DVD Corner

Watson Season 1 DVD Review

“Watson” has an identity crisis. 

Created by Craig Sweeny and based off of the works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “Watson” is a modern day CBS medical procedural. The 13 debut season kicks off with Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty ending up in Reichenbach Falls. Dr. John Watson jumps in the water to attempt to rescue Sherlock, but he ends up in the hospital himself. When he awakens, he discovers that Sherlock has allegedly died and that Sherlock has gifted him the Holmes Clinic in Pittsburgh for Watson to run. Along with staff members Ingrid (neurologist), Sasha (specialist in Immunology/Rheumatology), Stephens and Adam (twin brothers who specialize in diseases and medicine), Shinwell (admin aide), and Mary (surgeon and Watson’s ex-wife), Watson takes on cases involving everything from a bullet in the brain to memory loss while he and his staff investigate the cases themselves (which may not always be as they seem). But wait, there’s more! Moriarty (played by a miscast Randall Park) is lurking around and is plotting something evil. Other key storylines involve Watson’s medicine being tampered with, Watson’s ethical choices, Ingrid hiding secrets, and Watson’s past.

“Watson” is yet another glossy CBS procedural, but this one is a slapped together series that further milks the Sherlock Holmes IP. “Watson” is also the type of show that wants to be multiple shows in one. Not only does it come across as a shameless mixture of other better series like “Sherlock,” “Elementary” and “House,” but it also incorporates characters from the Sherlock universe, embraces the case of the week medical procedural format, and adds a mystery detective element with Watson and co. investigating cases. Unfortunately, none of this gels together well due to the rapid-fire robotic dialogue, pedestrian and overstuffed storytelling, and dull subplots involving the bickering twins Stephens and Adam, and the shoehorned in drama with Watson and his ex-wife Mary.

On the plus side, there are a couple noteworthy performances here. Morris Chestnut does a respectable job in leading the series as the titular character. Ritchie Coster is the clear MVP as the personable Shinwell. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: Widescreen. Grade: B+

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. Grade: B+

Extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, and 2 featurettes titled “My Dear Watson” and “Creating The World Of Watson.”

October 18, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | John Watson, Moriarty, Morris Chestnut, Procedural, Sherlock Holmes, Watson Season 1 DVD Review, Watson TV Show