Watson Season 2 Episode 5 “Lucky” sees the clinic in danger as Sherlock acts as a whirlwind in John’s life. And one thing becomes clear to me as the viewer: John doesn’t need Sherlock. He thinks he does. But he doesn’t. And Sherlock, well he’s on the cusp of becoming the villain they’ve always chased. The difference for John now is that he’s the teacher. And that gives you a different perspective.
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John Doesn’t Need Sherlock
John spent so much of Watson “Lucky” running back to Sherlock because it was familiar. And for a second he forgot that he has been running this clinic on his own. Sherlock hasn’t been around. John has. John has been teaching the fellows, saving lives, and moving on with his life. But I get how nostalgia is so tempting and how for a second John had his mentor back with him.
As a long time fan of the Sherlock Holmes books, the relationship between Sherlock and John has been this key structural part to the series. And having John as the lead in this show took a little bit of getting used to in the beginning. Even in the beginning I remember comparing John’s attitude towards the fellows as if he were trying to be Sherlock or that guy from House. John has evolved past that. Now I see him for the kind, determined, and brilliant man he is.
Keeping all of this in mind, that’s why I absolutely love that in Watson “Lucky,” right there at the end, John saw Sherlock for who he is. Because our heroes and our mentors can do bad things, like going 0 to 100 by calling in a bomb threat to capture a murder nurse. And where John is right now in his life, he’s not like Sherlock. He’s guiding his fellows and looking for justice for his patients in a different way. A kinder way. Because of this, Morris Chestnut has become my favorite John Watson.
Stephens and Sasha Domestic Fluff
When we first returned to Pittsburgh in Watson Season 2, I was shocked by Stephens and Sasha already in bed together with fluffy handcuffs. It was obvious to me as a viewer that we had rushed through a lot of character development, especially in this relationship. And I lamented about how those small moments, I wanted those. Because procedurals think that we just want the big sweeping moments or the drama. We don’t. We want the domestic fluff.
In “Lucky” we got to see a little bit more domestic fluff with Stephens and Sasha. Yes, it was about sex and the multiple places that they can do it. But there was a playful edge to it that told me as the viewer that they’re exploring each other. They’re having fun. They have something sweet together that they explore whether they’re at home, reuniting Sasha with her family, or at work. Their lives have blended together.
Now it’s time to give us more. Domestic fluff comes in all shapes and sizes. And I need more of Sasha putting on his glasses again and giving him a loving kiss. I need more of Stephens going with her to make sure she feels comfortable meeting her family. Watson “Lucky” has something special with Stephens and Sasha. And I hope that they give us more of this fluff before the eventual drama that finds all couples on a TV show.
But maybe Watson is saving that drama for John and Mary. After all, Sherlock is alive and John didn’t tell her. That’s got problems written all over it.
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What Comes After Healing?
A lot of “Lucky” has to do with what comes after the pain has been addressed. Because as someone who is recovering from her own demons, the path to healing is hard. But what not enough people talk about is what comes after the healing. What comes when happiness is there and how do you accept that shift in your life where you are safe, loved, and free to be yourself? This is where Ingrid is in this episode. And I know that random guy at therapy is going to test her resolve.
But more on Ingrid first.
The fact that Ingrid is talking with Adam and he’s reciprocating in this episode, is this show understanding that you use the past to build the future. What Ingrid did previously to these brothers was unforgivable in a lot of respects. But I’m not on the show. These characters are in the show. And these characters, including Adam, have decided to forgive Ingrid. Why? Because Adam sees himself in Ingrid and knows Ingrid feels safe enough to ask for his advice as she works on her recovery but also figuring out who she is.
What Ingrid is doing is brave. And this guy in therapy, he’s a test. He’s a test to see where she is as a character in her recovery. And while he thinks he knows what kind of person she is, he’s severely underestimated her. Because Ingrid might be in recovery, but she is one of the most ingenious people at that clinic. And if Watson wants to continue doing brilliant work with her as a character, this guy at therapy will either break her or make her stronger. My bet is on it making her stronger because she’s not alone and she’s not the same person she was in Season 1. She’s stronger.
Watson airs new episodes Mondays at 10pm on CBS.
