Mr. Monk and the Daredevil

All 5th season and in this one too writers create plot holes. In one episode before Monk couldn't use a phone though he did it in previous seasons. In this one he can't step on one step though before he climbed really high, he can't touch a ladybug though before he was touching other insects and even a rat. Obviously writers of seasons 5 and 6 don't remember previous episodes. That's distracting and ruins new episodes.

This episode involves a convoluted plot where Harold Krenshaw becomes a hero. It is based on subterfuge, but it really gets to Adrian. Monk drops into deep depression. The problem is that the motivations at work here are beyond belief. Whenever this show falls short (so to speak), it has to do with poor writing and use of characters. Other than the absurd, childish rivalry at work here, the rest isn't very good.

...It really is that ridiculous, yet the episode is great fun.

The police are investigating a very strange vehicular death - maybe a homicide? A car is found that has been completely burned with the VIN removed and a body burned beyond recognition inside. Monk says that the vehicle crashed, maybe hit a deer during the day. However, at night somebody else came by and set the fire and destroyed the identification of the vehicle. Why?

At the same time, the daredevil "The Frisco Fly" is putting on a bright green body suit and scaling high rises in the San Francisco area, disappearing before the police can catch him. Then one day he's spotted scaling a building and he falls to the ground 24 floors below yet lives. He has some broken bones and a concussion, but nothing permanent. And the news is - The Fly is apparently Harold Krenshaw, Monk's nemesis and rival for the attention of Dr. Kroger, Monk's psychiatrist.

Monk doesn't believe that Harold is the Fly, yet when he investigates he can't explain away the crowd that saw Harold actually fall to the pavement or Harold's injuries. And he sees physical signs that Harold was on the roof of the building.

This sends Monk into an emotional tailspin and Dr. Kroger puts him on informal suicide watch with Natalie and Stottlemeyer taking turns being with him. Monk has lost all interest in squares, groups of ten, or even being sure his top button is always fastened. He can't get past the fact that he could always tell himself, at his lowest point - At least I'm not Harold! And now Harold has cured his fear of heights to the point of being a local hero and the toast of the town. Watch to find out how this works itself out.

I always loved the rivalry between Harold and Monk - they really had so much in common. This seemed a return to form for the series with the characters seeming more grounded. Some recent episodes tried to make Monk's illness too much of the comic relief. This episode shows just how serious his illness can get.

'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.

Do agree completely that "Mr Monk and the Daredevil" is one of Season 6's best episodes, while there are a good deal of solid episodes in the season there are not many that are in the outstanding category. "Mr Monk and the Daredevil" is one of those episodes. The mystery may not quite be as good as the character moments and development, but is still diverting. To me, whether it was as strong as the rest of the episode or not was insignificant because it was still engagingly done and the episode is essentially different and character driven, which it succeeds brilliantly at.

Harold Krenshaw is back here and is as always a riot. Absolutely love the priceless chemistry/rivalry between him and Monk over Kroger, and Tim Bagley couldn't have been a more perfect fit for the role. He and Tony Shalhoub work so well together, while the Monk vs Krenshaw episodes are mostly incredibly entertaining "Mr Monk and the Daredevil" is one of their best. Also loved the sympathetic role Natalie and Julie played in the episode, showing that they genuinely care for Monk and want to help him. Disher and Stottlemeyer's word games exchange makes for one of their best ever moments and they are both at their funniest in a while.

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.

Everybody else does very well supporting him, the other three regulars are helped by great material, playing large roles and cleverly written ones too and being true to their original personalities (Disher for example is nowhere near as big an idiot as he was in some of Season 5). Bagley is the supporting standout, and David Koechner is good support too.

Writing-wise, 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.

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. The episode is made with a lot of slickness and style as always.

Overall, one of the outstanding episodes of Season 6. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I'm with the others who can't stomach the Harold episodes. I don't even care that much about all the so called plot holes like some others here have mentioned . I just can't vibe with the rivalry between Monk and Crenshaw ,Maybe if they cast a different actor (?) I just can't place my finger on it, but there's just something very annoying about the actor and the character himself , then when the writers set out to write him even MORE childish and obnoxious it's makes this episode one even worth fast forwarding. I have a plenty of other episodes in this season that I love , this just isn't one of them.