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Geek History Lesson

Doctor John Watson and Sherlock Holmes

Geek History Lesson

Jason Inman

Film History, Visual Arts, Tv & Film, Arts

4.81.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 October 2025

⏱️ 49 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today Watson There is a direct line between Doctor John Watson and Sherlock Holmes' partnership and the superhero/sidekick relationship of Batman and Robin! This week on Geek History Lesson, we’re diving into how Holmes and Watson cemented the "modern sidekick" and explore whether other characters in both franchises may be better sidekicks than we first thought. Alfred Pennyworth? Merry Morstan?

We’re also celebrating the upcoming premiere of WATSON on CBS & Paramount Plus, debuting today October 13, 2025! Starring Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, this new take on the iconic character is one you won’t want to miss. And here’s the best part: our very own Jason was a story editor on the show! So, we’re joined by someone who has actually written Dr. Watson themselves to discuss what makes this character the paramount sidekick. Grab your magnifying glass, call your favorite sidekick, and join us for this deep dive into the power of partnerships in storytelling!

For exclusive bonus podcasts like our Justice League Review show our Teen Titans Podcast, GHL Extra & Livestreams with the hosts, join the Geek History Lesson Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/Jawiin

GHL RECOMMENDED READING from this episode► https://www.geekhistorylesson.com/recommendedreading

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Thanks for showing up to class today. Class is dismissed!

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Dr. John Watson and Robin share a lot of things in common. Robin Hood? Robin, the boy wonder. Robin, the teen wonder.

0:21.0

Robin, the toy wonder.

0:22.2

Thank you.

0:22.4

However you would like to.

0:24.3

Well, the best and most important, Robin.

0:26.1

Besides the birds, of course.

0:27.6

Yeah, I was going to say, don't, don't short-sight them.

0:29.9

Besides Robin Redbreast.

0:31.9

They share a lot of things in common, including a early 20th century bumbling performance that kind of sideline them and their abilities.

0:43.5

Jason, when you think of John Watson, do you think of him as a bumbling sidekick?

0:48.7

Or do you think of him as a sidekick almost as capable as your leading Manchraloch Holmes? I don't like the bumbling sidekick almost as capable as your leading man Sherlock Holmes.

0:54.6

I don't like the Bumbleing sidekick Watson.

0:59.3

And I think that might be, I'm pretty certain and correct me if I'm wrong on this,

1:04.2

because I know you're a bigger fan of these, the Jeremy Brett, Sherlock Holmes movies.

1:08.6

They're not movies.

1:09.3

They're little, they're movies.

1:10.8

Yeah. You're little of the movies. I feel, no, sorry, Jeremy Brett did the television show. Basil Rathbone did the movies, but it's the Jeremy Brett show. Yes, that I think created the bumbling Watson. And I'm unsure of that actor's name. But I feel like he has like sort of cemented that Watson is this sort of like bumbling fool in pop culture.

1:30.9

Whereas, you know, like Jude Law, you know, there's this other show called Watson out there,

1:36.4

Morris Chestnut out there.

1:37.4

I mean, you've heard about the show.

1:38.7

They sort of-

1:39.4

Yeah, hottest, hottest Watson of all time.

...

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