It turns out that Laila's sudden return in Season 2, Episode 9 of Watson, is more of a headache than a solution. We're expected to pretend that she's been a part of the show all along, while overlooking the undeniable romantic chemistry between Watson and Mary. The episode "Shannon Says Bex Loves Micah" feels like an attempt to delve into AI and the challenges of forming relationships for those on the autism spectrum, while simultaneously avoiding the core relationship that has been ignored for weeks. Instead of exploring the complex social dynamics at play, we're treated to a predictable medical mystery resolved by Watson asking a few questions he should have asked earlier. It's not how you build a satisfying medical drama. And as for Micah, the hand-wavey implication at the end of the episode suggests his dependency on the AI chatbot is "cured" simply because he gave up his phone for a month. Was that it? Talk about unsatisfying.Certainly, I'll do my best to add more vividness and emotional depth to the review while preserving the original meaning.
Perhaps it's even more frustrating because it's relevant. I have two children who are both so dependent on their phones in a way that was incomprehensible to me as a child of my generation, and I would have wished for a more thorough and serious exploration of this topic. Watson, however, didn't seem to have a problem criticizing the "longevity dorks," a less interesting topic that only applies to a tiny fraction of the ultra-rich.
It's also peculiar that Purser is playing herself, or at least a version of herself, and Micah repeatedly brings up Stranger Things, which just so happens to be airing its final season this month. While I'm sure it's a coincidence, the cynical side of me can't help but imagine executives in a boardroom somewhere shaking hands over the cross-brand synergy. It's a distraction.
But for once, it's the supporting characters who offer something more meaningful. We've been grappling with these specific issues for a while now, so they don't feel like they're coming completely out of nowhere – unlike the character-driven subplots in Watson, which often feel like they do. You can connect both of them back to the events of the first season, which is also worthwhile, since the show often proceeds as if it never happened. After what we saw with Ingrid last week, I'm glad to see Sasha earnestly wondering whether she's capable of change and whether she might be actively dangerous. And after seeing Stephens struggle with the idea of therapy and his own mental health, his finally asking for help is a big step.
Oh, and Shinwell and Nurse DaCosta's little romance? It's really solid stuff. All of this works quite well together, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and storytelling.
It's just a shame that it's working in a pretty rubbish episode that really highlights a lot of the show's most persistent problems. Even this close to the finale, after a run of solid instalments, it's still basically a coin toss whether you're going to get a passable episode or not.
