Ep 5. Art for Monkees' Sake

The Monkees season 2 episode 5, titled "Art for Monkees' Sake," follows the adventures of the eponymous band as they venture into the world of art. The episode kicks off with the Monkees visiting a charity art auction, where they accidentally bid on a painting and end up winning it. However, they quickly realize that they have no idea what to do with it and decide to turn to their friend and art expert, Harold Duffle (played by Richard Klein), for help.

Harold is initially uninterested in the Monkees' plight but becomes intrigued when he discovers that the painting they bought is actually a rare and valuable work by a famous artist. He hatches a scheme to sell the painting for a profit, with the Monkees as the unwitting middlemen. The plan involves swapping the painting with a fake and using the Monkees as decoys to distract the real buyer while the switch is made.

As the Monkees get pulled deeper into Harold's scheme, they start to have misgivings about their involvement. They feel guilty about deceiving the buyer and worry about the potential consequences of getting caught. However, the allure of making a quick buck is too strong, and they continue to go along with the plan.

Things start to go awry when the Monkees accidentally destroy the fake painting, leaving them with no choice but to go through with the sale using the real painting. The pressure mounts as they try to keep up the charade, and they end up getting into a series of hijinks and mishaps that threaten to derail the entire operation.

With their backs against the wall, the Monkees ultimately decide to come clean and confess their wrongdoing to the buyer. They fear that they will face legal repercussions and ruin their reputations as musicians, but they feel that it is the right thing to do. To their surprise, the buyer turns out to be a fellow artist who values honesty and integrity above all else. The Monkees' honesty and sincerity win her over, and she decides to buy the painting from them anyway, on the condition that they promise to always be true to themselves and their art.

"Art for Monkees' Sake" is a fun and fast-paced episode that showcases the Monkees' zany antics and provides a commentary on the nature of art and the importance of authenticity. Despite the lighthearted tone, it also raises important questions about honesty and how far one should go to pursue success and wealth. Overall, it is a memorable and enjoyable installment in the Monkees' catalogue and a must-watch for fans of the beloved band.