Watson season 1 episode 6 “The Camgirl Inquiry” sets its eye on Stephens and gives insight into the kind of man and doctor he is. It’s the show’s continued effort to build up each of the fellows individually to strengthen the collective. Because John is the lead of this show. But the fellows underneath him, are a staple of procedurals like this. The team under John needs to be as strong as John himself. So for the show, there is an absolute need to focus on all of them together but also separately. We saw this happen in Watson season 1 episode 4 “Patient Question Mark” with Sasha. Now it’s Stephens’ turn.
Right off the bat, I love John’s response when Stephens comes to him for help. Stephens is used to being judged for the way he navigates life and he doesn’t trust a lot of people. But John’s response was kind and understanding. And it gave me, the viewer, a little perspective into how John views the world but also the realities of today. We are all lonely in one way or another. And as long as we’re not hurting anyone, the way we deal with that is okay. Stephens deals with that by paying women to talk to him. Just so happens that the woman that he was talking to this time around genuinely looked sick and he worried. It shows that Stephens might be quiet but he’s kind, inquisitive, and wants to help no matter what circumstances you’re in.
The ending of Watson season 1 episode 6 “The Camgirl Inquiry” also gave me a lot of perspective on who Stephens is as a character. I’ve been watching TV for a very long time. And if there’s anything that brings two people together it’s trauma bonding. And in anyone else’s hands, Stephens and the camgirl would end up going for coffee or starting a relationship. But that didn’t happen here. She helped him during a time when he was lonely, he acknowledged that, and helped find her to save her life. There is nothing more that they owe each other. And I think the exchange between Stephens and the cam girl, trying to figure everything out, was my favorite scene from the series so far. Why? Because it was a prime example of the small and big ways we help each other. And they all matter.
While Stephens was going through all of this, Adams was there. I feel like in the pilot for Watson, his character kind of came off as a douche. He didn’t seem to respect his brother and it was wild that he’s dating his brother’s ex-fiance. To make it clear, in “The Camgirl Inquiry” it’s still weird that Adams is dating Stephens ex. But it’s very adult in the way that things were handled in this episode between them. By adult I mean that there’s no burning jealousy where Stephens wants his ex back. And it kind of seems like Adams and Stephens ex actually like each other. Furthermore, Adams is there for his brother even though they have a lot of stuff to figure out between them. I guess that’s what family is.
And finally there’s the women of Watson.
I found myself consistently being annoyed by Ingrid and the way that she acted throughout “The Camgirl Inquiry.” She was throwing a joke out during a really serious situation, liked to hit back on any kindness she received with a barb, and she continues to walk through life like everyone else is beneath her. I will say though, I had a moment while watching this episode of Watson where I asked myself if this were a male character doing all of this, would I be as bothered with him as much as I’m bothered by Ingrid? The answer surprised me. No. I wouldn’t be bothered by Ingrid as much if she were a man. There goes that little bit of internalized misogyny. So I’m definitely going to work on giving her more of the benefit of the doubt and sticking with her journey. Because yes, she was rude to Sasha. But Sasha also didn’t listen to Ingrid’s boundaries. Plus, Ingrid is interesting. I have to give her that.
When it comes to Sasha, I do think that she runs her life a certain way. And I don’t completely agree with Ingrid when she said that Sasha isn’t the author of everyone’s life. That was Ingrid trying to set her boundaries but in a way that made it seem like if I’m miserable you’re also going to be miserable. Let’s not play games with boundaries and be rude AF. State your boundaries. Keep going. That’s it. Nevertheless, I do think that Sasha appreciates Ingrid’s bluntness and she used Ingrid’s honesty to be honest with herself and her now ex. She doesn’t have to settle. Now she understands that.
Shipping wise, I still see something brewing between Sasha and Stephens. It’s like little chess pieces. Shows move their characters into specific positions to set the stage for the next big moment. And I think that they’re setting the stage between Sasha and Stephens. They had more conversations this episode, shared some significant eye moments with little smiles, and they both ended whatever relationships they were in. I think that both Sasha and Stephens are transforming into more honest versions of themselves. And I think that they’re compatible in a way that the show itself can harness and give us a ship. Because if there’s anything people like when it comes to procedurals, it’s a ship. And I see a spark here.
Compared to all the other episodes we’ve gotten so far, Watson season 1 episode 6 “The Camgirl Inquiry” feels a little bit cleaner in its beats. I could understand the story and mystery of it all. It didn’t feel too overwhelming. And I’m starting to see these delicate but blossoming relationships happening between everyone. I’m also coming out with a better appreciation for John, who annoyed me in the beginning because it felt like he was just trying to be rude to his fellows instead of actually being a teacher. John is their teacher. And while they learn so much about how to be better doctors, we learn more about the team and the looming mystery that is Moriarty and those mysterious pills that John is taking.
Watson airs on Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.
