Summary

• The show had many great episodes during its original run.
• For example, "Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever" featured a dramatic final scene and an action-packed shootout, deviating from the show's typical tone and providing a satisfying wrap-up.
• The best episode of the series happened in season 4 during the middle of the show's run.

Monk had many great episodes across its eight seasons. The series followed the titular character, a former police officer played by Tony Shalhoub, who suffers from multiple mental afflictions stemming from an anxiety disorder. Despite other people judging him for his phobias, Monk is the most observant and logical person in any room, able to solve even the most impossible cases as a consultant for the police department.

The innovative comedy drama produced a total of 125 episodes between 2002 and 2009. Many of these were met with critical acclaim and cemented Adrian Monk as a cultural icon, to the point the character returned more than a decade after the end of the show for a feature-length special called Mr. Monk's Last Case. The best episodes of the original show have fascinating mysteries, stellar performances, and engaging scenes.

15 "Mr. Monk Meets Dale The Whale"

Season 1, Episode 3

Monk season 1, episode 3 "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" was one of the first episodes to delve further into the murder of Adrian Monk's wife, Trudy. While the series features mysteries of the week for Monk to solve, the overarching mystery of the show is the very event that triggered Monk's anxieties. Monk spends his spare time trying to find out everything he can about Trudy's unsolved death, and while it starts here, it takes almost the entire show to solve that mystery.

The episode introduced Monk's primary criminal nemesis, Dale "the Whale" Beiderbeck, played perfectly by Adam Arkin. The central mystery is not one of Monk's best, but "Mr. Monk meets Dale the Whale" neatly expanded the show's lore, while offering a truly great villain that would return to the series twice more.

14 "Mr. Monk And The Marathon Man"

Season 1, Episode 8

Monk season 1, episode 8 "Mr. Monk and the Marathon Man" demonstrated early in Monk's first season the potential for comedy inherent in the show. It is the first example of Monk stepping outside of his typically insular characterization by introducing him to one of his heroes - played by Zakes Mokae.

Monk's practical nurse Sharona spends a lot of the early episodes reassuring everyone around them that Monk is working on understanding and moving beyond his fears.

Monk's attempt to recreate the episode's murder is a particular highlight, deriving much comedy from the frustrations of Sharona (Bitty Schram) - a common theme in the first season. Monk's practical nurse Sharona spends a lot of the early episodes reassuring everyone around them that Monk is working on understanding and moving beyond his fears. Some of them, she even reassures people, that, "he's almost there, we're making good progress on that one," but this episode shows that he has a long way to go, and Sharona knows it.

13 "Mr. Monk Takes A Vacation"

Season 1, Episode 9

Monk season 1, episode 9 "Mr. Monk Takes a Vacation" is an homage to Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. A murder spied through a telescope, with a crime scene that even someone who is germophobic like Monk considers clean, provides a highly memorable primary narrative and an equally satisfying solution. Polly Draper's performance as the hotel security officer is especially enjoyable, particularly the way she and Monk soon influence each other's behavior.

The episode is also notable for centering Sharona's son, Benji (Max Morrow) throughout. It's made clear as early as episode two that Monk has something of a friendship with Sharona's son. He even calls him in one episode to have Benji walk him through Sharona's chicken pot pie recipe. Because of that, it's nice to see his character expand beyond just knowing that Monk is his mom's patient.

12 "Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever"

Season 3, Episode 12

When Monk is placed into a witness protection program for his own good, he, Natalie (Traylor Howard), and Detective Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) are sequestered in a remote cabin in the woods in Monk season 3, episode 12 "Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever." The episode's principal murder is slightly absurd, but certainly not Monk's most ridiculous crime during its run.

Nevertheless, the final wrap-up is rather satisfying and features possibly the most dramatic final scene in any Monk episode - depicting an action-packed shootout fairly atypical for Monk. The episode allowed the viewers to have a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a big action sequence, breathing some fresh air into the show three seasons into the run. Monk was able to successfully make deviations from its format where other more typical crime procedurals cannot.

11 "Mr. Monk And The Employee Of The Month"

Season 3, Episode 7

Enrico Colantoni makes a very memorable guest appearance as store detective Joe Christie in Monk season 3, episode 7 "Mr. Monk and the Employee of the Month." Colantoni is no stranger to crime shows now with roles in Veronica Mars and Flashpoint, but his role here is a little different. The interplay between him and Monk is exceptionally noteworthy, proffering an opportunity to develop Monk emotionally and expand his backstory.

A lot of humor is derived from putting Monk outside his comfort zone, which at this point in the series had not yet become tiresome. Every episode strived to make Monk just uncomfortable enough to help him progress in dealing with his anxiety and keep the audience entertained. The final resolution is not one of Monk's strongest, but the process is an enjoyable emotional journey, with a slew of entertaining ancillary characters.

10 "Mr. Monk And Sharona"

Season 8, Episode 10

Many viewers were shocked and disappointed when Monk's first assistant, Sharona, was written out in season 3. She was a fan-favorite character whose backstory had been slowly unveiled over the course of her time on the show. Sharona had several memorable quotes in Monk, and it took several further installments for audiences to adjust to her sudden departure, especially since it appeared she and Monk no longer kept in contact despite her being such a constant presence in his life.

It was, therefore, very welcome when she was brought back for Monk season 8, episode 10 "Mr. Monk and Sharona." The episode provides some closure for Monk and Sharona, and audiences alike. "Mr. Monk and Sharona" also features a lot of entertaining interplay between Sharona and her replacement, Natalie, who clash over their handling of their mutual patient and friend.

9 "Mr. Monk Is Up All Night"

Season 6, Episode 9

Monk has faced a lot of seemingly unfeasible crimes, but Monk season 6, episode 9 "Mr. Monk Is Up All Night" is perhaps his most impossible during the show's run. After Monk is obsessed with a woman that he bumps into, this triggers a bout of insomnia, which leads Monk to witness an inconceivable murder. Monk, as viewers can likely imagine, doesn't do well when he hasn't slept, and it makes solving the case even more difficult for him.

"Mr. Monk Is Up All Night" also features a noteworthy guest appearance from Donal Logue.

Like many of the best episodes of Monk, "Mr. Monk Is Up All Night" also elaborates upon his relationship with his late wife Trudy, while concurrently delivering a satisfying murder mystery. "Mr. Monk Is Up All Night" also features a noteworthy guest appearance from Donal Logue, playing a con man whom Monk encounters in a bar. Logue would go on to play a detective himself in Gotham years later.

8 "Mr. Monk And The Actor"

Season 5, Episode 1

Monk season 5, episode 1 "Mr. Monk and the Actor" is one of the most heartbreaking episodes of Monk ever made. It features a stunning performance from both Tony Shalhoub as Monk and Stanley Tucci as an actor portraying Monk in a movie. Tucci manages to perfectly encapsulate Monk's character, playing a method actor whose attempts to fully embody the role cause much emotional distress for Monk.

This is yet another episode that balances Monk's case of the week, or in this case, the two linked crimes, with backstory about Trudy. Tucci's actor becomes invested in the loss of Monk's wife, and his prying into Monk's files on her case, and asserting that he could have saved Trudy, cause Monk to backslide in some of his behaviors. It's an emotional turn for the comedy. "Mr. Monk and the Actor" remains one of the show's highest rated and the central performances were met with critical acclaim. Tucci won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor.

7 "Mr. Monk And The Candidate"

Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2

The very first episode of Monk is a two-parter and one of the best, producing several of the show's most celebrated scenarios. The iconic opening scene is one of the funniest in the series, as Monk combs a crime scene with an entire group of officers watching, with a dramatic climax that pushes Monk to his limits while still establishing his condition. The episodes served to very quickly establish the dynamics between the core four characters and set the tone for the rest of the show's run.

Monk season 1, episodes 1 and 2 "Mr. Monk and the Candidate" set a very high standard for every episode that followed. It received exceptionally high praise and very impressive viewing figures for the USA network with 4.8 million people tuning in to watch, cementing Monk's success from the beginning.

6 "Mr. Monk And The Airplane"

Season 1, Episode 13

Monk's first-ever season finale was so well received that it earned Tony Shalhoub his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - an award that Shalhoub would win twice more for Monk during the show's full run. Monk season 1, episode 13 "Mr. Monk and the Airplane" depicts the defective detective at his most neurotic, fully exploiting his phobias for comedic value while still posing an effectual conundrum.

"Mr. Monk and the Airplane" also has several noteworthy secondary characters who became some of the show's most memorable, including Garry Marshall as an extension cord salesman. Placing the bulk of the episode in a confined space like an airplane means that Monk only has his own fears and the mystery on which to focus, creating almost a perfect bottle episode for the audience.

5 "Mr. Monk And The Kid"

Season 3, Episode 16

Monk is better known as a comedic series with some dramatic moments, but that's not entirely the case in this season 3 episode. Here, the show proves that the writers can handle drama and emotional moments for the characters they've created as well as they can the comedy, and they've got the right cast to pull that off.

Monk made a dramatic emotional shift with season 3, episode 16 "Mr. Monk and the Kid." When a severed finger is found by a two-year-old boy, Monk fosters the child, leading to one of the show's most celebrated and poignant episodes. Shalhoub's performance is particularly moving, with Monk's eventual decision that he is not stable enough to care for a child being an emotional highlight for the entire series. "Mr. Monk and the Kid" is littered with tender performances, and is a successful diversion from the show's typical tone.

4 "Mr. Monk And The Three Pies"

Season 2, Episode 11

Monk is often seen as someone who lives alone with no familial attachments after the death of his wife. This season 2 episode changes that, allowing the audience to delve into Monk's history outside of his romantic relationship and his work as it introduces a family member.

John Turturro made a sterling guest appearance in Monk season 2, episode 11 "Mr. Monk and the Three Pies." It was so exceptional that Turturro won an Emmy Award for the role. Turturro appears in the episode as Monk's brother, Ambrose, an equally brilliant member of the Monk family. The episode features a powerful elaboration on Monk's backstory, punctuated by a heartwarming conclusion and reconciliation between the brothers. "Mr. Monk and the Three Pies" features several other memorable guest stars, including Leslie Jordan, with a genuinely sinister villain and perplexing central mystery.

3 "Mr. Monk And The End"

Season 8, Episode 15 & 16

Endings for long-running series can be hit or miss. If a show doesn't tie up its loose ends to the satisfaction of the audience and the critics, fans will never forgive those involved in the production. When Monk came to an end, it had years of build-up to pay off. The dramatic two-part conclusion to Monk is one of the show's best-rated storylines, setting a viewership record and several further nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards.

The episode concludes the seven-year-long mystery surrounding Monk's murdered wife, and despite this resolution being teased for eight seasons, was able to be delivered effectively. The episode worked so well because it drew together aspects explored in previous stories (most notably Trudy's Christmas gift), tying the episode neatly to Monk's character development and the over-arching narrative. "Mr. Monk and the End" features several incredible performances from the main cast and was the perfect conclusion for Monk, but it's not quite the best episode of the series.

2 "Mr. Monk And The Garbage Strike"

Season 5, Episode 2

Monk season 5, episode 2 "Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike" is one of the show's most celebrated episodes and produced some of the most enduring images of Adrian Monk - namely his contended appearance in a clean room, and his attempts to single-handedly clean up San Francisco.

The episode, like all good Monk stories, pushed Monk to his limits while still proffering an enigmatic central crime. It is notable as one of the show's funniest episodes, mostly focusing on Monk's attempts to function in a city overrun with trash. As the sanitation workers in the city have gone on strike, Monk sees one of his worst nightmares playing out in real-time - trash piling up all around him that he cannot avoid. Monk has to deal with those fears while trying to make a difference and solve a case.

1 "Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty"

Season 4, Episode 16

The best episode of Monk is season 4, episode 16 "Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty." The season 4 finale features all the elements that create the perfect Monk story: a quintessentially confounding crime; several entertaining opportunities for Monk to be distracted; a slew of ancillary characters bemused and frustrated by Monk's antics; and a dramatic climax that draws all of these together.

One of Monk's strengths was the titular character's interactions with strangers, so his confinement with 11 people unimpressed by his behavior creates a slew of memorable moments and entertaining scenes. The episode also links three different crimes to one another, a rarity for the show, and gives Natalie a moment in which she is just as observant as Monk, allowing her to help save the day. "Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty" is one of the show's highest-rated episodes, and is arguably the best episode of Monk ever.