This week’s episode follows Monk (Tony Shalhoub) as he makes one last attempt at being reinstated to the San Francisco Police Department. With only four episodes remaining, fans are beginning to wonder if Monk’s 11 year dream will ever become a reality, or if it will remain “just a dream” forever.

After arriving nearly six hours early to his preliminary reinstatement hearing, Monk nervously sits before the board, hoping for a miracle. He feels confident after receiving praise from the first two board members. Things change, however, when the head of the board, Director Willis (Wade Williams), tells Monk that he isn’t convinced that he’s fit to return to the field.

The board takes a week to mull over the case before rendering their verdict.

More determined than ever, Monk comes up with a plan to win Capt. Willis over. After learning that Lt. Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) is taking the “Buddies in Blue” camping, an outreach program for inner city kids, Monk volunteers to help. Willis’s son, Brian (Alex Wolff) , is among the campers and Monk hopes to score “brownie points” through him.

Disher, Monk and the campers arrive at Silver Lake to begin their adventure. Monk doesn’t waste any time turning on his charm in an attempt to befriend Brian. Brian quickly sees right through Monk’s plan and informs him that no matter what he does, his dad will not be impressed with him. The story takes a drastic turn when the group is approached by what appears to be two harmless hunters. Monk, sensing that something isn’t quite right, quickly figures out that the supposed hunters are suspects wanted for the theft of an armored car.

Upon the group’s safe return, Brian, now impressed with Monk’s crime solving abilities, puts in a good word for him and his father decides to vote in favor of his reinstatement. Unfortunately for Monk, the other two board members have now changed their minds and decide to vote against his return to the force.

This episode of Monk was very disappointing. After ranking the last two episodes among the very best, I have to say that this is among the worst. It lacked excitement and humor and was just downright boring. I hope the writers have something better in store for the final four. As for Monk being reinstated to the force before the show’s finale, it’s looking very doubtful. But who knows, maybe the writers will surprise us in the weeks to come and Monk’s dream will finally come true. We can only hope.