The Meddling Monks: Monky Nuts

"We're the two Monks, not the three bears!"

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: May 2026

Series: Dark Gallifrey 5.02a

Featuring: The Monk, The Nun

Synopsis

It's time to host the neighbours for an evening soiree. But is the Monk's fish dish a winner or will their guests prefer the Nun's baby chicken? There's only one way to find out and soon culinary battle has commenced. What could possibly go wrong?

Verdict

Monky Nuts was a very fun start to the second part of The Meddling Monks as the fifth series/story of Dark Gallifrey continues! I definitely think nuts was the correct way to describe this instalment because it was just barmy. The dynamic between the Monk and the Nun is just marvellous and the chemistry between Rufus Hound and Gemma Whelan really is a delight to behold. The comedic timing is wonderful and I just loved the interaction and pace of conversation between the pair. This was certainly the most reminiscent of a sitcom and the timing at twenty-four minutes really did give that kind of experience. We're currently on season sixteen of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia so my sitcom vibes are definitely on point. I thought the tone for the episode was set right away with a quite incredible Big Finish indent. That's usually something to skip past or just not really listen to but here it was absolutely extraordinary! I'm loving the flirtation this series is having with the fourth wall and it's gone through it, rebuilt it and then shattered it all over again before the story here even starts! There were the natural references back to Monky House and Monky Business to set the stage for where things are for the Monk and the Nun, and the return of John who apparently wasn't the same man they had met when battling to buy the house was intriguing. There is now a semblance of something bigger at play which I'm delighted by because this can only remain a sitcom for so long. It does need to get somewhat serious and explain just why the Monk and the Nun are trapped together in what appears to be an audio play. I thought the dark intonations at the end of the story when the Monk felt an urge to laugh or be funny was really good as for the first time I feel we have had a hint of the Monk realising not everything is natural or as it seems. The narrator (is that the right term?) who was concluding the story and announcing the end credits mentioning how that definitely isn't anything to consider or be thinking about is fun stuff and obviously we know that's far from the truth. I thought the discussions in the episode between the Monk and the Nun were fun as they weren't exactly sure which was the later incarnation. The general consensus being that the Nun comes second seems to make sense, but it's fun to ponder on whether that actually is the case. You'd think they would know between them though! It was also good for the Nun to call out to the Monk when he'd say things like 'If I were you' that he actually was! It's so easy to forget about that at times with the gender change, but it's good fun. The whole event of a soiree and them having the neighbours around was as whacky as it sounds and them just agreeing to order a takeaway in and claim they had cooked it was delightful. I thought them also acknowledging the narrative convenience of them having money again after the whole house business was great stuff. It's good fun to essentially mock the writing. But I really enjoyed the dark vibe that came from the final ninety seconds or so of the episode to set things up moving forward! I'm enjoying the vibe and the direction, and I can't wait to find out how this links to Dark Gallifrey itself. A great little episode to continue the series! 

Rating: 8/10