The Big Reward, Friday's Tuesday Flashback Feature, Monk Final Episode Special

This is a very special Friday edition of my Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about classic TV shows usually from the 1950s-1970s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the storylines. Ah, 2006. I remember it well...

This special Friday edition is in honor of the series finale of Monk. Its last episode airs tonight, December 4th, 2009.  So long, Adrian, Leland, Randy & Natalie. See ya in syndication.

Monk
The Big Reward
February 3, 2006

Monk and Natalie go to police headquarters to ask Captain Stottlemeyer for a raise. While they are there, Lieutenant Disher brings in Warren Landis, a security guard from a local museum, for questioning. 

The world-famous Alexander diamond has been stolen from the museum, and the police are interrogating all museum employees. When Monk notices some chemical residue on Landis' fingers, Lieutenant Disher arrests the security guard on drug charges.

When Natalie hears that there's a million dollar reward for the diamond, she convinces Monk to use his detective skills to try to find the stolen gem. 

Monk goes to the museum to investigate, where he encounters three other detectives who are also after the reward: a retired Scotland Yard detective named Inspector St. Clare, a young detective with lots of techno-gadgets named Rufus, and a muscle-bound bounty hunter named Dirk.

While Monk searches the crime scene, the other detectives hang back and follow his lead. Monk deduces that the heist was an inside job, and clues indicate that the perpetrator could have been a practitioner of transcendental meditation. 

Monk and Natalie head to a meditation retreat, where they find their man: Danny Chasen. Unfortunately, Chasen has been murdered, and the diamond is nowhere to be found.

Monk is convinced that Chasen must have been working with someone else, an employee of the museum. Monk heads back to police headquarters to confer with Captain Stottlemeyer. While there, Monk notices a woman named Jennie Mandeville. 

Disher explains that Mandeville has been coming into the police station to confess to nonexistent crimes. Later, Dr. Kroger informs Monk that Jennie Mandeville is the name of the woman who established the meditation retreat where Danny Chasen was killed, and with this bit of information, Monk solves the case!

Monk races from Dr. Kroger's office to police headquarters with the three detectives following him the whole way. When he gets to the station he explains what happened. 

The woman calling herself "Jennie Mandeville" was in on the robbery. She took the name from a plaque at the meditation retreat where she had gone to kill Danny Chasen, one of her fellow robbers. 

Warren Landis, the museum security guard that Lieutenant Disher arrested for drugs, was also one of the jewel thieves, as well as the boyfriend of the so-called "Jennie Mandeville." Landis was the inside man, and he had the diamond on him during the post-robbery questioning that led to his drug arrest.

Knowing he would soon be searched, Landis used a wad of gum to stick the diamond under the table in the interrogation room where he was being questioned. Later, after his arrest, he called his girlfriend from jail and told her where he hid the diamond. 

She took on the fake name of "Jennie Mandeville," and began confessing to fake crimes, trying to gain access to the interrogation room where the diamond was hidden. Unfortunately for her, she never did manage to get herself into the right room.

With the case solved, everyone turns their attention to the interrogation room where the diamond remains, and all they can do is watch as a cleaning lady finds the priceless gem. 

The cleaning lady gets the big reward, but Monk gets a reward of his own when Stottlemeyer informs him that the police department has agreed to put him on retainer. It's good news for Monk, the people of San Francisco, and all those who appreciate Monk's unique approach to solving crime. 


Thanks to the Monk web site for the synopsis this time. Christmas photos aren't from the episode but are seasonal pics. Great show. It'll be missed. Aw shucks.

If you aren't familiar with the show, try some of the DVDs. Monk: The Obsessive Compulsive Collection: Seasons One - Four will give you the first half of the series. That would drive Monk crazy. Only half! Other seasons are also available. There's also an episode guide: Monk: The Official Episode Guide Maybe they'll publish a second volume?



Each Tuesday, we'll feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources. Particularly when the episode hasn't been recently viewed personally, information will be as accurate as possible. When available, a show photo will be included.

I'm always interested to hear your memories. In the interest of supporting fellow artists, I'll be featuring a few shops where the pieces tie into the general theme of the featured story.


You can always find items at Etsy to help soothe some of the sorrow of parting...  Please note: vintage and art objects on Etsy may be sold out.

Captain, what doing?? Kilsook's Shop has a print of an original mixed media illustration which is kind of reminiscent of something Randy did in an episode once.

Missing Captain Stottlemeyer already? There's a Blond Mustache Love Pin at Isette's Shop. 


A mustard Natalie Bag with Kelp Print is at Appetite's Shop. 


The Randy's Donuts Art Photo of Disher fans' dreams is waiting over at FriendlyMade's Place. (below)



There's even an I'm Feeling Monkish Top 20 Custom Monk Phobias Shirt! Seek it out at HotMonkeyGraphics.


Trudy must have left her vintage etched clear glass coffee cup in France. Since AuntRitz has one with the name Trudy etched into it. Is it a clue?? Maybe there is a cinnamon stick in it? (above)


Don't lose your cool on Friday nights without your Monk! Mugly the monkfish would be happy to keep you company. He's hanging out in Brighteyesbushytail's Shop wondering if anyone loves him.



Monk's Blend Black Tea will surely help him during this huge transition in his life. InfusionsTea carries the brand. 

Somehow the San Francisco Police will carry on, with or without Mr. Monk's help. Therpsajik's Shop has a 1950s Special San Francisco Police Badge. (above) Adrian may have chosen to turn his badge back in, but you can get this nifty one for yourself.


DripStick's Shop will let you reminisce about those good old days in San Francisco for a while. Take a gander at the Vintage Travel Advertisement Series - San Francisco Cityscape.

* Let us know if you watch(ed) Monk, too. We won't be available to comment this evening though! End-o-Monk Party and all.

Images from the Monk web site and the sellers themselves
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