The third episode of "Watson" unfolds in Bloomfield, where the scene opens with Molly Jones, a spirited comedienne, taking the stage to regale the audience with her wit. Halfway through her act, however, her hearing begins to waver, ultimately culminating in a sudden blackout.
Simultaneously, Watson becomes acutely aware of something amiss with his medication. His Temporal Binding Syndrome (TBS) intensifies, impairing his focus. He distracts his team, sending them on errands, when Shinwell unexpectedly arrives. Shinwell discovers Watson's clandestine surveillance of Mary, who sits just a stone's throw away at a nearby café, perhaps with a new suitor. As of yet, Watson hasn't caught a glimpse of her or her companion.
Shinwell's visit also serves as a harbinger of a new case: the enigmatic Molly. Watson introduces her to the concept of the "Redheaded League," a personal, long-term study of his. Molly battles epilepsy, an affliction neither of her parents shared. But mid-examination, Watson himself collapses to the ground, requiring stitches. Despite the abrupt end to the evaluation, he authorizes the team to take on Molly's case for the week. He dismisses his fall as a mere slip, updating the team while keeping his own symptoms under wraps.
Intriguingly, it transpires that Molly might have misrepresented the circumstances of her mother's demise, hinting at a deeper narrative. Their first order of business is to ascertain an accurate family history.
Oblivious to Watson's struggles, his team remains in the dark about his worsening condition and the tainted pills. Torn between loyalties, Shinwell meets with Moriarty's accomplice that evening, amidst cryptic conversations about adhering to orders. The villain's true intentions remain shrouded in mystery, leaving us eager for more revelations.
As these events unfold, Dr. Derian gears up to make a bid for entry into the Spinal Signal Project. Watson catches sight of her and, before long, broaches the topic of his recent collapse. Although he knows she's aware of his deceit, their conversation is abruptly halted by the twins, who burst in with momentous news.
It transpires that Molly possesses duplicate records. One set bears her name, while the other belongs to someone named Linda Mancini, suggesting a name change. The rationale behind this revelation is startling: Molly's mother, Felicia, was handed a 60-year prison sentence for drowning her twin toddlers, with Molly being the sole survivor of this heinous act.
When Watson confronts Molly about this harrowing past, she seems to suffer a seizure. However, her brain scans reveal no epileptic activity, indicating that something far more intricate is at play here.
The group decides to split up, with Watson escorting the twins—who continue their playful banter about a potential double date—to the State Correctional Facility in Titusville, where Felicia is currently incarcerated.
Watson casts a single glance at Felicia and instantaneously discerns that she isn't the perpetrator of her children's demise. His perception, however, extends far beyond innocence or not—he astutely deduces that she suffers from Long QT Syndrome, a medical condition that escapes the notice of a man who, paradoxically, can diagnose ailments with remarkable swiftness but remains oblivious to the tampering of his own medication.
This Long QT Syndrome, a potentially lethal heartbeat irregularity, provides a plausible explanation for the children's literally "fright-induced" fatalities. Now, the responsibility falls upon Watson and his team to administer treatment, which they accomplish by installing an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in Felicia's heart, ultimately stabilizing Molly. This revelation not only saves her life but also clears Felicia's name, paving the way for justice.
Yet, Watson's state of mind remains far from serene. His recent, uncharacteristic outbursts—such as confronting Mary in a coffee shop and spiraling into uncontrollable fury—are documented in his file. He keeps this turmoil hidden from his team and remains oblivious to the tampering of his pills.
Meanwhile, Shinwell is entrusted with the task of swapping Watson's tampered pills with his proper medication, a subterfuge aimed at evading suspicion. Another subplot unfolds involving Dr. Lubbock, who wears an engagement ring that she unexpectedly discovered in a drawer, far from the romantic gesture she had anticipated.
One week later, Watson engages in a conversation with Derian, aware of her rejection from the Spinal Project. He offers to advocate for her inclusion, but she sees through his intentions, perceiving his gesture as a mere attempt to quell her curiosity about his erratic behavior.
