Ep 3. Mr. Monk and the Big Game

As much as Adrian Monk hates sports, he finds himself attending a Giants football game with his assistant, Natalie, and her daughter, Julie. The game is a special one, as the opening of the new stadium is being celebrated. But soon enough, a murder takes place and Monk is on the case.

The victim is the team's owner, who was killed inside his private suite during the game. The murder weapon is a champagne bottle, which the killer used to bludgeon the victim. Monk and Natalie are both shocked when they learn that the list of suspects is vast. There are so many people who had access to the suite and could have committed the crime.

Monk takes it upon himself to investigate everyone who was there that day. The suspects include the victim's son, who is running for political office and is desperate to inherit his father's fortune. There are also the team's coaches, who are notoriously hard on their players, and there are rumours of multiple disputes with the team's owner.

Monk also suspects the victim's assistant, who stood to gain a great deal if the owner passed away. But his investigation leads him down unexpected paths, and he begins to suspect someone that nobody else would ever have suspected.

The episode is filled with twists and turns, as Monk works tirelessly to crack the case. Meanwhile, he must also try and navigate his own personal struggles. His constant fear of germs and touching things that others have touched is put to the test in the crowded stadium. The loud noises and bright lights also trigger his OCD, making his job even more difficult.

But as always, Monk perseveres. With Natalie by his side, he sifts through the clues and eliminates suspects one by one. In the end, he solves the case and the killer is brought to justice.

The episode is a classic example of the Monk formula. We see the titular character thrown into an environment he's not comfortable with, but he rises to the challenge and uses his unique skills to solve the crime. The episode is filled with humour, suspense and heart, making it a great example of why the show lasted for eight seasons.