Ep 5. Mr. Monk Gets Drunk

In season 4 episode 5 of Monk, titled "Mr. Monk Gets Drunk," we see our favorite obsessive-compulsive detective struggling with his own personal demons. After a former colleague of his is killed in a hit-and-run accident, Monk finds himself unable to cope with the loss. In an effort to numb the pain, he turns to alcohol, something he has never done before.

The episode kicks off with Monk attending the funeral of his former colleague, Joey. He is visibly shaken and upset, unable to come to terms with the fact that Joey is gone. As the service ends, Monk finds himself alone, struggling to hold back tears. It is at this point that he decides to head to the nearest bar and drown his sorrows.

At the bar, Monk orders a drink, something he has never done before. As he takes his first sip, he immediately begins to feel the effects of the alcohol. He becomes increasingly disoriented and confused, stumbling around the bar and causing a scene. His equally disheveled and inebriated state makes for a few comedic moments, but it quickly becomes clear that something is seriously wrong.

Things go from bad to worse when Monk wakes up the next morning with no memory of the previous night's events. He has a pounding headache and quickly realizes that he has done something very out of character. As he tries to piece together the events of the night before, he discovers that he may have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, leaving him with a guilty conscience and a looming sense of impending doom.

The rest of the episode follows Monk as he tries to clear his name and make things right. He tracks down the victim of the hit-and-run and offers his assistance, determined to make amends for his drunken mistake. Along the way, we see Monk struggling with his own personal demons, battling his OCD tendencies and the guilt that he feels for letting Joey down. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly put-together person can struggle with their own inner demons.

As always, the show delivers a fantastic blend of humor and drama, with some truly heart-wrenching moments sprinkled in. Tony Shalhoub delivers another stellar performance as Adrian Monk, bringing his trademark quirks and tics to life in a way that only he can. The supporting cast is also excellent, with some standout performances from Traylor Howard and Ted Levine as Natalie and Captain Stottlemeyer, respectively.

Overall, "Mr. Monk Gets Drunk" is another fantastic episode of Monk, showcasing some of the best writing and acting the show has to offer. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly put-together person can struggle with their own inner demons and is a poignant exploration of grief, guilt, and redemption.