Top 10 Episodes of Monk

10. Mr. Monk is on the Run (Season 6, Episodes 15 and 16)

A dynamic two-parter with a very classic "title character has to become a fugitive" theme. Yes, it's been done many times before and there's nothing actually innovative about this, but in the Monk universe there's definitely a new quality to it. Personally the second half brings it a bit down for me as Dale the Whale was never truly a well-written character (changing actors every time didn't help), but Sheriff Rollins is a fun villain and the regular cast is even more outstanding than usual.

9. Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty (Season 4, Episode 16)

Another great finish to a season (and not the last one you'll see on this list). Monk in a small room, pissing off the other eleven people. It's just a really good setting for this character to shine and the case itself is one of the most exciting too, especially with the fake juror and how the detective manages to figure it all out while locked up with the other "angry men".

8. Mr. Monk and the Kid (Season 3, Episode 16)

Remember what I just told you about the episodes wrapping up the seasons? This one is all about Monk and his relationship with Tommy, which probably for the first time in the story just shows us the true nature of the character. He's got this hidden warmth to him and doesn't have anyone to share it with, anyone he can love. It's a very emotional one and while there are a few out of character moments for Monk, all the laughing and crying is definitely earned. Monk calling the 911 operator - superb.

7. Mr. Monk and the Candidate (Season 1, Episode 1)

The very first episode of the series and I actually think it does a wonderful job at introducing us to the characters and the rules of Monk's world. One moment he's being Sherlock Holmes and then suddenly he does something that will frustrate everyone around him. Tony Shalhoub had a few episodes later on where he was very clearly still getting used to the part and figuring things out, but you're not going to see it here. It's actually surprising how good this pilot episode is.

6. Mr. Monk and the Employee of the Month (Season 3, Episode 7)

Probably the best example of Monk going undercover to work somewhere and gather information. The B-story with clearing the name of his former partner is great and the two get a few exceptional moments together (I wish he at least showed up in an episode or two later in the show, even for a second to get the continuity going). But at the heart of it is the case, which poses the amazing question of why would someone kill to become the employee of the month at a department store?

5. Mr. Monk and the Red Herring (Season 3, Episode 10)

Otherwise known as the episode where we meet Natalie and it's a great introduction. You've got one of the most exciting cases and some of the best humor in the series (Monk posing as the ichthyologist might be my favorite of them all). And it's not that good because it's the first time we see a couple of new characters, it absolutely delivers as a standalone episode too. The dilemma of saving the fish or the priceless rock at the end is also one to consider, it's not obvious what Monk will do.

4. Mr. Monk and the End (Season 8, Episode 15 and 16)

Another season-closer, but that happens for the last time (fitting). Monk always had to end (no pun intended) with Trudy's murder being resolved and that must have been a nightmare to pull off for the writers. But they came up with this excellent effort that brings the story to a very neat finish. Lots of tearjerker moments, the feeling of grave danger for the main character, and a reasonable explanation of a mystery that almost destroyed the man who for years was able to solve all cases but that one.

3. Mr. Monk and Sharona (Season 8, Episode 10)

Both Sharona and Natalie were one of the standout characters in this show and part of it is how different they were. This episode does a great job of underlining that and it's the only one in which we have both Bitty Schram and Traylor Howard. Natalie was never an imitation of Sharona and their dynamics here are great to watch with some excellent comedic relief. Maybe it's not one of the best cases of Monk, but it's still quite thrilling and it's just such a pleasure to watch these three actors interact with each other.

2. Mr. Monk and the Astronaut (Season 4, Episode 14)

By far my favorite of the most classic trope of Monk - we know who did it, but he has an unshakeable alibi. Part of that is probably Jeffrey Donovan's Steven Wagner being one of the most compelling villains in the series, part of that is the sheer absurd idea of someone being in space and committing a murder. It's a wonderful character moment for Monk as well. He gets called a flincher and a quitter, but then shows his true colors when it matters most.

1. Mr. Monk and the Three Pies (Season 2, Episode 11)

Ambrose Monk only got two episodes (and a brief cameo in the third one), but John Turturro is absolutely magnificent in this role (won an Emmy for it too). Stottlemeyer really puts it best when he says that meeting Monk's brother answered some questions and raised even more. Backstory on the main character's upbringing was needed at some point and it was delivered in the best way imaginable. The case behind it is one of the wackiest ones in the series too and the Shalhoub/Turturro chemistry is off the charts.