Monk's Most Underrated Character Proved Everyone Wrong And Helped Save The Show

Monk could have lost its way midway through season 3, were it not for the show’s most underrated character. While the departure of Sharona Fleming was a major loss to the series, Natalie Teeger’s arrival unexpectedly filled the void, by bringing a fresh dynamic to the show. Sharona wasn’t just Adrian Monk’s assistant; she was effectively his career counselor and life coach, providing incomparable support that allowed Monk to be his best self. Sharona’s exit left Natalie with massive shoes to fill, yet she lived up to expectations, in her own inimitable style.

The dynamic between Adrian and his two assistants underpinned most of Monk’s best episodes. Both Sharona and Natalie played a role in their boss’ personal and professional life which sets the series apart from the rest of detective fiction. When Sharona left Monk in season 3, many viewers doubted that anyone could be a worthy replacement. Natalie proved everyone wrong, however, and not by simply imitating Sharona’s approach to supporting Adrian Monk. Indeed, in Sharona’s absence, it was Natalie who effectively saved Monk, and her casting in Mr. Monk’s Last Case made the movie the success it was.

Natalie Deserves More Love For Helping Save Monk After Sharona Left

She Rescued The Show From A Major Loss While Ensuring Adrian Got The Support He Needed

It’s quite telling that most of Tony Shalhoub’s favorite Monk episodes are from Traylor Howard’s stint on the show as Natalie Teeger. As great as Sharona was, Howard’s character slotted seamlessly into Monk from season 3 onwards, just by being herself. More than anybody else in the series, Natalie allowed Adrian Monk to shine by quietly going about her work, generally keeping him out of harm’s way and gently providing the reassurance he needed.

If Natalie hadn’t been such a great fit, Monk might have collapsed after Sharona actor Bitty Schram exited the series. What’s more, Natalie saved Adrian Monk himself from the negative toll Sharona’s departure could have taken on his psychological well-being. Although the pair didn’t hit it off straight away, given Monk’s very particular way of doing things, Natalie had proven by the end of season 3 that she was exactly what Adrian needed.

Monk Made The Right Call By Not Replacing Sharona With A Similar Character

There’s Only One Sharona, But There’s Only One Natalie, Too

Sharona Fleming was ultimately irreplaceable as a character, and anyone attempting to act as a like-for-like replacement for her would inevitably have come up short. The team behind Monk did the right thing in casting Monk’s new assistant, by introducing a character who could have been more different from Sharona. Apart from the obvious difference that Sharona began as Adrian Monk’s nurse, she and Natalie had contrasting approaches to serving as his assistant.

The Decision That Saved Monk Avoided A Huge Problem And Made Sure The Show Would Continue For 5 More Years

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.

Natalie began her Monk tenure by setting professional boundaries in relation to expenses and overtime that Sharona had never enforced. On the other hand, when managing Adrian’s neuroses during cases, she took a softer, more empathetic approach than Sharona, and avoided pushing him as far out of his comfort zone.

I Wish Monk Had Given Us More Moments Between Sharona And Natalie

The Comedy & Drama That Arose From Them Working Together Deserved More Than 1 Episode

Nevertheless, since they were playing the same role in Monk, direct comparisons between Sharona and Natalie as Adrian Monk’s assistant were only natural. It was only when the two characters appeared in the same episode together, during Monk’s eighth and final season, that the considerable differences between them were clear for all to see.

Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) and Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) in Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie

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At the same time, Sharona and Natalie helping Monk solve a case made us wish we could see more of them together. There was so much more unrealized comic and dramatic potential, both in the initial tension between the two assistants and their resolution to team up at the end of the episode.

“Mr. Monk and Sharona” was the only time we saw Natalie and Sharona starring alongside each other.

“Mr. Monk and Sharona” was the only time we saw Natalie and Sharona starring alongside each other in the series, but another Monk movie would be missing a trick by not having them both return. The one risk in this scenario would be that, between them, the two assistants invariably steal the show from Adrian Monk himself.