TV Review: House, MD - "Guardian Angels"
Published October 25, 2007
This is third review/commentary in my “Welcome to the End of the Thought Process” series, the third of what I hope will be a long, long series. I want to take a moment to give you a bit of insight into my perspective on the show.
I grew up on TV. By the age of nine, I was hooked on The Man From U.N.C.L.E; by 11 I was addicted to Trek Classic. Ah, to have grown up in the ‘60s and ‘70s. But now (and I’m roughly House’s age) I have little time for series television and only casually watch most TV (except for Keith Olberman’s newscast, The Daily Show, Colbert and House, MD). But when I get hooked on a television show, I really get hooked, and so it was with House, MD. So, the question I ask myself is, “Why?” The answer is the character of House himself and the brilliant performance week after week by Hugh Laurie. People say that women like a “bad boy.” I do not like them. I like my heroes, well... heroic. Heroic, but tragic: equal parts Edward Rochester and Mr. Knightly. Byronic, with a smattering of unique nobility is just about my ideal fictional hero.
House has a "public persona.” He's a brilliant diagnostician, intuitive, deductive, eerily smart. That's the reputation and it seems to ring true. He's also a risk taker and more than a bit reckless. But I find the person inside the persona to be far more interesting. House has a terrible bedside manner – but he can have the most heartbreakingly truthful discussions with his patients. House cares only about the puzzle, we’re told.
But how does that reconcile with the times we’ve seen him gazing yearningly into patient rooms from behind the glass as they visit with family members — or when he’s risked his career to save a life? How is it that the arrogant and egotistical Gregory House can be seen late at night, alone in his office or flat desperately searching for answers inside himself, fighting an internal battle that we, as viewers, are privy to through Hugh Laurie’s sad and expressive eyes. We gain so much insight into House and who he is and why he's caught our attention by the way Laurie portrays him. Just a look, a glance, his eyes and body language tell the story that his exterior manner can't. This is what makes House likeable, despite his flaws, and why he has become such a worthy anti-hero. This is why I watch House; why I write House, why I adore House. With that out of the way, onto epsiode 4x04, “Guardian Angels.”
- TV Review: House, MD - "Guardian Angels"
- Published: October 25, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: TV Recap, Video: Drama
- Part of a feature: Welcome to the End of the Thought Process: House MD
- Writer: Barbara Barnett
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- Barbara Barnett's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Barbara, I love your review. I agree with everything you've said. House, the show, is always billed as a medical mystery. I've always thought that it's a show about a fascinating character and the medicine is just a side show. So, I guess that's why I'm a little frustrated with this season. It's missing what's always made it special for me. Not enough of thoughtful House, although there have been some great House/Wilson moments. No piano, no vicodin,no motorcycle, no tricks with any of his various toys-ball, juggling, mortar and pestal, etc. I don't find myself interested in any of the new characters, or wondering about their backgrounds and what makes them tick. I think there are still too many unanswered questions about the original 6; Wilson's homeless brother and why he's living in a hotel, why Cameron is "damaged", why Chase left the seminary, is Cuddy still trying to have a child, and of course everything about House. With all of the new characters I fear the questions about the original ducklings will never get answered. Hopefully, for me, when the Survivor arc is over they'll return to the original formula. I'll be back every week to hear what you have to say. Thanks!!
Thanks Ann and Sdemar for you kind comments. I loved the pacing of "Guardian Angels," and I like the newbies. But I'd like this to be resolved sooner rather than later. I long for a moment of House at his piano, or reflecting on...anything.
barbara
Barbara,
I too think you've done a great job with summarizing this episode. As you stated, the lack of depth in this ep put it in the 'good but not great House ep' category, and the lingering Survivor game has finally started to wear a bit thin. I also feel the the writers are struggling a bit with how to fit the Cameron and Chase characters into this new House universe. Right now, I'd say it's not succeeding: Chase seems oddly placed, not being a surgeon by training (!), and Cameron annoyed me terribly.
I think you hit most of the meanings of "Guardian Angels" on the head. Watching the struggle between House and his new 'guardian angel' forced upon him by Cuddy next week should be priceless!
Barbara,
I too think you've done a great job with summarizing this episode. As you stated, the lack of depth in this ep put it in the 'good but not great House ep' category, and the lingering Survivor game has finally started to wear a bit thin. I also feel the the writers are struggling a bit with how to fit the Cameron and Chase characters into this new House universe. Right now, I'd say it's not succeeding: Chase seems oddly placed, not being a surgeon by training (!), and Cameron annoyed me terribly.
I think you hit most of the meanings of "Guardian Angels" on the head. Watching the struggle between House and his new 'guardian angel' forced upon him by Cuddy next week should be priceless!
Watching the struggle between House and his new 'guardian angel' forced upon him by Cuddy next week should be priceless!
I am actually pretty pumped about this. I can't wait to see House really come up against Foreman. Will it be Foreman's ultimate lesson in humility? And the sparks between Cuddy and House could potentially ignite the entire hospital.
But I will really be interested to see how House reacts to feeling (as I'm sure he will) boxed into a corner.
Barbara
Wanted to shout out for Rochester and Knightly, absolutely adore them and I absolutely agree HL's acting adds another dimension to House, a dimension he can't express out loud.
You are Huddy shipper though, aren't you?
"Cameron was trying to control House"
Disagree, she was trying to protect Cole, so that House has a morally aware person on the team. The only person who refused to dig a grave, the only person who would stand up for their beliefs. I don't think House otherwise would find him pretty enough to keep him around.
"Right now, I think House needs an angel of his own. And it ain't Foreman (or Cameron)."
Is it Cuddy or 13 then?
I think House has a Guardian Angel and it's Wilson!!!
You are Huddy shipper though, aren't you?
Well...I do admit that I perceive a fondness and attraction between them. So...
"Cameron was trying to control House"
Those were House's words to Cameron. I'm not sure she's trying to control House either. She is trying to manipulate the situation (but that's not surprising for Cameron). I think she's having fun; trying to insinuate herself into House's life in some way. Control the situation while staying detached I would think is more accurate.
Disagree, she was trying to protect Cole, so that House has a morally aware person on the team.
I'm not sure that that was the reason for protecting Cole. How would she know that much about him unless she was snooping around the team. I think she still believes House to be a basically moral person, with a very strong ethical code. It's just not a conventional code. I think that's why she is so attracted to him (or was).
Is it Cuddy or 13 then?
I think House has a Guardian Angel and it's Wilson!!!?
I would absolutely agree with you.
Thanks for dropping by.
Barbara
Definitely loved the one and only House/Wilson scene but truly not enough for me. I think Cameron was using Cole, probably the most gullible on the team to insinuate herself into House's sphere. And YES!!!! Absolutely!!! Wilson IS and always will be House's Guardian Angel.
Debbie--On the other hand the Season premiere was filled with Wilson/House moments.
barbara
Great review, Barbara. Like other (lesser) shows this season ("Grey's Anatomy" and "Heroes" come to mind), "House" is shuffling the deck and dealing out some new cards. Not all hands are going to be great, but the dealers (David Shore and Katie Jacobs) are the same, and the actor holding the royal flush is Hugh Laurie. I'll be glad when the "Survivor" scenario has played out as well, but right now I'm enjoying the variety the "new cards" are bringing to the game. (Although, like you, I too miss 'House at his piano, or reflecting...on anything').
Thanks Houseguest,
I like your metaphor to a poker game (so Houselike). I actually think the writing for the fellowship candidates has been excellent. Each has a distinct personality, immediately apparent. And with enlarging the cast, even for a short time, could have been disastrous. But in David Shore's own confident and self-critical hands (I think he has a very sensitive "stupid" radar) as well as Hugh Laurie's wonderful handle on House's persona, I think the show will be even better. I look forward to Tuesday's episode and into the sweeps!
Barbara
Mea Culpa to all (and especially to Keith Olbermann) for my misspelling of Mr. Olbermann's name in the review. My error was pointed out by a dear friend and a fellow Olbermann fan. My favorite Tuesday evening kickback: Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC at 7:00; House on FOX at 8:00; family time at 9:00 and the dashing dual half-hours of The Daily Show/Colbert Report at 10:00 on Comedy Central! Apologies for the typo, Keith.
Barbara.
Because of the writer's strike, there aren't many new episodes of HOUSE left before they run out. I was wondering if anybody knew how many more episodes were left before that happens.
Jonathan--
I believe that there are 4 episodes that have yet to run, including tomorrow night's "Games."
barbara
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Nicely done, Barbara. I have nothing to add to your exceptional review. Keep up the good work.