The season two release of House brings the most sublimely misanthropic medical show to DVD in a hugely improved technical package from season one.
This past season didn't hit the highest highs of the first, which skewed the bell curve with the stunning, Emmy-winning "Three Stories." But the series was even more consistently excellent and took more risks, spiraling its main character into darker places than before, and breaking the usual format more often and more assuredly.
A mesmerizing Hugh Laurie completely inhabits the character of Dr. Gregory House. A cynical idealist, he expects the worst in people, then is disappointed when he's proven right. He's insensitive but not uncompassionate. The most moral character to ever have a drinking, gambling, and hooker problem, and the most likeable character to treat people with such utter disdain, House is as reckless with his patients as he is with himself — though with better cause. He gets the cases no one else can figure out, and each episode revolves around his search for the medical truth, which is usually buried in some personal truth.
That may be the show's formula, but it's not entirely predictable. Plot and character revelations are often as surprising as they are logical. Everybody lies, as House says, and the motive for the lies tends to be the key to the case and to the character.
Even on repeat watching, many of the medical mysteries are still a mystery, because the path to the final diagnosis can be so convoluted, it's difficult to remember the specifics of the journey or the destination. The medical case of the week allows for some terrific guest stars, including LL Cool J ("Acceptance"), Ron Livingston ("TB or not TB"), Cynthia Nixon ("Deception"), and Howard Hesseman ("Sex Kills").
The best episodes use the medical case to illuminate House's character in new ways, explore intriguing ethical issues, and take unexpected turns. But it's the ongoing personal stories that offer the additional hook. Even when they aren't completely cohesive or consistent, they are a reason not to miss a single episode of this hybrid procedural-character study.
Season two delves into House's twisted romantic life, as he alternately repels and pursues ex-love Stacy Warner (Sela Ward). Other longer-term story arcs include the marital troubles of House's friend and emotional interpreter, Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), and tension and changing dynamics among House's team of doctors.
Article comments
1 - Haider
Hi DK an'all!I got no comments on the DVD release,I am only posting here so I know u read this!
I got 2 questions,and that is cz this is the only forum thats somewhat uptodate regarding the house Cast etc!
1)Whats with the blue band aid Hugh Laurie has on cover of Life Magazine dated 9/1/06????
2)Whats House's mid name?Is he like Laurie,using mid name Gregory while first name is lost somewhere?
Will appreciate ur reply!
2 - Diane Kristine
1) I don't know. Maybe he had a cut?
2) I don't know his middle name. I don't think it's been revealed on the show ... which isn't terribly unusual.
3 - Haider
Lol!Deekay,I asked so U wud find this out,cz U r U,otherwise I know its not revealed on the show:P cz I have seen it so many times I know all the cases and punch lines and God KNows what not!
I was just wondering!!!
4 - Haider
Cz,ummmm,U know,u have talked to them all at one time or the other,right!
And I also wanna nkow whats with season one reviews?I wanted to look em up,cz u r the one who got me hooked to the show in the 1st place!
5 - Diane Kristine
You're hilarious! Noooo ... I don't think they would decide on a middle name if they didn't need it for the show. And I'm not exactly hanging out with the writers sipping martinis by the pool every day. I've met two, briefly, and we didn't get into "what's House's middle name" territory. I'm not likely to get the opportunity to meet them in the future and ask, but ... I wouldn't, either. I'm afraid that's even sillier than the "what's the ball on his desk" question and I'm only now getting over therapy for that one.
And sorry, I only started doing the episode reviews in season two - I did a season one DVD review that covers my thoughts on that season in general, but you could check Television Without Pity for season one recaps.
6 - Joan Hunt
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7 - Haider
I have seen it already,and thank God I stopped,and I am not trying to say you are the best Blog Critic,but u Are!If I had stuck to TWP,I wud have long ago stopped watching the show!
I am in Pakistan,and u can imagine how hard it wud be for me to get new episodes when they are still running season1 and that too on a fairly obscure channel with extremely bad transmission...........
So yeah,I was counting on you,lol!
That idea just struck me as I was filling up my forms for USMLE,lol!
And thanx,cz I think I am funny,but nobody really believes it:P
Btw,what are you going to do in this hiatus?If U have time,why not write some detailed reviews on ur fav season1 episodes?Kindly consider this request!