
Watson is a modern reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes and Watson mythos, it premiered on CBS this weekend.

Here’s the overview:
A year after the death of his friend and partner Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career at a clinic dedicated to treating rare diseases. However, he soon finds that his old life is not done with him yet.

The Lore
If you’re here you’re likely aware of two previous adaptions of the story of Sherlock Holmes. The US-made Elementary (2012 – 2019) that ran for 7 seasons and the British show (2010 – 2017). Whether you’re a fan of one or the other or both, Watson is a very different show from both of these as our detective is a ghost or legend that looms in the background.
Also here the mysteries of the medical kind. Yes, there is more than a few comparisons to be made with House (2004 – 2012). There are many direct comparisons to be made between our Dr. Watson and Dr. House but I will leave that for future episodes.
Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders six months after the death of his friend and partner, Sherlock Holmes, at the hands of Moriarty.
The Fall
We start at Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland; Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut) is running through the forest calling for Sherlock. This is the show’s take on the Reichenbach Falls storyline where Sherlock Holmes confronts his arch nemesis James Moriarty and the two fall to their death. Here Watson without hesitation jumps into the water after seeing Sherlock shot and goes over the falls himself.
He barely survives and is taken to hospital. There Shinwell Johnson (Ritchie Coster) watches over him as he is in a coma. Johnson worked with the pair and breaks the news to Watson about Sherlock’s death as well as the extent of his injuries. Watson has a traumatic brain injury and has been in a coma.
The important thing for the series is that Sherlock left a will and had considerable means. He has funded a clinic for Watson to run, choosing his own staff and Johnson will be there as his aide.

Then six months later, we see an expectant mother Erika Filipello (Anjelica Bette Fellini) at an ultrasound. Erika develops visual hallucinations and leaves abruptly before stepping into road. There a car hits her and the nurse calls an ambulance.
Holmes Clinic for Diagnostic Medicine
We get our first look at The Holmes Clinic for Diagnostic Medicine as well as the team that works for Watson. We meet Dr. Ingrid Derian (Eve Harlow), Dr. Sasha Lubbock (Inga Schlingmann) and brothers Dr. Stephens Croft and Dr. Adam Croft (both played by Peter Mark Kendall). Dr. Derian is Watson’s neurologist in theory monitoring his health and by extension fitness to practice.

The case from earlier comes up as a request from Dr. Mary Morstan (Rochelle Aytes) John’s soon to be ex-wife. Their relationship became strained when John left for the UK and started working with Sherlock. This week’s case Erika hasn’t slept in a week and there is some concern it is because of a hereditary condition. Unfortunately, there is no test for that condition so it is up to our medical investigators to find out the truth.

And this is where fans will start to see some familiar scenes with the team investigating Erika’s home and speaking to her family. From this, they get a new idea regarding the problem. The interesting bit comes when John discusses with his team and lies to the patient, saying they have a test for the condition when they don’t which then leads to her finally falling asleep.
That lie leads to a confrontation with Dr. Morstan head of the hospital and John is completely unapologetic.
A Looming Threat
Shinwell boards a tram with some samples only to meet up with Moriarty. A Moriarty (Randall Park) who looks perfectly fine and has obviously not decided to turn over a new leaf after living through that fall. Shinwell fears Moriarty and it makes sense as he is the man who brought down Sherlock Holmes. The first question I had upon this revealtion was whether or not the funding for the medical centre really came from Holmes’ estate. A criminal mastermind like Moriarty could easily have forged the document trail for it and he clearly has something on Shinwell. Perhaps that is something that we will learn by the end of the season.
Final Thoughts
It is an interesting idea to have a series looking at Dr. Watson, especially after his time spent with Holmes. I do have questions about how the Sherlock side of things will develop. For now, it seems we learn more about the team but I worry we might have to wait too long for the revelation that Moriarty is still alive to come out.
What are your thoughts? Share them below, did you like the premiere? Do you think Sherlock like Moriarty is still alive?