Truth be told, the 2005-06 fourth season of Monk reveals considerable strain on the show's once-delightful premise, with the now predictable complications arising from the assorted phobias of brilliant detective Adrian Monk (Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub) threatening to turn the show into self-parody. Nonetheless, there are some terrific entries in this 16-episode set, a few of which can be numbered among the series' best. In “Mr. Monk and the Other Detective,” guest star Jason Alexander plays slovenly private eye Marty Eels, whose work in a robbery-murder case overshadows Adrian's contributions—until it becomes apparent that Marty has a personal stake in the investigation's outcome. Another exceptional episode is “Mr. and Mrs. Monk,” in which Adrian's assistant, Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), uncovers evidence suggesting that the detective's wife Trudy—long believed dead—is actually alive and implicated in a murder. But my choice for the standout here is “Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty,” which finds Adrian attempting to dissuade other jury members from convicting a defendant he believes innocent, while at the same time investigating the murder of a victim whose corpse is found right outside the deliberation room—it's a beautifully constructed episode that is fiendishly clever in its surprising denouement. DVD extras include a pair of behind-the-scenes featurettes. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)
Monk: Season Four
Universal, 4 discs, 693 min., not rated, DVD: $59.98 September 18, 2006
Monk: Season Four
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