I have to admit, way back when I heard that this version of Holmes and Watson was not only moving the character to modern day New York, but that Watson was going to be female, I really thought the show would be pandering to the "PC" crowd, and was prepared to be uninterested. Wow! Was I ever wrong!
Here we have a Holmes as quirky and brilliant as Doyle's character, who, oh, btw, is just getting out of rehab! And if that bothers you, go back and read Doyle, where Holmes chronically uses cocaine... Watson, as in the original, is a medical doctor, but due to very difficult, possibly traumatic experiences, she has left the field. Watson had also done this in the books (although he did eventually go back to practicing medicine). Her role as his "recovery companion" makes her a great fool, as she has something to offer him, to help him through the difficulties of his early recovery, and we aren't just watching her stumbling along in his wake, while he explains how brilliant he is. One of the great aspects of this show is showing the ambivalence that many people with substance use disorders have during early recovery, especially regarding accepting help.
I really enjoyed the give and take between the two characters, they have great timing and chemistry. This Holmes starts off very "Jeremy Brett", he is arrogant, a know it all, and doesn't care who he annoys, yet he is fascinating, and so very imperfect. It's just great TV.