Dr. Watson: TV's Newest Medical Detective

"Watson," a new American television series, offers a unique blend of medical drama and detective fiction, drawing clear inspiration from "House" and "Elementary." The show centers on Dr. John Watson, portrayed by Morris Chestnut, an American physician practicing in present-day Pittsburgh. Watson, a war veteran, previously assisted Sherlock Holmes in solving crimes in London before returning to his medical practice.

The series is executive produced by Craig Sweeny, who previously worked on "Elementary," and features a team of eager doctors who assist Watson in unraveling intricate medical puzzles. Early episodes have incorporated classic Sherlockian elements, including references to Irene Adler and Inspector Lestrade. Notably, an episode included an auditory hallucination of Sherlock Holmes, voiced by Matt Berry, triggered by Watson experiencing medication issues.

Season one culminated with Watson confronting and defeating Moriarty, played by Randall Park, and moving forward in his personal life. The show's format effectively handles medical mysteries in a "case-of-the-week" style, with Chestnut delivering a compelling performance as the titular doctor-detective. The narrative explores complex medical scenarios, such as a patient experiencing rapid memory loss, requiring Watson's keen diagnostic skills and extensive research.

A significant development occurred at the end of the first season with the appearance of Robert Carlyle as Sherlock Holmes. This suggests that despite Watson's focus on medical cases, the series will continue to explore the rich universe of Conan Doyle's characters, maintaining an ongoing connection to the Sherlock Holmes mythology.