Monk: Season 8

I've been on this planet long enough to clearly recall various TV series since the 1950's - including classics such as "Gunsmoke" and "Father Knows Best" and the very first shows on "The Twilight Zone" and "Star Trek". There were 3 TV channels. Period. Anyway, I've had many years of experience watching some great shows - and some, of course, not so great. And if I were on a desert island with only a box of DVD's as my sole entertainment, and which I had to enjoy sufficiently to stand watching over and over for many years to come.... the series "Monk" would definitely be one of my first choices for that box. That's about the highest accolade that I can think of to bestow upon a TV series. It was continuously fresh and imaginative and entertaining, as well as being curiously warm and touching. And with characters with whom we became bonded.

When I heard that season eight would be the final season of Monk, I was mostly glad. Yes, I still enjoyed the show, but it wasn't as good as it had once been. I was hoping this would give them a chance to go out with a bang. And did it ever. For the most part, the show didn't really change a thing. Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is SFPD's secret weapon in the war against crime. When Captain Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) and Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) get stuck on an especially hard case, they call in Monk. Aided by his assistant Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), Monk's obsessive compulsive behaviors and phobias allow him to see those clues that others miss. Granted, the show was never filled with super tough cases, but this season has its share of great ones. I especially enjoyed the one that found Monk convinced he had seen a UFO outside a small desert town. They do a spot on spoof of The Brady Bunch when the now grown actress of Monk's favorite childhood show is being stalked. Monk joins a group theory group only to have the other members start to die. But what has always made this show so wonderful is the liberal mixing of laughter and quiet, tender moments. And that is what we get here. It's like the writers knew this was their last chance to really say something with the characters, and they didn't want to miss an opportunity. Looking over the episodes makes me smile as I remember a particular line or a scene that make me laugh or a tender moment the characters shared together. The acting is top notch as always. I've never been able to fault the cast, and they didn't rest on their laurels going into the final season. Their performances really gave wonderful life to those words. Since this was the final season, the writers did go places they couldn't go previously. Bitty Schram agreed to come back one list time as Monk's first assistant Sharona. That episode had some of the funniest moments of the season as we got to watch Sharona and Natalie fight over Monk, almost literally at one point. Monk also was rehired by the police force. In one of the most touching episodes, Stottlemeyer gets remarried. And the biggest question of the series is finally answered. In the two part season finale, we finally find out who killed Monk's wife Trudy. Honestly, these episodes were the weakest of the season. Yes, there were some very funny moments and memorable lines. There were also had some wonderful moments for the characters. But I was disappointed with how the mystery itself unfolded. The box set will look pretty familiar to fans of the show. The sixteen episodes are presented in surround sound and widescreen on four discs. Extras are limited to a video commentary on the final episode and interviews with cast and crew. I started season eight of Monk hoping it would end on a high note. Even with the disappointing final episode, it left me wishing we'd get more from this wonderful show. Thanks for the wonderful eight years, Mr. Monk. I'll see you in the tie-in novels and my DVD sets.

What can I say.. Monk is fantastic. What's been bothering me is why the hell season 8 is the last season? Clearly, it should have been 10 seasons. As we all know – 10 is a much better number.

Laughter is the best medicine and I laughed hard all the way through. Monk is one of my all time favorite shows that I have back to throughout the years and still laugh just as hard as the first time I saw it. The character Mr. Monk is so beloved to me. I relate in many ways and love that the other characters close to him in the show have more compassion then frustration for his issues. Throughout the seasons, the show demonstrates how individuals who are different are often a blessing to our society and contribute in ways that are greatly beneficial. The show is healing for many. The triumph of his character in the end of season 8 is a great reward the writers of the show has given us. You walk away from this show warm and fuzzy and content... in spite of the realities of the violence that harm that takes place in our world.

I love this series!

I HAVE A LOT OF YEARS UNDER MY BELT AND NOW THAT I'M RE-TIRED AND HAVE TIME I CAN PICK SOMETHING ENTERTAINING---NOT SO MUCH NOW DAYS UNLESS YOU LIKE VIOLANCE SEX AND KILLINGS...MY HUSBAND GOT ME TURNED ON TO THIS DRAMA/COMMEDY AND I ENJOYED IT...A STORY ABOUT A DE-TECTIVE THAT ONCE WAS A POLLCE MAN BUT WAS PUT ON LEAVE BECAUSE HIS WIFE WAS KILLED AND HE WAS TRAMIZED BY THIS BUT THE POLIC E DEPT. NOTED THAT WHEN HE OFFERDED ADVISE ABOUT A CRIME SCENE HE BROUGHT UP UNSCENE CLUES..SO TTHEY USED HIM BUT GAVE HIM A NURSE TO HELP WITH HIS OTHER ISSUES...II RECOMMENDD THIS SHOW SERIOUS BUT SPRINKLED WITH COMMEDY....MRZ A BONETTI

El producto llegó sin problemas y es lo que dice... Pero no es una grabación HD de 1080 o más pixeles, por lo que la calidad de las imágenes no es la deseada.

I love Mr. Monk and I don't believe television will ever have another extremely original show like this. It's a genius show and I'm not going to say it needs to come back because all good things have to come to an end. The character of Mr. Monk has helped me with some of my phobias and also the actor, Tony Shaloub (so talented), has gained a spot on one of my favorite actors lists. I look for anything with him in it now. Some movies that I already owned had him in it and i wasn't aware of it. I don't know if this is the right word or phrase, but he is an eclectic actor that i would love to see in more movies and TV shows.