Mr. Monk And The Good Advice
Adrian Monk was a true original. Whether by virtue of will or mental illness, he marched and captured killers to the beat of his own drummer (…and we’re sure that beat was in some even time signature, because Monk probably couldn’t handle three to the bar.). As Monk closes his final case, it’s a good time to reflect on all he’s taught us and offer our final thanks. Here’s what I learned…
Stay focused to solve the problem. If you’ve seen Monk, you know he’s often like a dog with a bone about just about everything. Whether it’s trying to get someone to straighten uneven blinds or trying to get Stottlemeyer to let him investigate a closed case, Monk doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. Not only does staying focused on the thing he wants help Monk get what he wants, but it also helps him solve murders. Even when it doesn’t seem like he’s paying attention to minute details, on some level, he is. Physical evidence, thinks suspects say, tiny piece of information- it’s all going into Monk’s head, and sooner or later, Monk’s focus on finding the key evidence will land him on the right tiny detail and help him put away the bad guy. Bottom line: Focus helps you get what you want and helps you do what you need to do.
Little things mean a lot. Natalie Teeger could probably tell us better than anyone that this is true. It seems the majority of her daily tasks involve facilitating the endless list of small things Monk wants to have just so. The thing is, it’s that same kind of little thing that often stands between a killer and his or her freedom. Case after case involved Monk finding some small slip-up or easily overlookable detail that he’d ultimately use to put away the week’s criminal. Bottom line: take time to get the details right and don’t overlook the obvious or the obscure.
Go with your strengths. In many aspects of life, Monk is more or less dysfunctional. He needs an assistant, a shrink, or a wipe (and sometimes all three!) at just about every turn. But while things may render him almost unable to function - stuff like the redecoration of a room or the scarcity of the one bottled water he’ll drink - Monk knows what he can function better than just about anyone - and that’s in solving the hell out of murder. So yes, sometimes Monk wants to find new friends (remember Andy Richter?) or watch his old favorite TV show or clean…or clean. But really, what he tries to spend his time doing, what he seeks out - is that which he is best at - solving murders. And when you can do that, stuff like not being able to cope with round pancakes or sets of three seems less significant. Bottom line: To find your place in the world, find what youre good at and go with it.
Surround yourself with people who accept you as you are. It might be easy to think Monk’s low tolerance for so many things and his lack of certain social skills are the reasons he has such a small circle of friends. And that may be true. But the truth is, if Monk can’t stand a lot of things, a lot of people probably couldn’t take Monk and his demands for very long either. Monk has been smart and surrounded himself with people who love and support him as is - more or less. Sure, he pays some of them - like Natalie and Dr. Kroger or Dr. Bell. And sometimes he’s indicated he’d like a bigger circle of friends. But basically, he relies on a small group of people who let Monk be Monk. And he realizes he’d be lost without them. Bottom line: hold onto good friends.
Trust your gut. There’s nothing better on an episode of Monk than when he says those famous words “He’s the guy.” Sometines, Monk figures out the killer’s identity because of something he’s seen or logically concluded. Sometimes, though, he just has a feeling. Maybe being able to get a sense of a person’s guilt or innocence is really a form of observation. Or maybe it’s a six sense great detectives possess. Either way, Monk is a guy with a “golden gut”. Bottom line: sometimes, you just have to trust your instincts.
Instinct. Mine says, I probably won’t ever have to solve a murder in my life, but, sometimes, daily life’s mystery enough, and these things may just come in handy there. Thanks for eight good years, Monk cast and crew.
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