Monk

10 Best Episodes of Monk - Season 1

Adrian Monk was once a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, legendary for using unconventional means to solve the department's most baffling cases. But after the tragic (and still unsolved) murder of his wife Trudy, he developed an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now working as a private consultant, Monk continues to investigate cases in the most unconventional ways.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Monk - S1E9

#13 - Mr. Monk and the Marathon Man (Season 1 - Episode 9)

Monk knows that a local furniture magnate threw his young mistress off the balcony of her 21st floor apartment. However, the man has a perfect alibi: he was across town running in a citywide marathon.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 259 votes.

Monk - S1E5

#12 - Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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An amusement park ride turns deadly when Stottlemeyer's former partner (Stephen McHattie) gets on a ferris wheel with a mysterious informant. When the ride comes to a stop, the informant has a knife in his chest. The lieutenant, who has a history of police brutality, is suspended.

The episode was rated 7.67 from 344 votes.

Monk - S1E4

#11 - Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale (Season 1 - Episode 4)

When a local judge is found murdered, all the evidence points to one man: an 800 lb (360 kg) reclusive tycoon named Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck (Adam Arkin). However, due to his extreme obesity, he is unable to leave his bed.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 354 votes.

Monk - S1E3

#10 - Mr. Monk and the Psychic (Season 1 - Episode 3)

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When the wife of the police commissioner (John Bourgeois) disappears, her body is mysteriously found by a hack "psychic" (Linda Kash). Everyone believes she accomplished the impossible–except for Monk.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 397 votes.

Monk - S1E10

#9 - Mr. Monk Takes a Vacation (Season 1 - Episode 10)

Monk, Sharona, and Benjy head off for a week of rest and relaxation, but it's back to work when Benjy witnesses a murder through a telescope at their beach resort. Monk is aided in his investigation by a woman (Polly Draper) whose only detective training was learned through movies.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 295 votes.

Monk - S1E7

#8 - Mr. Monk and the Billionaire Mugger (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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A billionaire computer mogul is shot dead while mugging a couple outside a movie theater, and a uniformed officer later is seen fleeing the scene. While the press hound the police about the identity of "Fraidy Cop", Monk investigates what at first appears to be a midlife crisis gone horribly wrong–until he finds out that the two cases are connected.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 326 votes.

Monk - S1E6

#7 - Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum (Season 1 - Episode 6)

After being discovered in Trudy's old house, Monk is temporarily institutionalized. Once committed, he stumbles upon a four-year-old murder. Along the way, Monk is aided by various other patients at the hospital, including a man (Kevin Nealon) who mirrors those around him, a woman who gets angry easily and lashes out at people and a man who is obsessed with Santa Claus.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 327 votes.

Monk - S1E8

#6 - Mr. Monk and the Other Woman (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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Monk's dedication to his late wife is tested when he meets a beautiful woman (Maria del Mar) who has her sights set on a certain obsessive-compulsive detective.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 294 votes.

Monk - S1E11

#5 - Mr. Monk and the Earthquake (Season 1 - Episode 11)

When a San Francisco philanthropist dies mysteriously in a minor earthquake, Monk suspects foul play, and Sharona's life is soon in danger.

The episode was rated 7.88 from 265 votes.

Monk - S1E12

#4 - Mr. Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger (Season 1 - Episode 12)

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Country superstar Willie Nelson is arrested for murder, but Monk thinks he is innocent.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 271 votes.

Monk - S1E1

#3 - Mr. Monk Meets the Candidate (1) (Season 1 - Episode 1)

Adrian Monk, a former San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) detective, comes out of forced retirement to investigate the murder of a politician's bodyguard and learns that there is more at play than meets the eye, especially after discovering secrets involving the candidate's wife (Gail O'Grady) and campaign manager (Ben Bass).

The episode was rated 7.93 from 560 votes.

Monk - S1E2

#2 - Mr. Monk Meets the Candidate (2) (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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Adrian Monk, a former San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) detective, comes out of forced retirement to investigate the murder of a politician's bodyguard and learns that there is more at play than meets the eye, especially after discovering secrets involving the candidate's wife (Gail O'Grady) and campaign manager (Ben Bass).

The episode was rated 7.99 from 275 votes.

Monk - S1E13

#1 - Mr. Monk and the Airplane (Season 1 - Episode 13)

Monk braves the unfriendly skies–and finds murder in the air. No one believes him except for Randy, who provides aid back in San Francisco. While in the air, Monk must deal with his fear of flight, a flight attendant (Brooke Adams), a zealous extension cord salesman (Garry Marshall), and Tim Daly.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 238 votes.

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