Monk (Season 8)

Mr. Monk's Favorite Show (Episode 1) 6.9

Air date: 2009-08-07

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: After the attempted murder of a former child star from Monk's favorite show, Monk accepts the job as her bodyguard.

Mr. Monk and the Foreign Man (Episode 2) 7.5

Writer: David Breckman

Air date: 2009-08-14

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: While investigating the puzzling, high profile murder of a maid whose assailant apparently tried to treat her wounds, Monk finds himself increasingly drawn to another case involving a visiting African man investigating his beloved wife's hit-and-run death.

Mr. Monk and the UFO (Episode 3) 7.1

Air date: 2009-08-21

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: Monk must uncover the link between a missing girl and a UFO sighting after Natalie's car breaks down in a small desert town.

Mr. Monk Is Someone Else (Episode 4) 6.5

Air date: 2009-08-28

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Monk assumes the identity of a dead hit man in an effort to foil an assassination plot.

Mr. Monk Takes the Stand (Episode 5) 7.8

Writer: Dylan Morgan

Air date: 2009-09-11

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Monk's phobias threaten to undermine a big murder case when an aggressive defense attorney targets the detective's unconventional methods in court.

Mr. Monk and the Critic (Episode 6) 6.4

Writer: Hy Conrad

Air date: 2009-09-18

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Natalie becomes convinced a critic who panned her daughter Julie's theatrical performance was responsible for a murder at the same time as the show.

Mr. Monk and the Voodoo Curse (Episode 7) 5.6

Writer: Joe Toplyn

Air date: 2009-09-25

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: Voodoo appears to be the only explanation when unmarked dolls sent to San Francisco residents accurately predict a series of inexplicable deaths -- including, perhaps, Natalie's.

Mr. Monk Goes to Group Therapy (Episode 8) 6.1

Air date: 2009-10-09

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: When Monk's insurance company refuses to pay for more individual therapy sessions, Monk joins Dr. Bell's therapy group, where somebody appears to be murdering his fellow patients.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Monk (Episode 9) 6.5

Writer: Peter Wolk

Air date: 2009-10-16

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Natalie tries to throw a surprise birthday party for Monk while he investigates the mysterious death of an office building's maintenance man.

Mr. Monk and Sharona (Episode 10) 7.9

Air date: 2009-10-23

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: When Sharona returns to San Francisco to handle legal issues related to an uncle's death, Monk suspects foul play and finds himself torn between the differing styles of Sharona and Natalie.

Mr. Monk and the Dog (Episode 11) 7.7

Air date: 2009-10-30

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: Monk reluctantly adopts a dog while looking into the suspicious disappearance of its owner.

Mr. Monk Goes Camping (Episode 12) 7.1

Writer: Tom Gammill

Air date: 2009-11-06

Runtime: 42 min

Overview: To woo the lone holdout on the reinstatement committee, Monk accompanies Lt. Disher on a scouting trip with the man's troublesome son -- where nature isn't the only thing the troop has to fear.

Mr. Monk Is the Best Man (Episode 13) 6.6

Air date: 2009-11-13

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: In order to save the wedding of someone close to him, Monk must first find out who is trying to sabotage it and why.

Mr. Monk and the Badge (Episode 14) 7.8

Air date: 2009-11-20

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Monk finds his return to the police force to be more challenging than he expected when he becomes involved in the case of a serial killer.

Mr. Monk and the End (1) (Episode 15) 7.5

Writer: Andy Breckman

Air date: 2009-11-27

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Monk is called to a crime at the location where he first heard the news of his wife's murder and begins the most important investigation of his life.

Mr. Monk and the End (2) (Episode 16) 8.6

Writer: Andy Breckman

Air date: 2009-12-04

Runtime: 43 min

Overview: Monk pursues the killer of his wife.