Marci didn't meet Monk (or know who he was) until the second season. Her origins are told in Mr. Monk and the TV Star - season 2.

Hi Mi,

Sorry about that. Please accept my apologies. Humor/Sarcasm is difficult to detect in posts.

Even though Sharona's leaving did hurt Monk, I'm sure that wasn't her intention. She loved Monk as much as Natalie does, but she also probably desired to have a more 'normal' life. We'll get to see her this Fall, though! w00t!

I think Trudy's car was bombed by mistake, the bomb was placed in the wrong car. It had nothing to do with her or Monk. Maybe that's why Monk hasn't been able to solve her case. He's been looking for clues as to why someone wanted to kill Trudy when all along, she wasn't the intended victim. The person planting the bomb just got the wrong car.

Not possible, both the six-fingered man, who planted the bomb, and Warwick Tennyson, who built it, admitted that Trudy was the intended target and they knew that Monk was "the husband."

No need to appologise, Crystal, really!

And I am so curious on the episode Sharona will appear. On the collage scenes we have from the next episodes, we see her with Monk in a theatre, and also Monk and Natalie in a theatre- not at the same scene, thou. I wonder if maybe Benjy is on stage together with Julie... that must be interesting!!

and about the murder/killing, I am not sure if the bomb was ment to Trudy. I guess it was ment to Monk, and as he suffered and still suffers for it, like Dale said he's living his private hell in liberty (something like it), the person who wanted to kill him is safe enough, 'cause Monk cannot solve the mystery for his mental block and is kinda dead anyway.

Mi

Hahaha I am also curious about how she and Natalie will get along (and Ben and Julie if Benji happens to come along!) It seems that some of the Sharona stuff was repeated for Natalie. There is a scene in Monk where Sharona compelents Monk on his police uniform as Nat complemented his security uniform, and also a Nat scene where she puts a whistle in her mouth so that Monk would stop blowing on it and Sharona puts a chess piece in her mouth so that Monk won't touch it. They seem to think a lot alike (or maybe they just had the same writers).

As Teresa says in the post above, two of the people involved admitted that the Bomb was, indeed, intended for Trudy. But we'll have the answers soon!

I always saw Sharona as more of a Nurse and Natalie as more of an Assistant and while still a caretaker of sorts not a medical caretaker. Sharona was more assertive and authoritative with Monk and Natalie a little more wishy washy and willing to do most anything he wanted. They both care deeply for Monk. I don't know who suggested them as possible suspects but I just don't see how the writers could ever try to twist things and make either one of them into the murderer regardless of when they actually met Monk.

I'm not sure we will recognize the killer or if Monk will even know the person. The only commercial I saw was one of Monk saying, "I think you killed Trudy," which doesn't sound half as definite as, "I solved the case." The commercial could be of him talking to another person that only knows something or it could be even more deceptive like the one they showed last week when he was saying, "Say her name!" to someone that have never even met Trudy. I don't know if they will show us the killer in a commercial or not but I think it's all really more about them giving Monk and the loyal viewer's some sense of closure and a positive ending note to a long running show than about WHO the actual killer turns out to be.

It's not often that we get advanced notice that a show will be ending and I'm glad for the advanced notice and that they have said Monk will solve his biggest case and not just end the series by leaving us all hanging. I have a lot of respect for that decision. I would surely send a note of thanks to them if I knew who they were or where to send it.

In the commercial you saw Monk did not say "I think you killed Trudy." He said "I think you killed her." That particular clip is not from or about season eight. It's from the season 1 episode "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" and the "her" in question is Judge Lavinio who Dale had blackmailed his doctor into killing. The episodes which deal with Monk solving Trudy's murder have not yet been filmed.

But couldn't they be lying to keep Monk off track?

(This is driving me crazy! I dearly love Monk and am so upset that it's being taken off. All I gotta say is the writers had better come up with a whing doozie, make us all happy, and it better make sense ending and make us all whoop for joy that the ending is so satisfying, kind of like finding something important that you been looking for for a long time or winning the lottery!!!!!)

Please don't get mad at me for this plot theory. This is an interesting subject to me, my late ex-husband was a psychiatrist and he used to tell me heart breaking stories (anonymously of course) about good people that became "sick" because of people that were close to them that they trusted in their lives like a parent, brother or sister, husband or wife, and even children that were secretly pathologically jealous of them, their careers, their husbands or wives, their homes etc. Face to face these people were loving and supportive but behind their back they were cruelly trying to destroy them. Everyone knows someone that their best friend in the world started having an affair with their husband or wife behind their back, destroying their marriage, breaking up their family and forcing the sale of their home because of divorce. Up until the time the affair became public the best friend/betrayer was trusted and loved and was never suspected. This happens in the work place also, where a friend will secretly undermine someone to steal a promotion or raise that they couldn't achieve by skill and hard work alone. Daytime television is full of talk shows that expose these people. The more criminal version of this personality disorder is "The Covetous Psychopath" who goes farther than that. They pretend to be your friend to keep you close so they can know your next moves and keep pulling the rug out from under you when you least expect it, undermining you and making you mentally sick. They secretly hate you and covet everything that makes you happy, for them it's not the having but the making sure that you don't have that thing that made you happy anymore. Google covetous psychopath, or covetous narcissist for more information on this. A lot of times these people seem completely normal and aspire to obtain important positions to control other peoples lives so that they can keep them down. Captain Stottlemeyer was very professionally jealous of Adrian Monk in the beginning of the series and was in the position to take this brilliant detectives badge away which he has yet to give back. He would known about Adrian Monk's family history of mental illness and by having Trudy killed because she found out about some corruption that involved a judge and a high ranking member of the San Francisco Police Department, he would be taking out two birds with one stone, destroying Monk"s peace of mind and happiness, who he was jealous of, and making sure that Monk wasn't well enough to investigate the case and stopping Trudy's investigative story cold. Ever hear the expression, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? Didn't Stott hire Sharona Flemming to watch Monk and keep an eye on him. It could be that Sharona Flemming was keeping Stott updated on Monks activities but was oblivious to why Stott wanted to be kept in the know believing he was concerned. Her positive influence was making Monk better because she genuinely liked and had compassion for Adrian. Stott could be behind her sudden departure because she was doing her job too well. I would love to see Sharona return to help Adrian out in solving the murder of Trudy with returning with some clue or information that blows the case wide open. It could be hidden in plain site like Trudy's Christmas present to Adrian Monk. Removing the covetous psychopath in Monk's life by arresting Stottlemeyer and putting him away for ever and solving the murder of Trudy would allow Monk to get well again, win his badge back and again find the love and happiness that we all know he so rightly deserves with one of the female leads would leave a smile on my face. I really don't think Randy had anything to do with this. I really love watching Monk and I am really going to miss it Shalom.

Tennyson had no reason to try lie. Neither he nor Nunn were not 'close' enough to the murder to want to torture Monk and Tennyson was on his death bed and asked for forgiveness from Monk.

Actually, Stotts hired Sharona to help him. If he only hired her to 'keep an eye on him", as you put it, she wouldn't have expected any thereputic work with him. He was agoraphobic and when she first met him, practically catonic. It took lots of work to get him where he was in the first episode - if she had done nothing, she would have done the job of 'keeping and eye on him' and he wouldn't have been a consultant at all.

Makes me wonder why so many people are wanting to torture Monk by casting his only friends as his enemies. This is so sad.

That's right. Besides, we can't forget Monk is a comedy, not a heavy drama, so I really don't think the writers would make such a terrible loop in the story and destroy all the relationships between the characters, especially leaving Monk in a darker situation than he was in the beginning, because, in this case, knowing the murderer was Leland, would certainly throw him in a deep breakdown forever, with no happy end. This theory could make sense in a different kind of show.
Monk deserves to be happy and this includes that his little safe world, where his few and only friends live, stays the same, added by the resolution of the crime and his badge back. Is it predictable? Maybe, but that's exactly what most of the fans expect. And Andy Breckman, if I'm not mistaken, has already assured, they intend to give the fans the best end. I believe he wants us happy, especially conforted by the idea that even a man, with so many traumas, who had suffered so much for such a long time can find happiness again and live in peace.

THANK YOU chipee for your clear thinking!! Of course it wasn't the Captain (or the other friends of Monk) - give the writers a little credit - they have been brilliant for seven seasons - they aren't going to pull something like that - they'll get enough grief from some of you when they bring MIA Mitch home - LOL - can't wait to find out what happens - but so sad to see it end - went to buy the latest book but decided I won't even read it until next year - when I need a Monk fix - I really hope Lee Goldberg keeps writing a couple a year at least!

If they made the Captain Trudy's killer.....that would make me soooo sad. I know I would forever pretend that that episode NEVER existed. I probably wouldn't even buy the S8 DVD. That would leave my Monk collection at a VERY uneven 7.

B.
Monk wouldn't like the "uneven" at all ssssooooooo......come on "Monk" PTB.... make me want to buy S8
I want to smile as Monk rides off into the sunset....he can even borrow my horse! LOL

Good post, Crystal.

For one thing, the two assistants are more similar than dissimilar. They both do the same things, and they could be interchangeable in the episodes, though Natalie was certainly given a particular EMPHASIS. She's really a Dr. Watson who is used mainly as a sounding board for Monk. Their conversations help carry the story along, tell us what Monk is thinking, lets Monk strut his stuff.

I made this post mainly to show that Sharona is more than a sardonic taskmaster. More than Natalie she was a real crime-fighting partner and participant for Monk, often saving his life and finding clues.. She was also very loving and encouraging for Monk. From an old post of mine:

Excellent list, Chipee. You made many good points and reminded those who might be Sharona haters of a lot of moments when she shined.

But I wanted to point out that I don't think Sharona was *more* of a crime fighting partner than Natalie, but rather, in my book, they are equally good. Natalie has shown herself to be a pretty good crime fighting, clue finding partner as well, not to mention, she's kicked a bit of bad guy butt. Like-

Wedding, she took the bad guy bride out of commission after helping Monk to stall her brother and his would be killer from leaving, even though it made her mother angry with her.

Little Monk - she took on the bikers in the bar and kept Monk safe.

Vegas - she used her charm more than once to get Monk access to evidence and files that he might not have had otherwise, as well as gathered information from Louis for him.

Office - her quick thinking (yelling into the guy's ocular implant) provided Monk with enough of a distraction to get the gun away from the guy.

Bully- She was the one who asked the bar patron to take their picture so they could duck at the same time and get the photo of the other couple at the back.

Get's Drunk - Kissing fern. 'Nuff said.

And there have been many more.

Don't misunderstand, though, I have many favorite Sharona scenes, lines, ect, too. I will always love her 'Lick-the-queen' gambit, for instance, and warning, "There are very sharp scissors, Adrian. Don't piss me off." I love both assistants. Their styles are different, so trying to say one is better than the other is like comparing apples and oranges, but they are both good. Some people have a preference, which is their prerogative, but I do wish that they would try to realize that there is no reason to trash one assistant just because they liked the other one better. I know that isn't what you were doing, you were very well spoken in your post, and I wish more people could take a page from your book and discuss this issue as calmly and rationally as you have. I mean the people who want to rant and call one or the other assistant a shrew, or talentless, lazy, ect while putting the other up on a pedestal. They are both good, well rounded, and unique characters and they have both been very, very helpful to Adrian in terms of helping him do his job as well as his recovery.

They killed poor Kevin Dorfman off, they're capable of anything!

Moreover, given how the show often mixes his success with a degree of sadness, I thus can't help but think they might try going with his inner circle, that he'll finally solve the most important case of his life but have to live his now more normalfied life knowing someone he trusted with his life had betrayed him and played him all along. But I do think even if so he'd have the strength to overcome that in the end.

I don't remember if someone has already posted a list like this, but here are some moments that show Leland really cares for Monk:
- Foreign Man: Leland says he's not going to let Monk suffer the same he did when Trudy died and ask him to promisse he wouldn't get so involved in Samuel's case;
- On the Run I: Leland pretended to shoot and kill Monk just to protect him and have enough time to figure out what was behind Monk's prison;
- Gets Fired : Leland tried to make the Commissioner change his mind about taking Monk's detective license forever;
- Mrs. Monk: the "you're the guy" speech, although it was Randy who had listened to it, proved Leland was proud of working with Monk and was trying to get him back to the police. Then, when Monk thought Trudy could be alive, Leland supported him and even felt useless because wanted to help Monk but didn't know how to;
- The Cobra: Leland got desperate when he knew Monk was buried alive, he put every cop to dig and was the one who guessed where Monk was. He saved his life. Again;
- Red Herring: in the Police Department, Leland asked Monk if he had already found a new assistant and added he's been worrying about him;
- Bumps His Head: Leland comforts Natalie and assures her he'll find Monk and when he finally does, he demonstrated being happy to meet Monk again;
- Meets His Dad: Leland convices Monk to give his Dad a second chance;
- Makes a Friend: Leland suspects Hal can be dangerous and confronts him, together with Randy and Natalie. Then, in the end, when they enter Hal's apartment and Hal is up to shoot Monk, he orders Hal to get his hand out of his friend;
- Takes Manhattan: Leland goes to New York with Monk to help him to track on the clues Dale Biderback had given. he investigates why the meeting between Monk and Tennyson Warrickson had been canceled and helps Monk to solve the Embassador case so that Monk can meet Tennyson. In the end, he is beside Monk and grabs his hands when Monk asks to be alone with the guy.
- The Rapper: Leland accepts to go with Monk at the Rapper's mansion in order to give him support to put an end to the contract Monk did;
- Daredevil: Leland immeadiately goes to Monk's appartment as he listens how Monk is. He stays all the time beside him during the "suicide watch", he insists on going with Monk to the bathroom and then suffers together with him on the sofa . And then, he also gives Monk a lesson about comparing himself to Harold;
- On the Run II: After clearing everything out, Leland orders the cops to let Monk free and hugs him;
- Can't See A Thing: Leland doesn't let Monk give up of working after he gets temporarily blind;
- Really, Really Dead Guy: Leland defends Monk when the FBI guy put him out of the case, saying the guy is wrong about him;
- Gets Cabin Fever: Leland goes with Monk to the FBI Cabin just to protect him, since he doesn't trust "those guys", as he says, even though, that is his birthday;
- The Godfather: Leland tries to convince Monk not to go undercovered into the FBI investigation about the mafia guys. If he doesn't care about Monk or wanted him dead, he would never do that.
-

Eh, I think it was the Captain too. He's a cool person and all but now that you bring it up, I think he killed her. I could be wrong but I don't know..

Lov Adrian, good list. I couldn't have come close. Could you add "Joins a Cult' to the list? Everyone seemed concerned that Monk was being taken in by the charlatan.

:applauds: Excellent list.

I hate to say this but my gutt says it was Stottlemeyer (I'm so disgusted by this thought that I won't even use his first name- to me he's just Stottle. Remember in last weeks episode, how Stottle accussed Monk of being TOO FIXADED ON WHAT HAPPEN TO HIS BELOVED TRUDY. After seeing that, I strongly believe Stottle did it and he's trying to get Monk to stop investigating. Stottle's guilt may at the breaking point. He's NO friend he just wants to keep an eye on Adrian and what he finds out. I'm still shocked by the fact that this is the last season of Monk. I feel like my best friend has died. Question for you all- that commercial which has the sad song and clips of Monk just tears me apart. Every time I see it, I honestly cry. Anybody else???

I have to agree with you. It is very sad to think that Stott may have killed Trudy. Many fans will be mad and heart broken. Watch the Candidate. Stott never wanted Monk to help out on cases. It was the Mayor who hired Monk. The Capt. fired Monk after he (Monk) frooze on catching the killer. Sharona went to the Deputy Mayor`s house and got Monk back on the job. After Monk solved so many cases, it made Stott look good, he then loved to take credit for Monk`s work. It is possible that Monk was in line for a big promotion, maybe one where he would be Stott`s boss? Stott has plenty of motive. Cabin Fever- Stott says something like- now I`m known as the guy who knows how to get in touch with Adrian Monk. Hope nobody is mad-it does make sense to me. I hope it isn`t true.

It only makes sense if you ignore all the progress that's been made in their relationship since. Even in the early days he may have been tough on Monk, but he was never mean to him. If Stottlemeyer wished Monk any harm he's had plenty of opportunity to either let Monk die or suffer or even kill him himself. Instead he's been a great friend. Of course you can twist any character to fit into the killer mode if you try hard enough and ignore facts already in evidence. It's a possibility the writers could do that as well, but it wouldn't be a very satisfying ending. Also Ted Levine was the one who campaigned to change the direction of the character in the first season so that he wasn't portrayed as an adversary. I can't imagine they'd just disregard that now. In fact in conversation with David Breckman, one of the writers, he seemed quite proud that the relationship between Stottlemeyer and Monk had become one of support and friendship.

There is one scenario that might work. If Stottlemeyer thought Trudy was a brain eating alien or otherwise a danger to Monk he might have killed her.

Well, this is just a guess, but, what if it was Monk? I've seen a few others express this thought, but no one's really looked at it.

I think it could easily be Monk. Honestly, he's unstable and seems to always have been. Monk also thinks the world is such a dangerous place, so is it such a stretch that he would kill Trudy just to protect her from this world and all of its horrors? Of course, it would be done subconsciously, or, you know, by a split personality... Maybe. I don't pretend to be an expert on psychiatry, but I would wager that neither are the writers. It's just a theory. Feel free to tear it apart now, if you wish.

kellylover86

I also think it would be sad if Monk, Sharona, Natalie, the Captain, or Randy ended up being the murderer. However, I hope that the resolution is interesting and makes sense, at least.

Yep, Stottlemeyer- a great friend to Adrian Monk and all people named Brian!

On a more serious note, Teresa, great post. I don't have to tell you I am in 100% agreement with you, but I will anyway. I am in 100% agreement with you.

I`m sure you are right Teresa. I don`t want Stott to be the guy. It would be cruel to all the fans, not to mention Ted Levine.

Thank you, Chipee, but you know what? Before deciding to do the list myself, I thought of asking you to do it, because I've read some of your lists and I really appreciate them
About "Joins a Cult", yes, it sure can be included, I just thought the list was already pretty long so I decided to put and end. But you're right, in this episode Leland got very worried when Natalie told him Monk had gone with the cult guys. He has Monk in high consideration, no doubt og that

Thank, Liv.

That's right!

I must agree with the individual who created this forum, as I have been speculating for quite some time that Captain Stottlemeyer was, at the very least, involved in Trudy's death. I understand all other points of view in this argument, but none of them are perfect, each one has "holes," and several of them leave questions unanswered, just as this perspective does (at least until the final episode). The bottom line is that this theory is shocking, almost unpredictable, and, whether you like it or not, interesting and surprising. It is not the logical outcome, and it certainly isn't the most agreeable, but that's what makes it so brilliant.

P.S. Just as many like Stottlemeyer, I liked Linda Fusco, but, in the end, she was a murderer anyway.
And, did you ever consider the idea that his motive has not been revealed or hinted at previously? Maybe that's the reason you cannot find a motive.
Also, think of Stottlemeyer's hiring and befriending of Monk as a form of diversion. With Monk working other cases, he couldn't suspect Leland. And all the while, the captain earns praise for Monk's successful detective work.

Now, I am most likely incorrect in my assumption, especially when considering the fact that I cannot fathom a circumstance in which Stottlemeyer is connected with Dale Biederbeck and his henchman Sheriff Rollins, Warrick Tennyson (who built the bomb), Frank Nunn (who detonated the bomb), and "The Judge" (the one responsible for the plan) and possibly Trudy's career as a journalist (which may have gotten her killed). However, I felt it necessary to make some attempt to defend my perspective, which is more like a gut feeling, as although it is unfavorable, it happens to be no more incoherent than any others.

just noticing quite a few first time posters agree with "Captian's" theory that Stotts is Trudy's murderer. They created an account to agree and then never post anything again. Hmm. Now if I were a detective...

Who is "The Judge" they were referring to and the end of season 6 (I think it may have been the last episode)? Monk said it was connected to Trudy's murder somehow but I didn't think it was the same lady Judge that Dale the Whale had his personal doctor kill. Or is it? It seems like he may have said "The Judge" was male but I can't remember for sure. Does anybody remember any more about it?

I believe the Judge is the one who wanted Trudy murdered. The Judge is the guy.

"The Judge" is an anonymous character who was mentioned in letters that were found in the apartment of Frank Nunn. Nunn was allegedly hired by "The Judge" to kill Trudy. And, you are correct in your assumption. This "Judge" is not the same judge that Dale the Whale had murdered.

I'm not exactly sure if you are referring to me in your comment, and although I cannot speak for others, I can say that I had no idea that this forum existed before today. After searching "I think Captain Stottlemeyer murdered Trudy Monk" on Google, I was led to Caption's theory, and I was so intrigued at the similar opinion that I made the decision to "put my two cents in," as the idiom goes.

Thank you all so much! So The Judge could still be alive and The Judge is "the guy!" I just have one more quick question (unless they mention something new in the next episode, anyway) - Do we know for fact that Dale the Whale is NOT "the guy" ???? Or is it still possible?

From what we know at this point, it would appear that Dale the Whale knows who ordered Trudy's death and why but is not the killer himself, unless, of course, I am overlooking something. I suppose anything is possible in "Monk."

I wasn't referring to anyone in particular, just noticed that there were a lot of first and only posts regarding Captain's theory.

As to how you came upon the page...that's a lot of coincidences. Not saying it's not true, but I wouldn't give that as an alibi on my life.

Yes. I understand, and you may be correct. I suppose I just haven't cared to look at the number of posts people have made. And, I don't understand what that implies? Are you saying that some people on here are not "true" Monk fans or something to that effect?

Well, in reality, it is a coincidence, but it does not consist of "a lot of coincidences." I simply searched something on Google (which I invite you to do if you'd like) and found this particular thread(which is exactly what I was looking for --others with similar opinions to my own), and I decided to post something. I didn't think I needed some sort of alibi because, again, I don't understand what you mean.

So, somehow the absence of motive supports the theory that Sottlemeyer is the killer? That's just about as reasonable and logical as the the other arguments for this theory. Gut feelings are fine for audience members to indulge, but the writers do need reason and a logical sequence of events on which to base their solution.

The Judge is the one who ordered the hit on Trudy according to the man who carried out the hit, Frank Nunn, the six-fingered man. Dale the Whale knew that Warwick Tennyson (the bomb maker) and Frank Nunn were involved in the hit on Trudy, but when Monk told him about The Judge Dale seemed to be surprised and knew nothing about him. At that point Dale who was left with nothing in a bare cell, would certainly have used the leverage if he'd had any information about The Judge.

Stottlemeyer is not The Judge. (Does that even seem like something Stottlemeyer would call himself?) You can take that to the bank.

I've been noticing this as well, and thought it was curious.

Honestly, I think Alice Cooper just wanted an antique wingback chair.

Not after he put a hole in it he didn't.

Well, considering you've been thinking about the theory for awhile and did a google search about the Cap killing Trudy only a few days after it was posted by someone who had the same kinda unusual theory - that's at least a few coincidences.

I don't really see what it is you are spoiling, every since they have started showing previews of this last season, I kind of figured that may be the route "MONK" producers might take. Trudy was a journalist, and she was about to expose someones (court officers, police officers...I can only speculate) connection to organized crime when she was killed. Although all the episodes up till now, show no indication of CPT Stottlemeyer being involved with her murder...it would make since that he is the one Monk is referring to when he says "I think you killed her". Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote...I love that show) said it is always the character who seems least likely to be the killer who is the actual killer. I don't know for sure, for all I know it could be Randy, Natalie, or Sharona (lol) I know, I know, but who is more least likely than them???

It makes perfect sense of you look at the whole picture, not just the show, but the fact that the producers were not expecting Tony Shalhoub to up and say he doesn't want to do it anymore. Now that they have to end the show, they have to of course, identify Trudy's killer, and it has to be the last person we would even think would be involved. I remember when the show first started and there was a little envy between the two. Monk envied the CPT because he was still on the force, and the CPT envied Monk, because he was a genius at solving crimes. He could see things no other detective could, and it made the CPT look bad. Trudy had been dead a few years even at that point. Of course over the years they have grown closer, but it wasn't supposed to end so soon. Shalhoub forced them to give us Trudy's killer sooner than expected. Oh hey, remember "Another 48 hrs"?? When the police officer was the bad guy, and he called himself "The Iceman"??? It's possible, lol!

He is not referring to Stottlemeyer. That is an old clip, as has already been explained in this thread a couple of times. The clip is from the season one episode "Mr. Monk meets Dale the Whale." He isn't accusing anyone of Trudy's murder in that clip. So how exactly would it make sense? The clips in the promos are mostly from previous seasons and there's nothing in them yet from episodes which reveal the killer. Those episodes have not been filmed yet.

Isn't the Murder, She Wrote rule that the most well known actor in the guest cast is the killer?