Mr. Monk and the Astronaut

I guess a criminal with a good mind could come up with what happened here, but it is such a reach. An astronaut who has political aspirations kills a hooker who is going to reveal some nasties about him. He makes a mistake. He judges and belittles our friend and that sets things in motion. There are a couple really good scenes in this one. Monk learns.

'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.

"Mr Monk and the Astronaut" is not one of the best 'Monk' episodes, and it is not quite up there with the very best of Season 4 (though in the better half). It is however significantly better than the previous episode "Mr Monk and the Big Reward", one of the few average or less early seasons episodes and a rare case of not feeling like 'Monk' at all. At least "Mr Monk and the Astronaut" feels like a 'Monk' episode. Do have to agree that some of the episode has some ridiculous aspects.

This is particularly true with the climax, one of the show's most far-fetched, and that the killer took so many risks and left so much incriminating evidence somehow without arousing any suspicion. The scene in the classroom was a lot of fun, showed off Tony Shalhoub's versatility brilliantly and showed exactly what the character is all about, but anybody who works in a school will have a very hard time getting their heads around how Monk was treated by the children and the behaviour somehow is condoned.

However, apart from some ridiculousness, the mystery itself is one of the fourth season's strongest. How the murder was done and everything with the airtight alibi was very cleverly done while the killer is one of the most ruthless and interesting on 'Monk'. His interaction with Monk is just terrific.

Character moments-wise, the highlights are the scene between Monk and Kroger, the exchanges between Disher and Stottlemeyer ("let's pretend this globe represents the earth" is classic Disher), the hallway confrontation between Monk and Wagner and when Monk stands up to Wagner and stands for what he believes in (the viewer completely relates and cheers him in). Did enjoy the classroom scene, providing that its lack of realism doesn't take away from things too much.

Natalie is down to earth, sympathetic and sassy, also being sensitive to Monk's needs and quirks which Traylor Howard does well bringing out. Stottlemeyer and Disher have some good moments too, and Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford are great.

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.

It's not just the cast or story 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. Jeffrey Donovan is excellent as Wagner.

Visually, the episode is shot in a slick and stylish way, and 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.

All in all, despite its ridiculousness it's a very solid episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I remember this episode as a great one, and now seeing it years later I still agree. One of the most fascinating and 'impossible' cases to solve for Monk. I mean how does an astronaut kill someone while he's orbiting in space! But Monk knows he is the guy.

It is a genius plot to work out, that I couldn't remember how the murdering astronaut actually did it. But also the culprit is so pompous and annoying, on my third view i have to put it down a couple of points to 8 from the original 10. It's not too cringeworthy either as other episodes where Monk's phobias and idiosyncrasies are really on display. However, as someone said in the trivia, the teachers or Natalie should have stopped the kids from pointing lasers at Monk. But he manages to face a few of his phobias in this episode, and the ending staring down an airplane is something hardly any of us would do!

This, for me, is one of the best Monk episodes. Imagine trying to prove an astronaut committed a murder while out in space. Seems impossible but Monk is not deterred, even after he is consistently shamed by the astronaut in public. This is when Monk feels he does not measure up to the manly persona the astronaut projects, the seemingly effortless self assured cockiness. And yet the viewers will be surprised as well as Monk , himself, at how hw can and will overcome for the sake of justice and ethics. Every time I see this, I rejoice at his eventual victory, when "everything was on the line" and there was no room for error. This episode defines what true manliness consists of and Monk is surprised at how he truly does conform to it when he is willing to stand for the courage of his convictions. Monk earns his spurs in a very unique way and does not stick his head in the sand to avoid confrontation but actually embraces it.

I like this episode, and the photo of Jason Gray-Stanford, Traylor Howard, and Tony Shalhoub signing autographs at Edwards Air Force Base after the season-four episode "Mr. Monk and the Astronaut" just happens to be in the Wikipedia page for Monk. Having Monk being filmed at Edwards Air Force Base would have been a massive thrill for the employees.

I'm still not a fan of the Randy Newman opening theme. I really like Jeff Beal's opening composition.