Mr. Monk and the Airplane

Here we are! We did it! The final episode of Season One takes us high in the sky! Monk is not happy, but luckily there's a delicious murder to mostly distract from the terror. Join us as we discuss the fear of flying, Shaloub's epic acting, and the dishiness of Disher. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:02

Welcome back to I Don't Give a Shalou. This is Kathy. And this is Jen, and it's a monk rewatch podcast. It's a it is a monk rewatch podcast. And today we are flying high. Well, we'll talk about how we feel about flying.

SPEAKER_01 0:19

But how are you?

SPEAKER_02 0:20

I am I'm doing okay. I've had a hard week. You know what? Let's first jump into you. How are you doing? How did you monk this week?

SPEAKER_04 0:28

Well, it was a hard week, but I got to celebrate my ninth year of sobriety.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

Yay! The crowd goes wild.

SPEAKER_04 0:37

And I can say unequivocally, I'm really grateful. When I first got sober, people would be like, I'm really grateful that I'm a blank alcoholic addict, whatever. And I would roll my eyes and be like, okay, sure, Jan. No one's grateful for this. This is a life sentence, but I really am grateful because it has given me the fortitude and strength to continue to work on my issues. I can't hide behind substances now. I have to feel it all and it hurts, but that means I work through it and I know how to now. So I'm really grateful. I'm grateful for each day. And I think that's a pretty big monk. That's a pretty damn big monk. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:19

What about you, funky monkey? What'd you do? Well, let me first say I know no one who works harder than you at taking care of yourself and working through whatever issue may arise, but just taking care of yourself, trying different things. I do not work that hard. You are carrying a lot heavier load. And you do work hard. Oh, it's not about, you know, comparing our loads. Like you work so hard at taking care of yourself, and therefore you know yourself so much better than the average person. And I think that's really beautiful.

SPEAKER_04 1:57

Thank you. I think you're really beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 2:00

Thank you. Okay, so this funky monkey has had a really rough week. Um, I previously introduced this audience to my beloved little dog Sadie. She would give us the little tippy taps in the background as she walked around. And she passed away a week ago, and that's been really rough on me. Uh, she was my faithful companion for 13 years. And you may know the phrase Velcro dog, that is exactly what she was. She was always at my side. I was just telling Jen before we started recording that when I get up from the couch to go to the bathroom, there's no one here to be like, I'll be right back. And you don't realize that you say, I'll be right back to your dog.

SPEAKER_04 2:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:55

But I do. I do too. And so I brought out my teddy bear guys, and he's on the couch with me. He's literally under my arm right now. And I've been hugging him like I am five years old.

SPEAKER_04 3:07

Which is good.

SPEAKER_02 3:08

And my cats are doing very well. Tucky just came over, like, what the hell, mom? They're cats though, you know, they're not always in the room with me, they're not always cuddling with me. And I've been to stay outside of my comfort zone is an understatement. So sharing that news and saying that is sadly my monk this week. And that's actually what I called her. I called her monkey and monk. And um Sadie spoke English, guys. I'm really uh hesitant to tell you about that.

SPEAKER_04 3:41

Of a potty mouth.

SPEAKER_02 3:42

Yeah, and her favorite word was bullshit. But she believed because I called her monkey, she thought she was part monkey, and you know, it was something that she said even on her last day. I'm part monkey. Yeah. So there you go. Do you want to talk about maybe the butterflies?

SPEAKER_04 3:58

Because I think it's beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 4:00

So I am not a spiritual person. You're two percent. I'm disgusting. I'm a two percent spiritual person.

SPEAKER_04 4:07

98% muggle.

SPEAKER_02 4:09

Yeah. And the day after Sadie passed, I saw a beautiful butterfly. I took a picture and I did not think anything of it until later in the day I decided to look up what kind of butterfly it is because I thought for sure it was a monarch. But I checked and it wasn't. It was a California tortoise shell, which often gets confused with a monarch. They're both orange with black. And when I looked up the difference, because I was just being nerdy, I guess.

SPEAKER_04 4:39

No, I think I've had that effect on you. I will see any weird bug and be like, oh my god, I saw this bug. Guess what it means? That's what I did.

SPEAKER_02 4:48

I looked it up, and this butterfly has shaggy edges, is how they worded it. And my little baby was a shaggy dog, like a wire-haired dog. Then it referred to them gathering, these butterflies gather in the mud. And my girl loved to just roll around in the mud when she was younger. And then it referred to the migration or lack thereof. So, like monarchs go all the way to Mexico, and that's their known migration. But Californian tortoiseshells, they're homebodies, they just kind of stay within a small range. And I am the biggest homebody, and so was my angel. We just spent years here on the couch in my backyard in the sun doing our thing because I'm sick and she was my perfect velcro dog companion. So all these things just suddenly started to sparkle, and it felt like it was meant to be. I just had this little lightly spiritual moment where it was like, oh my god, that was that was Sadie. Yes. So I'm looking at getting a tattoo of this butterfly. I will let you know how that unfolds.

SPEAKER_04 5:59

To me, that was her coming by and saying, Mama, I'm not going anywhere. I'm with you. Yeah. Forever. Anyway.

SPEAKER_01 6:05

So we're just sitting here teary-eyed. So sorry. My heart breaks for you. It breaks for me too. I loved it. Yeah, you loved her so much. I really did. What a little spunky monkey. Yeah, that's our girl.

SPEAKER_04 6:17

All right, let's take a deep breath. Ooh. Because this stuff happens, but we're still really happy to take a break and talk about monk. Yeah. This was the ultimate, not the penultimate, the ultimate, the finale of the season. I cannot believe we've done the whole season. And we're going to next week just do a kind of what do I think about the show? Because I came in very skeptical, not into it. What do I think about it? What do I like about it? And then a little bit more about OCD, because you know that's really been my fascination. And then we'll play this through that and just have a really easy episode next week. And then just a heads up, we'll probably take a couple weeks off. We know that the last few have not come out on Mondays, but it's been It's been mostly my fault. It's not real. It's just, you guys know how life is. We're doing our best. We're doing our very, very best. So we're going to take a couple weeks off releasing them, but we'll be recording so that hopefully we'll have a backlog and you won't have to wait ever again.

SPEAKER_02 7:22

We know you're addicted to everybody's addiction to rewatch podcast.

SPEAKER_01 7:27

Also, really quick, we had some beautiful reviews left. Yes. And I can't believe it. Thank you for the three of you that like us. We like you too.

SPEAKER_04 7:37

They were amazing. Anyway, so let's get back to it. Fear of flying. Monk has a horrible fear of flying. He would have gone to that place in Zurich if he wasn't so afraid.

SPEAKER_02 7:48

Oh, right. Do you have a fear of flying? Not at all. Nothing. My mom says I've been flying since I was three months old. Obviously, I don't remember it. Yeah. But airplanes have just been part of my family vacations since I was an infant.

SPEAKER_04 8:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 8:05

I never even thought about being scared of it. Is it uncomfortable at all for you? Is it uncomfortable? Mmm, yes. Since I've gotten sick, it is painful to be honest. I have a very hard time sitting in a position for a long time. But if I drug myself, it's not that bad.

unknown 8:24

Right.

SPEAKER_04 8:25

I used to love to fly, but getting sober, I realize that I'm very claustrophobic and I have restless legs. So flying is pretty tough. And it's not claustrophobia from being in enclosed places. It's people.

SPEAKER_02 8:39

All the people are like on top of it.

SPEAKER_04 8:43

Emotional people just all around.

SPEAKER_02 8:45

And it's like an emotion soup. If there's anywhere I'm wearing a mask, it is on that airplane.

SPEAKER_04 8:51

Yeah. So I wanted to talk about fear of flying just a little bit. I hate when I say that. Just a little bit. Just a little bit, because you know it's not a little bit. No. We're going to go in depth at the end of this when Kathy's nice and exhausted. So she doesn't have to glaze while I'm given this information. Plus, not everybody will be interested in that, but you know who is? Me. And my sweet, I'm going to call her Joey because I don't know if she wants me to use her name, but she has had a fear of flying almost her whole life. And because I was her nanny and her teacher, I've known about it. So I kind of asked her, what does it feel like? What does the fear of flying feel like and how has that impacted your life? She said, it kind of just feels like a super long, stretched-out panic attack, but also I feel like I'm in constant fear. After talking to some people, I think the main fear is not being in control of the outcome or the outcome of being safe. Like I can't get off or get on when I want to, and pilots being in control of it, it's just a lot of what ifs. Maybe a sprinkle of fear of death. I've heard the statistics and the likelihood and the constant you're more likely to die in a car on the way to the airport and it doesn't help. The only Yeah. Oh, it's true. Yeah. The only way I have learned to get over it is by having wine, which ultimately won't work forever. So I'm trying to figure out another alternative. But it really turns my mind off. And I'm desensitized to the bumps and the noises. I think I realized in fourth grade, honestly, but I wouldn't say it was super bad until around 7th. I also had the mask drop when I was in eighth grade. Oh. And I was already afraid then, so it didn't help. It's been debilitating in the past, and I've missed out on a lot just because I would have to fly. I missed my high school senior trip in Hawaii with my friends because I didn't want to get on the plane. And I remember that. She'd paid for the trip, everything. And then the day before, she was like, I'm not going. I can't I can't. She had a panic attack. So it is an actual thing. People can be uncomfortable on planes, but hers is debilitating to a point where she will miss out on amazing trips, amazing experiences. That's why I want to have this section at the end. Because I want to help her because I love her so desperately. And I want to help anyone that has this. So roughly 30% of passengers experience some nervousness or unease when flying. And about five to seven percent of the global population has debilitating clinical fear that completely stops them from getting on the plane. And that's called severe aviophobia. That's a big percentage. I know. Higher than I would global. Yeah. And then with the recent trends of airplanes being not so safe. Polls indicate that recent airline safety incidents have made over 60% of flyers more nervous, with more than a third altering travel plans due to their anxiety. So it's a growing fear. And I thought that maybe if we understood it more, it might help some people, especially my beloved Joey. Stay tuned at the end if you're interested in that. If not, then let's just enjoy some monk. Let's just enjoy some monk. Yeah. The scene begins with Monk and Sharona airport walking through an airport. My dad taught me airport walking. We would be walking in because he traveled.

SPEAKER_02 12:04

I was like, you misspoke, but no.

SPEAKER_04 12:07

It's an you said one term on purpose. We would be traveling because he traveled all the time. And so he got down a science of like weaving through people with his bag, walking the fastest. He still does this. We'll just leave us behind. When we last went out for my niece's wedding to Vermont, he did the same thing. And I I felt like the adult with children like, where's dad? Where's mom? My mom's way far behind, and my dad is like way far ahead. Just weaving between people like a pro.

SPEAKER_02 12:34

Well, listen to this. Yeah. Now I use a power wheelchair, and at the airport I can go faster than everyone. I hold my rolling suitcase on one side and I have my latte in my hand, and I lean my hand on the joystick, and I just weave through that airport. I just zip past everyone. It's really empowering. Did you know that I get to go on the airplane before everyone as a disabled person? But that means you have to sit on the plane longer. I need the time. Yeah. Because I've turned into the slowest person. Remember that slot from Zootopia?

SPEAKER_01 13:17

She's sometimes catchy slot. I'll ask her.

SPEAKER_04 13:20

By the end of podcasting, I'll look over and ask her a question. And her eyes so slowly will lift up and she'll do that smile. And be like, what?

SPEAKER_01 13:35

We better get going then. Yeah, I know. You're gonna fade in 30 minutes. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 13:40

So they're walking through the airport. Sharona is very jersey here, all big hair and short skirt and tall boots. What time does she get in? Monk asks. Any minute, Sharona tells him, we have to hurry. Monk nods, following close. All right, then I finally get to meet the famous Aunt Min. Yep, Sharona confirms. Have you told her about me? Monk asks. She glances casually behind her. I think your name has come up once or twice. What'd you say? Monk presses. I told her the truth, she says, getting on an elevator with a big smile. Sorry. Once off the elevator, Monk stops her. Hold on, Sharona, wait. This is the wrong floor. We're on departures. Our rivals is upstairs. She nods, looking at him seriously. I think you better sit down. Sharona faces a now sitting monk. Okay, I got good news and bad news. What do you want first? Neither. Well you gotta pick one, Sharona tells him in a no nonsense way. I don't want to, Monk explains. You can tell me the good news first. I won't enjoy it because I'll be worried about the bad news which is coming next. But if you tell me the bad news first, I won't even get a chance to enjoy the good news because okay, okay. Adrian, Adrian, Sharona interrupts. Just stop it. I'm just gonna say it. We're not we're not here to pick up Aunt Min. Yes, we are. He nods up at her. Full little boy now. No, no, we're not. Aunt Min's not coming here. I'm going there. Monk's face falls. My flight leaves in an hour, and I'm going to be gone for seven days. In a row? He asks, panic rising. Yeah, in a row. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd freak out. Now, you can either stay here by myself? No, no, no. My sister will look in on you. Or she takes a big pause here. You can come with me. I packed all your things. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, okay. Monk stutters. I'm gonna need a day or two to think about it.

SPEAKER_01 15:33

Um, you've only got five minutes, she says apologetically. Over the PA we hear. This is the final call for something, something, flight, something, something. Why are you a robot?

SPEAKER_02 15:45

They're usually humans. Oh, I was trying to get the tone and and it's and it's like, I'm gonna try again. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 15:52

This is the final call for flight something, something, something, something.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

Someone needs to check on the board. She's being held for ransom.

unknown 16:09

Okay.

SPEAKER_04 16:09

Monk looks over as a wealthy-looking couple dressed in matching maroon walk past. The woman is putting on sunglasses inside. Sharona stares at him, eyebrows raised, hand on hip.

SPEAKER_03 16:20

We hear on the loudspeaker This is final boarding call for Boston. Flight blah blah blah blah blah.

SPEAKER_04 16:28

Monk watches mouth agape as the maroon woman reaches up on tiptoes to hug the maroon man. All passengers should proceed to gate ten. Adrian, Sharona cuts into his observation. Adrian, she tries again. What's it gonna be? Um, I'm gonna stay here. She looks at him dubious. By yourself? No, I'm gonna go with you, he amends. On the plane, just as dubious.

SPEAKER_01 16:52

He both nods and shakes his head at the same time. I love him nodding and headshaking at the same time.

SPEAKER_04 16:59

It is so cute. In a restroom, the maroon woman approaches the sink, rifling in her bag. She doesn't notice when another woman wearing the same maroon poncho, same hair, and basically same face, sidles up next to her. May I borrow your lipstick? Maroon two asks. Maroon 1 looks at her confused. It was the only thing we couldn't match, maroon two says, then shoots her twice in the stomach with a silencer. Maroon 1 falls back dead on the floor. Maroon 2 which I promise we'll get their names. Maroon 2 turns back to the mirror, applying a fresh coat of borrowed lipstick, smacking them together for good measure.

SPEAKER_02 17:37

I think that was an especially mean murder. Oh yeah. But she could have killed her and then just picked up the lipstick. But the coldness of putting them on. No, the coldness of like, can I have your lipstick?

SPEAKER_04 17:49

Oh, I know. It was cruel. Why make her last moments shocking?

SPEAKER_02 17:52

Yeah, just kill her. I agree. Although, you know, maybe my roles for murder are a little off because murder is murder and that's the worst part. I love that you're a compassionate killer.

SPEAKER_01 18:04

Thank you. Thank you very much. Very best qualities.

SPEAKER_02 18:08

Q intro music. I have something I need to tell you. It's bad news. Okay. It's about the music. Okay. That's the last time you're gonna hear that music.

SPEAKER_04 18:18

Really? I remember people saying the music was so good.

SPEAKER_02 18:22

The music was good. It won an award. Yeah, I love it. And then Randy Newman loved the show so much. He wrote a new theme song. And so starting in season two, there will be a new theme song. Is it good? It is very good, but it is different.

SPEAKER_01 18:38

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 18:38

And I just feel like it is my duty to warn you. This was very traumatic for Monk Nation. Yeah. Because we love the theme song. I really love the one.

SPEAKER_04 18:48

It's a lot like our own. That's why we chose our own.

SPEAKER_02 18:50

Exactly. And then they changed it to the Mandy Newman one. Randy Newman is You've Got a Friend in Me, right? Exactly, yeah. They do occasionally bring back the original song and they weave it in. Good, okay. But I just wanted to let you know so you could cherish this moment.

SPEAKER_04 19:05

Let's do it one more time. Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do San Francisco skyline. Oh, I'm so sad. Okay. Well, I'm interested in what they change. Sometimes changes are good, people tell me.

SPEAKER_01 19:17

I suppose I don't agree, but okay.

SPEAKER_04 19:21

Back at the airport, Monk and Sharona wait at an attendance desk. Monk straightens a group of pamphlets while Sharona watches, unbothered. Sharona does adapt to his quirks or his tendencies very well in this episode. She's very, very patient with him for the most part. I can assure you, Mr. Monk, the attendant tells him. This particular aircraft has an excellent safety record. Could I see it? Monk asks. Sherona stops him. Adrian, he doesn't have the safety record with him. Well, how long would it take to get a copy? Monk asks. Only to hear some loud commentary from the long line behind him. Now he wants to see the safety record? Disgruntled lady grunts. Ugh, he's gonna sit right next to me. I know it. That rude lady. Monk turns back around. The plane was disinfected when, would you say? In a security line. Sharona puts her bag on the X-ray thing. Then turning to Monk, empty your pockets and put your stuff in here. He places all of his important items safely wrapped in baggies in a basket. An attendant notices, you didn't have to put them in baggies, sir. No, he didn't. He did. Sharona corrects. The X-ray tech zooms in on Sharona's bag and seizes it's a small pair of nail clippers. You can't bring these on board, he tells her. Sorry. Monk jumps in immediately. So she can't fly? Is that what you're saying? We have to stay here? No, we have to confiscate them. Monk looks at her imploringly. You sure you want to go without your nail clippers? She's like, I'll just buy new ones when we get there. She steps through the scanner easily, but Monk not so much. He approaches and wavers and wavers. Then he rushes through, only to hear that dreaded he face palms. Body chuck.

SPEAKER_01 21:04

That was too muffled. Every worker, according to Kathy, is behind. You don't even know. Like behind a hazmat mask. I'm gonna try it again. Body chuck. An attendant calls. Arms up.

SPEAKER_02 21:22

Monk raises his arms. I love this scene. This scene is used in a lot of monk commercials because it's so funny.

SPEAKER_04 21:31

Physical comedy of it. I don't know if I'll be able to describe it, but it really made me giggle. Monk raises his arms and out comes the wand. As it passes under his arm down his side, he arches in a swoop so it doesn't touch him. He does the same on the other side. Maroon Man sits scanning the crowd, then stands as Maroon 2, remember, approaches, removing her sunglasses. And it is time for names. Maroon 1 is dead and no longer in. Yes. Maroon 2 is now taking on the name Barbara Chabrol. She's probably in her mid thirties, elegant. She has wavy, light auburn hair and creamy skin, and underneath her sunglasses sit warm brown eyes above high prominent cheekbones. And then she's got that plum colored lipstick. How did it go? She asks, facing Maroon man, now to be known as Stefan Chabrol. Stefan is a little taller than Barbara, with dark hair, pale skin, thick eyebrows. He's kind of doughy. Moldable? I don't know. Not a strong jaw. You know, like I could have shaped him into something else. But he's not heavy. I don't know. Maybe that's not the best description. He's not overweight in any way. It's just his features. He doesn't have a strong jawline. You're right. Yeah. It doesn't have cheekbones. There's nothing like edgy about his face. He doesn't look evil. No, that thank you. It is a soft face. In a slight French accent, he quietly answers Barbara. Everything worked out exactly. Alright, that's my answer. That is not what he sounds like. Is not Spanish. He's not Antonio Benderes. So I will read his voice in a regular unless you can you do a French accent? I for sure cannot. Everything worked out exactly as planned. They'll never find her. Let's go, he orders. Barbara replaces her sunglasses and grabs her bag. Monk and Sharona wait to board their plane. You okay? she asks him. Then you want a sedative? They're very mild. No thanks, he says, forcing a smile. Well, I bought some magazines, she tells him excitedly. He looks at the stack. You bought all those? Yeah, what's the problem? Monk twitches and fidgets and shrugs. It just seems like a lot of extra weight. Sharona chuckles. I am telling you, it's going to be fine. It's the safest way to travel. I know, Monk nods. Statistically it's very safe, but here's my problem. He looks out at the runway. You see that plane taking off? I know it happens ten thousand times a day, but it's really not possible, is it? When you really I mean, how can they fly? They're made of metal. They weigh 200 tons. Plus now you're adding all the magazines? Sharona is listening half-litted, but interrupts here.

SPEAKER_06 24:15

I know this is very hard for you. It's a very big step. And I just want to let you know. I'm really proud of you.

SPEAKER_04 24:25

Her look really matches her words. She is proud, and I'm happy she said it, and I'm proud of them both. Later, Monk and Sharona stand in line, waiting to board. A few people ahead, Barbara hands her ticket and passport to the agent, who asks if her husband will be joining her. Oh yes, he's just running a little late. Monk clocks this, then scans the crowd. He sees Stefan getting a shoe shine. Next passenger, please, the agent calls. Monk approaches and shows his ticket. Mr. Monk, it's nice to have you with us, the flight attendant tells him warmly. Monk bursts into a delirious sort of laugh. And Sharona is it's amazing. Sherona is quick to explain. He's he's just a little nervous. Oh, there's nothing to be nervous about, the attendant tells him unhelpfully. But you're going to have to let go of that ticket. She grunts, pulling. On his end, Monk is clamped down on it with both hands. Okay, wait, Monk whispers. He takes deep breath, then okay, okay, take it, take it, take it.

unknown 25:21

Quick, quick, quick.

SPEAKER_04 25:23

She quickly snaps it from his hands and to her partner from the side of her mouth whispers, trouble ahead. Oh yeah, he confirms. Let's describe this character a little because something tells me we're gonna see a lot of her. She has a short, PC haircut. Kind of like the Jane Lynch haircut. Wavy brown dark hair. Her smile is wide, showing all of her teeth. Her eyes are large, a lovely warm brown. She's really lovely in a no nonsense way. She sort of reminds me of Bronwyn. Yes. Her name tag tells us to call her Lee. But do you know who this actress actually is? I do not know. Are you kidding? So excited to tell you. Go ahead. This is his wife, Tony Shaloupe's wife. What the f- Uh-huh! Uh-huh. What? Her name is Brooke Adams, and they met while working together in theater. I am so excited. I know. I am so happy. They were both cast in the Broadway production of Lend Me a Tenor in the late 1980s. But they were both in relationships, and so they didn't get together, but once they did, they got married super fast. It was like instant chemistry, instant connection. They got married in 1992 and have been together ever since. I can't believe you didn't recognize her. She makes five guest appearances on Monk with four different characters. She comes back as Flight Attendant Lee, but then she also is three other characters.

SPEAKER_01 26:48

That's amazing.

SPEAKER_04 26:48

I'm so glad I got to tell you Monk and Sharon aboard the plane. This this this this isn't so bad. Monk pants with a half smile. He takes in the rows of wide, comfy seats. This is first class, Sharona mutters. Keep walking, we're in steerage. But before they make it further, Sharonda suddenly stops and gasps. Oh my god. She hisses. What? Monk and I ask. That's Tim Daly, she tells him. I love him. And as I live and breathe, it is Tim Daly. What is he, Monk asks? Some kind of actor? Yeah, he was in the show Wings. Monk wrinkles his nose. Never saw it. Was it good? She nods. Well, he was. Now this is a little joke that we all know to the audience, right? You know? You really only know Tony Shaloub from this show, don't you?

SPEAKER_02 27:37

I mean, I I know Tim Daly. I watched Wings when I was very young.

SPEAKER_04 27:40

But you know that Tony was a major character on Wings.

SPEAKER_02 27:43

Oh my god, I don't know that.

SPEAKER_04 27:46

Are you that's another reason I decided to do this because I loved him on Wings.

SPEAKER_02 27:50

He was the taxi cab uh Anthony? Antonio. That is such a good joke, and I didn't understand it.

SPEAKER_01 27:56

Yes. How this show is really coming alive. You didn't know.

SPEAKER_02 28:00

Had no idea. So we're boarding the plane. Yeah. Tim Tim Daily.

SPEAKER_04 28:05

They walked to their seats. The seating in this plane was weird. Two on the side, three in the middle, two on the side. Yeah, that's kind of normal. Okay. Yeah, you're right. And then we see that disgruntled woman that was behind them, and she loudly says, I knew it. I always attract the crazies. Sharona glares at her. Now, Adrian, do you want the window or the aisle? This triggers another round of obsessive doubt, which we learned about in Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum, or my favorite, Folie du Doubt. Wringing his hands, he thinks.

SPEAKER_00 28:36

I'll take aisle.

SPEAKER_04 28:45

Monk takes the middle seat. Good choice, Monk's seat neighbor tells him. He's a friendly, elderly man who feels like chatting. So business or pleasure? Uh, Monk thinks, well, we're going to visit her aunt in New Jersey, so neither. They all chuggle. I'm Warren Beach, Beach tells him. Beach like Coney Island. He sticks his hand out. Monk takes it and introduces himself, and Sharona hands him a wipe. Beach is offended. I'm not sick, he tells them. No, he is. Sharona tells him.

SPEAKER_02 29:15

Okay, who is Warren Beach? So I have to tell you that I watched this episode with my mom. And she cavelled at the sight of this man. For us non-Yiddish speakers, what does Cavelt mean? It's like just bursting with love and joy and pride. Aw. She knew him, and I was like, I don't know who that is. And she's like, that is Gary Marshall. It is. I just didn't recognize him. And my mom loved this man. He and his sister were just huge in the industry. Penny Marshall, a lot of people know her more so. And he was really instrumental in getting Penny into the industry. And Penny, of course, you know, from Laverne and Shirley, and she directed a league of their own. Um, which coming full circle to Sharona.

SPEAKER_01 30:06

Yeah, Sharona in it, Betty Shram.

SPEAKER_04 30:09

Yes. I also did a little research on him, but he started out as a writer and producer before becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved directors. He directed Happy Days, Pretty Woman, and Laverne and Shirley. And he also directed Beach's Runaway Bride, The Princess Diaries, and a lot of others. I most fondly know him as Satan in Hocus Pocus.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

Do you remember when the witches go to his house? I'm not a Hocus Pocus girl. I've never seen it. Wow. Susie and I just kind of didn't watch it. I love Hocus Pocus.

SPEAKER_04 30:42

I watch it every Halloween. But he was dressed up as Satan, and the witches approach and they come into his house and they start worshiping him. It's Gary Marshall. And in the movie, his wife, she's got curlers in her hair, she's Penny Marshall. Oh. And because of that, I always thought that they were married. It wasn't until just looking this up that I didn't realize that Penny Marshall and Gary Marshall were not married. Sister and brother.

SPEAKER_01 31:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 31:06

Anyway, he's going to be with us this entire flight, but he's my most dreaded villain. The close talker that you get on a flight. Oh nice. Are so stressful to me. And if I get someone that's like, so who are you? Where are you going? And won't let me just leave the world, put my music on, meditate, and just try to wish my way out of this hellscape, I can't do it.

SPEAKER_02 31:31

You know, I didn't even think about whether I would or would not be happy to sit next to him because my mom was so happy. I just immediately loved him and I was like, I would be so happy to sit next to him.

SPEAKER_04 31:46

And I think monks too. Using the wipe, Monk grabs something from the middle pouch. What is that? He asks. Oh, it's um uh diagram, Sharona explains. It shows you what to do in case there's an emergency. Monk's breathing speeds. Well, how much time do we have to study this? Shrona public laughs to Beach. You know, like you know that apology laugh that you give to people like don't mind him. She rolls her eyes. He's not exactly a frequent flyer. Up ahead, Barbara calls the flight attendant and asks for a scotch in water. Not until we're in the air, Lee tells her. Then are you okay? She nods. I just don't fly very often. Monk looks up. What's that? He asks, looking at the small red button. That's the attendant call button in case you need help. But before she can even finish, he's out of his seat mashing it for dear life. It makes this little chime noise. Jum jum jum jum jum jum. Can I help you? Lee asks smilingly. Oh, I I I was just testing the button, Monk explains. Finger wrapped in a wipe, continuing to tap. Her smile is wide, but more gritted. Seems to be working. You can stop now. Adrian, Adrian, Sharona whispers. Sit down. Once he's seated, the attendant looks at him. Let me guess. First time on a plane? Oh no, no, Monk corrects. I've been on a plane before. Where'd you go? she asks. Well, I didn't actually go anywhere. Before we took off, I was crying so much they asked my mother and me to leave the plane.

SPEAKER_02 33:14

The best thing is watching Jen read her script and then start laughing.

SPEAKER_01 33:18

It's so cute. It's a funny line. It is, of course.

SPEAKER_04 33:22

Sharona smiles a little. Tell them how old you were. Sheepishly. I was uh twenty. Seven. Lee laughs a little, then turns to the front of the plane, braced. She turns into the snack area. Eleven D's a real squawker, she tells her co attendant. Do you need any help? he asks. Me? Honey, I've been doing this job for 19 years. I've never met a rider I couldn't handle. Back at his seat, Monk is deep breathing, and Beach looks at him. As a flyer, he says, You're sitting next to the right person. He shows Monk a wings pin sitting on his lapel. Look at that. That is a million mile pin. I'm in sales, he continues. I fly two, three times a week. Never had an accident. Sherona leans into Monk. You see? But Beach isn't done. Except last January in San Diego. We overshot the runway. Monk's face is pure horror now. Beach continues. We had to ditch into the ocean. You know, those brochures aren't always accurate. In real life, people are fighting over their life preservers. Monk's breathing shallows, his eyes are saucers, but Beach continues. You know how they say your cushion floats? Not all of them do. He trails off haunted.

SPEAKER_02 34:33

I don't want to talk about this anymore.

SPEAKER_04 34:35

Just then a woman starts coughing repeatedly. Monk whips his head around then springs up, once again mashing the flight attendant button. Lee calmly walks up, forced smile holding steady. We meet again, she says. Excuse me, Monk says heavily. That woman is back there coughing and coughing. She's not covering her mouth. Lee gives it to him straight. I'm not her mother. I know. It's it's the air. It's recirculating, he pauses. It feels like she's coughing on me. Lee leans forward conspiratorily. We have a special supply of fresh air up front. Monk swallows. We're not supposed to do this, she continues, but I'm gonna have the captain pipe it directly into your blower, okay? Monk smiles tightly. Okay, now don't tell anyone, she warns. Thank you, Sherona says. Monk leans to her. She was patronizing me, wasn't she? Sherona exhales as a little girl turns around in the seat in front of Monk. She looks to be seven or eight, the bangs and ponytail in stark contrast to the aged judgment on her face. You sure complain a lot, she tells Monk. Thank you, he says. You know what your name is? she tells him. Mr. Complainy. Beach chuckles at this. Kid's got your number. Just then Stefan rushes onto the plane. Barbara, he blurts, seeing his female companion. She looks up from her seat. Stefan, thank God, where were you? They share a kiss on the lips. I went to the wrong gate, Stefan explains. Can you believe it? Stefan shoves his bag in an overhead compartment and takes a seat. All while Monk is watching, shaking his head. He leans to Sherona. Her pin, he whispers, her pin. Sherona looks up from a magazine. What pin? Monk casually points to Barbara and the camera zooms in on a gold wing shaped pin. That woman's pin. She has a million mile pin, he explains. So, Sherona responds. So she told the stewardess that she never flies. Beach is listening to all of this. Hey, that's pretty sharp, he says. You ought to be a detective. Oh, he is a detective, Sharona tells him. That's why he notices little things like that. Noticing little things, Beach repeats. Basically, that's all a salesman does. Then listen, if you need a job, call me. He hands Monk a card. Monk reads the card aloud. Extension cords? The largest distributor of extension cords in the world, Beach brags.

SPEAKER_00 36:53

We have 65% of the domestic mark. We make three footage, six footers, nine footage. That's our big seller. It is fifty percent longer than the six footers.

SPEAKER_04 37:04

That's all you sell? Monk asks. I'm fulfilled, Beach replies happily. I mean everybody takes extension cords for granted, but just try to imagine how the world would be without him. So Monk does. Fair enough. Looking up what he thinks, then I guess all the furniture would have to be a lot closer to the walls, he concludes. Exactly. If it doesn't reach, call Warren Beach. The captain comes on the overhead speaker. Good morning, everyone. This is your captain speaking. As the captain is giving his spiel, the plane Okay, okay. The plane lurches forward. We're moving, we're moving, Monk says, looking around frightened. We have to move, Sherona tells him calmly. That is how it works. From the front of the plane, Lee and her co attendant are giving the seatbelt in case of emergency speech. Monk pulls out a notebook and begins furiously taking notes. Just as the oxygen masked portion starts, Monk interrupts. I'm sorry, you're talking so fast. The overhead what what what? Compartment, Lee repeats tightly. She continues the instructions, but again too quickly. I'm sorry, he says loudly. Can you say that last part again? So Lee does, more forcefully this time. Maybe we should test them, Monk suggests. We don't need to test them, Lee tells him. But but how how do we know they're working? Monk asks. Everyone is getting annoyed now, especially the disgruntled woman behind him, who is whispering her displeasure audibly. They're all working, Lee spats. This goes on for a while, and Monk has a lot of issues with the safety efficacy of his flight, with the plane, with the staff, and the emergency rail people. But let's move through that. I, like Lee, am losing patience. Up front, Barbara rifles through her purse worriedly. What's wrong? Stefan asks. Oh, I can't find her my passport. She puts her head in the bag. Relax, relax, relax, Stefan soothes. Maybe it's in the other bag. Monk watches this all with interest. Stephon rises and opens the overhead compartment, and Barbara joins him. Sir, ma'am, please take your seat. We're underway, Lee tells them. They ignore her, shuffling through the other bag where they find the passport. Relieved, they kiss, still standing in the aisle. Excuse me, Lee snaps. Please sit down. Monk and Sherona watch. Check it out, check it out, Monk tells her. We watch them passionately kissing. When we saw them in the terminal, she had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss him. She's grown at least two inches. Stefan and Barbara take their seats, just as the plane races down the runway. Monk takes both Sherona and Warren's hand, gripping for dear life. Excuse me, Warren says over the plane noise. I can't feel my fingers. Monk acknowledges, but he doesn't let go, instead swiveling his head to Shrona. Shrona, he says heavily, I've a bad feeling. She rolls her eyes. I'm telling you it's perfectly safe. I don't mean the plane, Monk pants, then nodding to Stefan. That man, I think he murdered his wife. Shrona's brow furrows. You do? As Monk watches Barbara, the little girl pops up again. So I guess they're in the air now. Do you like riddles? she asks. Oh yes, Monk says. Good, 'cause I have one. Monk stops her. Did I say yes? I meant no. But she's already starting. Pete and Repeat were on a boat. Pete fell out, who was left? Monk's look is duh, repeat. We all groan from the other side of the screen, and I remember both doing this to my parents and also having it done to me by my students, the girls I nannied, my nieces. No one wants to get caught by Repeat. No, yeah, definitely. But Monk is caught, so it continues. Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out. Who was left? Repeat. Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out, who was left? Repeat. Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out, who was left? Repeat. By the fourth repeat, Monk is fuming. He's unwilling. He spits. Repeat. The little girl is delighted to have trapped her prey so completely. A big grin covers her face and she says it again. Luckily for us, Sherona has switched seats, sitting cozily up with Tim Daly. She looks at what he's reading. Like, how did she get there? She probably just went to the bathroom and was like, oh, I'm gonna just mosey on down here. Is that a new script? She asks. Yeah, he confirms. I I can't decide whether or not to do it. She leans closer to read the title. Hitman's Diary. Hmm. Then if you do it, are you going to shave your goatee? Confused, Tim looks up. Why? Well, it's just something I've noticed, she explains. When you're clean shaven, whatever you're in is a big hit. Really? Daly says, rubbing his chin. Mm-hmm, she confirms. Think about it. You got diner, wings, earth to the moon. They they they were huge. That's true, Daly concedes thinking. You know, I got an agent, a lawyer, and a manager, and they never noticed that. And she continues, when you had a mustache in Year the Comet, it she trails off. Bombed. Daly finishes. Back in coach, Monk is still stuck in his own personal hell. More so than usual. His face, he's in torment. Eyebrows furrowed, the line in between deepening. Even the bags under his eyes have tripled. Like the misery packed its own carry-on. The sorrow in his eyes is devastating. It's very much like dance, monkey dance. So OCD has him, and it's sorry guys, it's not funny. He can't stop this. He understands that it's a trick, which adds to the torture. This little girl has asked a question and there's a correct answer. Monk's brain cannot leave a question unanswered. It's the same compulsion that makes him straighten pictures or even out flower length. The loop must close. Every time he says repeat, the loop resets and his brain commands him to answer it again. He's trapped. He knows he's trapped, but he can't stop it. And that's the when I was going over what I love about this show. One of the things is obviously Shaloub's acting. But one of the things I hate about this show is his acting is too good. You can see that he's in torture. So when I was researching this, Breckman is the one that demanded they do the scene. The writers are like, this is gonna get annoying. It's not that funny. And he was like, No, no, no, it'll land. It's funny.

SPEAKER_02 43:32

There are a lot of scenes like this. Yeah. I can think of like season three, episode one, there's a moment like this. And I bet it's a Breckman moment.

SPEAKER_04 43:42

I think Breckman does not follow his rule of don't laugh at monk, because this is laughing at someone's disorder. And I'm sorry, I'm just gonna say it. It makes me mad.

SPEAKER_02 43:52

At least in the moment I'm referencing, Stadelmeyer is with him and is very supportive of his need to finish. Cycle. Yeah. But here it's just a little brat who is perpetuating the problem. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 44:07

So Pete and Repeat are still in the boat. And then Pete fell out. And who was left? The monster asks again. Monk's eyes are full of tears, his shoulders are scrunched, he presses his lips together and he turns to Beach for help. Beach quietly turns to him and goes, Repeat. Desperate, Monk flies up and mashes the call button while answering, Repeat. Lee approaches, annoyed. Mr. Monk. Oh, thank God. Monk falls to his seat. She is relentless. I'm actually really proud of him in this moment. He reached for help. Uh-huh. But Lee's heart has shrunk three sizes that day. I have a hundred and five other passengers. The call bell is for emergencies only. Do you understand? Monk opens his mouth to respond, but Lee is already gone. Beach leans over. Where's your friend? I want to show you something. Oh, she's in the bathroom, Monk tells him, squeezing his eyes together. The camera pants to the bathroom sign, which largely says unoccupied. And Beach points it out too. Monk shifts, suddenly scared. I I hope she didn't leave. Beach chuckles. How far could she go? It's an airplane. Then Beach switches gears. Listen, Adrian, you're a man of the world. I think you'd appreciate this. He holds up an extension cord. This is the longest tri-prong trim outlet cord ever made domestically. Uh-huh. Monk grunts. We call it the anaconda, Beach continues. Nice. Beach tries to hook the cord into Monk's suit. Up in first class, Shrona is having the time of her life. Would you like to read this? Daley asks her, referring to the script. Me? She says. I'd like to know what you think. You would like to know what I think, she repeats, shocked. But just then Monk rushes through the little drape that separates the halves from the rest. Shrona, what are you? He breaks off. Adrian, I'm busy, she says, expressive eyes blazing. But using his head, he gestures to the seat. I need help. Daly looks at her questioningly. This is my boss, Adrian Monk, she tells him. Oh hi, Tim Daly. Tim Daly holds out his hand, only for Monk to ignore it. Hi, hello, I'm told you're very talented, Monk Anne says brusquely. Then does Sherona. I really need you back there. Why don't you go back to your seat? She tries. Count the clowns. I already did. Twenty three. Lee approaches them. Excuse me, Monk says, gesturing Sherona. She's not allowed to be here, is she? Lee looks at her apologetically. I'm sorry, ma'am, you have to go back to Coach. Stunned, Daley looks to Monk. You tattled on her? I can't believe it. You're a freaking tattletale. Monk turns again to Lee. He called me a freaking tattletale. Lee turns Monk around and ushers him back to Coach, leaving Daly shaking his head in wonder. Monk and Sharona make their way back to their seats, but on the way, Sharona opens the compartment above Barbara and Stefan. Stefan rips off his headphones and looks up, panicked. Oh I'm sorry, Sharona explains. I just needed a blanket. I think I saw one up there. She fishes something out of one of the bags while grabbing a blanket. Got it, thanks. Sharona is so sneaky. She's so sneaky. He nods and she heads back to her seat. I got it, she tells Monk. She unfolds a piece of paper. Stefan Chabrol, she reads to Monk. They have a connecting flight to Paris at 515. She hands him the itinerary and grabs the script to read. Beach leans over. You really think he killed his wife? he asks. Annoyed, Sharona looks up. He always thinks people are killing each other. That's true, Monk agrees. Then to Beach. I'll tell you why. Because they are. Beach chuckles. Listen, Adrian, I'm a pretty good judge of people. If I wasn't, I couldn't sell extension cords. Such a silly line. So I think I know what's going on here. Monk stares forward as Sherona turns to listen. You're under a lot of stress. And you're trying to avoid thinking that this plane is going to crash into a mountain. Monk turns, forced a smile. Thank you. But Beach isn't done yet. So you're desperately trying to think of something to worry about. Sherona nods to Monk. He's right. You really think so? Monk asks. Beach nods. You gotta relax. Let me buy you a drink. Monk shakes his head. I don't drink. Beach sighs deeply. You don't drink. Well, I got something here for you. This is a good idea. He hands Monk an eye mask. This is brand new. Put this over your face. So Monk does. Kick your shoes off. We're gonna teach you to relax, Adrian. Push your seat back. The seat leans super far back nearly into the lap of the annoyed woman. Do you mind? she snaps. No, I don't mind, Monk mutters. Now, take a deep breath. How do you feel? Beach asks. I I I feel better, Monk admits. Good, Beach says soothingly. Forget your problems. Go to a happy place. Go to he pauses to think, SeaWorld. I don't like crowds, Monk tells him. It's closed, Beach adjusts. It's a holiday. You're there all alone. Easy. Then there was no murder, was there? No, Monk admits. There are no killers aboard, Beach continues meditatively. No killers, Monk repeats drowsily. Warren puts a finger to his lips and shroudemouths.

unknown 49:40

Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 49:42

The baby is down for a nap. Except it's dinner time. Lee hands Barbara her meal. Um, excuse me, what is this? It's your meal, Lee explains. Vegetarian. Oh no no, I wanted the turkey. Lee's like, huh? Didn't you call ahead and order special? Monk drifts up from his sleeping position, masked eyes turning towards the conversation. I uh ordered it, sweetheart, Stefan explains. Remember I told you. Oh, Barbara waves through the air like I'm such adult.

SPEAKER_02 50:13

You know, she really is adult because if you are murdering someone and masquerading as them, don't you try to be discreet? You get a meal and it's not what you expected, but you don't get to modify it. You're like under the radar. You are Barbara Shabrol.

SPEAKER_04 50:30

You dumbass? Like Barbara Shabrol. Yeah. I know. She ruins this whole thing for them. It's really all her fault. I agree. Did you hear that? Monk asks, ripping the eye mask off. What? Shrona asks. She forgot she's a vegetarian? Who forgets they're a vegetarian? Monk says skeptically. It's like forgetting you're a Republican. Shrona keeps reading. Something's going on here, Monk continues. I'm gonna call Captain Staldemeyer as soon as we land. Why don't you call him now? Beach suggests, then points to a phone in the seat.

SPEAKER_02 51:01

Ugh, remember the phones in the seat? Did you ever use it? Oh my god, no, my mom would have killed me. They were so expensive to you.

SPEAKER_04 51:11

Next we see Disher at the station. Dishy He's on his way to get coffee only to be stopped by a ringing phone. I'm so happy to see him. I assumed we wouldn't get any daddy dishy time. Disher, he answers. Monk leads forward quietly. It's Adrien Monk. Is the captain there? No, Monk, it's Sunday, Disher tells him. Then where are you? I'm uh I'm in an airplane flying. Tisher looks around then whispers, have you been kidnapped? No, I'm going to Jersey, Monk explains. It's no big deal. Then he gets to business. Listen, did anything strange happen in the airport this morning? Strange as in what? Dish asks. Did a body turn up? Female, five seven, mid forties. Hold on. Tisher starts typing into the computer, which flashes, no matches found. Not a thing, Disher tells him. Then what's going on, Monk? A passenger on the plane. I think he might have murdered his wife just before we left. Monk, there's nothing on the sheet. Could you check the guy out? Monk asks softly. His name is Stefan Chabrol. Fine, I'll do what I can, Diger tells him taking notes. Then he looks up with a sly smile. Are you really on an airplane? It's better than being here not on an airplane, Monk retorts. Then I'll call you back. Beach and Sharona are both asleep in their seats while Monk rereads the safety manual. The plane lurches and Monk freaks. What was that? He says to a dozing Beach. Plane's turning or something, he mumbles. Monk watches as Chabrol picks up his drink to keep it from falling. Did you see that? Monk hisses. He knew we were gonna turn. Then realization floods his face. He knows about planes. Monk shakes Sharona awake. What? she says sleepily. He knows about airplanes. He lifted his glass. Back at the station, Disher answers his phone. Randy, Monk says softly. I think he works for an airline. Yeah, hang on. I just found him. We see Chabrol's face on Randy's computer. You're right, he's a pilot. He flies for Paris Air. How'd you know that? I have something to say here, and you'll like this.

SPEAKER_02 53:16

Yes, ma'am.

SPEAKER_04 53:17

One thing I appreciate about Disher is he's always asking how someone knows something. He doesn't put on the air like he knows. He wants to be a better detective.

SPEAKER_02 53:27

I'm not sure that is consistent. Is it not? I think at the beginning he was trying to Well, definitely.

SPEAKER_04 53:34

At the beginning when I hated him, but he still even then would be like, How did you know that? It was more suspicious, but he still asked how.

SPEAKER_02 53:42

Yeah, you're right. I think he does ask how.

SPEAKER_04 53:44

I don't know. Well, I love Dishy. I told you to hold out. I know, and I know I really do appreciate his. Anyway, I'll tell you later, Monk tells him. Is there anything on the wife? Another image comes up on Disher's computer. Yeah, Barbara, maiden named Lesser. I think she's a trust fund baby. Details, Monk commands, focused. Well, her family owned Lesser Pharmaceuticals, Disher reads. Her mother and father are both deceased. Monk looks over to the couple and thinks aloud, if Stefan wanted to be with another woman and keep the cash flowing, they'd have to pretend the wife was still alive. Disher finishes. There's your motive, Monk says, as Beach's head falls onto his shoulder. But Monk continues. Chabrol found an accomplice whose Barbara Lesser's double, a dead ringer.

SPEAKER_02 54:28

Do you think he fell in love with this doppelganger? I'm curious about that. Is the doppelganger his accomplice and his lover? Right. Or just his accomplice? I am thinking just his accomplice.

SPEAKER_04 54:40

That's what makes sense to me. She's a dumb accomplice. No kidding. Disher listens mouth opened. They killed her at the airport after she checked in, Monk continues. So officially she's boarded the plane and they're probably never coming back. They're just gonna stay in France and collect the money. Well, we need a body, Monk, Disher tells him. Where's the body? That's the question, Monk says, thinking, they had to make sure it would never be found. Well, it can't be on the plane. It's still got to be at the airport somewhere. Disher is amped. He's into this crime. Monk, he says hurriedly, I'm on my way. Monk looks back at the plane phone and hangs up. And back then, a call from a plane would cost around three to five dollars per minute.

SPEAKER_02 55:20

Mmm nice research.

SPEAKER_04 55:22

The annoyed woman approaches Stefan near the bathroom. Oh, excuse me. I know this may not be my business, but you see that man? The camera pants to a deeply uncomfortable monk grimacing at Beach's head on his shoulder. Do you know him? No, Stefan tells her, should I? She nods. Well, he's been talking about you the whole trip. He thinks you murdered his wife. And this is where in my notes I wrote, Busy body bitch. Uh-huh. A complete BBB. Mm-hmm. He what? Stefan says. Yeah, don't worry. Disgruntled smiles. No one's gonna believe him. He's a real fruit cake, but you might want to keep an eye on him, you know? Disher walks purposely through the airport, security at his heels. You're wasting my time and you're wasting your time, security man tells him, but Disher cuts him off.

SPEAKER_06 56:07

I don't know where you're getting your information. I'll tell you where I'm getting my information from. Adrian Monk. Maybe you've heard of him.

SPEAKER_04 56:14

He really believes in Monk now. I just love that Disher's like, yeah, this is the most brilliant detective, and I'm gonna follow his gut. Back on the plane, an older man spots Stefan. Whispering his name, the man approaches.

SPEAKER_02 56:26

Bernard?

SPEAKER_01 56:27

Stefan says shocked.

SPEAKER_04 56:29

What a small world. Bernard smiles. Can you believe this? No, Stefan breathes. I was just thinking about your father. God rest his soul, Bernard says. Then are you heading back home? Uh that that's right. Yes, Stefan stammers. Me too, Bernard says. I haven't seen you since the big anniversary party. Ah, Barbara, ravisan com to jour. Monk watches. Like a deer in the headlights, Barbara shakes his hand. It's a pleasure to meet you too.

SPEAKER_02 57:00

What a moron. Like, why would she assume she hasn't met this man? Just keep your mouth shut. You have one job. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 57:08

But I think she thinks when he says ravi soncom toujours, I think she probably thinks that means it's nice to meet you. Just keep your mouth shut. I know. Just smile and take his hand. She obviously doesn't understand all that. What a dangerous doppelganger. Yeah, I know. Not a good pick. Uh uh. To meet me, Bernard repeats, hurt. Well, you don't remember? You're breaking an old man's heart. I taught you how to waltz that night. Monk watches. Oh, oh yes, of course you did. She smiles charmingly. I I'm sorry, I forgot. Magnanimously, Bernard waves it all away with a string of gorgeous French, which only causes Barbara's brows to furrow. I'm sorry, I don't speak French. Dummy. Since when? Bernard asks. We spoke for over an hour, and that was only three years ago. Monk watches, shaking his head. Stephon finally ends this. Getting up, he leads Bernard away, the two men speaking rapidly in their native tongue. Later, Stefan walks down the aisle holding a drink. He trips and spills it on Monk's leg. Monk and Sherona have switched seats and she and Beach are asleep, heads resting together. It's a sweet little sight. Sherona, wake up, Monk Whisper yells. Tiredly she turns. He spilled his wine, he spilled it, and it's staining. I can feel it. Sherona pulls out a stain stick that she must have been sleeping with. Rub it on, add water. Can you do it? Monk asks. Because if you do it, then I wouldn't have to.

SPEAKER_02 58:29

I feel like that is the most Kathy line in the entire episode. Like, can you do it? Because then I I wouldn't have to.

SPEAKER_04 58:37

Glaring, she tosses the stick onto his lap and nestles back into beach. Monk and the stain and the stick move to the bathroom. Inside is the dirtiest airplane bathroom I've ever seen. Agree. Wet toilet paper everywhere. And why? Monk does his best to get settled in the bathroom, jumping at the side of an open toilet. And they put the camera in the toilet so you see him looking over. It was pretty funny. And he drops the toilet seat down. Outside, Barbara pushes one of the flight attendants' carts in front of the bathroom, nodding to Stefan, who nods back, raising a wine glass to her. They're up to shenanigans. Inside the bathroom, Monk jostles side to side as the turbulence rocks the plane. The seatbelt sign flashes on just as the captain announces that everyone must return to their seat due to turbulence. Stefan crouches in front of a restricted panel and unlatches something. The flight attendants move down the aisle, checking for trash and lowered tray tables. And in the bathroom, Monk bounces off the walls as he tries to pull up his pants. Stefan pulls a tube from the tank and pours liquid into his glass of wine. Monk flails around trying to get his jacket on. Lee pulls a curtain back, revealing Stefan still in a crouch.

SPEAKER_02 59:48

Yeah, so do you guys catch that? He was getting some sort of fluid from some sort of tank in a cabinet that you wouldn't really know about unless you were an airplane person. And that fluid was definitely not water. It was more like a chemical. Correct. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:06

May I help you? Lee asks. Stefan smiles sheepishly. I was uh just looking for magazines. Monk buttons his jacket and stands up straight, then dabs his face with the tissue. He unlocks the bathroom door and tries to push it open. It doesn't. He bangs against the door, hitting the cart. Meanwhile, Stefan enters first class and hands one of the wine glasses to Bernard. He sits companionably. Thank you for understanding. The woman is obviously not Barbara. Bernard chuckles. I saw nothing. He smiles. To our wife and our lovers may they never meet you. They clink their wine glasses and Bernard takes a long sip. From behind the bathroom door, we can hear Monk pounding. Excuse me! Excuse me. Sherona wakes up and rushes over. Hello? Hello, Monk calls. This isn't happening.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:52

There is a call button in there, by the way. He could have like he his panic I don't think he knows that.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:58

And yeah, his panic is making him blind. Sherona pushes the cart out of the way. Adrian, what are you doing in there? Monk escapes, panicked, only to have Lee break past him. She calls to the other attendant. We have a situation, she tells him. You better call Bobby. The pilot Bobby, the two attendants, Monk and Sherona, all file down the aisle. And there he is. Sweet old Bernard. Bobby checks his pulse and loudly for all to hear. He's dead. He's dead. The flight attendant covers Bernard with a blanket. Monk and Sherona are still standing with the flight crew. We could divert to Pittsburgh, Lee offers, but Bobby, the pilot, says, no, this time of day they'd probably give us priority right into Newark. The male attendant hands Bobby a pill bottle. What is this? he asks. Bobby takes a quick look. That's heart medicine. Well, the guy had a heart attack. Monk is quick to interrupt. I don't think so. Are you a doctor? Bobby asks. No, sir, I'm a homicide detective. Bobby looks him up and down. Can I see some ID? Well, actually, I'm not currently active, but there's a situation on the plane. From his side, Lee is all deep sides and eye rolls. Monk continues, I've been watching two of your passengers. I think they might have been involved in a homicide back at the airport. Um Bob, Lee interjects, and right in front of Monk, loudly whispers, This is the man I've been telling you about. Bobby gets a tense smile on his face. Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to return to your seat. No, no, you don't understand, Monk tries, but he's cut off. No, you don't understand. You're making a scene. Bobby lowers his voice a little. Now please turn around and go back to your seat. Monk turns, but not before whispering, wine glass to Sharona. Sharona glances over the victim's seat and spots a wine glass. She calmly moves toward it and hides it behind her back. Both return to their seats.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:49

I really like this moment with Sharona because I feel like she has his back.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:55

Again, another reason why I think this was finale, because in the past she would have been like, Adrian, stop. But she doesn't question him at all. She just is like, Yes, I understand, I know you, I trust you. Let's do it. Let's do it. Yeah. Warren is a nervous wreck. What happened? he asked. Monk explains, holding the offending glass. The old man knew that's not his real wife. He nods over to Barb and Steph. I think they killed him. Can you prove it? Sharona asks. No, an autopsy would, Monk answers. But that'd take three or four days. They'll be in France by then. He watches as Barbara naps and Stefan casually flips through a brochure. But it'd take years to extradite them, unless I have proof. He sniffs a wine glass and then rolls the dregs along the bottom. What is it? Beach asks. I don't know, some kind of powder. Then he asks, Do you have a match? Yes, Beach tells him excitedly. Get a load of this. He pulls out a fancy silver lighter. The company gave me this for selling a thousand miles of extension cord. I love that they're rewarding him for miles. Monk flicks on the lighter, holding the flame to the bottom of a wine glass. What are we doing now, Adrian? Beach asks. Burning off the alcohol residue. We hear some passenger in the back saying what we're all thinking. Hey, stewardess, that guy has a lighter. But Monk continues, what is it? Sharona asks. Ethylene, Monk says heavily. It's a solvent used in refrigerator coolant. Above, Lee watches, eyebrows raised. Excuse me, she says, very much like a fed up teacher. Were you just using that? Speechless Monk shakes his head no. Yes, he was, stupid child tattles. I could see him. Sharona jumps in quickly. No, no, no, no, no. He was he was just playing with it. It won't happen again. Oh, you're right it won't, Lee tells them. Give it to me, please. Monk hands it over. And the glass? She grabs the wine glass from Monk's hand. No, no, not the glass. He follows her into the aisle. That's material evidence. But Lee has had enough. Monk turns looking at Stefan. Where did you dump her? he asks. But Stefan is the picture of innocent confusion. Pardon me? Your wife, Monk pushes. What did you do with the body? Lee angrily marches Monk down the aisle again. Mr. Monk, I am only going to say this once. It is a federal offense to disobey a flight attendant. But if you get out of your seat again, I will call the marshal. The air marshals, and have them meet you when we land. She is shaking with rage. Sit down, she booms. Monk promptly takes a seat.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:31

Not to say she has kind of a low tolerance for misbehavior.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:34

But there is um a dead body.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:36

This has been an incredibly stressful for me. Yeah, you're right. I kind of forgot about that.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:41

Lee isn't done. She disconnects the call button, taking a whole panel. What are you doing? Monk asks, panicked. You won't be needing this again. Back at the flight attendant station, Lee is still shaking. She looks near tears. She rinses the wine glass and we all scream, No Then she turns to Neil. Look at me, I'm shaking. Neil is the flight attendant, sorry. Other other flight attendant, yeah. Look at me, I'm shaking. You'll be fine, Neil tells her calmly. She grabs a mini vodka and gulps. What are you doing? Neil asks, really concerned. I thought you'd quit. I did. And I wrote, This is not funny.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:21

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 1:06:23

We are very sensitive to this type of humor. I just worry about her. Anyway, back at the airport, Disher approaches a big cart of luggage. Maybe it's in one of the suitcases, he says. Not possible. Everything's x-rayed, security guard tells him. He looks at his watch. How long do you think we're gonna go? I don't know. Disher answers, his eye scanning everything. Cause here's the thing. My shift ends at noon, security guard tells him. And after that it's overtime. Plus today's Sunday, so there's another twenty-five dollars an hour. The security guard is such a put. Disher turns to him, but he's not listening. Out loud he says, he's a pilot. Yeah? Security guard confirms. So, Disher Guard continues, if he had a valid ID, he could go anywhere he wanted to, right? Just about. Security guard concedes. Disher breathes. Okay. He gets real calm, buttons his jacket, closes his eyes. Okay, he repeats. Are you okay? Security guard asks.

unknown 1:07:22

Shh.

SPEAKER_04 1:07:23

Disher smiles. Then I've seen Monk do this a hundred times. And I wrote, Come on, little Dish, you can do this. You have big plate energy. Disher zones out, fingers slightly laced in front of him, kind of like an arrow. He moves forward calmly, vaguely pointing to a bunch of papers on a corkboard. Back on the plane, Sherona faces Daly seriously. You can't make this movie. I can't, Daly repeats incredulous. No, she tells him, I won't let you. This guy Glenn kills people. Daly nods and smiles. Well yeah, he's a hitman. Okay, look, Sherona flips through the script. On page fifty seven he chops off a guy's foot. You can't chop off a guy's foot. You're Tim Daly. You're a nice guy, and that's why we love you. Yeah, Daly agrees, annoyed. I just thought it would be a good change of pace. Okay, look, Sharona says seriously. All I know is if I go to a movie and I see you chopping off a guy's foot, I'm gonna want my money back. Daly looks at her, thinking deeply. Then, you know what? You're right. I'm gonna pass. He grabs the plane phone. I'm gonna call my agent right now and leave a message. Sherona's delighted. Really? Because of me? He looks at her with a soft smile, those perfectly placed smile lines around his eyes deepening. You're my guardian angel, he says, kissing her cheek. She raises her eyebrows and leans back in her seat with a smug little smile. Back in coach, Monk stares at Stefan, his socked feet and the shoes sitting close by. Monk thinks, his shoes. Whose shoes? Beach asks. Chabrols, Monk whispers. Before we left the airport, he was getting the shoes shined. That's why he was late getting on the plane. So, Beach asks. So why would a man who just killed his wife be worried about his shoes? Beach looks at Stefan thinking, because he I don't know. Monk coughs, then behind his bald fist whispers even softer, I need an extension cord. Beach passes an extension cord. Monk ties a knot to the cord, creating a makeshift lasso. Monk flings the lasso to the shoes and misses. And I'm having flashbacks to the first episode, the paper clip fishing pole. Yes, yes. This isn't as cringy though. Yeah, there's not a crowd of mourners watching. He flings the lasso and he misses. And misses and misses. He leans towards Beach. It doesn't reach, he whispers. Call Warren Beach. Beach finishes. Grabbing another cord. May I suggest the anaconda? Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hon. Monk swings the end back and forth, then tosses it at the shoe, but misses. One more try and he's got it. Beach pumps his fist. Monk drags the shoe to him and moves it back to the middle seat. He picks up the shoe by its laces. Using his pen, he scrapes something from the bottom. Beach watches. What did he step in? Monk looks at the substance, then to Beach, eyes alight. Cement, he whispers triumphantly. Back at the airport, we see Disher speaking into his cell phone. Did you say cement? he says. Is there a construction site at the airport? Monk asks. Yeah, Security Guard smacks his gum, I'm bothered. They're renovating the terminal. It's right through there. He head nods past Disher. Good, let's go, Dish says breathlessly. Um security guard looks at his watch again. Here's the thing. I'm due for my break. But Disher has had enough of this. Shut up now and show me where it is, he orders. In the air, Stefan looks nervously back at Monk. Over the speaker.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:56

Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the suit.

SPEAKER_01 1:11:00

That is not how it goes. I forget things real easily. Monk reaches for the phone again.

SPEAKER_04 1:11:09

We're almost out of time, Randy. What do you got? He tells Disher, who is pacing in the construction site. Monk, it's a construction site right across from the ladies' room. It's perfect. They've been pouring concrete here all week. Monk listens, nodding and smiling. If he had security clearance, Disher continues, he could have carried her back in a suitcase or something. A construction worker interrupts. We poured the foundation this morning. It's already hardened. Well, what would it take to dig it up? Disher asks. Four guys, a couple of drills, and a court order. Fine, do it, Disher orders. How long? An hour and a half, the construction worker tells him. Monk, it's going to be an hour and a half to dig it up, Tisher says. Monk leans forward. We don't have an hour and a half. They're going to be on a plane to Paris at 515. Well then, you'll have to stall him. Monk hangs up, frustrated. What do you say? Sharona asks. We're going to have to stall them. The plane lands on the runway. Passengers stand to grab all their stuff. Well, Beach says, this is a flight I'll never forget. Although I'll sure try to, Beach finishes. Then, Adrian, I've been thinking over your theory about the French couple, and I've come to a conclusion. Monk and Sharona look at him. I'd like my card back. Monk hands it back to him, and Beach says adieu. Back at the airport, the construction workers are jackhammering the cement. Security guard looks at his watch. Sweet, he yells. What is it? Dish shouts back. Double overtime. He's acting like Disher's in charge of the paycheck.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:34

Yeah, in my notes, I'm like, Disher is not paying his bill.

SPEAKER_04 1:12:37

Yeah. At the new airport, Monk and Sherona quickly follow the Shabrols. Aunt Min calls out to her niece, but hold on, the Shabrols are getting away. We need to go, Monk tells the ladies. Sherona tries to quickly explain all that went on during the flight, but Aunt Min is not following. It is one of my favorites, too. The Shabrols walk to a gate labeled International Flights. Final boarding call. They move through the security gate and Monk stops, turning around and around, not sure what to do. He runs back to Sharona and Aunt Min. He checks his watch, and Sherona hands him her cell. It's Disher. Monk, we found something. It might be a body, Dish tells him. We'll know for sure in 20 minutes. Monk grimaces. We're too late. Disher needs twenty minutes. They're already on the plane. On the new flight, we see the Chabrols settling into their seats. Bonjour, ladies and gentlemen. The flight attendant calls over the PA. Stefan takes his seat and sighs. Peri peri. Monk listens on his cell and thinks, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, do you think you can find a duty roster for a flight leaving Newark? A duty roster, Disher repeats. Yeah, I'll see what I can do. Duty roster, all flights out of Newark, Disher orders the security guy, who is slow to respond. Go, the Lieutenant orders. Back in Newark, Monk speaks to the cell in a gruff, affected voice. Uh hi. Hello. I'm uh worried about a buddy of mine, uh, Captain Claude Pritchard. On the other end we hear a guy saying, Yeah, he's on the tarmac right now. He's cleared for takeoff. Monk chuckles, still playing the role. So he made it okay. What a relief. He continues. Unbelievable. What do you mean? The voice on the other end asks. Oh, uh he was in pretty bad shape when I left him. We were out partying all night and into this morning. Aunt Min listens in utter bafflement. Monk continues, we're just party boys. Party boys, the voice says. Yeah, yeah, it was pretty ugly there. I tried to take his keys away, but you know how old Claw gets when he's totally Monk pauses for the word. Hammered, Sharona finishes. Hammered, Monk finishes. On the flight, the ship rolls clink wine glasses, smiling with satisfaction. Over the PA we hear. Ladies and gentlemen, we have been asked to return to the gate.

SPEAKER_01 1:15:04

Wow. Suddenly it's such a com so many PAs. So many different what a catalogue of PAs we've had. Sorry, they're all very inconsistent.

SPEAKER_04 1:15:15

The chabrols pause, glasses halfway to their lips, dread washing over them. Back with Disher, he says relieved. Monk, we found her. Female, mid forties. Just like you said. I already put a call into the Newark PD. They should be picking up our guy as we speak. Monk, Sharona, and Min watches the Shabrols are escorted out of the airport in handcuffs. Stephon pauses, turning to him. Mr. Monk, he says, is it true that this was your first flight? Mm-hmm. That's right, Monk confirms. En ne pu pas tu prevenir, Stefan says. Then one cannot prepare for everything. He looks at Monk in wonder, then walks away, and Monk smiles. Outside the airport, Sherona walks up to Tim Daly. Tim, she says, smiling, hi, um I wanted to give you my number. I'm going to be in town all week. Tim frowns at her. George Clooney just signed on to do the part in the movie, he says accusingly. The one I read? Sharona says shocked. They're talking to Scorsese to direct, he continues. Oh, Sherona looks down guiltily. He's good. Yeah, Tim agrees getting into the car. Sherona leans into the window. Can I tell you something? she asks. He turns to her, defeated. Even if it's a blockbuster and George Clooney wins an Oscar, I'm not gonna see it. On principle. He smiles at that. Thank you. She still hands him her number, which he takes, waving the driver to go. She moves back to Monk and Aunt Min. Isn't he famous? Min asks excitedly. He's some kind of actor, Monk explains. Shrona's helping him with his career. Oh, how exciting, Min squeals. Hugging Trona tight, she says, It's good to see you. So, uh, how's your cat doing? Shrona asks, and they walk away arm in arm, leaving Monk behind them. He looks up smiling as a plane flies overhead and he rubs his temple in wonder. It's just not possible, he repeats, then turns to follow the ladies. The end.

SPEAKER_01 1:17:16

So it was a great episode. I thought okay, it is great.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:20

It has guest stars in it, it has double murder in it. Um, but I thought it was a little anticlimactic. Uh-huh. It doesn't have a cliffhanger going into season two. Here's what I didn't like. It didn't mention Trudy's murder at all.

SPEAKER_04 1:17:36

Which I feel like for a lot of shows, when there's a murder theme across the whole season, you really let it drop off the last half of the season. No one mentioned it, really. I felt like that's something that would keep people tuning in. It's like the arc, right? Isn't that how they describe it? It should be woven into every other episode or so. But like you know, with a mentalist, Red John is always lurking. Yep. Like you said, I liked the murder. It was a clever one, but we knew that it was done. It wasn't like we had to figure it out or anything. We knew that they did it. So it was a lot of watching Monk be uncomfortable. I did like the cameos, and Gary Marshall was fantastic. Some things that I really missed that I think should have been in the episode.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:21

Number one, Stadlmeyer. It's always sad when we don't get the full Stadelmeyer-Disher team. We got Dishy, and I was happy about that.

SPEAKER_04 1:18:29

Me too.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:29

I'm really glad.

SPEAKER_04 1:18:30

And I like to see Disher be so into Monk. It was good. Also, for half of the season, we haven't had Monk and Sharona at the beach, kind of end of the episode. Yeah. Them having their moments. I really liked that. Then also they didn't have the fade to black recap where Monk describes here's what happened. They didn't have a here's what happened. You're right. And that I feel like has been in every single episode and is kind of part of the show.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:58

Yeah. So they're a little inconsistent in the writing of it, but thank goodness we have consistent acting from the lube was incredible. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:19:07

So if you're still here, thank you. I just wanted to do a quick section, mostly for my beloved Joey, and for those of you like the six to eight percent that it's aviophobia and it's really impacting your life. But also I think this could help people that just are uncomfortable flying. First, let's talk about what's happening in the brain. There's really only two players, honestly, Kath. When I was first trying to figure out how to describe this, when I first learned about the parts of the brain, I put them into seats in the Star Trek Enterprise, Next Generation. So I thought about the prefrontal cortex of as Captain Picard, the hippocampus' data, I believe. Geordie was the engine, and that was the cerebellum. Anyway. I'm smiling, but I don't know. Right now, you really only need to know about two main players of the brain: the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. Because I knew you don't know Star Trek next generation, I made this to be something that you understand.

SPEAKER_02 1:20:05

Okay.

SPEAKER_04 1:20:06

The amygdala is like having a best friend who worries too much. Or I was thinking about your mom. Every time I see your mom, she tells me how worried she is about everything.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:15

Oh.

SPEAKER_04 1:20:16

She worries constantly. And I really wish I could help her. But the amygdala, her whole job is scanning for danger and screaming when she finds it. That sounds like mama. Okay. She doesn't scream, but yeah. She has saved your life more times than you know. It's like the pausing before the light turns red and the car races by. The amygdala is so important. And then you've got the prefrontal cortex. That's the rational thinking brain. It knows the statistics, it can reason, it can calm down. I still think Captain Picard, you know, it's saying make it so, it's taking in all the information, but it's calm. So the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex are two different things. Okay. But they work together. Okay. Here's the problem. When the amygdala is screaming, she screams so loud that the rational brain, the prefrontal cortex, can't think.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:06

Which is It's like, yo, I can't do my job. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:21:09

Which is why you can tell people until you're blue in the face that the statistics say it's safer to be on planes. It doesn't matter. The prefrontal cortex, the logical part, is not going to understand that. The brain cannot understand it because the amygdala is screaming.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:22

So we need to gently tell the amygdala to calm down.

SPEAKER_04 1:21:25

So she didn't get this way for no reason. Right. And we're talking about fear of flying specifically. But it's really can go into any kind of phobias. Something happened. And Joey might not remember what. And you know me, it could have been in a past life. But she's had this fear from a very young age. The amygdala has been afraid and screaming from a very young age. Something happened. And she filed it. And she's been watching for that particular fear her whole life. She means well. She's a friend. She's your mom. But she's working from old information. The monk connection. Monk boards terrified. His amygdala is screaming about everything. But then he notices Barbara's pin and he's like, oh, that doesn't track from what she said. And something shifts. Do you remember Dr. Vesa saying you hide in mystery?

SPEAKER_02 1:22:15

No, I don't know.

SPEAKER_04 1:22:16

Well, he did say that. It was pretty profound. Mystery gives the amygdala a real job, it gives it something to do. Your mom is actually a perfect example. She's worried all the time. But if I said my foot is bleeding, she would forget all the mer worries and deal with the foot. My mom is very good in a crisis. That's the thing. But it's not like she's worrying about everything else. It's focused. Monk's amygdala does the same thing. He's terrified of all of this, but as soon as it's got an actual problem, that's where all the focus goes. Okay. Solving problems release dopamine. And he's self-medicating through detective work.

SPEAKER_02 1:22:54

So for Joey, we just need to arrange a murder an airplane so she can solve the murder. Hold on.

SPEAKER_04 1:23:02

It works. It genuinely works. But it's the same as wine. Mystery distracts the amygdala. Wine sedates her, but neither completes the stress cycle or files an update saying planes are actually safe. What it's saying is ignore the plane for right now because there's a mystery to solve, but planes are still not safe. Ignore the plane right now because you're sedated, but planes are still not safe. Every time you still go on a plane, you're still stressed. It's always the same heightened stress. You haven't learned anything. The amygdala has no new information. Are you following?

SPEAKER_02 1:23:37

Yeah, I'm trying to apply it to a completely different scenario in my head.

SPEAKER_04 1:23:42

Yeah. We'll come back to this next week when we talk about phobias and stuff. Yeah. Because it is very similar. So the return flight home, which is what I thought at the end of the episode, will be just as miserable because there will be no murder to solve. And I thought, like, how helpful for Monk to have all of these true crime podcasts now and him to be trying to solve cold cases and stuff. That would have been perfect.

SPEAKER_02 1:24:03

That would have been so funny. All these podcasts, he would just He'd go through them and solve them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:24:09

So this is the difference between coping and healing. And Joey says that in her text. She knows that the wine isn't a long-term solution, but it helps for now. Yeah. Coping can get you through the flight, but healing means the next flight is different. So professional options. There is virtual reality training. So it you can actually go in somewhere and they'll do a simulated flight, and the amygdala gathers all that new evidence and it learns that it's safe. There's also EMDR, which I do for my own trauma therapy. You take a specific incident while looking from side to side or or tapping from side to side something. It puts your brain into a certain state, and with a counselor, that's crucial. With a counselor, you process that situation until it removes the fear. You still remember it, but it removes the terror from it. And it works. I've done this since 2021, and nothing has changed my life more. But it's expensive. Yes. The virtual reality training, expensive. There's also fear of flying courses where you can have a psychologist there and you like talk to the pilots and all of that. And then they actually have a real short flight at the end. British Airways flying with confidence. And other airlines have similar, more affordable, ongoing therapy. Yeah. Now, if you are an American and insurance is not necessarily provided for all of you, especially psychotherapy, counseling, for me, it's always been out of pocket. Not always, but the one that actually helps has been out of pocket. There are certain things you can do. You can build your own fear ladder, which means first you look at pictures of planes, see what rises up in your body, and you look at them until it becomes boring. And then maybe you go onto YouTube and listen to a pilot, listen to the airplane noises, watch what's happening in your body and wait until it becomes boring. Then you could go to the airport and just sit and feel there and see what happens in your body. It's little steps until you get on a plane. Getting your amygdala to realize you don't need to start screaming right now. Mm-hmm. This part's fine. This part's fine. And you add and add an ad. It is a lot of work. Each step is new evidence, and you cycle to completion. There's also grounding. This is for panic attacks for anything, which it's five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can smell, two things you can hear, one thing you can taste. It pulls the amygdala out of the future, which is what it's doing. The amygdala's like, I can't get off the plane's gonna come down, whatever story it's telling. You need to bring the amygdala right back with you into the present moment. And mindfulness training is also incredible for that. She's she's bad at imagining the future, but she's good in the present, like we all are. So this is something that I have been using, and we'll also talk about it next week because it's the number one treatment for OCD. It's ERP. And again, I can't remember what it stands for, so check in next week. But I've done this multiple times. Say something triggers you. You're getting on the plane, you go into your body. And one thing Kathy said was I'm really good at knowing myself. Since my years of therapy, meditation, all that, I can feel into my body and be like, oh, I'm feeling this in my solar plexus or in my gut, if you're not woo-woo like me. And so with ERP, you face the fear instead of turning away. When it's triggered, you get curious. You stand with your amygdala and go, okay, let's look at this. You hold its hand and say, Where is it? It's in my heart. Okay, what color is it? It's black and red and pulsing and w okay, what texture is it? It's prickly and it's hot. And you feel it until you have some sort of relief. For me, it's a yawn. Or some people sneeze, or some people shake. If you look at animals when they say See a dog, they bark, bark, bark, you get past the situation and they shake. That's how animals process their stress cycle. That's why animals don't sit in anxiety. One thing that we do as humans is we don't complete the stress cycle. And if you don't complete it, like if you just drink wine, that stress just stays there until the next time it's triggered. So in closing, the amygdala is not broken. It's not the enemy. She is the most devoted protector. She's your mom, but she's working from old information and old file. And she can update, but she needs to gather the evidence herself, or you need to help her gather the evidence that she's safe. Anyways, that's kind of it for now. If you have a fear of flying, I hope that that helped. My beloved Joe, I love you so much. And also this stuff takes time.

SPEAKER_02 1:28:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 1:28:51

So do not be mad if it's not fixed right away. And if you need the wine, totally. Just know that you can work on both. You can use both.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:00

That was really great, Jen. Thanks so much.

SPEAKER_04 1:29:03

Did I do okay? It was bullet points like a presentation in the state.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:07

It didn't feel like bullet points at all. You were very smooth talker.

SPEAKER_04 1:29:10

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:11

I'm now totally into it.

SPEAKER_04 1:29:13

Oh, good. Did it was it interesting? Yeah, totally. I find treating anxiety fascinating to me, especially understanding that it's oh, I'm not broken. I'm not spiritually bankrupt, which is how I use it. Just how the brain works. Like my depression and anxiety. I thought it was a spiritual problem. No, man, it's your brain. You're okay. It's your brain. You're okay. Funky little brain. Love you. And we love you. And thank you for being with us this season. Check in next week when we talk about the takeaways from season one and also get to know us just a little bit more. And then we will move on down this monk journey if you wanna. Do you wanna?

SPEAKER_02 1:29:52

Um, I think I wanna. All right. I think so. Adopt, don't shop, you guys.

SPEAKER_04 1:29:57

We love you so much.

SPEAKER_05 1:30:00

Bye.