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Television has had many memorable detectives and crime-fighters throughout the decades. But one of the most unique detectives in television is the character Adrian Monk from the detective dramedy MONK. What makes Monk so different and unique from the rest? Monk has a serious disability that is both a hindrance to him and sometimes an annoyance to the people who care about him and it is also one of his greatest gifts.

Adrian Monk suffers from OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While this isn't a condition to take lightly OCD in Monk's world is what gives him the capacity to take notice of even the most minute details that other policemen and detectives miss. This obsessive attention to detail helps him solve cases that others have difficulties with. The show casts Adrian Monk and his disorder in a humorous light but here is just enough seriousness and drama in the show that he doesn't become a mockery. Rest assured, it does treat those who have OCD with respect.

One of the exasperating things about Adrian is his selfishness. Even when other things need to be done, when someone needs his immediate help or even when someone wants to do something nice for him, Adrian is very much absorbed with his own current needs. This makes for interesting comedy as he sometimes becomes like a spoiled and bratty child when things don't quite go his way. Everything has to be super clean and organized to the last detail or he will panic. He makes odd demands on colleagues, assistants and friends on a regular basis. All of them are long suffering people.

He is working with his therapist to become more independent and self confident. Often he drives his therapist to distraction with his demands. He visits him at his home and even sometimes tries to schedule daily therapy visits. He has this compulsive need to touch everything and to count things repeatedly. Adrian also has about 100 phobias. How Adrian Monk gets through each day with all of these issues is where the humor comes in. Even though he has many faults, he does love the people around him, there's no doubt, but sometimes he has to be jarred out of his current obsessive wants and needs in order for the viewer to see this side of him. Adrian is dedicated to justice and works to put the bad guys in jail. He is known as the eccentric and brilliant detective of San Francisco but one case has always haunted him and that's the murder of his beloved wife Trudy. That is the only case he has never been able to solve.

Monk is the first of its kind to my knowledge because it features a crime fighter with a major mental disorder who is able to function and be a productive member of society despite his issues. He is surrounded by people who love and care for him and are protective of him, even when he drives them nuts. His quirks and eccentricities make you like him and it makes for insightful and entertaining television. I wish all TV shows could be this entertaining and creative.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Jeffrey.
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