was Monk himself. He killed her, and it made him feel so bad that he completely blocked it from his memory and went catatonic for a couple years. Highly unlikely, but would make for a memorable ending.

Well, that's my predictions. Let me know what you think.

[quote name='KBRogers' date='Nov 2 2009, 12:06 AM' post='1225768']
I saw somewhere online that Casper Van Dien (Lt. Albright of Mr. Monk is Underwater) is returning for the finale, but that could be bad information. I also saw that Virginia Madsen (T.K. Jensen of Happy Birthday, Mr. Monk) is returning for Mr. Monk is the Best Man and for the second half of the finale. So, I propose the following options for Albright:

1. Albright killed Trudy (don't know why/how).


I keep thinking that maybe Albright is involved in either/or the Mitch mystery (did he die honorably or as a coward) and maybe even the Trudy case. In fact, I wonder if it is possible that Mitch's and Trudy's deaths are somehow related. Was Natalie's meeting up with Monk set up somehow? But that would bring us back to the Red Herring episode and how Natalie chose Monk to solve the moon rock case. I suppose if the moon rock case was a set up to get Nat to seek Monk's help......but how would that set up include her being hired by him???

I'm afraid I've offered more questions than potential answers about what may happen. Sorry about that.

Well, Monk has put together two apparently unconnected homicided together before so I wouldn't put it past them here.

Perhaps Trudy was investigating some type of corruption having to do with the military that somehow Lt. Albright was involved in, though Albrights involvement wouldn't have been much because he wouldn't be high up at all infact he's only a Lt. now, 12 years after Trudy died.

So, perhaps Albright found out what Trudy was doing, went to his superior officers who then orderd the hit on Trudy. Later somehow, Mitch found out and while he was in Kosovo was killed by "friendly fire" to keep him from talking. The Navy concocted a story about a downed fighter plain and Mitch running away like a coward.

Do I think it's going to happen like this, no I don't... but I wouldn't put it past them and actually, I don't think that the idea is half bad.

Monk will overcome his gymnophobia....

I'm hoping that Albright's return doesn't mean that he hooks up with Natalie. (Or "hooks up" as Monk would say.) There are two big reasons I would oppose this:

A. He was only in one episode of the whole series, so to have him suddenly come back in the finale just so they can start a romance between him and Natalie seems horribly awkward.

B. Monk and Natalie belong together. Period.

My prediction is that Albright's return will help Natalie offer some closure on Mitch. He will again attempt to romance her, but by this time Monk will be solving Trudy's murder, and once they each have closure on the deaths of their spouses they're going to realize the feelings they clearly have for each other can now be safely and openly developed.

In terms of who killed Trudy, I have no idea. I don't even really want to guess, because there are so many possibilities...I can't wait, though to see how the writers wrap this up! No doubt it will be highly emotional!

Hello

I agree that Monk and Natalie belong together period and your thoughts on the meaning of Albright's reappearance in terms of bringing closure to Mitch are quite feasible but, regrettably as much as I would also like to agree with your dismissing the possiblity of romance between him and Natalie because it is would be so sudden may be disbutible when we think of the suddeness of the captain getting married.

It seems that at the end of the Badge episode Natelie will go back to Monk because he wants her back so it would appear that they will remain together but such a closure is in question due to the possiiblity that she could still continue as his assistent and be married to Albridge and then there is that cryptic reference to Molly.

The writers are playing it perfectly for all it is worth down to the final episode

KF

Well, perhaps it's better to put it into a spoiler:

I agree with you, but at the same time, the storyline of the Captain and his love life has been a focus on his character for much of the series. A few episodes early on were directly devoted to him, his marriage, and his divorce. Then, the writers took the time to give him a new girlfriend who turned out to be a murderer, and between then and now there have been references to his love life, or lack of one. So, even though it's fast, it's only natural that bringing closure to the Captain would somehow involve romance. In other words, it's closure for him that makes sense given the course of the series.

Then take Randy and Sharona...that was something that ran underneath almost every storyline she was involved in during her time on the series. Again, the Randy/Sharona thing happened rather suddenly in "Sharona," but it made sense giving a theme that was under the surface the entire time. So, again, it seems to me the writers are not so much interested in providing closure just for the sake of closure, but they are instead bringing closure to all the big points/ideas/themes that have been playing a role since day one.

As far as Natalie is concerned, the big story thread for her, beyond the fact that she is Monk's assistant, has been the lack of knowledge about Mitch. Sure, they've had her dating on and off (i.e. the leper), but it has not been a focus on her character development. Albright has only appeared in one episode prior, and I really don't believe they would bring him back just for the sake of giving Natalie some romance, especially since that hasn't been a seemingly big concern in the show for her for several seasons. Like I said, giving the Captain some romance with a previously-unknown person makes a little bit more sense considering his love life has been a plot line running constantly throughout the series, but Natalie is a different story. I think that bringing Albright back is somehow going to bring some closure to the Mitch storyline, which has been a much more significant thing for Natalie's character than romance has been.

And, of course, for Monk it's two things: his badge and the Trudy murder. We all know that Trudy's murder will be solved, and I know there's a whole episode called "Mr. Monk and the Badge" airing right before the two-part finale. Whether he gets it back, keeps it, etc. is still unknown to me, but we'll see!

As far as Monk/Natalie go, while I'd love to see them both together, and I still think it's a possibility for them to end up together, here is my prediction: by the series' end, they will both still be single. Monk will have an answer about Trudy, and Natalie will have an answer about Mitch, and even if they're not romantically involved, they will still have each other...and I think the writers will leave it open as to whether or not they get together eventually. Open-ended closure, if you will...that way, the shippers will be happy because they'll be able to realistically able to see it in the future "off-screen," and those who don't like the idea won't actually have to see it. Either way, let's face it...the hints have been dropping like crazy almost ever since Natalie joined the cast, but season eight has had some real big clues along the way, so I really don't think they won't end up with anyone else even if we don't see the romance develop on-screen.

I agree that Natalie and MONK belong together. I have my whole scenario published on facebook, and also in the comments on the site for theories on who killed Trudy. He and Natalie will solve Trudy's murder. I definitely believe that MONK will finally be able to let Trudy go, to free her spirit, and to know that she is where she needs and wants to be. He can love the life he had with her, that takes nothing from the new found ability to love, which was hidden in his suffering after Trudy's death. I can say that it is Natalie who will be his loving partner, the writers have begun showing signs of their growing awareness that they do love each other. Their relationship is allowing MONK to lose some of his obsessive behavior, in small ways I have noticed that, like calming down, not needing a wipe at times.
I am sorry that I had not thought lately about Natalie's loss of her husband, Mitch... it hasn't often entered into the more recent story lines. I think she, too, will find the way to let her husband go, to let his spirit be free... and that may come about with the return of his former service partner to give her closure....and then for sure MONK and Natalie will be free to commit to each other, with only the good memories of their lost partners preserved. They no longer will dwell on the tragedies of the past. No matter how a loved one dies, there is an adjustment to be made. If it is by violence, or suicide, or too soon, as a child, the living must find ways to fill up the holes in their lives left by loss. When that finally happens, their hearts are opened, and it is as if they are now free to enjoy all of life's beauty, and to laugh with another, and accept another.
I don't think that MONK will lose all of his idiosyncracies, they are part of him, but most will no longer bother him so much. We all have them, just not so many. They will both be able to laugh with each other, remember and laugh about the foolish things MONK did, as well as those characteristics Natalie has that are also idosyncratic, often because she is impulsive.
I love the show, I will miss it when it is no longer a regular series, but I will have the DVD's, I will gladly greet any re-runs, and as others have mentioned, it would be fun to have them appear in movie-length tv programs, as the great characters they are in this series. I think they would make a great husband and wife detective team, with Julie as a sometime helper in solving crimes, who will marry and extend the family to a precocious grandchild, or two. And, of course, they will have a dog. I love that idea! I know the writers will surprise us, there will be unforeseen happenings, I love how they come up with ideas for this series, they are amazingly creative, and also have a sense of what makes us human, and how the good in us outweighs the bad, most of the time.

I like your analysis Glori! While the writer's sort of cooled it down after season 6, I think that season's finale when Natalie goes all out for Monk's funeral taking out loans and renting out the legion (or whatever it was), attacks Stottlemeyer crying and immediately packs her bags to go be with Monk after promising Stottlemeyer she wouldn't do it kind shows everything about her side of equation. So now Monk just needs to be able to let of Trudy knowing she's at peace-maybe a little reversal where he almost loses Natalie would help. But yeah, I have no idea who's behind Trudy's death so I'm excited to find out.

On a humerous note...I think that the writers would be missing a great punch line somewhere if Monk and Natalie "hook up"...get married...and there isn't some mention of him his having conguered one of his phobias....the fear of nudity/nakedness....but maybe that wouldn't be prime-time like tv....I'd still think it would be funny to have some sort of inuendo or reference in this regard....

Another possibility ... and I am sure that this has been brought up before... that Trudy's death and Mitch's death are some how connected...maybe they were both onto the same thing or something like that. The first time Natalie told her story I got goosebumps and just felt that this was somehow Monk and Natalie's destiny...that her story of Mitch and his story of Trudy would in some way overlap...Monk always seems to have destiny following him...always at the right place at the right time to get somehow involved in solving a murder...could it be that both Monk and Natalie ended up workng together for a reason...????
If the writers knew who murdered and why murdered as far as Trudy was concerned and they figured out a way to connect the new assistant ...why not

Teresa and I had a multiple exchange of postings on the credibility of spoilers and if this infact is to be incorperated into the final script then it is a whole new ball game - something no doubt the writers are relishing in!

KF

Some of you people seem to be a little far fetched in your predictions/hopes and expectations, but whatever. I seriously hope that Monk and Natalie do not end up together, and I doubt they will, that would just be weird. Really, she calls him "Mr. Monk" and they both told Sharona that they don't really like Natalie calling Monk "Adrian." They don't really look on each other as equals, so there couldn't be a good romance there. I think bringing Lt. Albright back will give Natalie closure for what happened with Mitch, and maybe open up a possibility for a romance between them, implicitly if not explicitly.

Obviously Monk will figure out who killed Trudy, and it will NOT be any of the following:
1- Trudy's not dead -- that would just be stupid
2- The captain/Randy/Natalie/Sharona/Harold Krenshaw/Dr. Kroger/Dr. Bell did it -- I can't think of a stupider move for the writers
3- Monk did it himself -- really?
I also seriously doubt that Trudy's and Mitch's deaths are related, but you never know.
The only character that we've seen before that could possibly be involved is Dale the Whale, he's the only one that makes sense, as unoriginal as it may be.

Monk will not overcome his phobias, though they may be subdued, he will probably never find a true love again, but, again, you never know. He will either get his badge back or be reconciled with the idea that he will never get reinstated (personally, I think the latter more likely).

No matter what happens, I will continue to enjoy the show and congratulate everyone involved in ti on a good, long run.

I'm not sure how they'll end the series but I hope the give closure to Natalie by her finding out what happened to Mitch. Thats a big part of the story that needs to be resolved.

As far as closure for Monk: Big Spoiler Below



Monk will obviously solve Trudy's murder which will give him final closure. I don't see Dale the Whale being the Judge just because its too obvious and anti-climactic. They'll reveal the identity of the judge, obviously, but it want be any of the main characters (especially not Monk's friends). If Monk and Natalie get together that would be ok...and they'll live happily ever after

This is how I would like to see it end. Definately Trudy's murder will be solved. I don't care how or why. I would like to see Mitches name cleared of all "coward" charges. Disher should get promoted and move to NJ with Sharona. The Captain weds and lives happily ever after still solving cases with Monk.
As far as Monk and Natalie here it goes: During the last episode, Trudy tells Monk that he needs to move on and admit his feelings for Natalie. He agrees, but he thinks that Natalie is going to marry Albright, which Albright did as her to marry him. So Monk goes home thinking that he had lost Natalie until she walks through the door. He asked her why she didn't go with Albright. She says, I don't want to be with him, I want to be with you, if you'll have me? H e smiles, touches her face, draws her close and kisses her gently on the lips. Next scene says one year later and we see Natalie finishing up in the kitchen and Monk getting ready to go to work and going out the door until she yells at him, "wait a minute you didn't give us a kiss goodbye," she comes out holding their little baby girl that has food all over her face. He kisses Natalie and then hesitantly kisses the baby and Natalie hands him a wipe. She says "have a good day honey, hope you solve the case". He smiles and walks out the door still smiling.

This would make a brilliant oneshot! And I could totally imagine it (however unrealistic for the show itself at this point-don't wanna hope too high). And maybe not only one year later though...unless she got pregnant immediately and even then the baby would only be about 3 months old at the max. Still, I could just imagine Monk being hesitant to kiss the food covered baby and then Natalie handing him the wipe. I can imagine it's something Trudy would have done. Of course, Monk probably would initially be against even letting Natalie have a kid at her age after his slightly judgmental comment to Sharona when he assumed she meant the other "nursing." Lol.

Please excuse me for having my mind in the gutter, but I just thought of something funny -- if Monk hesitates to kiss his daughter because of messiness, lol, how in the heck did they ever manage to make the baby to begin with? I'm picturing it now.....but I won't say what I'm seeing in my mind (or hearing for that matter )

But I do like your ending!!

Let's keep this G rated

Exactly, that's why I didn't elaborate

I concur. ew.

Natalie and Monk can't get married! What is with all you people? That would just be too weird. I think Natalie especially would find it weird. It's just weird, there isn't another word to describe it: weird weird weird. Besides, why do y'all think they're bringing Lt. Albright back? So Natalie can reject him? I doubt it.

I like this ending, I thnk it fits my theory, and my ideas about how the writers are handling the ending. Someone mentioned re-runs, and I think that because this is a show with a definite ending, and resolution of many issues and personalities, no situation that would turn anyone off from watching the re-runs....I watch my dvd's very often,.....is likely. I have watched the writers' technique for bringing ideas to the show, and how they resolve issues that come up, and I am aware by those interviews that they truly love these characters, MONK, especially, and as well, Tony. Natalie is the grounded one in the show, and brings common sense to many situations, but she shows real feelings that I think MONK wants to share as a human being. He already has with others, but with her, it is often as if they were already linked. MONK is absolutely capable of loving, it is deep within him, always has been. Trudy became an anchor for him for his years with her (passionate years, pay attention to that, people, just not any of our business), her death was so terrible for him that he shut himself off, to keep from falling into the hole her death left in him. However, as the last 2 seasons and especially this 8th season has shown, that hole is filling up, and it is filling up with what he shares with Natalie, as well as what he shares with the Captain and Randy and others. I see in MONK and Natalie's relationship that they are in a way already committed to each other, almost a marriage, a fine beginning for a shared life together. It is already evident to me that the writers have resolved much of the ending of the show, but, as in life, there could be a twist or two.

My thoughts: Monk gets reinstated. There is some connection between Mitch and Trudy (he's an informant for a story maybe) that Natalie and Monk mutually discover which solves both cases. In the final show down, Monk is critically but not fatally wounded. While unconscious, he and Trudy have a conversation that leaves hims more at peace. Because of the injury, Monk is forced to retire from the force, but can be hired as a consultant. Natalie remains his assistant but this brush and their tie to Mitch and Trudy's joint fate leave them tied together with a hint at the possibility for a lifetime relationship.

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Weirdly adorkable. HAHAHA True Monk is weird, but I think Natalie has a weird side as well. The ONLY thing I think can possibly keep them apart is that she kissed the leper.

I like this idea. If Albright comes back in it has to wrap up one of the of the spouse's deaths or provide a means for Monk and Natalie to evaluate their feelings. I would love to see them together. They would be a perfect couple.

Okay, in my opinion, the following people can be crossed off the list of suspects for the murder of Trudy:

Monk
Natalie
Sharona
Stottlemeyer
Disher
Ambrose
Dale the Whale (He definitely KNOWS who did it, though...but I don't think he was involved)

Ambrose is more interesting, though...I really don't think he did it, but I'm going to put my theory in spoiler tags in case some people here haven't read the other threads:



I do think Albright's return somehow has something to do with Mitch...I honestly don't see the writers bringing him back just to get together with Natalie. I do think that Natalie and Monk will end up together, but even if it's not admittedly out in the open by the end of the finale, I think the POSSIBILITY will still linger at the end so fans can make a decision on their own about whether Monk and Natalie get involved romantically off-screen in the future.

My thought on Dale the Whale is that he does not know who did it. I think he has been trying to find out who did it though his various connections...and got through part of the chain to the top but that he has gone as far as he knows...His motive I believe may be because he was indirectly the cause of Trudy's death. I am still thinking that prior to her death Trudy was summoned at some point by Dale.....and not telling Adrian...she went to see him. I believe that Dale struck up some type of deal with Trudy in exchange for the Monk's (TRUDY AND ADRIAN'S) old house back...and that gift that Adrian doesn't open may have the key to that house in it. I think Trudy may have been killed because of some information given to her by Dale...something that would be story-worthy for her and something he wanted to know for himself as to what was going on....like perhaps someone invading on some of his territory...telling Trudy just as much as he knew...and something she started investigating and then getting to close to....

Let's see ....my theory board but with no index...
DALE Hired FRANK NUNN to plant bomb to kill the mayor..Also Hired SHERIFF ROLLINS...to frame MONK by killing NUNN
DALE Also I think he previously hired Trudy to look into something for him. I think it was this something that got Trudy killed. I also believe it involved something that was occuring on a street name Kelly...and perhaps at 5:30 the day of Trudy's death. I think Kelly Street(the lady) and her sister Bonnie were decoys and paid to concoct the story about the dog named Simon. I think that Simon may be the code name for a drug or gun smuggling ring involving military ships and aircraft....or the illegal sale of miliary aircraft to civilian companies...to then be used in smuggling...

Of course I will continue to speculate and enjoy everyone's speculation about who contracted Trudy's murder. But ask yourself this: does it really matter (to us, the fans of the show) who exactly it is? What is really important is that Monk solves it, and gets some closure on what has been consuming him for years.

Monk is already taking major steps towards self-realization and independence. I think by the end of "The End" we will have the confidence that Monk is well along the way. As I mentioned in another comment, a "coming of age", even though he's 50.

I do not expect Monk and Natalie to be together in any kind of relationship (other than friends who are "like family" to each other) since Monk will be independent enough not to need a personal assistant, and while Monk might not want that change, Natalie will realize that he needs that change. I have mentioned before (and stand by) my opinion that theirs is similar to a mother-son relationship, but eventually the son must leave the nest (though in this case, the "mother" leaves).

I also think that Monk must realize that his gift is NOT a curse.

I am mostly indifferent to whether Natalie and Lt. Albright wind up as a couple. I tend to think Albright's going to serve some other plot purpose.

I would like to see Mitch's story resolved as well, but don't know whether it will be.

No it doesn't matter as long as Monk lives again. I do like speculating though....trying to solve a mystery...and it doesn't matter whether any of us are correct or not at this point...it's already been decided...

Mitch had also found out what was going on maybe because his best friend, Albright, was involved with arranging things on the naval side of things...maybe by some chance meeting with Frank Nunn. I then think that once Mitch found out he had to be eliminated in some way but that Albright was willing to participate in Mitch's murder so Sheriff Rollins and ended making the arrangements and plans for Mitch's murder.
I think that The Judge could be a real judge...like Hackman...or somene else...but I think that there is still a civilian connection larger than The Judge

Monk finally finds Trudy's killer and when he is arrested, Trudy will come out of the witness protection program and return to Monk.

[quote name='dilly28' date='Nov 18 2009, 07:24 PM' post='1234474']
Monk finally finds Trudy's killer and when he is arrested, Trudy will come out of the witness protection program and return to Monk.
[/quote

No way!!