User reviews

'Monk' has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend. "Mr Monk and the Psychic" is only the third episode and the show is showing no signs of declining.

After Season 1 started off so brilliantly with the two parter "Mr Monk and the Candidate" and "Mr Monk and the Psychic", both show highlights, "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is still a very good episode indeed if a step down. It is notable for introducing Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck, a character who returned two other times in Season 2 and the final season with Adam Arkin replaced by Tim Curry and then Ray Porter, and a great introduction it is too. As said before, some 'Monk' episodes are better than others, which is true of most shows, but that is true of many shows, even the best ones have not so good episodes and even they on the most part are still better than a lot of shows at their weakest.

"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is at its weakest during the scenes between Biederbeck and Sharona, a situation that was more than unlikely and there is one bit where our revolted reaction mirrors Sharona's own exactly, even though she in full view of it we more than get the drift. Yeah, the solution is on the predictable side but it was fun to spot the clues and see how Monk came to solving the case through some enviously genius detective work.

On the other hand, one of the best things about 'Monk' has always been the acting of Tony Shalhoub in the title role, it was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching. It is remarkable here that for an episode that only introduces him that one likes him straight away, even with his quirks and deficiencies that could easily have been overplayed, and also that he is better developed than most titular characters of other shows at this particular stage. Who can't help love Monk's brilliant mind too?

He is very well supported by a sharp and no-nonsense but also sympathetic Bitty Schram, whose Sharona makes for a worthy and entertaining partner for Monk's sleuthing and somebody with a maternal side. There is always a debate at who's better between Sharona and Natalie, personally like both in their own way and consider them both attractive though as of now leaning towards Natalie as the better acted and more attentive of the two.

Also by a very amusing, and sometimes even funnier than that, Ted Levine, what a difference from his Buffalo Bill in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Jason Gray-Stanford is not quite as entertaining, with not quite as memorable lines (only because the other three are so good that's all) but shows great chemistry with everyone and is appealing enough with his earnestness and goofiness. Adam Arkin makes a very good impression as Biederbeck, a pretty loathsome individual though with some golden lines that Arkin relishes in a way that it's both fun and menacing. Of the three interpretations of the character, Tim Curry is my favourite acting-wise but Arkin is the one with the best lines.

It's not just the cast though. Another star is the writing, which is also essential to whether the show would be successful or not and succeed it does here. The mix of hilarious wry humour, lovable quirkiness and tender easy-to-relate-to drama is delicately done but extremely deft, which elevates what could have been just a conventional and formulaic story to a greater level.

On paper, the story may have been conventional but is absorbing and clever with some nice twists, and it was wonderful to see and hear Monk's deductions. The banter between Monk and Sharona was immensely enjoyable and a large part of the episode's charm. It was however the malicious taunting of Monk by Biederbeck and the biting-the-nails but also gleefully enjoyable chemistry between them that made "Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale", parts were very funny but there were degrees of tension as well.

"Mr Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is shot in a slick and stylish way, and the music is both understated and quirky. Much prefer the jazzy Season 1 theme tune to the later "It's a Jungle Out There", which always struck me before as one of my least favourite assets of 'Monk' but has since grown on me, which should have been kept. It's all very capably directed throughout.

All in all, another winner from Season 1 and 'Monk' overall. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Adam Arkin plays an 800 pound man who Monk knows from the past. He is mean and cynical and totally immobile. He may have been responsible for the death of Trudy, Monk's late wife. He is really despicable and that's what makes him so interesting. The murdered woman shouts Dale's last name as she is being killed. Also, there is a girl who saw an enormous man through an upstairs window. Fun episode which sets up the future of the series.

A judge is murdered in her home as she begs for help after calling 911 and she identifies her killer on the phone as eccentric Dale the Whale. When the police arrive they find that there was some stir fry on the stove although the judge had eaten out that night and brought part of what she could not eat home in a doggy bag. Why did she not eat that rather than cook an entirely different meal? Also, a passerby saw an extremely fat man stand on a chair and shut off the smoke alarm that was blaring from the cooking on the stove.

Dale the Whale is a very wealthy man who weighs over 800 pounds and is confined to his bed in his sprawling mansion. He could never manage to walk around somebody's house and kill them, although he does have a motive. Yet Monk believes this guy is the murderer. Complicating factor is that Dale sued Monk and his wife Trudy when she was alive for libel in an article she wrote. Dale took the "continue losing until they surrender" strategy, draining Monk and his wife of all of their assets. Thus Monk has every reason to hate Dale. Will it cloud his judgment? Watch and find out.

This is not episode 4 it is 3. Really good episode, I like how Dale the Whale was in more multiple episode too.

Alan Arkin (son of Adam) chews the screen in this early episode of Monk in more ways than one. There's so much to ponder in this episode, especially the nature of gross obesity, crime, power, and corruption in public institutions. I'm heartened that the producers weren't afraid to cast Tony Shalhoub as a poke-in-the-eye to anti-Arab sentiment post 9/11.

In the previous episode of Monk the identity of the perpetrator was given away in the first scene. Here we have a degree of mystery though it's fairly obvious who did it. Still good fun though.

A woman calls 911 and tells the attendant that the notorious criminal Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck has invaded her house. Then she is murdered and identified by the police as Judge Lavinio. A young girl is an eyewitness and reports a very fat man as the criminal. Stottlemeyer summons Monk and Sharona to help the investigation since Dale has morbid obesity and weights almost 400 kg. It is not possible to leave his room without removing the window and using a crane to move him. Dr. Christian Vezza, who treats him, tells the police that his client cannot leave the room. But Monk and Stottlemeyer are sure that Dale is the killer, and they have to investigate how.

"Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale" is an intriguing episode of "Monk", with a mysterious plot. The killer is known since the beginning, and Monk has to solve how the crime happened. In 2022, Brendan Fraser performed a similar morbid obese character in "The Whale". My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Sr. Monk Encontra Dale, A Baleia" ("Mr. Monk Meets Dale the Whale")

A judge is murdered inside her own home, but is able to actually name her attacker (Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck) in a frantic 911 call before he bludgeons her with a baseball bat. The trouble is, Biederbeck (guest star Adam Arkin) is an enormous invalid (coming in at over 800 pounds) who's been bedridden for years. How will Monk prove he did it - or, at least, prove that he was responsible in some way?

Guest star Arkin is amusing as the arrogant villain, a character who will make multiple appearances over the course of the series. The mystery to be solved, much like the first two episodes, is not a particularly complicated one, and when the perpetrator is revealed, it comes as no surprise. The real joy is watching Monk as he mentally notes each clue that comes his way, and, when he's solved the case and goes over what he's learned, we can see how well it's all been set up. It's still hilarious watching him succumb to his OCD as he can't help but rearrange things and neaten them even while interviewing people.

Best of all are two moments: Lt. Disher caroming about in a bulky "empathy suit" which Monk has him wear to illustrate a point, and the scene of two children extorting money from Monk & Sharona to buy their lemonade, in exchange for information. It's really the bright sense of humor that makes this detective series as pleasant to watch as it is.

Seven out of 10.