Ep 6. Mr. Monk and the Critic

Monk season 8 episode 6, titled "Mr. Monk and the Critic," follows Adrian Monk, a former San Francisco detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, as he investigates the murder of a food critic who was known for his scathing reviews. The episode starts with Monk receiving a gift from the murdered critic, A.J. Bashir, in the form of a ticket to a fancy restaurant. Despite his reservations, Monk makes his way to the restaurant, where he runs into Bashir's ex-wife, Natalia. She tells Monk that her husband had many enemies due to his brutal reviews. Monk becomes convinced that one of those enemies is responsible for Bashir's death.

As the investigation progresses, Monk and his assistant, Natalie Teeger, interview various people who had run-ins with Bashir. They meet a chef who was the target of one of Bashir's reviews and the chef's brother, who had threatened to kill Bashir. They also speak with a former restauranteur who went bankrupt after Bashir's review ruined his business. And they meet Bashir's protégé, who now runs a popular blog. Each suspect has a motive for wanting Bashir dead, but Monk can't seem to put all the pieces together.

As the case drags on, Monk's OCD begins to spiral out of control. He becomes increasingly anxious and starts to obsess over small details, like the cutlery at the restaurant and his own cleanliness. Meanwhile, the police department assigns a new detective to the task force, a woman named Julie Teeger. Julie is none other than Natalie's daughter, who's just returned from college. Monk becomes flustered with the addition of a new person on the team, but Natalie assures him that Julie is more than capable.

In the end, Monk and the team use their various skills to figure out the identity of the killer. The case's resolution is a bit of a shock, but typical of the twists and turns that Monk episodes are known for. Throughout it all, Tony Shalhoub delivers a masterful performance as Adrian Monk, playing the character's quirks and tics with nuance and sensitivity.

Overall, Monk season 8 episode 6 is a solid entry in the show's final season. It's a classic “whodunit” story that keeps the audience guessing until the very end, and it's full of the humor and heart that fans have come to expect from the series. The addition of Natalie's daughter to the task force adds a fresh dynamic to the team, and the episode provides a satisfying conclusion to the murder mystery. For anyone who's a fan of the show, this episode is a must-see.