The premiere episode of "Sherlock & Daughter" unfolds in the misty streets of London, 1896, where Sherlock Holmes is summoned to unravel the mystery surrounding the near-abduction of a young lad named Robert. As he delves into questioning the frightened child, Sherlock's keen eye catches a vibrant red thread entwined around Robert's wrist; with a swift motion, he snaps it off, a puzzle piece in his mind already stirring. He then informs the inspectors that he cannot undertake the case, leaving the scene as mysteriously as he arrived.
The narrative shifts continents, transporting us to the bustling streets of New York City. Here, a spirited young girl named Amelia Rojas finds herself in a race against time to board a ship bound for London. Two mischievous boys offer her a lift, but their intentions quickly reveal themselves in an attempt to pilfer her possessions. Outsmarting one of them, Amelia flees, albeit sacrificing her bag in the chaos.
Breathless and desperate, she reaches the ticket booth, her heart pounding as she requests passage to London. However, fate deals her a cruel hand – she lacks the thirty dollars required for the ticket. In a moment of desperation, she strikes a deal, trading her cherished golden watch, inscribed with her mother's portrait (which she had thoughtfully copied beforehand), for the precious ticket.
Back at the sanctity of 221b Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes scrutinizes a cryptic letter, meticulously crafted from newspaper clippings. The letter warns him to place a lamp in his window as a sign that he will "observe the thread," or else Watson and Hudson will suffer a fate akin to that of his former maid. Amidst an argument with Mrs. Halligan, the housekeeper who turns out to be Hudson's sister, the gravity of the situation unfolds – Watson and Hudson have been kidnapped.
Sherlock's hands trembling, he opens a small, intriguingly ornate box, revealing a macabre sight: a severed finger adorned with a familiar red thread. The lamp flickers by the window, casting eerie shadows, as an unseen observer watches Sherlock from the shadows, the tension in the air thick with anticipation.
As the boat sailed across the vast Atlantic Ocean, Amelia possessed a small piece of crimson thread, a token of her own. She forged a friendship with a young lass named Clara, the cherished daughter of the United States ambassador. With a heartfelt gesture, Amelia presented Clara with a portrait she had meticulously crafted of the girl's esteemed parents. However, Lady Violet, Clara's stern governess, abruptly commanded Amelia to descend to the lower decks, ending their brief encounter.
Upon their arrival in London, Clara warmly invited Amelia to visit her anytime before her departure, planting a seed of hope in Amelia's heart. Wandering through the bustling city streets, Amelia stumbled upon a newspaper that chronicled the tragic discovery of Sherlock's maid, Maria Malloy, who had recently passed away.
The following morning, Amelia approached the famous address of 221b Baker Street, but was met with the disappointment of Sherlock's refusal to see visitors. Undeterred, she rang the bell at the servant's entrance and, to her surprise, was mistakenly taken for a new maid, tasked with preparing Sherlock's breakfast.
With trembling hands, Amelia carried the meal up to him, but Sherlock's piercing gaze instantly revealed her true identity. His deductive prowess further unveiled her origins from the sunny shores of California. Amelia confessed that her mother had often read Sherlock's adventures to her before bedtime, and had instilled in her the idea to seek his help in times of need. Sherlock, however, was brusque and ordered her to depart.
Their conversation was abruptly halted by the arrival of the US ambassador, Paul, and his wife, Marjorie, who announced with a heavy heart that Clara had vanished without a trace. The chief inspector, desperate for assistance, beseeched Sherlock to take the case. When Amelia revealed her acquaintance with Clara, Marjorie seized it as a divine sign. Sherlock, swayed by the circumstances, agreed to inspect the crime scene.
Sherlock and Amelia made their way to the ambassador's opulent residence, driven by a sense of urgency. Paul recounted how the maid had served Clara her cocoa at nine the night before, only for the young girl to vanish without a trace come morning. Sherlock meticulously examined Clara’s bedroom, with Amelia's insightful observations acting as his guide. They deduced that an intruder from the servants’ quarters had indeed entered her chamber, their presence betrayed by the lingering scent of tobacco. Moreover, Sherlock discerned traces of laudanum in Clara’s tea, confirming that she had been drugged. As he noticed a crimson thread dangling from a doorknob, Sherlock, ever the swift thinker, made a hasty departure, leaving Amelia to continue the investigation.
Amelia delved deeper, conversing with Cassie, the cook, who revealed that she had prepared the cocoa and stepped out briefly, leaving Charlie, the family’s newly hired driver, as the sole occupant in the room during her absence. Charlie, who had once carelessly discarded tobacco juice near Amelia’s feet as Clara departed, loomed larger in their suspicions. Paul and Marjorie commented on Watson’s desertion of Sherlock and his increasingly erratic demeanor, but Amelia stood firm in her conviction that Sherlock would uncover Clara’s whereabouts. The family was later startled by the news of Charlie’s disappearance.
Returning to Sherlock’s residence to retrieve her belongings, Amelia confided in Sherlock her suspicions regarding Charlie. Sherlock, ever perceptive, turned the tables and inquired about her true identity. Amelia unfolded her tale, revealing the tragic circumstances surrounding her mother’s death.
Her mother had entrusted Amelia with a photograph, instructing her to place it in her scrapbook should anything untoward befall her. Behind the photograph, Amelia discovered a poignant note, in which her mother unveiled a startling revelation: Sherlock Holmes was her real father. The note urged her to seek him out, and so, she embarked on her journey to find the legendary detective.
Sherlock proclaims his ignorance of a woman named Lucia Rojas and swears he's never set foot in California. Amelia counters by claiming her mother visited London, but Sherlock dismisses her story outright, insulting her mother in the process. Enraged, Amelia slaps him. She's poised to leave in a huff when Sherlock halts her retreat.
Though he refuses to acknowledge her as his daughter, he concedes the need for an assistant. He cannot personally intervene in Clara's disappearance, but Amelia can. However, he lays down his conditions – Amelia must adhere strictly to his instructions and report solely to him. Meanwhile, she'll retain her position as a scullery maid to maintain appearances. In exchange, she'll gain insights into Sherlock's investigative techniques, which she can use to unravel the mystery of her mother's murder. Amelia concurs with the terms, her faith in her mother's words about Sherlock being her father unwavering.
As Episode 1 of "Sherlock & Daughter" concludes, we witness Charlie in a room lined with coffins. He lifts the lid of one to reveal Clara, gagged and bound within. She's imprisoned there, and Charlie reveals that other coffins house women too.
