Watson’s Shocking Changes to Sherlock Holmes Characters Revealed!

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The following contains spoilers for the first episode of Watson on CBS

At around 12 years old, I underwent a surgery which left me largely immobilized for several weeks. Since my father had experienced a similar situation due to two broken arms during his youth, he lent me the books his own father had given him, being the annotated double volumes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s complete Sherlock Holmes works by William S. Barring-Gould. From that point on, I became captivated by the Great Detective.

Over the years, I’ve indulged in a vast quantity of Holmes content. I’ve watched all the different film and television interpretations that you’re familiar with, as well as numerous lesser-known ones. Whether they were praised or panned, I always make an effort to check them out if they involve Sherlock. Thus, when I discovered that CBS had developed Watson, a fresh medical procedural centered around the patient companion of Sherlock, I felt compelled to use my Paramount+ membership to determine its quality.

After seeing the first episode, I find myself expressing some apprehension. As a continuation of one of my beloved series, House M.D., it’s engaging enough, yet in comparison to being a faithful adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, I am somewhat uncertain.

Watson Makes Some Key Changes To Classic Sherlock Holmes Characters

In contrast to contemporary adaptations like Elementary and Sherlock by Steven Moffat, Watson is set in modern times. However, unlike these versions, it follows a relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson that closely resembles the narrative structure of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories. The story commences after the supposed demise of Sherlock, during which he has provided Watson funds to establish his own medical practice.

Previously, Watson served in the military as a doctor. Unlike other instances where he sustained physical injuries in Afghanistan, this Watson experienced a traumatic brain injury during the sequence of events surrounding Sherlock’s demise. Furthermore, instead of meeting his wife Mary while working with Holmes, as is customary, it appears that this Watson left his spouse Mary Morstan to collaborate with the detective. Currently, they seem to be going their separate ways.

The series additionally features Shinwell Johnson as a recurring figure. He’s a character of lesser significance in the Conan Doyle tales, essentially a tough guy whom Holmes occasionally employs for tasks that the refined Holmes would deem unsuitable for his own hands. In this adaptation, Johnson seems to have reformed from his criminal past, but his true intentions and affiliations remain somewhat obscure.

Overall, I’m comfortable with the modifications made to these characters and their interactions. It’s the alterations in the original story that make modern adaptations of Sherlock Holmes and Watson tales intriguing. However, there are a few choices that leave me questioning, considering potential directions the series might take.

Watson Witnesses Sherlock’s “Death”

In the narrative of Holmes and Watson, the demise of Sherlock Holmes is a significant milestone. By positioning the tale after this event, the character of Watson gains independence, albeit temporarily. However, the series takes an interesting twist by depicting Watson as a witness to the confrontation.

It’s commonly understood that Sherlock Holmes doesn’t meet his end at Reichenbach Falls. The films featuring Robert Downey Jr. and the television series Sherlock, in which Benedict Cumberbatch plays Holmes, have both presented versions of this tale. Notably, they didn’t sustain the ruse of Sherlock’s death for long, not even for several minutes.

In the original tales, Sherlock Holmes deceives everyone by staging his own death. Dr. Watson doesn’t show up at the fight location until long after it has ended. By examining the evidence left behind, Watson concludes that both Holmes and Moriarty are dead. However, Holmes had arranged the evidence to make it seem like he was killed, allowing him to secretly pursue Moriarty’s accomplices undetected.

There’s a good chance, perhaps even likelihood, that if the series ‘Watson’ continues for long enough, we might encounter its portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. From what we’ve seen so far, it seems more plausible that Holmes didn’t die, although his brain injury could offer some flexibility in the storyline. However, it appears that instead of faking his own death, Holmes may have actually survived it.

As a fan, I find myself puzzled by the turn of events in the recent episode. The fact that Moriarty, whose fate is usually sealed in the original stories, has survived, along with an implied survival for Holmes as well, seems somewhat illogical. Even Watson, who came close to losing his life, was not being actively targeted at that moment. The continuation of both characters’ lives somehow diminishes the impact and significance of their encounters.

Wait, Watson’s Not A Surgeon?

This version of Dr. Watson is undeniably a doctor, yet he’s unlike our typical portrayal. In this storyline, the character Watson presents himself as a “clinical geneticist and internist.” Initially, I didn’t give it much thought; however, towards the end of the episode, it became apparent that he’s not a surgeon.

In the past, Watson was known as an Army surgeon. When he mentioned that he had served in the Army, I assumed his medical background within the character remained consistent. However, it became surprising when he needed to rely on his ex-wife for surgical assistance. It seems unusual for this character adjustment. Perhaps this Watson wasn’t a doctor in the Army? After all, how many clinical geneticists are there in the military?

I Hope The Changes Lead To Something Interesting

Previously mentioned, I’m not against Watson altering the established storyline. However, should modifications occur, I would prefer them to serve a purpose.

Without a doubt, Watson’s role as a geneticist will play a significant part in the show’s future storyline. Shinwell appears to have unwillingly given samples to Moriarty for some sinister scheme, which leaves one questioning if it was actually Holmes who funded Watson’s clinic initially.

To put it simply, I’m quite fond of the idea that Sherlock Holmes remains deceased. This scenario makes Moriarty’s survival seem more logical since he supposedly killed Holmes. Moreover, if Watson takes up the mantle to confront Moriarty alone, it creates an opportunity for him to shine as the main character, offering a fresh take on the classic Holmes tale. I find this kind of twist on the traditional Holmes narrative quite appealing.

The pilot of “Watson” felt somewhat rough around the edges due to the amount of background information it had to present as it was the premiere episode. Much of this exposition came across as heavy-handed and unnatural, but now that it’s out of the way, I’m optimistic that future episodes will flow more smoothly. I plan on giving the show another chance when it resumes in a few weeks.

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2025-02-02 02:08