USA Network's series Monk ends after 8 seasons. A brief look at what made the show such a success.
Trudy’s Murder Finally Solved on Monk Series Finale
Fans are happy to finally have all of the answers surrounding Trudy’s death, but it is sad, too, because it means Monk really is moving on.
It’s always bittersweet when a favorite show goes off the air, and it couldn’t be more true with Monk (USA Network). Eight years usually seems like a long time in the world of entertainment, but not this time. Wasn’t it just yesterday when we were introduced the quirky, yet lovable former detective Adrian Monk? As a private investigator, with his faithful assistants (fiesty Sharona first, then the ever loyal Natalie) by his side, the grieving widow solved crimes in unique ways that often left others puzzled and amazed all at the same time. But through it all, there was one thing that kept him going.
Trudy.
Trudy was the love of Monk’s life, and when she was killed in a car bomb years earlier, it broke him. Literally. Due to the emotional overload from the shock and grief of her death, Adrian’s once typical desire for organization developed into an overcharged fever of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and more phobias than any one person should ever have to suffer.
Given the sensitive topic, the reason the show worked so well was because, while it may have made light of a difficult situation, it never poked fun at the problem itself. Not only did Monk learn to grow and how to cope with his many issues, those around him (and viewers as well) became more willing to look at their own "quirks" and to be more understanding when dealing with the quirks of others.
This is one of the things that makes Monk a classic. He never came out and said "I’m okay, so you’re okay," but that was the message received by the many who tuned in week after week after week.
Tony Shalhoub, the actor who played the beloved character for the past eight years (and won 3 Emmy Awards for it in the process), commented on the series finale, "The ending, just from my point of view, is very satisfying. Granted, the last two episodes are much darker than episodes we’ve done in the past, more drama than the usual dramedy tone, but I really thought the writers hit it out of the park."
If you’re one of the few who still hasn’t seen an episode of Monk, do yourself a favor and follow it all from Season 1 to Season 8 on DVD. Trust me when I tell you – in the fondly remembered words of Monk himself – "You’ll thank me later."
To all of the cast and crew, you will be missed. Friday nights will never be the same.