Watson Season 1 Episode 12 “My Life’s Work Part 1” took big swings in putting the twins in danger but also bringing Moriarty into the mix. And it’s easily the best episode of the season. We got a little bit of each of the fellows, Moriarty made some devastating moves with Ingrid, and Shinwell exposed what he had been doing with Moriarty. It sets the stage for a finale where John and the gang have to choose which twin to save. And even though I want both of them to live, I think the choice is obvious. Stephens is going to live.
MORE: Need a refresher of the last episode? Read our review of Watson Season 1 Episode 11!
Which Twin is Going to Live?
Over season 1 we’ve learned so many interesting things about Adams and Stephens. Mainly we learned how different they were when it came to being doctors. But we also learned about their approaches to life, their humor, and the fact that they both have dated the same woman. Despite all of that, you could tell that they were incredibly close, and “My Life’s Work Part 1” really emphasized that, especially during their hospital bed conversation.
This episode was the first time we saw Adam’s cracked open. And the fact that this was the first time, is the reason why I think he might die. Because this conversation that he had with Stephens, was raw, honest, and so heartbreaking. I want Adams to live. But Stephens listening and then his gentle rebuttal about life and what it means, it tells me as a TV viewer that Stephens has a lot more learning and growing to do. And that gives the writers of the show perfect material to give Stephens an angsty season 2 with plenty of survivor’s guilt.
CBS could make it that both of the twins live. Impossible things have happened on this show the entire first season. Maybe this is the next impossible thing. But again, I think only one of them is going to survive, especially after that conversation that they had during the double date about them pretending to be the other. You don’t throw a conversation like that out there unless you’re going to circle back on it. And I feel like Watson is when they return for season 2.
The Sasha and Stephens of It All
Another reason why I think that Stephens is going to survive the events of Watson Season 1 Episode 12 “My Life’s Work Part 1” is that we got confirmation that there are feelings between Sasha and Stephens. In my review for Watson Season 1 Episode 11 “The Dark Day Deduction” I talked a little bit about how I’ve always seen something between Sasha and Stephens. And I had noticed something as well between Sasha and Ingrid. But this episode cements that the romantic sparks on Watson are between Sasha and Stephens.
It was unexpected too, the confession. But also kind of sweet and romantic. It makes sense that someone as brilliant as Stephens saw the spark between them. The same thing goes for Sasha. And instead of denying it, they took the opportunity to have that moment together. She sat on the edge of his bed and held his hand, probably having a longer conversation that we didn’t see on screen. But the fact remains that Watson as a show acknowledging that there is something between them, means that they are building something for Season 2. And for that to happen, Stephens’ needs to survive.
In the grand scheme of things, I think Sasha and Stephens fit together in a quiet kind of way. While I still like the thought of Sasha and Ingrid, that relationship is full of push and pull and this antagonism between them. Sometimes I like that. But I kind of want to see what a soft romance between Sasha and Stephens would be like. A romance that is quiet and delicate. I like that in the couples I ship. I’m also curious as to what will happen when Sasha picks Stephens when it comes to the cure. Because Stevens will have that survivor’s guilt and that will absolutely derail anything that they have built. But who knows? Only time will tell.
John Learns the Truth
There were multiple moments in Watson Season 1 Episode 12 “My Life’s Work Part 1” that I enjoyed specifically because of John. Firstly, there was the paper being published and how all of the fellows had their name in it. This is John’s life work. But he knows that he is not doing this alone. And the show tells us that in this small but important moment. Plus it also endears the fellows to John even more because they see that he respects them.
Another favorite moment with John is when he went to Mary with a solution in mind for the twins. They’ve been building something across Watson season 1. First it was a form of reconciliation where he wanted to know what was happening in her life. Once he started accepting that they were truly over, they started moving forward together. And in “My Life’s Work Part 1” he was ready to beg her on his knees to allow him to help his fellows. And all the hard work that they’ve put in is evident in Mary’s response.
But my ultimate favorite moment from “My Life’s Work Part 1” was when John didn’t utter a word. It was in the moment where Shinwell was telling John the truth about everything that had been happening with Moriarty. And it really was all about Morris Chestnut’s acting as Shinwell laid his soul bare. From John’s eyes alone you could tell how heartbroken and devastated he was. He didn’t see that Moriarty had infiltrated his life and that of his fellows. And he’s going to take this as a personal failure that will absolutely set the stage for a journey of wariness and distrust for everyone around him in Season 2, the opposite of the kind of man he is now.
Watson airs on Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.
