Sherlock season 4 episode 2 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

John Watson, grappling with his wife's death, hallucinates conversations with her and confesses to a therapist about his emotional affair. Culverton Smith, a philanthropist, holds a meeting where he reveals his desire to kill someone and uses a memory-inhibiting drug on the attendees. Sherlock Holmes, deep in drug use, deduces intimate details of a woman's life and sets a trap for Culverton, using himself as bait in a hospital. Culverton is arrested after confessing to being a serial killer. The mysterious woman involved in both their lives is unveiled as Eurus Holmes, Sherlock and Mycroft's secret sister, who had been manipulating them.

Full Episode S04E02 Recap

### John's Therapy Session - **John discusses his struggles**: He's grieving his wife's death and feeling unable to cope, leaving his daughter Rosie with friends. - **John's hallucinations**: He converses with his deceased wife, illustrating his deep psychological distress. - **Therapist's advice**: She urges John to accept his feelings as part of the grieving process. ### Culverton Smith's Sinister Gathering - **Culverton Smith, a philanthropist, hosts a gathering**: He's with influential individuals, including his daughter Faith. - **Smith's dark revelation**: He admits to wanting to kill someone, then administers a memory-inhibiting drug to his guests to ensure secrecy. ### Sherlock's Deductions and John's Confession - **Sherlock's intricate deductions**: He unravels the mystery behind a woman's personal life with his usual flair. - **John's inner turmoil**: He confesses to his therapist about cheating on Mary through texting another woman. ### Culverton's Confession and Faith's Appearance - **Culverton confesses to being a serial killer**: He does so while believing his audience won't remember due to the drug. - **Faith's unexpected visit to Sherlock**: She seeks his help, unable to remember crucial details about her father's confession. ### Sherlock and John's Investigation - **Sherlock and John investigate Culverton**: Sherlock, under the influence of drugs, leads John to investigate Culverton's potential as a serial killer. - **Sherlock's complex plan**: He sets a trap for Culverton, using himself as bait in a hospital. ### The Confrontation and Culverton's Arrest - **Sherlock confronts Culverton in a hospital room**: He gets Culverton to confess to being a serial killer while secretly recording the confession. - **John saves Sherlock**: John intervenes just as Culverton attempts to suffocate Sherlock, leading to Culverton's arrest. ### John's Emotional Resolution - **John's emotional breakdown**: He confesses to Sherlock about feeling guilty for texting another woman and struggling with Mary's death. - **Sherlock's reassurance**: Sherlock helps John understand that he's human and fallible. ### Eurus Holmes' Revelation - **The mysterious woman revealed**: The woman John texted and Sherlock's new therapist is revealed to be Eurus Holmes, Sherlock and Mycroft's secret sister. - **Eurus' manipulation**: She manipulated events, disguising herself and interacting with both Sherlock and John without them knowing her true identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is John Watson struggling in his therapy sessions?

John is grieving his wife's death and feels unable to cope, often leaving his daughter with friends.

What is John Watson's hallucination about?

John hallucinates conversations with his deceased wife, showing his psychological distress.

Who is Culverton Smith?

Culverton Smith is a philanthropist who hosts a gathering where he confesses a desire to kill, then drugs the attendees to ensure secrecy.

What does Sherlock deduce about the woman's life?

Sherlock deduces intricate details about a woman's personal life, including her isolation and past relationships.

What confession does John make to his therapist?

John confesses to emotionally cheating on his wife Mary by texting another woman.

How does Sherlock plan to trap Culverton Smith?

Sherlock sets a trap for Culverton by using himself as bait in a hospital, intending to get a confession.

What happens during Sherlock and Culverton's confrontation?

Culverton confesses to being a serial killer while attempting to suffocate Sherlock, but is recorded and arrested.

How does John Watson resolve his emotional turmoil?

John admits to feeling guilty for his emotional affair and struggles with Mary's death, but Sherlock reassures him about human fallibility.

Who is Eurus Holmes?

Eurus Holmes is revealed to be the secret sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, who had been manipulating events and disguising herself.

How did Eurus Holmes manipulate Sherlock and John?

Eurus disguised herself as different women, interacting with both Sherlock and John without revealing her true identity.

Sherlock season 4 episode 2

The Lying Detective