Ep 4. Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale

Monk season 1 episode 4, named "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale," follows Adrian Monk as he attempts to solve the murder of a prominent judge. The episode opens with the judge's nephew, Harold, discovering the judge's body in his study and calling the police. Monk and his assistant, Sharona Fleming, are called to the scene to investigate.

Upon examination of the crime scene, Monk notices a piece of candy on the floor and determines that it was most likely left by the killer. The candy is traced back to a local candy store, where the shop owner remembers selling it to a man named Dale Biederbeck. However, Dale is not your average suspect - he's a wealthy man who weighs over 600 pounds, earning him the nickname "Dale the Whale."

Despite the fact that Dale is an unlikely suspect due to his physical limitations, Monk becomes convinced that he is the killer. He becomes obsessed with the case, unable to let it go until he has found the killer and brought them to justice. This obsession begins to take a toll on Monk's mental health, and Sharona becomes worried about him.

In order to prove Dale's guilt, Monk must find a way to get to him, as Dale rarely leaves his mansion due to his size. Monk and Sharona devise a plan to get Dale to come to them - they create a fake newspaper article accusing Dale of the murder and send it to him. Dale takes the bait and comes to see Monk and Sharona, where they interrogate him about the murder.

The rest of the episode follows Monk as he attempts to gather evidence against Dale and prove his guilt. Along the way, he faces several setbacks and obstacles, including a run-in with Dale's mob connections and a close call with the police. Eventually, Monk is able to gather enough evidence to prove that Dale is, indeed, the killer.

Overall, "Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is a thrilling episode that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's an intriguing case full of twists and turns, and the character development of Monk is fascinating to watch. The episode showcases Monk's obsessive personality and his determination to see justice served, even when the odds are against him. It's a must-see for fans of mystery and crime dramas.