Brian Campbell 2008-12-07
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Detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is back on the case for one of the very best seasons this series has seen. At his side, as usual, are his brassy and long-suffering assistant, Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram), by-the-book Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine), the always eager-to-please Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason-Gray Stanford), and his new assistant, Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard). They have their work cut out for them as they take on some very bold cases.
Every season opener for Monk has been strong and this one is no exception. This one picks up right where Season 2 left off, as Monk and comapny arrive in New York City to follow a hot lead on the death of Monk's late wife, Trudy. Before he can speak with the man who planted the bomb, Adrian must first figure out who killed a foriegn ambassador. Adrian's days with Sharona at his side are numbered, but his last handful of cases with her are very exciting, involving all kinds of topics, such as a possibly murderous chimpanzee, another possibility of Monk's reinstatement, and Sharona questioning her own sanity. At the midpoint of Season 3, Sharona takes Benjy and they move back to New Jersey so she can remarry her former ex, Trevor. Monk's search for a new assistant leads him to meet Natalie Teeger, an attractive, widowed single mom who has recently been the victim of a burgarly. Adrian's success in solving the case leads to Natalie volunteering to become Monk's new assistant. Her first cases with Monk are just as exciting as Sharona's last.
A lot of people probably view this season to be perfect for discussing the classic Natalie vs. Sharona debate, so here's my input. I like Natalie better. She is very nututring to Monk and has far more patience for his obsessive-compulsive tendencies. She can very much relate to the pain Monk goes through sometimes, as she too lost a spouse to a violent death. In case you do not know, Sharona was written out of the show because Bitty Schram was fired, due to disputes involving money and creative differences. I think the people behind the show did an excellent job casting Traylor Howard to play Natalie. She is an attractive actress with a bright future. It is nice that now Monk has an assistant who gives him more respsonsibility. The rest of the cast is beyond superb, too (as they always are). This season was awesome because in addtion to getting a taste of both assistants, you also get a unique roster of guest stars and excellent stories. All Monk fans must have Season 3 in their collection. For those new to the show, this is the best place to start if you can't get your hands on episodes from Seasons 1 or 2 right away. In the end, you can decide which assistant you like better. Here are all 16 episodes in this season with a brief synopsis:
1. Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan: Before Monk can follow a hot lead on his wife's death, while in New York City, he must first figure out who killed a foreign ambassador.
2. Mr. Monk and the Panic Room: Monk must decide wether or not a chimpanzee is guilty in the murder of a big shot record producer. Carmen Electra guest stars.
3. Mr. Monk and the Blackout: Monk must uncover the truth behind a series of unexpected blackouts in San Francisco. Judge Reinhold guest stars.
4. Mr. Monk Gets Fired: Monk is determined to solve a grisly murder, even after having his private practice license pulled by the grouchy new commissioner. Glenne Headly reprises her role as Sttolemyer's wife, Karen.
5. Mr. Monk Meets the Godfather: If he can sucsessfully infiltrate a mafia family to get the truth behind an apparent mob hit, Monk just may be reinstated into the SFPD! Phillip Baker Hall guest stars.
6. Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf: Sharona is on the brink of a nervous breakdown after a series of events lead her to question her own sanity. Niecy Nash guest stars.
7. Mr. Monk and the Employee of the Month: Monk's last partner on the force, now a security guard at a local department store, needs his help in getting to the bottom of the murder of an employee. Enrinco Calantoni guest stars.
8. Mr. Monk and the Game Show: Trudy's father entices Monk to come with him to Los Angeles to solve a murder involved with a game show. Jarrad Paul guest stars.
9. Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine: Monk's new anti-OCD medicine transforms him into an ego-maniac with very bad detective skills. This is Bitty Schram's last episode as Sharona Flemming. Melora Hardin guest stars.
10. Mr. Monk and the Red Herring: Traylor Howard's first episode as Natalie Teeger. Single mom Natalie Teeger turns to Monk to figure out why someone would want to steal an ordinary pet fish. Monk gets a new assitstant out of the investigation.
11. Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra: Monk and Natalie learn that the world of literature can be deadly as they investigate the murder of the author of a controversial new book.
12. Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever: For witnessing a Chinese mob murder, Monk is forced to spend a few days in an FBI cabin, where he, Natalie, and Stottlemeyer uncover another homicide.
13. Mr. Monk Gets Stuck in Traffic: Monk is stuck in a traffic jam with Natalie and her dauhter (Emmy Clarke), and finds that a murder is the cause of it. Special appearance by Korn and Larry Miller guest stars.
14. Mr. Monk Goes To Vegas: Monk and Natalie head to Sin City to help a drunken Stottlemeyer figure out how a billionare casino owner murdered his wife. James Brolin guest stars.
15. Mr. Monk and the Election: Natalie decides to run for school board president. After an attempt is made on her life, she turns to Monk to figure out what is going on. Tim Bagely guest stars.
16. Mr. Monk and the Kid: After a toddler finds a severed finger in the park, Monk finds himself in the midst of a baffling mystery.
