Joan Watson's (Lucy Liu) bitter relationship with a loved one will be revealed when "Elementary" season 4 returns after its winter break.

Based on the spoilers for the upcoming episode titled "Miss Taken," Watson will not be happy when she finds out that her stepfather Henry (John Heard) used her and Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) as inspiration for a crime novel.

This will open up a long-running issue in their relationship. Could this sudden turn of events also affect Watson and Holmes' partnership, especially since Holmes also has a problem with his own parent?

TV Guide first revealed that Watson's stepfather will finally have a face in the upcoming episodes of the season.

"Although we met Joan's mom in the first season, we'll meet another family member this year," executive producer Rob Doherty said. "A few episodes in the season we're going to meet her stepfather and discover they have a pretty complicated relationship," Doherty. It's a theme we will hit pretty hard over the first half of the season."

Doherty also stated in his past interview with Zap2It that the main theme of "Elementary" season 4 will be family.

"Meanwhile, the duo will also keep their hands busy as they investigate the murder of a retired FBI agent," the executive producer said. "But as they dig deeper into the investigation, both Sherlock and Watson will find out that the current murder is connected to one of the unsolved cases that the victim handled when he was still working for the FBI."

Doherty added: "We want to explore family this year. Morland Holmes' arrival is obviously going to have an impact on Sherlock, but there's going to be a ripple effect for Joan there as well. It's going to be an interesting triangle for us to explore over the course of the season. We're also looking to take the opportunity to explore Joan's family a little as well,"

"Elementary" season 4 episode 12 will air on Jan. 7, 10 p.m. on CBS.