This week’s episode of Watson changes the usual format of the show, at least at first. Episode 4 begins with Dr. Watson (Morris Chestnut) assigning another “signal-to-noise” exercise to his interns. They are not excited about this task because, in previous exercises, there was no useful information—only distractions.
As Watson focuses on the unusual number of green markers in his office, Dr. Lubbock (Inga Schlingmann) notices something important. One of the patients, William Betancourt, has a tongue condition that suggests he has Cowden Syndrome.
This is a rare genetic disorder that increases the risk of cancer. She remembers seeing the same condition on the first cadaver she studied in medical school. Dr. Derian (Eve Harlow) doubts that Lubbock could remember such a detail so clearly. The Crofts (Peter Mark Kendall) also tease her about it, but Lubbock turns out to be right.
William Betancourt returns to the hospital for further testing. He does not take the situation seriously and refuses anesthesia for a colonoscopy. The procedure confirms that he has dangerous tumors. While undergoing surgery, Bill’s condition worsens, and he does not survive.
His death is tragic, but it leads to his relatives getting tested for Cowden Syndrome, potentially saving lives. This episode clearly takes a different approach, which makes it more engaging.
Also Read: ‘Watson’ Episode 2 Recap: Episode 2 Brings Mystery, Drama, and Unexpected Twists
Dr. Lubbock’s Personal and Professional Journey
The first three episodes of Watson were not very exciting, but Episode 4 brings more depth to the interns, especially Dr. Lubbock. In the previous episode, it was revealed that she is pretending to be engaged. This week, the show provides more insight into her character, and surprisingly, Dr. Derian plays a key role in this.
There are also hints of a possible romance between Lubbock and Stephens, similar to Angela and Hodgins from Bones. However, this will only work if the show develops these characters beyond simple stereotypes.
Dr. Lubbock is deeply affected by Bill’s death. She starts thinking about the cadaver from her medical school days and wonders if she missed something back then. Watson encourages her to find out who that person was and contact their family.
The Crofts go through her old notes while she, Dr. Derian, and Watson visit the morgue. They meet Brenda (Karen Robinson), a medical examiner who knew Lubbock and Derian when they were students. She is not happy to see them again because of their past behavior, but Watson convinces her to help by offering Steelers tickets.
Lubbock tries to recall more details about the cadaver. Meanwhile, back at the clinic, the Crofts discover that some pages are missing from one of Lubbock’s journals. She explains that she recently gave those pages to an artist friend, Micah, who wanted to look at his old work. In college, she let Micah join her in the morgue, which caused problems with Brenda.
Lubbock, Watson, and Derian visit Micah’s art gallery, where they discover something unexpected. The gallery walls are covered in paintings of Lubbock. She shows Micah her engagement ring, acting as if this does not bother her, but Dr. Derian does not ignore this strange revelation.
Micah’s sketches reveal a tattoo on the cadaver’s body. Watson recognizes it from a quilt given to him by an Amish community where he and his soon-to-be ex-wife Mary (Rochelle Aytes) got engaged.
The doctors travel to Lancaster, where the Amish identify the cadaver as a man named Jason, who left their community years ago. They direct the doctors to his sister, Rachel Smith, who lives in Harrisburg.
A Medical Mystery and an Unexpected Solution
Rachel does not show any signs of Cowden Syndrome, but she reveals that her son, Amos, has been sick. He has a lump on his thyroid, and doctors have not been able to determine the cause.
While taking Rachel and Amos to Pittsburgh for further tests, the child suddenly has trouble breathing. At the hospital, Watson realizes something is wrong, but it is not the condition they expected.
Watson sends Lubbock and Stephens to search Rachel’s house for anything unusual. This moment feels similar to the investigative methods used in House.
They find a bouquet of flowers on the table. At first, it seems odd that only the lily has not wilted, but the real clue is the container holding the flowers. Rachel placed them in a milk jug from a dairy that sells camel milk.
Watson quickly figures out that the unpasteurized camel milk caused Amos’ illness. While Jason’s Cowden Syndrome helped doctors find cancer in other Amish patients, Rachel and Amos do not have the disorder. This unexpected twist solves the mystery.
Personal Struggles and Unresolved Tension
Since the start of the show, there have been hints that Stephens likes Lubbock. It is unclear if she feels the same way, but she enjoys his attention. Given that her fake engagement is not going well, she could use some kindness. They spend a lot of time together in this episode. Stephens asks about her wedding plans, and there are some lingering looks between them.
Later, Dr. Derian calls Lubbock to Micah’s gallery and confronts her. She accuses Lubbock of always chasing after people who do not truly care about her. Derian, who has not shown much personal depth before, warns Lubbock that her fiancé is not serious about their relationship and that she deserves better. Whether this conversation will change Lubbock’s future remains to be seen.
However, Lubbock and Stephens are not the most interesting pair in this episode. That title belongs to Watson and his soon-to-be ex-wife Mary. Early in the episode, Watson realizes that the green markers appearing in his office are Mary’s way of getting his attention.
She wants him to set up a mediation meeting for their divorce. He promises to attend, but he misses the meeting because he is working on the case. This might be one of the reasons their marriage is ending, beyond his connection to Sherlock Holmes.
Their trip to Amish country brings back memories for Watson. He and Mary got engaged there, and a flashback reveals that they met while working on their first cadaver.
By the end of the episode, Watson decides to accept the divorce. He visits Mary to apologize for missing mediation and assures her that he will attend the next one. He also tells her that he will not fight the divorce. If she wants to end their marriage, he will respect her decision.
Shinwell’s Secret Assignment
Happiness seems difficult to find for most of the characters, especially Shinwell. He is still working for the mysterious Moriarty (Randall Park), whom Dr. Derian says was one of the few people Watson considered an equal. While the details of Moriarty’s plans remain unclear, Episode 4 reveals more about what Porsche (Sofie Kane) has Shinwell doing.
Porsche gives Shinwell a phone that will sync with the lab’s robot, Clyde, to upload information about the patients’ genomes. The reason for this task is not fully explained, but it adds another layer of mystery. Shinwell is curious about Porsche’s actions, so he places a tracker on her car.
He follows her to the hospital, expecting criminal activity, but instead, he sees her bringing a sick child inside. This unexpected discovery raises more questions, but they remain unanswered for now.
With this episode, Watson is finally building its identity as a network TV show. The series has potential, but time will tell if it can reach the level of similar shows. New episodes of Watson air Sundays on CBS.
Conclusion
Episode 4 of Watson brings a refreshing change in pace, proving that the show has the potential to break away from its early struggles. By shifting the structure and allowing for deeper character exploration, this episode feels more engaging and emotionally resonant than the previous ones.
The medical mystery involving Cowden Syndrome and the unexpected connection to unpasteurized camel milk provides a compelling case that keeps viewers invested.
Beyond the medical plotline, the episode takes meaningful steps in developing its characters. Dr. Lubbock, previously portrayed as ambitious but somewhat one-dimensional, gains depth as her past with Micah is revealed.
Her interactions with Stephens hint at a possible romantic development, while her confrontation with Derian suggests that she may finally face the truth about her fake engagement. Watson’s struggles are equally compelling.
His reluctance to face the reality of his failing marriage makes his final decision to accept the divorce all the more poignant. His relationship with Mary remains one of the show’s most engaging dynamics, and it would be a missed opportunity if the series does not show it further.
Meanwhile, Shinwell’s secret mission continues to unfold, adding another layer of intrigue. His discovery that Porsche is involved in something more complex than mere deception raises new questions about Moriarty’s ultimate plans.
With its character-driven storytelling and an evolving mystery, Watson is beginning to find its footing. If it continues to build on the strengths of this episode, the series may yet prove to be a worthy successor to the procedural dramas that inspired it.
Also Read: ‘Watson’ Episode 3 Recap: Mysteries, Secrets, and Twists: Watson Episode 3 Keeps Viewers Hooked
