Watson Episode 1 Ending Explained: Sherlock Holmes’ Whereabouts, Moriarty Mystery, and more

The CBS drama Watson has premiered its first episode, bringing the most beloved doctor from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories to the 21st-century world. Every episode will deal with mystery illnesses, and Dr. John Watson’s job will be to correctly diagnose them. But where do the Sherlock Holmes mythos fit in? In this article, we will discuss that and explore what happens in the show's premiere episode. 

Where is Sherlock Holmes in the Watson show?

One of the most pivotal moments in Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories happens at the Reichenbach Fall where the titular detective and his nemesis James Moriarty tumble to their presumed deaths. Watson, the series, begins from here. We even see the moment Holmes and Moriarty fall off the cliff from Watson’s POV. 

Even though Watson runs after his friend and even jumps in after him, he fails to save Holmes and also gets a concussion. This injury has repercussions on his body and mind as well- he has to self-medicate and deal with headaches and huge memory gaps. But these don’t deter him, and Watson opens his practice in Pittsburgh with the money Holmes left him in his will. 

To honor his friend, he names it Holmes Clinic and assembles a top team of 4 doctors to help cure medical mysteries. They are- rheumatology and immunology expert Sasha Lubbock, neurologist Ingrid Derian, functional medicine specialist Adam Croft, and infectious disease specialist Stephens Croft. 

Watson’s Crumbling Personal Life

If his best friend’s presumed death wasn’t enough for him, Watson has a lot more going on in his personal life. For one, his marriage with Dr. Mary Morstan is over. It’s revealed that after his time in the war, he had struggled to adjust to normal civilian life.

Befriending Holmes and helping him in his detective work did help him psychologically but that worsened his marriage. By the time Holmes met his end, so did his relationship with his wife. However, a sense of friendship still remains between the two. 

Watson’s First Case

Watson and his team’s first case is about Erika, a pregnant woman who believes that she has fatal insomnia. She thinks it’s genetic as her father passed away due to this. However, as her condition worsens and she begins to go blind, the team finds out that she has songbird fever. 

However, when her cousin starts showing the same symptoms, the team is puzzled to find out that the diagnosis is not applicable to her cousin. Later on, it’s revealed that her cousin is actually her half-sibling by her father. This makes it clear that the problem is genetic. The problem gets solved and Erika delivers the baby safely. 

Watson Episode 1 Ending Features a Twist

Initially, it’s assumed that Holmes and Moriarty both died in the fall. But it’s later revealed that Moriarty not only survived but also followed Watson to Pittsburgh and he is planning something that will devastate the city. His survival does hint at the fact that Holmes could show up as well. 

Where to Watch Watson TV show?

Watson airs on CBS at 10 p.m. ET every week on Sunday. You can also stream it with a Paramount+ with Showtime plan. Also, if you have a Paramount+ Essential subscription, then you can watch it a day later as well.