TV-Reviewed

Adrian Monk trapped on a submarine - now that sounds like a little adventure, but not one I’d choose to accompany him on. This week’s episode too us to the Pacific Ocean, a location Adrian doesn’t often find himself too often. After an officer on a submarine reportedly commits suicide, a friend of his recruits Adrian and Natalie to look into the death.

One of the things I liked most about this episode is that Natalie played a semi-important role. She didn’t necessarily solve the case, but she was still a big player in the story. I’ve been waiting and waiting for someone to come into her life as a boyfriend or even a date, but nothing seems to. When Sharona was Adrian’s assistant, Sharona would always try to go on dates, but it seems entirely the opposite now. I’d really like to see the writers come up with something, but there isn’t much time left in the series to do that now.

Click the cast photo to download this and other Monk episodes.

Adrian’s coping method of imagining his therapist was a little unusual, even for this show. It frankly got tiring after a while, namely after Adrian tried to have Randy Disher talk to the therapist over the phone. After that, it ended up being like an SNL skit, it went on way too long and just wasn’t funny anymore.

William Atherton as the bad guy was great. He’s almost always the antagonist in movies and in TV shows. His character, Commander Whitaker, gave Adrian and Natalie a run for their money when he tried to drown them. I’m still surprised they fell for that stunt.

The who and the why weren’t too difficult to figure out, but the how wasn’t so cut and dry. But one clue I had was the sound made by the “gunshot.” It just didn’t sound right, even though the door was shut and locked.

I was surprised by Commander Whitaker’s surrender at the end. He didn’t put up much of a fight once he was caught.

Rating: 8.2