Image Source: Netflix [1]
Even though Enola Holmes [2] isn't technically part of the Sherlock Holmes canon — it's based on a young adult series [3] by Nancy Springer — it's still packed with all the wit and fun of the original detective mysteries. The film — which premiered on Netflix on 23 Sept. — follows young detective Enola Holmes as she deals with the mystery of her missing mother, the wishes of her elder brothers Mycroft and Sherlock, and the introduction of a cute marquess (who isn't what he seems). Loaded with twists and turns, the movie manages to sneak in a few modern-day issues to the Victorian setting, allowing it to feel relevant to the viewer. In order to understand Enola Holmes's ending, we're breaking down its premise, whether Enola finds her mother, how Enola solves the mystery of the marquess, and the future implications of her relationship with Sherlock and Mycroft.
Enola Holmes's Premise
Enola Holmes awakens on her 16th birthday to find her mother, Eudoria, missing [5]. She's then left in the care of her older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, with Myrcoft serving as her guardian. Mycroft makes the decision to send her to a finishing school and Enola runs away to London. On the way, she intercepts the Viscount Tewskbury, Marquess of Basilwether, and saves him from an assassination attempt. Once in London, they part ways and Enola soon discovers that the marquess may not be out of danger just yet.
Does Enola Holmes Find Her Mother?
Initially, Enola arrives in London believing that her mother might be waiting for her. She places a coded message in a series of newspapers, in the hopes that Eudoria will see it and respond. Just as she realises her brothers might have been right about Eudoria having a nefarious plan, which Enola discovers due to a warehouse full of bombs, the brown bowler hat man makes an attempt on her life. Enola then places the search for her mother on hold and it isn't until she saves the marquess that she picks it up again. Her mother then appears at her new lodgings and explains why she left. Although Enola doesn't actually solve the mystery herself, her mother did leave her clues and Enola is able to become the woman her mother had always hoped she'd be. Eudoria doesn't stay long, and depending on whether the pair keeps in touch, Enola may have to pick up the search once more.
Image Source: Netflix [6]
How Does Enola Holmes Solve the Case of the Missing Marquess?
With the deduction skills of her brother Sherlock, Enola first notices something is off about the missing marquess [7] when she spies a man in a brown bowler hat getting onto the same train. Her suspicions are confirmed once the brown bowler hat man tries to grab Lord Tewksbury and she saves the young marquess's life by having him jump off the train. It isn't until the attempt on her life that everything clicks into place about the brown bowler hat man being sent by Lord Tewksbury's family to kill him rather than save him — even though the family has the money to send a detective to do so. Enola first suspects Tewksbury's uncle, but after an earlier conversation with his grandmother and a confrontation at the family home, she discovers it was the grandmother all along. This leads to the marquess taking his rightful place in the house of lords and voting in favour of the reform. It also gives Enola a friend, or perhaps more than a friend, for life.
What Happens With Enola Holmes and Her Brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes?
Enola essentially grows up an only child due to the age difference between her and her brothers. It isn't until the disappearance of their mother that they all become a family once more, although "family" is a loosely used term here. Mycroft feels Enola is a wildling and he doesn't listen to her protests, as he decides to send her to finishing school. When she runs away, he gets upset and sends the incompetent Inspector Lestrade to search for her. Basically, Mycroft sucks and everyone knows it — even Sherlock.
Sherlock and Enola are far more similar, as evidenced by her asking him to take her on as his ward. By the end of the film, Sherlock recognises the merits of the life Enola wants to lead and tells Mycroft he'll take her on as his ward while Mycroft "washes his hands of her." Even though Sherlock feigns ignorance at the idea that he knows where Enola is, he likely helped her find her knew lodging and is keeping tabs on her as she forges her own path. Here's hoping there's a sequel [8] that will explore the dynamics of Sherlock and Enola, even if Mycroft is just there for them to team up against.
