Recap / Monk Special "Mr. Monk Shelters in Place"

Capt. Stottlemeyer: Monk, I hate to admit it, but you were right. I mean, look at us, everybody is afraid of germs. Nobody's touching anybody.

Randy: Yeah. Guess we're all Monk now.

Monk: It sucks, doesn't it?

The Reunion Show and COVID-19 Pandemic-themed Very Special Episode to Monk. Basically, we see Monk, Stottlemeyer, Disher and Natalie all safe in their respective homes, protecting themselves from the ravaging new disease that is affecting too many throughout the world. Also features Seth MacFarlane as the host.

Avaliable for free via YouTube.

Tropes associated with this special are:

• Blood Transfusion Plot: Natalie states she has the virus, but she also has antibodies, so she's been donating blood. Disher states he's been donating sperm, but that's because he's misread the article.
• The Cuckoolander Was Right: Stottlemeyer and Disher point out Monk was right because now everyone is just like him: Terrified of Germs and not touching anyone.
• Did You Get a New Haircut?: Natalie points out Monk's hair looks longer; Monk responds it is because his barbershop closed.
• I'm Okay!: Monk states he has evolved and is chill even as he is clearly nervous about the pandemic and panics for wipes when he sees a spot on his coat and eventually, for closing the computer with a broom handle, when Disher starts sneezing while talking about his job (due to allergies).
• Improperly Paranoid: No, Monk, you can't catch Covid-19 when you're talking to people via computer, so no need for social distancing while in front of it, nor for wipes or getting all nervous when someone on the other side sneezes.
• Living Dream: When asked by Monk if he's OK, Stottlemeyer points out he's living the dream, but not his: rather, it's one Stephen King once had.
• News Monopoly: When the show starts, we keep hearing the TV blurting out Covid-related news.
• Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer: Monk is singing this as he washes his hands, all the way down to one and restarting from the beginning every time he gets distracted.
• Real Life Writes the Plot: In his epilogue, Tony Shalhoub tells he and his wife both contracted coronavirus and the weeks prior had been bad for them, but they were both fine by the time the episode was filmed.
• Someone Has to Do It: Disher points out his job as chief of police in New Jersey has been tough lately because of the mask mandate and mandate-related false arrests.
• Split-Screen Phone Call: Via what appears to be Zoom.
• Telethon: During the prologue, Seth asks people to help Americares, Feeding America and United Way.
• Video Call Fail: Monk's germaphobia and issues with technology combine to create a characteristically awkward meeting and when Randy sneezes into the camera, he slams his laptop shut with a broom.
• What the Hell, Hero?: When Monk mentions he's "down to his last twelve cases" of hand sanitizer, Randy angrily accuses him of hoarding. Monk quickly explains that he's had them since long before the pandemic.