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Monk Season 5 Episode 11

Mr. Monk Makes A Friend

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9.6

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 1/19/07

Monk is surprised to find he's made a friend, a normal everyday guy named Hal. Monk is overwhelmed by having an actual friend, but Natalie has her suspicions that Hal is up to something.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

Will you be my best friend. Monk sure is my new friend. Even though it alreadywas one of my favorite shows.

9.4

By tvfanatic91, May 15, 2010

In this episode Mr. Monk makes a friend. His friend, Hal, is hiding something. Monk cant tell though because he is too excited about being his friend. Hal however is what we call a murderer. The only reason Hal wanted to be Monk's friend was becasue he murdered someonee and before they died they sent evidence of Hal's murders. Hal fouund out and decided the way to get Monk's mail was to be his best friend go to his house everyday and check his mail for him until the letter comes. Monk gets upset because he thinks Hal is "breaking up" with him but then finds out what Hal is up to. He almost dies when Hal holds a gun up to him but Monk tricks him into getting the gun butthen is tricked and just when it looks like Monk isw taking his last moments Lt. Disher, Natalie TEager and the gang bust in a save the day and Monk's life.moreless
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This was a sad episode to watch.

9.0

By eloi_emmanuelle, May 15, 2010

This was a really sad episode. The episode is about how Monk makes a friend, Hal who seems like a regular guy who really likes and is interested in Monk despite his quirky ways. Although Monk's other friends, Stottlemeyer, Randy and Natalie, seem very suspicious about him because they think he can't truly like Monk that much without a catch. Hal, who really was playing with Monk, then asks them if they have been good friends and would be there for him, not to just use him but to just "hang out". I felt sad because when Monk went to the hockey game with Hal, he was just so happy and excited. Then Monk wants Hal to be his best friend. What really got to me was when Monk said to Dr. Kroger that he had been praying for a best friend every Christmas.moreless
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Wonderful

9.8

By AvatarBlue, Jun 18, 2008

SPOILERS

Oh joy. Finally an episode were Monk has something good happen to him.... or does he?!

You standard con-trick plot forms the base of this episode, where Monk unfortunately falls fowl to a con-artist. The clues are there throughout the episode so pay attention. I sure though that you will see through Hal from the first moment! Or at least when Natalie questions his sincerity!

There are some fantastic scenes in this episode. The time when they first meet outside the supermarket (the mark). The time at the hockey game was just hilarious (confidence). And the scenes at Monk's apartment (the gig) at to cover up the initial murder - whose scene is filled full of clues for the sharp eyed! All in all - a superior episode, that takes an spend a good portion of its screentime building up to a wonderful Monk-threatening finale with an obvious twist you should be able to see for miles!

Very sad ending for our hero though! The best described character on TV!moreless
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Sad

7.5

By oceanic6, Apr 27, 2008

Monk makes a friend with a charismatic fun - lover called Hal who understands Monk's many quirks or at least pretends to but Disher, Natalie and Stottlemeyer aren't fooled especially when he's connected to a murder.

Although this episodes is played out well; the writing borders along linear and it almost talks down to the audience. Firstly the plot holes are massive; Monk makes a friend out of the blue who always brings in his mail and tags along to every crime scene and offers advice that only the killer would know and yet they don't figure out until it's practically spelled out for them.

The mystery is so obvious that it's like Blues Clues half the time and Andy Richter is so cheesy as Hal that he would be suited as the host for that show. The scenes with Monk trying to impress his new friend and behaving as if they were dating are the episode's highlights.

Praise goes to this episode's brilliant continuity; old elements like the rock polisher and the way Monk has his table are still intact.

Tony Shaloub expertly brings out both laughs and tears from the audience but it's sometimes unclear which he's going for. Andy Richter is a like a chunkier Pee Wee Herman and suitably brings out the smiling asassin character; he nails it. This episode is a little wobbly on the mystery but everything else is where it should be.moreless
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Aw, poor Mr. Monk....

8.0

By hahawhat, Feb 25, 2007

This is a good episode, but I really don't like Monk upset. I started to cry (I know, I'm such a baby) when Monk found out that Hal was a murderer, and then Hal tried to convince him he wasn't... I guess it was just sad to see Mr. Monk so confused and emotional. I also got kind of emotional when Monk started acting all excited because he made a friend (he just has that child-like innocence that makes you feel sorry for him). The ending was great, though; Mr. Monk finds out that Natalie really is his friend, as well as Captain Stottlemier. Overall a great episode, but still somewhat sad.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Jason Gray-Stanford	Lt. Randall Disher
Ted Levine	Captain Leland Stottlemeyer
Tony Shalhoub	Adrian Monk
Traylor Howard	Natalie Teeger

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Andy Richter	Hal Tucker	Guest Star
Emmy Clarke	Julie Teeger	Guest Star
David Eigenberg	Tim Hayden	Guest Star
Stanley Kamel	Dr. Charles Kroger	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (4)
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- It appears Monk has only classical and patriotic records. However, back in "Mr Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger," he is shown with Willie Nelson records and is a big fan of his.
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- At the hockey game; after Monk tells Hal a fact about the team, you see Hal turn away from him twice.
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- Trivia: Adrian and Hal are watching a Sonny Chow movie. We first hear about Sonny Chow on "Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra" season 3 episode 11.
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- The Captain tells Monk about con men "softening up a mark" based on his personal experiences while working vice. In most police departments confidence games, swindles and illegal gambling are usually handled by the "bunco squad."
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QUOTES (6)
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- (after meeting Hal)
  Julie: I like him.
  Natalie: I do too wonder what he's up to.
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- Hal: I like your style, you know. You play by your own rules.
  Monk: That's one way of looking at it, I guess.
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- Natalie: Mr. Monk, I'm your friend.
  Monk: Because I pay you!
  Natalie: Not that much.
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- Julie: (on the phone) No, I can't talk right now. My mom's boss is crying.
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- Stottlemeyer: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
  (very long pause)
  Disher: No.
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- Stottlemeyer: (to Monk) You're pretty good with the toilet seat down.
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NOTES (3)
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- International air dates:
  Greece: Sunday 13th January 2008 at 18.45 on Star
  Finland: Saturday, 07 February, 2009 at 19.45 on YLE TV1
  Slovakia: February 15, 2010 on Markiza
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- The original theme song makes another appearance at the end of the episode.
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- Andy Richter is billed as Special Guest Star.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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