Missed the season finale of Monk? No worries, click here for a full recap of Friday nights' events.
America’s favorite obsessive-compulsive detective concluded his sixth season Friday night on USA. The episode was part two of the season’s finale. In the previous episode, Adrian Monk, played brilliantly by Emmy award winning actor Tony Shaloub, came face to face with the one suspect he could never catch- the six-fingered man he suspects killed his wife, Trudy. Shots are fired, the six-fingered murderer is killed, and Monk is on the run for avenging his wife’s murder. It concluded with a standoff between Captain Stottlemeyer, played by Ted Levine, and Monk, which resulted in Monk’s untimely demise- or so viewers think.
The first seconds of the opening act reveal the truth behind the “shoot out.” Monk, with the help of Captain Stottlemeyer and a bulletproof vest, is still alive. The captain believes Monk was setup by Sheriff Rollins, and risks his badge to help Monk escape. They both vowed to keep it a secret; but, as everyone knows, the show wouldn’t be any good with an untold secret.
Car Wash Columbo
Natalie, played by Traylor Howard, is completely unaware that Monk is still alive. She becomes suspicious when a mover calls her attention to the “Car Wash Columbo,” who solved a hit and run murder without a suspect. She confronts Stottlemeyer who folds, and confesses, causing Natalie to immediately pack her bags and head to Nevada where Monk is hiding under the alias “Leland Rodriguez.” But little does she know, shady Sheriff Rollins is following right behind her.
“It’s not about what can happen, it’s about what you can prove happened”
Natalie's reunion with Monk is short-lived in when Sheriff Rollins comes rushing in with a gun. The two narrowly escape a messy car wash getaway. Back at the ranch, Stottlemeyer folds as Disher prepares a torturous musical tribute, and explains to him the plan to clear Monk's name.
Working in teams, Monk and Natalie, and Stottlemeyer and Disher, work to figure out the truth. Phony businesses and bogus checks lead them to the mastermind behind the plot against Monk. Natalie decides to pay him a visit.
Dale Beiderbeck, a billionaire currently serving a prison sentence because of Monk, happily welcomes Natalie to his plush prison cell. She attempts to tape a confession, but is quickly ousted by the cunning, grossly obese, prisoner.
"You should be here, not me!"
Dale Beiderbeck, a grossly obese billionaire serving a prison sentence because of Monk, happily welcomes Natalie to his plush prison cell. She attempts to tape a confession, but is quickly ousted by the cunning prisoner. Before leaving, she does manage to videotape a message from Beiderbeck to Monk. "Dale the Whale" expresses his contempt for Monk and hints at his sinister plot. Upon reviewing the message, Monk, attentive as ever, finds a clue hidden in the background. The clue leads the team to Riverton, CA. where the governor and his wife are in a parade.
"Eureka"Beiderbeck's evil plot becomes clear when they arrive to Riverton. His plan is to kill the governor and his wife. His motive? The governor has refused to commute Dale's sentence. With the governor out of the picture, Dale's flunky, the Lt. Governor, will commute his sentence and Dale will be released from prison. Monk realizes this and is able to stop the car the governor and his wife are riding in before the bomb is triggered.
Unanswered Questions?Has Monk redeemed himself for not being able to save Trudy? Will Monk regain his position on the San Francisco PD? You'll have to stay tuned for season seven to find out!
