(S07E11) "Come back here. I command you." -- Monk to Natalie

Exactly what is the relationship between Adrian Monk and Natalie Teeger? Boss/employee? Colleagues? Friends? Family? For a nice change of pace, this episode was less about whodunit and why and more, about how Monk and Natalie make whatever it is between them work. It was also a strange show in terms of physical humor, sort of in the A Fish Called Wanda tradition, where pain equals laughs. For me, a little of that goes a long way.

However, the more important business was Monk and Natalie. She really proved her loyalty, integrity and grit. In an odd way, I think we saw qualities in her that Sharona wouldn't have displayed. I think she would have smacked Monk during this adventure, but more on that and the trip to the hospital and a very good guest turn by Bradley Whitford after the jump.

Natalie's Good Samaritan act places her in a predicament about a bicycle, one owned by a genius eco-friendly agricultural engineer who dazzles Monk by growing square tomatoes (which looked really fake). In her attempt to track down Dr. Berry's stolen bike and clear her conscience, Natalie plays all her karma chips to get Mr. Monk to help. Karma chips, we learn, are the credits for every stupid thing Natalie has done for Monk. "I've babysat you for five years and collected like a thousand chips. I'm cashing them all in." It's about time!

Getting shot in the leg when they go to the thief's home puts Mr. Monk in the hospital and then in a wheelchair. If you think Monk is difficult to deal with on two legs, in a wheelchair he's a horror. This is where the show turned mean. Monk's treatment of Natalie was loathsome, lashing out at her for the incident and taking advantage of her guilt over what happened. It took Leland to point out to Monk that his nastiness was so bad that he might lose Natalie forever.

Despite Leland's advice, after another bizarre accident, Monk blames Natalie and becomes more abusive. The scene with the motorized wheelchair -- which she pays for out of her own pocket because his insurance wouldn't cover the rental -- he blasts her for what is clearly his screw up with the mechanism. He runs over her foot and acts like a major ass. If I had been Natalie, this would have been when I quit my job. It would have been when Sharona socked him in the mouth.

After Professor Berry chastises him, Monk recants, giving her back the karma chips and a wipe.

Finally, Monk came up with the solution -- which involved Berry's assistant -- although It was over the top to see her face off with Natalie. It resulted in a topper gag, Monk getting shot in the other leg. Maybe it was an homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window, but It was too much for me even though I loved the last line from Natalie, "Look on the bright side, at least your legs match."

Other points of interest

- Great shout out to Encyclopedia Brown, the children's books about a boy detective!

- Bring back Bradley. There was definitely a little something-something between him and Natalie.

- I loved Professor Berry's eco-friendly car!