Monk (Tony Shalhoub) finally gets reinstated to the police force, and just in time as there are only two episodes remaining. Is being back on the force everything Monk dreamed it would be, or does it turn out to be his worst nightmare? This episode follows Monk as he deals with his new position and tries to get back into the swing of being a police officer.

The episode begins with Capt. Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) calling Monk into his office to present him with one of the biggest surprises of his life, his police badge. An emotional Monk can’t believe his eyes as he stares at his beautiful shiny badge he now holds in his hand.

Elation turns into frustration after Monk is informed that he will no longer be working with Stottlemeyer’s team, but will instead be partnered with Detective Doyle (Chris McGarry) from a different team. He is even more disappointed after he is given the news that he will temporarily be assigned to desk duty while he adjusts to his new position, and will not be allowed to work on the Pick Axe Killer case.

Monk quickly comes to the realization that a lot of things have changed in 12 years as he tries to figure out how to operate his new high tech computer system. His fellow workers become annoyed with his obsessive compulsive mannerisms and tell him that if he wants to stay on the force, he has to conform. Monk soon learns that the Pick Axe Killer case is solved after a window washer named Manny Alvarez (Mark Harelik) supposedly witnesses the killer in action. Alvarez’s story, however, just doesn’t add up, but Monk’s theory is quickly shot down since the supposed Pick Axe Killer confesses.

The story takes a drastic turn after a fellow officer, DiMarco (Jay Malone), turns up dead. Monk figures out what really happened and manages to back up his story with proof. He finds himself in a struggle with DiMarco’s killer, but is able to overtake the suspect after stabbing him with his badge. In the end, Monk decides that he was much happier as a consultant and turns in his badge. Natalie (Traylor Howard), who now works as an assistant for a concert promoter, decides to return to her old job as Monk’s assistant, despite her substantial pay raise that came with her new job.

I was a bit disappointed that Monk’s return to the force was so short lived, though I’m not surprised. I guess the important thing is that he now knows that being a police officer doesn’t define who he is, and that doing things on his terms, as a consultant, is what he really loves. Next week marks the beginning of the end with the first of a two part finale. It will be interesting to see how the writers bring this long, seven year run of Monk to a close. I am sad to see Monk go, but feel privileged to be a part of Monk’s vast audience as this great series bids farewell forever.