I'm convinced that Natalie & Sharona were not just Adrian Monk's assistants (& Monk Season 8 Episode 10 well established the fact)

While Tony Shalhoub's Adrian Monk is hailed by many as the best modernday detective in fiction, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, I think his assistants played a huge part in his journey in Monk.

Adrian, the eccentric detective and protagonist of USA Network's Monk that ran for eight seasons, had obsessive-compulsive disorder, which made it difficult for him to navigate the outside world.

He was, however, aided by his brilliant assistants — initially by Sharona (Bitty Schram) and later by Natalie (Traylor Howard). The two women who constantly assisted him on cases proved that they were not just sidekicks but also his moral support and often his best friends.

More on Monk and his assistants in our story.

Monk Season 8: Mr. Monk and Sharona episode proves that Natalie and Sharona were more than Adrian's assistants

Natalie and Sharona were more than assistants to the titular detective, and the episode titled Mr. Monk and Sharona in Season 8 is a perfect example. The episode also marked Schram's first appearance as Sharona after she left the show.

While Adrian's interactions with both of his assistants were hilarious in their own unique ways, seeing Natalie and Sharona together on a case was exciting, and it also highlighted how much Adrian's sleuthing has been aided by these two women over the years.

In Season 8 Episode 10, Sharona returns to San Francisco after her Uncle Howie's death, which the detective concludes was a case of foul play. The case was an interesting opportunity for Adrian to see the differences between the working styles of the two women, and how much he depends on them.

While there was no way to reach suspect Perry Walsh's phone batteries, Sharona used her presence of mind and used a hairpin to get them, which ultimately proved to be the turning point of their investigation.

Later, not only do the two women lead the chase for Peter when he discovers the trio following him, but they also ultimately catch him. In the final chase sequence on the golf course, when Adrian is punched down by Walsh, Natalie and Sharona follow him on a golf cart.

The two ultimately catch onto him, with Sharona spear-tackling Walsh and Natalie delivering the final blow that seals his fate. The entire sequence, albeit humorous, proves that unlike traditional assistants, both women were ready to get down and dirty and do the actual work for Monk.

I think Sharona and Natalie had unique strengths that were equally important in Monk's life

While the show's fans always debate which assistant was the best for Adrian, I think both Sharona and Natalie had their unique strengths and supported him in their own ways.

Many fans favor Sharona as she is the OG assistant who helped Adrian overcome the vacuum and grief in his life, though Natalie took a more humane approach.

Throughout the show's initial seasons, Sharona was not only Adrian's assistant but also his nurse and biggest confidante. Captain Leland Stottlemeyer specifically sent her because she was a nurse who could have helped Adrian deal with his wife's death. She excelled and even helped him manage his obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Natalie had some big shoes to fill after Sharona's departure because her predecessor had excelled at her job. While many fans still prefer Sharona, I think Natalie also fared well and carved her space in the show and Monk's life.

While the two hit a few roadblocks initially, they came along. She took a different approach to her boss and tried to become his best friend, which ultimately worked well for both of them.

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