Is House capable of love? This two-part article explores the women in Dr. Gregory House's life.
In the House, MD season five episode “Joy,” House and Cuddy kiss, lost in the emotion of Cuddy’s loss and (partially, I think) House’s own personal earthquakes. That kiss (and the requisite eye-gazing that preceded it) was filled with a novel’s worth of narrative and dialogue. Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein were pitch perfect in enunciating House and Cuddy’s sadness, need, and passion. As impulsive as that kiss was, it spoke of something deep within House; something he keeps locked away and very much under guard. And as subsequent episodes unfold, House continues to consider whether to remove the padlocks on his inner self — whether it’s worth it to put his toe back into the water.…
Article comments
26 - Sdemar
Barbara, I wasn't able to post from my laptap as it key erroring out and it was too long to post from my iPhone. I did post on the other site and yu know where that is. This was nicely done. Can't wait for your chapter on House/Cuddy.
27 - barbara barnett
Thanks everyone for your kind comments and readership. This article has now been featured on the FOX.com official site!
I agree with what so many of you say, of course. But I want to address a bit about the difference between Cuddy and Cameron in response to Sandra.
Cuddy isn't really trying to change House so much as get him to stay a bit in touch with his humanity. She's every bit the game player he is. She's sassy, she's funny and assertive. She's also more House's age and she's his peer (in medicine, if not in job position).
What House saw in Cameron was that she wanted to fix his broken wing and make it all better. Because House focuses so much on not making his life about his wounded spirit (and rages against anyone who does) he hates what he construes as pity. That's what he saw in Cameron. Yes, he was (and probably still is) attracted to her, but would never act on those feelings. He'd devour her. and he knows it.
28 - ann uk
Just to thank you for your perceptive analysis of House's emotional life, with which I pretty much agree.I am still waiting to see series 5 over here ( it sounds well up to form ), so these are random thoughts to comfort my Houseless state.
I know you think that House's bleak childhood
influences a lot of his behaviour: his father was obviously the sort of bully who believes that real men dont have feelings. Shutting him out in the cold and dark is a powerful metaphore for rejection and an intelligent, sensitive boy would soon decide that rejecting is preferable to being rejected and that has been House's tactic almost all his life.
But when he does let down his guard, when he trusts enough to love, he gives a total commitment and needs it in return ( " you can have a life with me or life with him " )so the failure with Stacy is a devastating blow.
I haven't seen anything of the developing relationship with Cuddy, but I always thought that their Beatrice and Benedict act might end in love. But ,like one of your other correspondents, I fear a happy, sorted-out House would be the end of the show and what am I going to do without House ?!
29 - Carrie
You ask if House has always been this way in his pursuit of love...if we consider his reasons for becoming a cheerleader, I dare say he's been reserved/guarded since college. He chased after a girl, though from the sounds of it, he was too shy to openly ask her out.
So what in House's past caused all of this? It was certainly exacerbated by the Stacy situation later on, but it seems to me that his walls were put up long before he met Stacy.
30 - Alice
Barbara you don't know if House will ever act on those feelings for Cameron, I bet he will. Let's wait one more season :)
31 - barbara barnett
Ah, Alice....you're on! ;)
So much in House's make-up contributes, I think Carrie. We know that his self-esteem issues have been life-long and his outsider status nearly that long. He learned long ago not to seek approval, because he knew he would never get it from his dad, and falling in love and facing possible rejection by exposing yourself to it is seeking approval from the person who means the most to you.
I have no doubt that House is incredibly capable of loving and being loved. But exposing himself like that...
32 - Emily
I don't think any discussion of House in love is complete without some discussion of House's actions towards Wilson. By focusing on Cameron, Stacy, and Cuddy, you're obviously leaving out one of the most important, albeit ambiguous, relationships in the show. Consider the jealousy with which he behaves toward Cuddy in "Who's Your Daddy," "Top Secret," and "House Training." It's nearly identical to the jealousy he demonstrates towards Wilson's love life in "Fools for Love," "Act Your Age," and obviously "Don't Ever Change." Even if you don't slash House/Wilson, and I know you don't, any discussion of House's love life is incomplete without addressing it. Even Kristen on E!Online understands that.
33 - barbara barnett
Emily--agreed. I wrote about them in their own special articles earlier in the season:
A Fine Bromance
and here:House and Wilson in "Dying Changes Everything"
34 - Stagestruck
Hi Barbara - Wow! Again, thank you for your insightful commentary. I was very pleased to see your article featured on the Fox.com/house website. As House would say, "...cool."
So many things about your article to glean from, but only one I want to respond to regarding Cameron: "That's what he saw in Cameron. Yes, he was (and probably still is) attracted to her, but would never act on those feelings. He'd devour her. and he knows it." I inherently agree. Back in season one, where House and Cameron are discussing why people pray, House effectively mentions to her that he will not crush her. Even four seasons later, I do not believe that Cameron has the strength to withstand a completely open (not sure if I'm using the right word) House. Stacy eventually took a powder after round one, and despite a potential go at round two, House knew that she would not be able to handle it, so he saves her the trouble by not going there. Cuddy, who bears incredible inner strength, has time and again absorbed House's emotional blows with intense fortitude. She nails it, when in her office talking to Wilson in Finding Judas, that House holds back so much of what he could do to devastate those who are close to him. That he knows precisely how and where to really hurt if he chooses to. He's never really done that with Cameron and I believe that is due to him knowing, like Stacy, that she wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm increasingly finding that he is unable to help himself with regard to Cuddy, almost like he is pushing her to extremes to see how much she can take and still not abandon him. It appears to me that House is investing an incredible amount of himself in Cuddy, and that a future with her is possible in the long-term, so long as she really understands what she is getting herself into. I think it is truly a heavy and intense burden to be the object of Gregory House's real affection, and I'm still pondering if the payoff will be worth it. It would be so very sad, that even with all of her strength, which she has shown numerous times throughout the seasons, to be invariably crushed by him. I almost think that maybe the PI would be the better option, but I'm watching (as I wince) to see where this will end. Hopefully TPTB will be gentle in the long run. I hope to enjoy the triangular dynamic of the three central characters for many seasons to come.
35 - Isobel
I always love your articles and the intelligent and thoughtful comments from the readers that come with them. So thank you. Eagerly awaiting the Cuddy/House article as I have always felt these two have had something quite special together.
36 - flippet
Wow...it looks like this may be the kind of site I've been looking for! Intelligent, reasoned discussion of psyches and motivations, rather than blinded, squeeing goo. (Don't get me wrong, I like to squee too, but the ability to step back is important.)
Beautiful article. Now that the House/Cuddy thing is ramping up, I've found myself going back to get a better idea of House's relationships with Cameron and Stacy. I only watched haphazardly until late in season 3, so I've missed a lot. I really appreciate the overview of the Stacy relationship--because from what I remember of that, it feels to me much more serious/real than where they're going with Cuddy--I wanted to review things to see if I remembered right.
Two things have jumped out at me here--Luisa said "Cameron liked what was broken in him, not what´s whole, so that was doomed from the start as a long term relationship possibility." That's *exactly* how I feel--perfect description. Although admittedly I've missed some things there, I have never gotten a vibe that says that House feels any kind of real passion for her. It always felt more to me like he was simply going with the flow, because she was there, and she was pushing so hard. A 'why not' kind of reaction, but nothing real and lasting.
JL said, "I've always seen Cuddy's 'want' as 'Prince Charming arrives and sweep her off to the house with the white picket fence and two kids'. I think this links to House's comment that she is 'not happy unless everything is just as it should be' (Season 2).
This is also the type of 'perfect' relationship that the writers have said she will never have with House. And holding out for perfection is what is keeping her miserable."
I'd agree with that, too. And when that's paired with what others have mentioned about House *needing* his alone time, and Stacey feeling alone in the relationship....any successful relationship that House has will have to be incredibly unique. He needs someone who doesn't have perfection in mind...because they ain't gonna get it. He needs someone who can be perfectly satisfied with consistently coming in second, or even further down on occasion--someone who doesn't *need* to have the things that he is unable to give.
Like the jazz player mentioned in DNR--House doesn't have family, friends...all the 'extras' in life, because he has *this*--his work, which is his first passion. It tends to exclude anything else. Any woman who gets House would have to understand that, and be perfectly satisfied with it.
I'm not sure Cuddy is currently up to the task (in a romantic relationship--she gets it fine in friendship--I just think she would 'need' more). And...I don't feel the passion between them that I felt with Stacy. There's a live-wire current, for sure, but it's not quite right. Besides--House needs Cuddy in an entirely different way--he needs the fight from her, it keeps him sharp. He needs to be sharp to do what he does...so if the fight calms down, does it dull his edge? I think he doesn't want to risk that.
Sorry to be so wordy out of the gate! Looking forward to the rest of the article!
37 - Orange450
Barbara, first of all " thank you for Part One. It was everything I was looking forward to and more! Second, I want to say that while I may not always agree with what you write " I absolutely love the way you write it! As Gerry wrote in a comment on her “Last Resort” blog, “we each have our own lenses for the show”, so it stands to reason that different chords will resonate within each of us depending on which of our favorite notes are struck.
Even though I recently emptied my clip on the subject of House and Stacy - as with all endlessly fascinating subjects, there’s always more to add! I hope you’re still planning to revisit the Stacy arc episodes in the not-too-far-distant future, as you mentioned a few weeks ago. I’ll have lots to say then. (You’ve been warned ;-)) Just a few things now.
“Having mistakenly believed that House is simply “too screwed up” to love anyone, she observes House throughout the case. She realizes that House is capable of great love (and selfless love). She (rather cruelly, I thought) tells him, “I’m happy for you,” knowing that House’s love for Stacy (at this point, anyway) is strictly unrequited.”
Honeymoon was the first episode I ever saw " I only started watching during the summer rerun season after S2. So my very first reaction to Cameron had me wondering why the young female doctor was being speaking so cruelly to the older doctor as he stood, obviously in pain, watching the woman he loved snuggling with her husband. Cameron has remained one of the characters that I like the least, and it’s possible that my inauspicious first impression of her is to blame. But I’ve gotten to know her pretty well by now, and I don’t think that House didn’t act on his feelings because he “would devour her”. I think he knew he would lose interest in her long before that happened. IMO, she lacks salt. Stacy and Cuddy both have plenty, and most good curry recipes need a healthy pinch to bring out the flavor.
“In one of the series' most poignant scenes, House desperately tries to erase time and circumstance, trying to walk normally, without the cane. Perhaps if he can, he will be “whole” enough to win back Stacy’s affection. (I think that’s what’s going on in House’s mind here.)”
I must respectfully disagree. Erase time and circumstance? Yes. Be “whole” enough to win back her affection? Emphatically, no. He had to remember Stacy’s heartfelt “it’s just a damned leg”. (I apologize if I’m misunderstanding what you mean by “whole” here.)
“Mark is vanilla and white bread;”
This reminded me of the following quote, from “The Pursuit of Love” by Nancy Mitford: “...Alfred and I are happy, as happy as married people can be. We are in love, we are intellectually and physically suited in every possible way, we rejoice in each other's company, we have no money troubles and three delightful children. And yet, when I consider my life, day by day, hour by hour, it seems to be composed of a series of pin-pricks. Nannies, cooks, the endless drudgery of housekeeping, the nerve-racking noise and boring repetitive conversation of small children (boring in the sense that it bores into one's brain), their absolute incapacity to amuse themselves, their sudden terrifying illnesses, Alfred's not infrequent bouts of moodiness, his invariable complaints at meals about the pudding, the way he will always use my tooth-paste and will always squeeze the tube in the middle. ***These are the components of marriage, the whole-meal bread of life, rough, ordinary but sustaining. Linda had been feeding upon honey-dew, and that is an incomparable diet.***”
Even though I remain ever-hopeful that House and Stacy will somehow be reunited at the end of the series, I do think that House and Cuddy have wonderful chemistry, a very strong friendship and a lot going for them - and they could be good together, too. (After all, Stacy and Cuddy have more similarities than differences " they are both mature, intelligent confident, likeable women who are comfortable in their skin - and House is nothing if not true to type.) House and Cuddy would have to give each other half a chance, though " and right now I don’t think either of them have the requisite skills. It’s one thing to fall in love, and quite another to sustain a relationship. “Leave it alone, Greg.” “Yeah, I’m good at that.” Sort of sums up some of his issues in this area. Looking forward to Part Two!
38 - Ashe
Gah. This is so devastating. Poor House and poor girls who he destroys... Even though, for some reason, I think Cameron and Stacy are both going to come out if it about 30 times better than Cuddy will..
It's the last refuge of the wounded for those two..
39 - KS
First, thanks for the article. Second, my thoughts: I'm a little torn about who I think House should/will end up with... Cuddy or Cameron. I'm one of those people that hasn't been watching since day one. But, by mere happenstance, I caught an episode, got hooked, and went back and got all the DVDs and caught up with the rest online. So now, for better or worse, I've seen four years worth of storylines in, well, an embarassingly shorter amount of time. : ) Now, I'm a very busy person, but, in my spare time, I've been reading and watching lots of interviews to try and understand how the actors, writers, and producers see House and his relationships with other people. Where I land in the whole Huddy vs. Hameron debate, I'm not sure yet.
But to start, I do want to comment on how House responds to, and often hurts, people. Since it's already been mentioned, "Finding Judas": When he hurt Cuddy, he was under a lot of stress/strain because he wasn't on his Vicodin. Also, he lashed out at the whole team during a differential in the same episode. So, I don't know, (at least in my opinion), if he really "chooses" who he's going to hurt, of if they can take it. If he has something to say, he'll say it. Think about his summation of Cameron in "Love Hurts". That was pretty harsh, (albeit perhaps true to some extent). Cameron's also said something to the effect of House just saying what's on his mind. (Pilot episode maybe?) I think she and Cuddy both know that, and personally, I think they can both take it, at least most of the time.
Now what bothers me is that it often seems that Cuddy (and Wilson) try to hold House back, to control him. That may be an acceptable quality in a friend or a boss, but someone closer? I don't know. Cameron seems to take House for who he is, while at the same time, encouraging him to be a "better" person. I think she sees the good in him, the good he does even without her input. (Such as what he did for the hopeful astronaut in "The Right Stuff", which Cameron called him out on.)
To me, I also see that Stacy and Cuddy both knew House before his leg got hurt. Cameron only knew him after it did. So, in his mind, I think he really feels that that's all she sees in him, as he says, a charity case. I disagree. Does she feel for him? Of course. Her character has a heightened sense of empathy. But, Jennifer Morrison's also stated that she thinks Cameron was first attracted to House because of his mind. It just seems to me that there's some huge misunderstanding between the two of them. They're both attracted to each other, but for House to ever act on that, I think he'll need to fully realize her feelings for him. That being said, I think Cameron's been written more "sassy" and independent lately, and I can't help but wonder what House thinks about that. Maybe he'll see her in a different light? Hmmm...
I recently saw an older quote, too, of Hugh Laurie comparing House to the Phantom of the Opera... that he likes Cameron, but he keeps himself hidden away. I think he also said he's aware of "the age gap". About that: Now, this is a discussion I've had several times with different friends, (and not about House). Maybe it's just because I'm a woman, but if there's an age difference, where the guy is older, I don't think that's so weird, (as long as the "girl" is a woman, someone emotionally mature and aware of who she is). It's not necessarily common, but I think if you find someone that you connect with, (as long as it's not some creepy age difference), why not? That's just the way I see it, though.
I still hear the writers, producers, and even actors say they don't know who he'll end up with. I believe that. It definitely seems like nothing is set in stone. I guess I lean a little more towards House/Cameron, but if that's not gonna' happen at the end of the show, then I'd hate to see it be someone other than Cuddy. They both know him too well, and he knows them too. I'm sure the show's going to be on for at least a few more seasons, so I say, "what's the rush"? Sit back and enjoy it! We'll find out who he ends up with soon enough.
40 - Cheryce
I remember the Stacy episodes faintly, but from what I remember, House seems more attracted to Cuddy than Stacy. To me, there has always been some tension between them. I have mixed feelings about them finally being together. I just don't want the show to be like every other show where it loses its audience once the two persons who have interest in one another finally get together. Examples of this fact is "A Different World" (Dwayne and Whitley) and "The Adventures of Louis and Clark" (Louis and Clark/Superman). I hope, that if they do get together, that the writers are able to create the classic House atmosphere that we all know and love. I mean Ally McBeal was always more interesting once she had a man. Maybe, House will be alot better than it is once House and Cuddy gets together.
41 - Melanie
House didn't give up Stacy for fear of pain. He gave it up because he talked to Mark and felt for him. He knew Stacy would feel bad/guilty if the same thing happened to her again (losing the guy pushing her away due to injury, and cheating on her husband). Things were in bad shape, but weren't completely over. House's intentions had Stacy's best interest in mind. He knew how he felt and didn't want to put Mark through that..and he felt he had his chance and wanted to do the best thing for Stacy. In this case, it meant breaking her heart, and his, but the logical decision was that she had a better chance of making things work with Mark.
His love for her was demonstrated by the most selfless thing he could possibly do..taking the blame and breaking her heart so she could live without wondering or feeling guilty.
People think he's a jerk, but he does it for a reason; it's really the best way he can give, because if they hate him they don't try to give back. He did it for Lucy, the mother who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, too; the mother-son relationship was more important than his recognition.
42 - barbara barnett
What a great take, Melanie. And entirely possible, given what we know of his unique sort of nobility. Nice. What I love is the variety of opinion based on interpretation of the characters. Nice comments and analyses, all.
43 - Melanie
KS - I don't believe Hameron would work. House may be attracted to her but can't respect her morality. Especially having had her as an employee, I'm not sure he could overcome the power dynamic to make it work. I think the attraction with Cuddy is related to the power dynamic (Mirror Mirror). Even from the team he says he is always looking for them to stand up to him. Cuddy is not afraid of him and is willing to (attempt to) put him in his place the way no one else can, and I think that drives his attraction.
It does make me worry about a relationship between them...her feelings would probably alter her treatment toward him and he would lose the attraction because she would not seem as strong.
44 - KS
I've read a couple different people's comments (in different places) comparing how Cuddy is with House this season to the way Cameron was with House. One thing I think is kind of funny is that both women are the ones who've pushed for a relationship and for him to open up. Granted, House has shown more of a direct interest in Cuddy, but I still think that's kind of interesting. And, as others have said, (at least up until this point), his reaction has been to pull back. As much as he likes to put up a rough exterior, inside, I really don't think he is. He's hurt, or as he said, "damaged", and I think that drives the way he interacts with people, in any type of relationship.
As I said, I do lean more towards House/Cameron, but I also love the House/Cuddy dynamic. My only hold up is that, even though they both know each other so well, sometimes it feels like it's more of a physical attraction. But, again, I guess we'll have to wait and see! : )
45 - NancyGail
On a slightly different subject:
HL married father of 3. RSL engaged (last time checked). JS & JP are a couple. Do we know anything about the other cast members?
46 - Hanna
Cuddy and House !!! 4-ever
Greetings from Germany
47 - Reenybells
I have just a few thoughts. I do believe the "Huddy" experience will start on the season finale and it will be hot, sexy, steamy and very addicting!!(for at least the start of season 6) Somewhere along the lines though I still see the "Hameron" scenario coming back into play too! I vividly remember a moment that to this very day still lingers. I would be referring to season 3 episode 15 when Cameron tried to get blood from House by tricking him with a kiss. House kissed back! Not only did this surprise her but House was genuinely taken by this kiss too! Although House did play it off you could completely see his fear and desire all in the same moment! I was a bit taken back by this too! The way that episode played out along with the light flirtatiousness in season 4 makes me think the writers are going to throw in some kind of twist later between them two. Just something to ponder on...
48 - Mr. Green
I don't usually reply to a blog, because I usually don't care. Though, I really wanted to say that I enjoyed reading this great summation of the first five seasons of my favorite show. There are definitely multiple layers to the show that are only peeled away after repeat viewing. Also, I would like to respond to those of you who seem to be confused by House's some times erratic methods of courtship. I, like House, tend to keep myself alone. As a matter of fact, I am too much like him. As I watch the show, I can draw many similarities between the way that he reacts around those that he has a crush on and the way that I treat the ladies in my life. I refuse to change, and above all, I will not alter my behavior to please somebody else. In fact, my ex-girlfriend once told me that I purposely push people away due to my stubborn view of the world, and that this would cause me to always be alone. Like Stacy, my ex was the one person who ever got that intimate with me, and she is probably correct. I will probably always be alone. So, like House, if that chance ever arose again for me to reconnect with this particular woman, I probably would for a while, but ultimately, I too would send her packing before going through that level of hurt again. Therefore, I think he was very justified in his behavior. I actually watch that episode and can really connect with it on a special level. Personally, I feel that House, like me, will search but never find what he "wants" even though what he "needs" is right under his nose all along, and I'm fine with that. Happy endings are overrated anyway.
49 - Marty
Hello,
The thing between House and Cameron is not over. We don't give Cameron enough credit. If anyone can bring House to his knees is Cameron. . She is his match. She is intelligent, witty, kind, warm and caring, qualities that scare the heck out of House. House once said to her that she was warm and fuzzy, like Grandma had put her together. What a beautiful child they would make.
50 - barbara barnett
Hi Marty, and welcome (are you the Marty from TWOP?)
None of us know what's in the writers' minds, least of all me :)
So all I can see is...veee shallll seee.
Mr. Green--also welcome (and to all new commenters here!) Glad you took the time to post your posts.
51 - Grace
THANK YOU, Melanie! You said exactly what I believe to be true concerning House and Stacy.
Do you all remember Mark getting out of his wheelchair and trying to climb to House on the stairwell? House knew at that very moment, that he had to give Stacy up again. If you've forgotten that scene, look at it again and you'll see what I mean.
Enjoyed your posts Sue and Sheelagh.
Ok, now for Cuddy and Cameron.
IMHO Cuddy and House should just be very good friends. Love each other, be there for each other, but just as friends. I don't see this relationship going anywhere.
Nor do I see House and Cameron ever in love.
As others have said, he would devour her.
THANKS BARBARA, that was GREAT!!
Happy Holidays and blessings in the New Year!