Mr. Monk and the Kid

This is such a tender little story. If it had been done badly, it could have been so syrupy. But when Monk tries to explain the law to a two year old, it is hilarious. But what makes it outstanding is Monk giving up some of his phobias in the name of love. There is a hilarious call to a 911 dispatcher when the little boy poops. It's hard to imagine a dry eye during the last five minutes. Excellent.

Despite the interesting plot involving the kidnapping of a violin prodigy, what every viewer will remember most is the sensitively portrayed relationship of the dysfunctional Monk and a 2 year old boy. The most memorable part of the episode is near the end when Monk reads a story to the little boy, some of the most original writing in any television series ever.

A foster mother is looking for her charge, two year old Tommy, who is lost in the park. When he reappears he seems to be fine, but he's carrying a dismembered finger. Stottlemeyer, Disher, Monk, and Natalie assemble at the scene. At first they think that the finger probably belongs to a murder victim, and that maybe the rest of him is in a dismembered state, but only Tommy could tell them where he found the finger and he can't talk yet. So Monk takes him by the hand and lets Tommy lead him through the park.

Monk with a - by definition - unsanitary toddler? I'd think he'd have a terrible reaction, but no. You see them walking along with Monk talking to the child and obviously getting attached. Later, when Tommy is removed from his foster home because of the dismembered finger incident, Monk offers to take him until a more permanent home can be found for him. Oddly enough, the caseworker agrees and the two become roomies.

Great episodes of Monk generally fall into two categories. Either the mystery is particularly compelling or it has good character development. This one falls into the latter group. At the end Monk is rolling around on the ground with the child, indicating that when Monk has love - Trudy or in this case this child - his compulsions melt away just a bit.

Funny bits include a panicked Monk calling 911 over Tommy's first soiled diaper and the unfazed attitude of the operator, who gives him a few basic tips and then tells him he's on his own.

As endearing as this episode is, it doesn't follow the logic of Monk's OCD. He touches things he could never touch before & never uses a wipe. He rolls around on the grass, while in other episodes he couldn't even sit on a bench because he had seen a bird on it. I love seeing the joy & happiness shared between Tommy & Monk, but he could not simply give up his very specific routines with no notice or preparation.

This episode shows the magic of TV. Such a sweet story about Monk and the kid who melts his heart and helps him in becoming more human. The little boy is precious. It's a classic! A different feel from the usual Monk episode with less police interaction and more personal elements. It's a gem. Also a little Trivia: Tony Shalhoub's wife plays the mother of the kidnapped violin player. The last scene will absolutely tear your heart out. This episode could be used as a sort of litmus test to sort out humans from hard-hearted people incapable of love or empathy. I almost fell off the couch during the 911 call scene. It's one I could watch over and over. Enjoy!