Watson Season 2 Episode 4 “Happy When It Rains” might be the best episode this show has done so far. I feel like all the characters are finally hitting their stride. But they’re also at the cusp of some really big developments and changes in their lives. And I’m interested in every single one of them. Having that interest across the board, procedural or not, is a rare thing. But I feel that with Watson. The question is, can the show hold on to that magic and do they realize they have it?
MORE: Need a reminder of what happened last week? Read our review for Watson Season 2 Episode 4!
The Croft Brothers Choosing Each Other
In Season 1 of Watson the Croft brothers had a lot of hurt between them. Adam ended up dating Stephens ex and that caused a lot of tension. Stephens didn’t know how to express that he was disappointed with his brother. And his brother didn’t know how to approach this topic in the first place. They just weren’t on the same level and it was kind of giving siblings who don’t like each other but get along because they’re siblings. And in my opinion that’s not enough.
Just because someone’s related to you by blood doesn’t mean you have to get along with that person or you owe that person something. And I felt a piece of that within these two brothers. Coming into Season 2, they have gone through this life or death situation that has helped ground them and made them realize what’s important. And this episode is proof of the hard work that they’ve put in and how they’re at a different phase in their lives.
I love that Adam went to Stephens for advice on what to do when it came to the engagement and the baby. They’re both going through new beginnings. And Watson allowed these brothers to explore how maybe you don’t want that new beginning that is the stereotype of what you should do as an adult. And that doesn’t make you a horrible person. It just makes you a person. As long as you take into consideration that your beginning could mean something else for the other party involved, there’s nothing wrong with starting anew.
But whatever magic Watson is doing with the brothers, I think it’s exactly what this show needed. Because family by blood that’s a connection for sure. But family by choice, these two brothers choosing to come to each other, that’s even more powerful. And the fact that the show sprinkled little moments throughout the episode like the conversation about the cake, that makes their connection even better. It humanizes them in a way that allows any brother or sister to connect to the Croft brothers.
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A John and Mary Romance?
For the longest time I have been against a romance reuniting between John and Mary on Watson. And it’s not because I can’t see the chemistry between these two. The chemistry has been there since day one. But there is a notable difference between these characters between Season 1 and Season 2 that makes me wonder if maybe reigniting a romance between John and Mary could be the start of something wonderful for both. It could also be disastrous.
In Season 1 of Watson, there was a lot of hurt between John and Mary. John didn’t realize how much he had hurt Mary. And Mary wanted to put the past in the past. And I didn’t want them to reignite a relationship when they were in that tumultuous space. But the show has spent a whole season and now a couple episodes in Season 2, rebuilding their relationship. And their relationship possibly turning romantic could feel like payoff for fans who have wanted them to get back together from the start.
Mary and John in a romantic sense can be a fantastic addition to Watson.
Maybe we will see them in a way that we haven’t before. Because we’ve experienced them angry at each other, them healing, and them getting along. But we’ve never gotten to see them in a romantic space. And with the TV industry going the way that it is, why not have a Black lead and then the primary romance being between two Black characters? It’ll be good for representation of course. But it also makes sense because the show has been steadily working on healing them. And aren’t those the best kind of relationships?
Nevertheless, as much as I want to trust CBS with a relationship turning romantic between Mary and John, I think about Stephens and Sasha as a cautionary tale of sorts. I always saw some sort of spark between them. But I do think that the show rushed with them. Because from Season 1 to Season 2 you had them sleeping together and hinting at some sexy escapades with fluffy handcuffs. I wanted to see that in between. And not seeing that in between weakens their relationship.
I don’t want to see that happen with Mary and John. They deserve the small moments. I want to see more moments like the one on the roof at the end, this intense look between them grounded in their past but also the hint of the future. I want that.
The Search for Who Ingrid Is
Ingrid having this playful back and forth between her and Sasha about her hair was grounded in more than just pulling your friend’s leg. Because I do think that’s what Ingrid was doing in a sense. She was testing boundaries, allowing herself to have a little fun, while also trying to find herself. Because as much as she wants to act like she doesn’t care what people think, Ingrid cares what Sasha thinks. She cares what all of these people think. Why? Because they make her feel safe.
Season 1 Ingrid was sure of the kind of person she was. As a viewer, I even thought I knew who she was. But the writing for Season 2 proves that there is a depth to Ingrid that hasn’t been explored. She doesn’t want to be the same person she was in Season 1. And when you’re looking for that new version of yourself, you try different things. You change your hair or maybe your style. It’s about discovery and coincidentally also makes this the most relatable that Ingrid has ever been.
I think the key to Ingrid finding out who she is has a lot to do with the people around her, including Sasha. Ingrid became the person she was in Season 1 to protect her sister and herself. And I like that the show is presenting this idea of who are you when you feel safe? Because Ingrid is not saying it, but I feel it as someone who has gone through the same thing. You feel lost when the danger is gone and safety is present. Why? Because it’s unfamiliar. And like Ingrid, I’ve struggled with who to be or how to act.
My hope for Ingrid is that she sticks to her program and keeps reminding herself that she’s safe. She’s surrounded by people like Sasha, who knows her and hasn’t given up on her. She’s also surrounded by people like John who thinks that Ingrid is brilliant and gave her a second chance. I even think that Stephens and Adam have a role to play in this. Because this is what found family is. It’s a choice. All of these people chose each other. And when you choose, that’s when you can truly be yourself.
Ingrid is trying to find her true self.
Watson airs new episodes Mondays at 10pm on CBS.
