A Look at the Character of Adrian Monk

Monk's captain said to the second in command in one memorable episode, "Make no mistake about it. There is only one Adrian Monk." This comment sums up the way most people feel about this eccentric unusual character. He evokes a certain pathos because of his overtly obvious obsessive compulsive behavior. Adrian Monk is the underdog who always overcomes severe adversity and wins.

Mr. Monk has to touch every post in a fence row as he passes by. His clothes can only hang in one sequence in his closet. Socks must be folded correctly, sorted by color, and placed precisely in place. His suitcase is filled with clothes that are first folded then wrapped and packed. The OCD that racks his being compels him to fulfill the old adage: A place for everything, and everything in its place.

He is a prisoner to his own compulsive behavior. No matter how pressing a criminal investigation might be, Adrian Monk has to wash his hands, clean his shoes, or follow some other mentally dictate menial track. Within the first half of an episode, viewers find themselves rooting for him to succeed against some arrogant personage who looks down his or her nose at Monk.

Monk is an independent investigator who solves crime after crime for the San Francisco Police Department, but is deemed unacceptable to wear the uniform. Having been a member of the police force prior to the murder of his wife, Mr. Monk was found to be too emotionally and mentally unstable to work as a full-time officer. However, without his presence, many crimes would fall into the category of unsolved.

Because of his OCD , Adrian Monk is able to absorb every detail at a crime scene. Things that look fine to other people often look out of place to Monk. Behavior that easily falls into the normal range, seems aberrant and questionable to him. His tenacity to make things fit together creates the medium that grows solutions for many crimes.

In most episodes, Mr. Monk is honest to a fault. His sense of fairness is often offended. While being a tough detective, his is a sensitive man. In the end, his ability lies in his willingness to question everything he sees and hears. He worries about his helper, but only to the extent that her needs do not get in the way his work.

He is uncomfortably shy around strangers and unexpected situations. Mr. Monk has a fear of romantic relationships with women because he has never recovered from the loss of his wife. He makes it to her grave from time to time to give a report or ask advice. These scenes are never morbid or creepy, but warm and compassionate.