Monk

Mr. Monk Makes A Friend

Season 5, Episode 11, Aired 1/19/07

Episode Summary

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.

9.6

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Cast & Crew

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Traylor Howard

Natalie Teeger
Tony Shalhoub

Adrian Monk
Jason Gray-Stanford

Lt. Randall Disher

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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

9.4

"Superb"

By tvfanatic91, May 15, 2010 Report Abuse

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

"Superb"

By eloi_emmanuelle, May 15, 2010 Report Abuse

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

"Superb"

By AvatarBlue, Jun 18, 2008 Report Abuse

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

"Good"

By oceanic6, Apr 27, 2008 Report Abuse

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

"Great"

By hahawhat, Feb 25, 2007 Report Abuse

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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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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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. Edit
- At the hockey game; after Monk tells Hal a fact about the team, you see Hal turn away from him twice. Edit
- 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. Edit
Notes
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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 Edit
- The original theme song makes another appearance at the end of the episode. Edit
- Andy Richter is billed as Special Guest Star. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- (after meeting Hal) Julie: I like him. Natalie: I do too wonder what he's up to. Edit
- Hal: I like your style, you know. You play by your own rules. Monk: That's one way of looking at it, I guess. Edit
- Natalie: Mr. Monk, I'm your friend. Monk: Because I pay you! Natalie: Not that much. Edit
Allusions
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