When House, MD airs its first new episode in weeks this Tuesday (January 29), fans of the show will greet it with some anxiety, as “It's a Wonderful Lie,” originally scheduled to coincide with Christmas, will be the first of the last three remaining unaired episodes. All writing stopped when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in November.
Although the writers and the conglomerates who own television are once again talking, the status of the 2007-8 House season is still up in the air. Some in the know have intimated that if the strike is settled soon (read: mid-February), there might yet be time to salvage some of the season. So, let's hope they're right.
When last we saw House and company, he had finally formed his new team after weeks of reality TV-esque game playing. “At least the games are over,” sighed a relieved Cuddy in the final scene of “Games.” “How well do you know me?” retorted perpetual game-player House, a self-satisfied grin on his face. Cuddy smirked back appreciatively, leaving House alone to turn out the lights on this chapter of the season. And so it stands until Tuesday.
When we rejoin the season, already in progress, it will be to, rather belatedly, celebrate Christmas. “Of course,” suggested Olivia Wilde (“13” on the show) “it’s a pretty House-like thing to delay the joyous holiday." Yesterday, Ms. Wilde was kind enough to participate in a conference call with journalists and bloggers in advance of next Tuesday’s episode.
The episode, a Housian pun on the title of the classic Christmas movie It's A Wonderful Life, features a side plot in which the new team — and the normally Grinch-like House — play "Secret Santa." The main medical mystery plot has House and the team treating a woman who suffers from "sudden paralysis of the hands." The ever-cynical House, true to form, believes that the key to the case involves the patient’s lies regarding her own life and relationship with her daughter.
Although it may be slightly surprising that the often-miserable doctor would want to play a game so sweetly prosaic as Secret Santa, Wilde suggested that House is always a game player, and his participation in Secret Santa allows him to continue playing with his staff — although the dynamics between him and the team are now changed. “He no longer controls their future, and their relationship has now changed,” she said. She said that House does his thing and there’s lots of humor, but also, like most episodes it is also “heartbreaking.”
Article comments
1 - hl_lover
Excellent, Barbara!
I'm sure you're with me in greatly anticipating the return of new House episodes. Yay!
2 - Barbara Barnett
Hi HL_L--I can barely wait, but as I said, I have some trepidation for what's to come after the three eps air.
Barbara
3 - bertas
Barbara what will come after the 3 episodes are new episodes because strike will finally be over... or at least thats what I have been telling myself :)
But you know the good thing that has come out if this is that at least mr. Laurie had some time with his family back in the UK... :)
4 - Barbara Barnett
Bertas--that would be great. I'm not quite as optimistic as you are. I would love to see more episodes, but depending on when the strike is settled...
5 - danny boleski
the movie she's in is called Year One, not Day One. research can be useful.
6 - Barbara Barnett
You are correct of course, Danny. Not a matter of research so much as knowing that it as "Year One" (says so right in my interview notes) and my confused brain, which was thinking about the movie "Day Zero." My mistake and I apologize.
Barbara
7 - Josh Lasser
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States.
8 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Josh!
Barbara
9 - Tina
What is this all about? Are you trying to sell articles to newspapers/magazines through this blog? Congratulations with the "AdvanceNet" as above!! And you write absolutely brilliant articles, usually dwelling just enough on the decent and educated side of the Hugh Laurie obsession that most of us 40something girls nurture.
10 - Barbara Barnett
Hi Tina. Thanks. The recognition given by promotion both to the social networks, and especially to Advance.net and its affiliated newspapers is a very nice bit of extra exposure. And the editors at BC have been very kind in that regard.
I do try to stay out of the "shallow" end of the HL fandom and stick to his wonderful body of work--especially his work on House which is (of course) brilliant. Thanks for stopping by.
Barbara