When Holmes' investigation into the attempt on Morland's life pushes their strained relationship to the breaking point, the identity of Sherlock's mother is revealed. Also, when three gang members are murdered, Holmes and Watson are amazed when an elderly woman emerges as their prime suspect.

At the urging of Morland's wealthy associate, Henry Baskerville, Holmes and Watson look into the death of his brother and discover that a witness saw the man chased to his death by a large, glowing animal too fantastic to be real. Sherlock considers intervening when the trauma from the bombing at the morgue negatively impacts ME Hawes' work.