Watson's Review: CBS's Medical Drama Inspired by Sherlock Lacks the Charm of 'House'.
"Handsome, charismatic, talented actor."
Morris Chestnut plays the role of the renowned detective's assistant, who is mourning the supposed loss of his mentor while managing a clinic in Pittsburgh that focuses on rare medical conditions.
At first glance, CBS’ Watson may remind viewers of Max’s The Pitt, another series set in Pittsburgh that features a doctor grappling with the death of his close friend and mentor.
Alternatively, it may bring to mind Fox’s recent Doc, which shares a uniquely specific premise involving a physician with a traumatic brain injury who returns to work at a hospital led by a chief of medicine with whom they have a complicated romantic history.
Watson
The Bottom Line
Inconsistent and lacking focus.
Airdate: 10 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 26 (CBS)
Cast: Morris Chestnut, Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann, Rochelle Aytes
Creator: Craig Sweeny
Looking back further, one can also observe notable similarities to Fox’s House, the pioneering medical drama inspired by Sherlock Holmes, featuring a brilliant yet unconventional doctor who solves medical enigmas alongside a select group of younger protégés.
Watson, particularly in its initial five episodes, does not evoke a strong sense of identity, as it appears uncertain about what that identity should be. While the show presents a whimsically intriguing premise and occasionally delivers surprising narrative twists, the early episodes reflect a series grappling with its direction rather than one confidently forging its own unique path.
As the title suggests, the focus is not on the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes but rather on his loyal companion, John Watson (Morris Chestnut). However, this version of John Watson resembles a typical Sherlock Holmes character: somewhat aloof yet fundamentally compassionate, principled yet frustratingly obstinate, and undeniably brilliant, with others frequently acknowledging his genius. Creator Craig Sweeny, known for his work on Elementary, a more successful contemporary adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, makes this comparison clear. “Suppose you could say you’re my Sherlock now,” remarks Shinwell (Ritchie Coster), a tough character with a Cockney accent who once assisted Sherlock and is now aligned with Watson.
In the prologue, their version of Sherlock is seemingly killed during a foot chase that culminates in a fall down a waterfall involving Watson and their enigmatic adversary, Moriarty. As the sole confirmed survivor, Watson seizes the chance to return to his original profession, medicine. With funds inherited from his late mentor, he establishes a new clinic focused on genetics and rare diseases, with the support of Mary (Rochelle Aytes), his wife, from whom he is not yet ready to separate.
"Charismatic, talented, handsome actor."
However, Watson is haunted by vague recollections of Moriarty, who, unbeknownst to him, is very much alive and actively plotting against him. Moriarty’s surprise appearance at the end of the premiere serves as the first hint that Watson may be unclear about the type of series it aspires to be.
The casting choice, which I cannot disclose, is not just unexpectedly amusing; it also suggests a performance that leans towards a more eccentric and potentially humorous tone than the predominantly serious drama we have experienced thus far. However, before you get too excited about this possibly indicating a new and thrilling direction, I must inform you that this character has not made a return since.
The characters we do encounter leave a lesser impact. Within Watson’s team are identical twins Adam and Stephens, portrayed by Peter Mark Kendall. While he effectively embodies the athletic and sociable Adam, his portrayal of the introverted Stephens is exaggerated to the point of resembling a serial killer. The true cold-hearted character is Ingrid (Eve Harlow), a compulsive liar and manipulative individual, yet by the fourth or fifth episode, Watson seems to be softening her character.
Sasha (Inga Schlingmann), the designated kind-hearted character, is a Chinese adoptee who has become a Texan darling. Alongside her teammates, she ponders whether Watson has selected her as “a living test of nature versus nurture.” This concept could have been intriguing, but unfortunately, it is never revisited after the initial hour.
A significant amount of focus is dedicated to exploring Watson's backstory, as he shares it through monologues with three different patients across the first three episodes. However, his personality is less thoroughly developed. At times, he exhibits traits such as being prickly, reckless, or jealous, which are intended to be perceived as endearing. Conversely, these same traits can also manifest in ways that raise concerns. The audience is informed of his behavioral changes through the observations of others, rather than through a deep understanding of his character. The fact that Chestnut's portrayal of Watson remains generally likable may actually hinder a more nuanced perception of him. Both the writing and performance prioritize making Watson likable over providing insight into his character.
In this context, the narrative often frames Watson's actions as heroic, sometimes to an alarming extent. Reflecting the show's inspiration, there are complex medical enigmas, including a humorous case involving a Revolutionary War reenactor who, after a head injury, genuinely believes he is the Scottish general he portrays. However, the narrative frequently emphasizes Watson's role as a moral champion, even when he oversteps clear ethical boundaries, such as administering an unapproved and highly experimental treatment to a patient with a chronic illness.
Watson justifies his actions by arguing that true immorality lies in allowing bureaucratic obstacles like "patent law," "red tape," and "lack of clinical trials" to impede alleviating someone's suffering. While this reasoning may hold some merit, the boldness with which he presents it hints at a mindset reminiscent of the characters in sensationalized medical dramas. Nevertheless, the likelihood of dire consequences is minimal, as the show is set in a charmingly simplistic world where a strongly worded letter can potentially reverse a long-standing conviction for a patient's family member.
Watson struggles to define its identity, oscillating between being a gripping thriller and a touching medical drama, a whimsical mystery, or a critique of the flawed healthcare system. It seems uncertain about how to effectively merge these varied objectives into a unified narrative. However, it is clear in its intention to be a series that viewers enjoy for the satisfaction of watching an intelligent, virtuous protagonist tackle challenges and emerge victorious, rather than for any realistic portrayal of life. While this form of escapism can be enjoyable, it tends to resonate more when the alternate world we are drawn into is consistently more engaging than the one we are leaving behind.
