Michael Shalhoub

An elderly woman is strapped to her chair and kidnapped from her home by two masked intruders who leave a spray-painted lightning bolt on her wall. Captain Stottlemeyer and Lieutenant Disher immediately suspect a 1970's radical group, the Lightning Brigade. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, the victim's granddaughter, Julie Parlo (Rachel Dratch), asks for Monk's help. In exchange, Julie, a law student, promises to get Monk reinstated to the police force with a clever legal strategy. Eager to get back on the force, Monk agrees to help.

It’s late, and Monk and Natalie are at a deserted highway rest area. They’re there to meet a man who claims to have information about Trudy’s murder. Monk has brought an envelope of reward money, and he makes Natalie hide so he can meet the man alone. When the man turns out to be a phony, Monk refuses to give him the cash. A struggle ensues. The man clunks Monk over the head, steals the reward money and Monk’s wallet, and dumps Monk’s unconscious body on a flatbed truck. When Natalie reappears, Monk and the man are both gone.

In order to save the wedding of someone close to him, Monk must first find out who is trying to sabotage it and why. Teri Polo, Carol Kane and Virginia Madsen guest star.