Ep 21. Monk and the magic mirror

In Monk season 1 episode 21, titled "Monk and the Magic Mirror," Adrian Monk and his assistant, Sharona Fleming, are called to investigate a murder at a traveling magic show. The victim, a magician named Samuel Garfield, was found dead in his dressing room, locked from the inside and with no signs of forced entry.

As they begin their investigation, Monk and Sharona meet the other members of the magic show - including Mia, Samuel's estranged wife and fellow magician, and Danny the Daredevil, a stunt performer who also had a history with Samuel. As they delve deeper into the case, it becomes clear that almost everyone in the show had a motive for killing Samuel.

Monk's attention is particularly drawn to a large, ornate mirror that was found in Samuel's dressing room. He becomes convinced that the mirror holds the key to the murder and spends much of the episode fixated on it. However, his odd behavior and insistence on examining every inch of the mirror leads Sharona and the rest of the team to become frustrated with him.

As the investigation continues and more clues come to light, Monk begins to suspect that there may be a connection between Samuel's murder and a previous case he had worked on - one involving a jewel thief who used mirrors to aid in his crimes. Monk becomes convinced that there is a similar connection with the mirror in Samuel's dressing room.

With the help of Sharona and Captain Stottlemeyer, Monk eventually pieces together the puzzle and uncovers the true identity of Samuel's killer. In classic Monk fashion, the solution to the case involves a clever use of logic and observation, along with a healthy dose of Monk's signature quirks.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see more into Monk's personal life and his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. We also get to see his relationship with Sharona develop further, as she begins to understand his quirks and learn how to work with them.

Overall, "Monk and the Magic Mirror" is a classic episode of the beloved detective series. It features a compelling mystery, engaging characters, and plenty of humor and heart. Fans of the show will enjoy seeing Monk use his unique skills to crack another case, while newcomers will be drawn in by the show's charm and wit.