Mr. Monk and the Leper
- Episode aired Dec 22, 2006
- TV-PG
- 44m
Monk deals with leprosy on two fronts as he's called to testify that a leper is indeed alive so that his money isn't given away.Monk deals with leprosy on two fronts as he's called to testify that a leper is indeed alive so that his money isn't given away.Monk deals with leprosy on two fronts as he's called to testify that a leper is indeed alive so that his money isn't given away.
- Mandy Bronson
- (as Sarah Brown)
- Judge Lawrence Barr
- (as Lawrence O'Donnell Jr.)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOn its original airing, this episode was presented first in black & white and then in color. USA Network then held an on-line poll for viewers to indicate which version they preferred. The episode opened with Tony Shalhoub providing an intro from the set about how it would be airing in black & white. It closed with Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford introducing the color version, with Ted insisting it was better in color and Jason preferring to agree with Tony.
- GoofsWhen Derek Bronson is playing the piano, his hands remain in a very short range of keys on the piano, mainly below middle C. At the same time, the music heard is playing up and down the keys, well above the range that Derek's hands are seen playing.
- Quotes
Adrian Monk: [seeing Julie making fries as a snack] Oh no. No no no no no. I promised your mother. No junk food.
[takes the plate of fries away from Julie]
Julie Teeger: You promised?
Adrian Monk: Yeah. I *am* the babysitter.
[throws Julie an apple]
Julie Teeger: Uhm. I don't think so! My mom said I was babysitting *you*.
Adrian Monk: [laughs in disbelief] O-oh-kay
Julie Teeger: Are you getting paid?
Adrian Monk: Yeah.
Julie Teeger: How much?
Adrian Monk: You know, that is between your mother and me...
[makes move to throw the fries away]
Adrian Monk: ... why, how much are you getting?
Julie Teeger: [smiles] Eight dollars an hour
Adrian Monk: an *hour* ?
[silent for a moment]
Adrian Monk: I guess you're the sitter.
[hands the plate to Julie]
Adrian Monk: Enjoy your fries.
- ConnectionsReferences Ben-Hur (1959)
The previous episode "Mr Monk Meets His Dad" was very nearly a special episode, let down by a lacking mystery. "Mr Monk and the Leper" is a special episode, it is agreed one of the funniest and cleverest, plus it is perhaps the most interesting and unique of all the 'Monk' episodes. The mystery is much stronger here, it's not a tough one but it doesn't take a back-seat and is clever and engaging. Besides it's hardly the first time that the viewer is ahead of Monk in solving the case and isn't the last or worst, not enough to spoil the episode anyhow. It does agreed get a touch too silly at the end, but not in a way that spoils things too much.
One of the best things about "Mr Monk and the Leper" is the photography. 'Monk' has always been a well-made show visually, but "Mr Monk and the Leper" really stands out in this regard. It is perhaps the best-looking 'Monk' episode, so good that one has to check that it's actually a television episode and not a modern film-noir film that it's strongly reminiscent of. This is a compliment in the very best of ways, no other 'Monk' episode is like this which is what makes it stand out from the rest.
"Mr Monk and the Leper" is also one of the funniest 'Monk' episodes, not just from Monk but also Natalie and Disher have scenes that are among their finest. Standout character moments being anything that revolves around Monk's quirks/neuroses and how he deals with his situation with the leper, the probate hearing scene, Monk/the commissioner scene talking about the shirts, Disher with the pictures (one of his best ever scenes) and Natalie with the Listerine.
As said many times, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.
Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine are good as usual as Disher and Stottlemeyer. The supporting cast are good.
It's not just the cast though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done, particularly the last one. The quirks are sympathetically done and never exploited or overdone.
The music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newman's "It's a Jungle Out There" has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what it's trying to say much more now. Oh and a good job is done with the different opening credits sequence to accommodate the changes made.
Overall, unique and hilarious episode of 'Monk' and one of the best of Season 5, also in the top half of the whole show. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 22, 2017
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color