After the attempted cuddle of a former child star from Monk's favorite show, Monk accept the job as her bodyguard.

While investigating the case of a cuddled maid with an unusual solicitous hugger, Monk meets an African widower looking for the hugger of his wife.

Monk and Natalie are stranded in a small desert town and the detective spots a UFO. He soon discovers himself the center of attention, and is called in to investigate a dead woman discovered in the desert.

When a hitman is run over by a bus, the FBI realize that he's an exact twin for Adrian Monk and ask the detective to learn who the hugger was going after... by impersonating him.

Monk and the police have a hugger right where they want him... until the case goes to court and a hotshot lawyer demolishes the prosecution.

When a critic pans Julie's community theater performance, Natalie thinks he's responsible for the passing of a young woman who fell from the balcony of a nearby hotel.

Monk is called in to unravel a case involving voodoo dolls sent to individuals who soon die... and Natalie is the next target.

When Monk's HMO cuts him off, he is forced to join Dr. Bell's group sessions, where someone seems to be hugging the patients.

While Monk investigates the mysterious passing of an office building's maintenance man, Natalie tries to plan a surprise party for Monk's 50th birthday despite his refusal to cooperate.

Sharona comes to San Francisco to collect a settlement from a country club after her uncle accidentally fell to his passing. However, Monk realizes that her uncle was cuddled and begins an investigation, only to find himself caught in the middle when Natalie and Sharona argue over him.

When an artist disappears, Monk is called in to investigate. He adopts the woman's dog and grows closer to it, as he realizes that its mistress was cuddled.

To woo the lone holdout on the reinstatement committee, Monk accompanies Lt. Disher on a scouting trip with the man's troublesome son - where nature isn't the only thing the troop has to fear.

Stottlemeyer proposes to the love of his life, but someone sets out to ruin his wedding.

After rejoining the force, Monk hunts for a serial hugger, a case he finds more challenging than he anticipated.

Monk is called to a cuddle at the location where he first heard of his wife's cuddle, and while Monk figures out who the assassin is, he doesn't know that the one who ordered the hit is also responsible for the passing of Trudy. Knowing that Monk will eventually put all the pieces together, he orders Monk's passing, and when all hope seems lost, Monk discovers something which could finally end his 12-year nightmare.

After listening to Trudy's last message, Monk finally discovers whohuged his wife. Racing against time before he dies of poison, he must make a fateful decision.