The Dark Mental Health Aspect of Mr Monk’s Last Case

I’m going to admit that I’m coming into this with a bit of a biased perspective as Mr. Monk has helped me through my mental health journey learning about rumination, compulsions, grief, trauma, & more. (& I know theres more of you out there) While I can understand how “normal” people would think that this movie went too far, that the suicide angle was depreciative of Monk’s character, that of his friends, as well as the integrity of the movie as a whole - to me it seemed like they were remaining true to Monk’s character/plight.

During covid a lot of those with mental/physical illnesses were really distanced from their friends groups & those who supported them. Monk said he only had Molly. Monks friends, though they love him, have kinda moved on with their lives and are out of touch with Adrian. This is a common story playing out for many of the neurodivergent/ chronic illness community post covid- driving many to the very place Adrian was.. ready to give up. Not to mention he retired & chose a different avenue & we know how the monk does with change. & let molly down and we know how well he does with letting people down esp Trudy. Things seemed to compound for him- as they do for so many- and he couldn’t cope.

From a mental health standpoint Monk has always had an impeccable ability to meet those in mental crises/ neurodivergence where they are. Not trying to sugar coat how difficult loss & mental health issues are while still reminding viewers that if you try real hard you can see the good (gift) in the bad(curse). The movie went places that the show danced around & as heartbreaking as it was- its a really important look at the darker side of mental illness/ grief as it truly is the reality so many are facing right now. I think it aims to help dredge those who are/were in the dark out by providing some common humanity & optimism that you can & do change lives. If you are reading this & you resonated with Mr.Monks struggle but convinced yourself you’ll never touch as many lives because your illnesses limit you more than Mr. Monk and thus don’t have as good a reason to stay. I promise you- you touch more lives than you realize. The friend you only talk to once in a while will cry for weeks if you leave, the people you have yet to meet (yes even if its online) need you, you are an asset in your own unique way & you deserve happiness.

In addition some are commenting that the show was never this “dark” with Adrian, I urge you to rewatch the series. They have touched on his ideation before- taking his shoe laces, not allowing him to use the restroom by himself, being hospitalized for psychotic breaks. You cannot have a character who has compounded OCD and trauma & not address the reality those who exist with those conditions face- & especially the changed reality covid has imposed for them. But also because his trauma formed him into the observant person he is & it would be a disservice to only acknowledge the gift (solving crime) without the curse(ideation, social issues, compulsions). The urge to reunite with Trudy & find peace has always been there- he just had more safety nets(his friend/job) / a purpose(finding trudy’s killer) to distract him. Remember when Trudy says “i want you good & distracted”. She knows what he needs. I also appreciate monks (for lack of a better word) “half dead” story line because it allowed for a more Trudy heavy plot. (Also not convinced adrian wouldn’t be one of the nose spray, mouth wash, personal hepa, n95er’s still to this day)

Deciding to go down this road for the plot must not have been easy but I can assuredly say it’s the right thing to do because people need to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Monk has always done that & i’m so heartened to know that it always will.

Anyways, thanks for the read. I hope it provided a different perspective or validated you & that you stay safe & happy ( it’s a jungle out there, after all)