Mr. Monk and the Lady Next Door
- Episode aired Jan 23, 2009
- TV-PG
- 44m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Monk's recent, transforming friendship with a neighbor feels suspicious after he's brought in to consult on two murders.Monk's recent, transforming friendship with a neighbor feels suspicious after he's brought in to consult on two murders.Monk's recent, transforming friendship with a neighbor feels suspicious after he's brought in to consult on two murders.
Jeff O'Haco
- Security Guard
- (as Jeff Ohaco)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of the photos in Marge Johnson's house is of Gena Rowlands and her husband Robert Forrest.
- GoofsThe scarf given to Mr. Monk by Marge, supposedly hand-made, has a label attached.
- Quotes
Lt. Randall Disher: [after stating a far-fetched theory involving science-fiction] Well, if this were a movie you'd believe me!
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer: If this were a movie I could walk out, Randy.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009)
Featured review
Season 7 at its sweetest
'Monk' has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend.
As said a few times, Season 7 was a very mixed bag up to this point, "Mr Monk and the Genius" being one of its best while also having major disappointments like "Mr Monk Falls in Love" and especially "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". To me, "Mr Monk and the Lady Next Door" is the best Season 7 'Monk' episode since "Mr Monk and the Genius", and in the way that "Mr Monk on Wheels" was one of the season's funniest this episode is Season 7 at its sweetest and most touching. There is really very little, if anything, wrong with it, it just lacks the extra something of the classic episodes but very nearly gets there.
It's the friendship chemistry between Monk and the old lady Marge that makes the episode and is the most memorable asset about it, it is so sweet and charming and gives the story a genuine poignancy that the rest of the season didn't have. Anybody who had a very close friend or mother figure who you lived up to, tell them anything without judgement and helping each other through good or tough times will really relate to it like it did ne. She is wonderfully played by Gena Rowlands in one of the best guest supporting turns of Season 7 and of the latter seasons.
When it comes to the mystery "Mr Monk and the Lady Next Door" engages and is clever without being simplistic, obvious or too confusing, if not as memorable as the central friendship while thankfully not being side-lined. Disher and Stottlemeyer are very funny here. The only real faults are not quite enough Natalie (this is such a minor nit-pick though and it's hard not to love her loyal support) and not quite enough of Monk's quirks and phobias.
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, while other episodes have done that much better when Monk was in character Shalhoub still does wonderfully with what he's given.
Traylor Howard gets to show more range and has the sassiness down pat as well as the charm, she is not dull or annoying here, coming from someone who likes Natalie better than most but prefers Sharona's stronger personality. Jason Gray-Stanford makes the most of his material and Ted Levine shows adept comedic chops.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever. 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.
In summary, one of the best Season 7 episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox
As said a few times, Season 7 was a very mixed bag up to this point, "Mr Monk and the Genius" being one of its best while also having major disappointments like "Mr Monk Falls in Love" and especially "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". To me, "Mr Monk and the Lady Next Door" is the best Season 7 'Monk' episode since "Mr Monk and the Genius", and in the way that "Mr Monk on Wheels" was one of the season's funniest this episode is Season 7 at its sweetest and most touching. There is really very little, if anything, wrong with it, it just lacks the extra something of the classic episodes but very nearly gets there.
It's the friendship chemistry between Monk and the old lady Marge that makes the episode and is the most memorable asset about it, it is so sweet and charming and gives the story a genuine poignancy that the rest of the season didn't have. Anybody who had a very close friend or mother figure who you lived up to, tell them anything without judgement and helping each other through good or tough times will really relate to it like it did ne. She is wonderfully played by Gena Rowlands in one of the best guest supporting turns of Season 7 and of the latter seasons.
When it comes to the mystery "Mr Monk and the Lady Next Door" engages and is clever without being simplistic, obvious or too confusing, if not as memorable as the central friendship while thankfully not being side-lined. Disher and Stottlemeyer are very funny here. The only real faults are not quite enough Natalie (this is such a minor nit-pick though and it's hard not to love her loyal support) and not quite enough of Monk's quirks and phobias.
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, while other episodes have done that much better when Monk was in character Shalhoub still does wonderfully with what he's given.
Traylor Howard gets to show more range and has the sassiness down pat as well as the charm, she is not dull or annoying here, coming from someone who likes Natalie better than most but prefers Sharona's stronger personality. Jason Gray-Stanford makes the most of his material and Ted Levine shows adept comedic chops.
Visually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever. 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.
In summary, one of the best Season 7 episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•109
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 20, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content