'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.
Season 7 has a few disappointing episodes, especially "Mr Monk Falls in Love" and "Mr Monk Takes a Punch". Most of them range from decent to very good, but there are some great (no perfect ones though) episodes. They are Monk and the Genius", "Mr Monk and the Lady Next Door" and "Mr Monk Makes the Playoffs", and "Mr Monk and the Magician" is another one of the best. The who did it aspects are very much obvious from the get go, not unusual for 'Monk', and there are parts in the episode that do require some suspension of disbelief especially in regarding the perfect alibi.
However, the mystery is very engaging, well paced and clever. The motive for the murder is less guessable than the who did it aspect and a motive not seen a lot on 'Monk'. The murder and how it wad done are suitably elaborate, while the Great Torini is a perfect villain, one of the show's most arrogant and evil, and pits off against Monk better than most of his foils of the later seasons.
It is sad to see Kevin Dorfman killed off, on the most part he was a very funny character (apart from in "Mr Monk and the Game Show") and brought some nice levity in the rest of his appearances. With that being said, despite it being initially an abrupt killing off the episode does pay tribute to him very well. Especially in the last scene with his video will, that was very touching and showed that underneath Monk being irritated by his neighbour that he did care for him.
The magic tricks are very cool, while the denouement is one of the season's cleverest in how Monk explains everything and most tense in that Monk is put in real danger. To see Monk get the upper hand was immensely satisfying. Natalie, Disher and Stottlemeyer are used fairly well if not exactly prominent, all three well acted by Traylor Howard, Jason Gray-Stanford and Ted Levine, and Jarrad Paul makes the most of his brief screen time. Best of all is the fabulously evil performance of Steve Valentine.
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.
Traylor Howard is down-to-earth and sympathetic, Jason Gray-Stanford is amusing even when a goofball and Ted Levine plays the loyal but frustrated boss character with his usual adept comedic chops.
Writing is funny, thoughtful and poignant, with Monk's quirks never exploited or over-the-top.
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, great 'Monk' episode and one of Season 7's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
