Monk Deserted Its Authentic Stottlemeyer Plan (And Gave Us One thing A lot Higher As a substitute)

Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) was virtually a really completely different character initially of Monk, however Tony Shalhoub’s detective procedural ended up giving us a a lot better character as a substitute. There have been a number of necessary characters within the solid of Monk, from Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) to Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) and even Randy Disher (Jason Grey-Stanford), however Stottlemeyer was distinctive. Sharona and Natalie labored for Adrian, whereas Randy often was simply blown away by somebody who was a lot smarter than him, however Stottlemeyer was the closest factor to a buddy from work Adrian ever had.

Loads of issues modified over the course of Monk. Fairly controversially, Sharona left in Monk season 3, and Monk season 2 modified theme songs. These had been each very apparent alterations in the usual Monk components, however one far much less noticeable and controversial change affected Captain Stottlemeyer in the easiest way potential. In truth, it looks as if Monk was planning to make Stottlemeyer virtually an antagonist to Adrian, however the present fortunately deserted that plan in favor of constructing him a lovable captain as a substitute. If Monk season 2 hadn’t modified Stottlemeyer, it is onerous to think about the present being as beloved as it’s at present.

Stottlemeyer Was A Utterly Completely different Character In Monk Season 1

Stottlemeyer Solely Begrudgingly Labored With Adrian & Appeared To Hate Him In Monk Season 1

One of many harshest realities of rewatching Monk comes within the first season. In Monk season 1, Stottlemeyer was virtually painted as an enemy to Adrian. In each case, he solely enlists Adrian’s assist begrudgingly, he appears particularly exasperated by Adrian’s antics, and he simply comes throughout as hating Adrian. For instance, there are a number of instances in Monk season 1 the place Stottlemeyer explicitly says he is solely letting Adrian work on a case as a result of the mayor of San Francisco is forcing him. Stottlemeyer, and Randy much more so, appeared like hotshot cops who could not stand being outdone by a “weirdo” like Adrian.

Monk Season 2 Is When The Present Nailed Adrian And Leland’s Dynamic

Stottlemeyer Began Performing Like Adrian’s Outdated Pal In Monk Season 2

Fortunately, Stottlemeyer’s antagonistic relationship with Adrian did not final lengthy. By Monk season 2, the writers had discovered that Stottlemeyer being a nasty man wasn’t working, and as a substitute pivoted to creating them associates. He was nonetheless exasperated by Adrian’s peculiarities, however there was a layer of understanding and even acceptance in Stottlemeyer that he simply did not have in Monk season 1. Take, for instance, “Mr. Monk and the Captain’s Spouse.” In that episode, Stottlemeyer flashes his badge to get some rubbish collectors to associate with Monk’s obsessions, and that is earlier than Stottlemeyer confides in Adrian whereas his spouse, Karen, is in a coma.

After Monk season 2, Stottlemeyer and Adrian solely grew nearer. They made extra references to their shared historical past on the police pressure, they joked round with each other, and Stottlemeyer began being not simply glad to have Adrian round, however really astonished by the depth of his investigative powers. Except for Monk season 1, Stottlemeyer appeared like Adrian’s oldest buddy and confidant, and it ended up working a lot better than him being a captain with an over-inflated ego who reluctantly works with Adrian.

Stottlemeyer Labored A lot Higher As Monk’s Finest Pal Than As His Enemy

Stottlemeyer Understood Adrian Like No One Else Might & Their Friendship Made A Lot Of Nice Moments Doable

It is pretty clear to see that turning Stottlemeyer from an enemy right into a buddy of Adrian was the absolute best determination Monk may have made. That is primarily as a result of Stottlemeyer supplied one thing neither Sharona or Natalie may: a window into Adrian’s previous. Adrian and Stottlemeyer knew one another years earlier than the beginning of Monk. They’d labored on the police pressure collectively, and Stottlemeyer subsequently had a view of Adrian that we hardly ever get to see. He knew who Adrian was earlier than Trudy’s loss of life and earlier than his OCD signs surfaced, and he is one of many solely individuals who talks to Adrian like a peer as a substitute of an oddball (more often than not).

The connection between Stottlemeyer and Adrian turned out to be among the best components of Monk, as soon as they began being associates. It led to so many iconic moments. From “Mr. Monk and the Very Very Outdated Man,” the place Stottlemeyer and Adrian battle over residing collectively, to “Mr. Monk and the Actually, Actually Useless Man,” the place Leland goes to bat to stay up for Adrian in entrance of the FBI, their friendship was an virtually countless fount of hilarity and sentimentality. I really feel assured in saying that Monk would not be a fraction of the present it’s if Stottlemeyer hadn’t grow to be Adrian’s buddy.