I Loved Natalie As Monk’s Assistant, But There’s 1 Thing Sharona Was Always Better At
Adrian Monk is one of the most brilliant characters in the TV detective genre, endearing and entertaining fans with his lovably neurotic personality across Monk’s eight seasons. But the eponymous protagonist would have been nothing without two gifted and caring dedicated assistants who often understood his needs better than he did. Tony Shalhoub’s character was only able to carry out his work as a private investigator while managing his obsessive compulsive disorder, thanks to the tireless assistance of Sharona Fleming and Natalie Teeger. Between the two of them, however, it’s Sharona who ultimately served Monk best as an assistant.
Trained nurse Sharona was with Adrian Monk as his first assistant until season 3 of the series, when actor Bitty Schram left Monk and was replaced by Traylor Howard’s character Natalie. Although Natalie was patient and empathetic with Adrian while standing her ground when it was needed, she wasn’t quite the force of nature that Sharona was in imposing her will on a situation with her boss. Sometimes, what Adrian Monk needed was someone who simply wouldn’t take no for an answer, and despite Natalie’s skill at handling him when things got tough, she didn’t manage to protect him from himself quite like Sharona.
Sharona Was Better At Taking Monk Out Of His Comfort Zone
She Knew When To Push Adrian If He Needed It
Despite only being around for three seasons of Monk, Sharona Fleming, played with inimitable charisma by Bitty Schram, left an indelible mark on the show. Aside from its protagonist, Sharona was arguably the best character in Monk, combining strength and sass with profound love and care for the dysfunctional but ingenious detective she worked for. Sharona knew Adrian Monk inside out, and understood what triggered him in any given situation. At the same time, she knew when to push back against his obsessive insistence on doing things his way, especially when that way was harmful or unhelpful for him.
Sharona had a knack of riding roughshod over Monk’s obsessive compulsions in a way that he actually listened to, and ended up helping him more than if she simply did what he wanted.
If the situation demanded it, Sharon would push Adrian out of his comfort zone. She had a knack of riding roughshod over his obsessive compulsions in a way that he actually listened to, and ended up helping him more than if she simply did what he wanted. She might have occasionally appeared harsh and domineering, yet in fact Sharona was incredibly sensitive to Adrian Monk’s needs. She knew just when to push, and when protecting her boss instead involved making allowances for his mental health condition.
What’s more, Sharona’s approach to handling Adrian’s obsessions often led to some of Monk’s funniest moments. Her inspiring method of getting him to give her the right golf club during a game at a country club, when she returned to the show in the season 8 episode “Mr Monk and Sharona”, epitomizes the dynamic between the pair. Adrian’s quip, “Was that so hard?”, and her terse response in the affirmative, sums up in a single piece of dialogue what Sharona had to endure when taking care of Monk.
Thanks To Sharona, Monk Was Able To Do Things He Would’ve Never Done Alone
Sharona Both Protected Assisted Adrian Monk
Sharona wasn’t just a strict disciplinarian with Adrian Monk, though. She was also fiercely protective of him. From taking care of a teenage bully who antagonizes Adrian when he goes undercover as a high school teacher, to promising her boss that she won’t let anything happen to him when the pair of them are trapped in a cave, as well as the string of difficult clients and witnesses that she faces down on Adrian’s behalf, Sharona always had Monk’s back.
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Monk had numerous beloved and brilliant episodes over its 8 seasons. Many received critical acclaim and even earned the show several accolades.
Without her gutsy attitude and unerring tendency to step in when required, Adrian Monk wouldn’t have been able to solve half the cases he did, regardless of his own genius. The episode in which Sharona returns in Monk season 8 is especially fitting as solving its case is a joint effort between Adrian and Sharona, which finally gives the latter the credit she deserves.
Natalie Was Essential For Adrian’s Recovery Throughout Monk Too
Sharona’s Replacement Assistant Gave Monk Boundless Patience And Empathy
On the other hand, Natalie Teeger was by Adrian Monk’s side for far longer than Sharona during Monk’s eight-season run, and her presence in his life was just as indispensable. Natalie’s softer approach might have made it more difficult for her to prevent Adrian from getting himself into trouble, but her ability to understand him and relentless work ethic is one of the main things that kept him working. In addition, Natalie’s care and support was just as important as Sharona’s in helping Adrian to manage his OCD and recover from the murder of his wife, Trudy.
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Monk had a massive challenge to solve in season 3, and the way the detective show handled it made sure it would continue for five more seasons.
Given the similarly extraordinary level of commitment they both gave to their role as Adrian Monk’s assistant, it’s only natural that Sharona and Natalie clash over their differences when they finally meet. Yet they both deserve enormous credit for making their boss the detective he is, and Monk the show that it is.
If it weren’t for Natalie, Sharona couldn’t have left Adrian in safe hands to start a new life in New Jersey in Monk’s third season. Meanwhile, if Adrian hadn’t been cared for by Sharona first, he could never have adapted to Natalie’s more hands-off approach to assisting him. Both characters needed each other just as much as their boss needed them, and the TV series was all the better for having both of them.
