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

Monk meets a visiting African widower who's determined to find the hit-and-run-driver who killed his wife near Monk's apartment. Monk begins to identify with the man and confuses his wife with Trudy.

Monk and Natalie are stranded in a small desert town and the detective spots a UFO. He soon discovers himself the center of attention, and is called in to investigate a dead woman discovered in the desert.

Monk assumes a dead hitman's identity in order to foil an assassination plot.

Natalie suspects a theater critic is responsible for a murder, despite the fact that he was present to review her daughter Julie's play at the same time the victim died.

Area residents receive unmarked dolls that seem to predict a series of strange deaths, leading many to suspect a voodoo curse is in play. The mystery hits close to home when Natalie becomes involved.

After Monk's insurance company refuses to pay for more private therapy sessions, he joins Dr. Bell's therapy group, where it appears that someone is murdering fellow patients.

Natalie tries to throw a surprise party for her surprise-hating boss, who is busy trying to solve the murder of a maintenance man.

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

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

To get reinstated, Monk must go camping with the son of a committee member... and try to solve a crime.

Monk must determine who is trying to ruin a friend's wedding.

Upon being reinstated, Monk is put in charge of tracking down a serial killer.

Monk is called to a murder at the location where he first heard of his wife's murder, and while Monk figures out who the assassin is, he doesn't know that the one who ordered the hit is also responsible for the death of Trudy. Knowing that Monk will eventually put all the pieces together, he orders Monk's death, and when all hope seems lost, Monk discovers something which could finally end his 12-year nightmare.

After listening to Trudy's last message, Monk finally discovers who killed his wife. Racing against time before he dies of poison, he must make a fateful decision.