WATSON picks up six months after the death of Sherlock Holmes, who was tragically killed by Moriarty. The series follows Dr. John Watson, portrayed by Morris Chestnut, as he attempts to rebuild his life in the wake of losing his long-time partner and friend. Watson has shifted his focus back to medicine, now running a clinic dedicated to treating rare and mysterious disorders. However, the shadow of his past looms large as Moriarty’s influence still threatens to disrupt his new life. The show promises to introduce a new chapter to the beloved Sherlock Holmes saga, blending medical drama with investigative intrigue. In this version, Watson, one of history’s most famous sidekicks, pivots from solving crimes alongside Holmes to solving complex medical mysteries on his own.
Alongside Chestnut, WATSON features a talented supporting cast, including Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann, and Rochelle Aytes.
After screening the first five episodes, I have mixed feelings about the series. The pilot didn’t quite grab me as I’d hoped. It didn’t offer much that I haven’t seen in other medical dramas before. Shows like Brilliant Minds have already explored the idea of doctors stepping outside the hospital to dive into their patients' lives and solve unusual cases, which made WATSON feel somewhat familiar and less groundbreaking. It was the Sherlock Holmes connection that ultimately kept me watching. I found myself curious about how the series would explore the established Holmes mythology and incorporate the characters we know and love into this new narrative.
The show gives us the familiar names and catchphrases — Moriarty being the obvious example — but the real question is whether the show can capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes’ world. Elementary, a much-loved modern adaptation of the classic Holmes stories, managed to carve out its own identity, even shifting the dynamic by casting Lucy Liu as "Joan" Watson, which proved to be a groundbreaking move. In WATSON, Morris Chestnut brings his own interpretation of Dr. John Watson.
While the series might feature the occasional gratuitous shirtless scene (something that Chestnut, with his undeniable charm, pulls off with ease), his acting remains the show’s highlight. Chestnut excels at drawing the audience in, allowing us to forget about his past roles and immerse ourselves in his portrayal of Watson. His performance is consistently solid, and he gives a fresh energy to the character that makes it easy to believe he is truly stepping into Holmes’ shadow, even though it’s undeniably a large one to fill.
That said, the show’s supporting characters fail to offer much intrigue or depth. Unfortunately, the team of doctors surrounding Watson are somewhat forgettable. Most of them feel like they’re simply filling out the roster, and I found myself struggling to care about their individual storylines. The exception to this is Shinwell, a character with a deeper connection to Holmes’ past. His backstory is one of the few elements of the series that holds my attention, as it offers potential for more emotional stakes and character development. But even then, I’m left wanting more.
The medical mysteries at the heart of the show have potential, but the doctors tasked with solving them don't always engage me in the way I’d hoped. While the cases themselves are interesting, they don’t feel particularly groundbreaking in a landscape full of medical dramas, and they’re often overshadowed by the larger mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ fate. This is the series’ strongest hook: is Sherlock really dead, or is there a twist waiting to be revealed? The idea that Holmes could still be alive — and that Watson might eventually reunite with him — is what keeps me coming back. But until that mystery is resolved, I find myself more invested in the potential for Holmes’ return than in the characters or cases themselves.
Ultimately, while WATSON does offer some intriguing elements, particularly in its larger mystery and Chestnut's strong performance, it struggles to create a compelling supporting cast. The doctors, who are supposed to be the heart of the show, fail to spark much interest. As a result, the show has yet to truly capture my attention or make me care about its characters in the same way that other medical or detective dramas have. The allure of Sherlock Holmes and the question of whether or not we’ll see him again may be enough to keep me watching for a while, but I’m not entirely convinced that the series can sustain that interest in the long run. At this point, Watson and his merry band of doctors just aren’t enough to keep me fully engaged.
For those with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscriptions, episodes can be streamed live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate, in addition to on-demand access. Those with Paramount+ Essential can watch on-demand the day after the episodes air but will not have the option to stream them live.
WATSON will begin airing in its regular time period Sunday, Feb. 16 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT) after the pilot airs on January 26th.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
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