For a man who needs to solve a medical mystery even if the answer can no longer help his patient, a lack of closure might be kryptonite. House has already relinquished his superman status; his unexpected admission of misery to already-dead Amber in the season four finale has cast a shadow across season five. He's tried methadone, psychiatry, and tentative steps towards a relationship with Cuddy, even as he sabotages every opportunity for meaningful change. Then Kutner's suicide and the hallucinations threatened his true superpower — his reason.
Making internal conflict visible can be a challenge for television. House frequently uses CGI effects to allow viewers inside the damaged bodies of patients; it used the reappearance of a dead woman to allow us entrance into the damaged mind of House.
"I think using Amber is a terrific way to highlight House's struggle," said Serani. She pointed out the audience had been as much in the dark as House about the cause of his hallucination: "Is it a grief reaction? Is it a psychotic break? Is she a fundamental side effect from the years of pain medication he has taken?"
The American Psychiatric Association's Stotland more reluctantly accepts that dramatic shows take dramatic license. "I wish they wouldn't, but I have to accept that you don't always get what you want. It's entertainment. That's why people are watching. I'm not about to write to the people who do Monk, for example, and say 'this isn't a completely accurate portrayal.' As long as it's sympathetic. When it's unsympathetic and perpetrates stigma, that's more problematic."
Despite entering deep waters lately, House has managed to plumb them with its characteristic humour. After all, the show is primarily a piece of entertainment. But some of the most resonant viewing experiences occur when entertainment intersects with meaningful issues. With the prevalence of mental health conditions, most audience members can't help but have a profoundly personal reaction to those stories.
More than 25 years later, Serani still grieves for a friend lost to suicide, and I will always regret missing signs prior to the attempted suicide of someone close to me over a decade ago, making the "Simple Explanation" episode of House painfully poignant.
Article comments
1 - Gerry
What a wonderful article, Diane Kristine. Despite some backlash from a few critics, I think the Kutner suicide was a very realistic depiction of what can happen and it's led to a very powerful storyline with House.
2 - Deb
This is such a beautifully written article on a much needed topic.
3 - Phillip Winn
Very nice take on this, Diane. The tone of House has definitely shifted in the last few episodes, but you're right: I'd forgotten how often they've dealt with similar issues over the last few years.
Nobody's normal, so why should our TV be? :-)
4 - Rhoda
Great article, and a great wider exploration of mental illness in the entertainment world. For something that's hard to "show," I think "House" has taken some very interesting steps by using "Amber," as noted. And as a whole the entire series is an entertaining exploration of someone who refuses to fit into the societal norm. (Though I also think "The Social Contract" this season gave us another look at how House understands the implications of his failure to conform, as well as what would happen if he had no censor at all.)
5 - cj_housegirl
A really interesting article Diane. House I think has always tried to portray mental illness with respect. I also know David Shore has said several times that they need to occasionally show House battling his dependence to Vicodin so viewers don't get a sense of disrespect about the consequences of drug abuse. It's a show that has never shied away from tough issues and usually presents them in a different light or narrative than is usually shown in Hollywood. I loved Simple Explanation for this reason. I'm still in love with House after five years.
It's interesting that there seems to be a mental illness "trend" in television though.
6 - Boffle
Excellent article, Diane, and spot on about the depictions of mental illness in media laately. As a long time House fan, I'd say one of the reasons I have stuck with the show is the straight-on depiction of the struggles house goes through in dealing with his life, the reasons for his drug addiction, how his constant pain affects his life, and how hard it is for him and those around him. It's a layered and complicated portrayal that just gets more interesting as it goes on. I've read many comments referring to Kutner's suicide coming out of nowhere as being something that people do go through in real life. Whether or not Kutner's suicide is what sparked House's current crisis, the story line explores the darker side of what people go through and how difficult it is, whether thay are very open about it, as House sometimes is, or completely hide it, as Kutner did.
7 - Diane Kristine
Thanks all. I enjoyed writing this one and it meant a lot to me. Plus I was pleasantly surprised the experts were so positive about what TV's doing with their area of expertise these days. I half expected my own emotional reaction to the House storylines to be balanced with perhaps a more negative take from the experts.
8 - Habitusa
I enjoyed the article, Diane, and it's so comforting to see that you are still a fan of House. I have to admit that I am missing your House reviews which were probably the most intelligent and beautiful pieces of writing about the show. I know you said you wouldn't be writing any more episode reviews, but if next week's finale lives up to its promise, I will be hoping for one from you anyway!
9 - Diane Kristine
Thanks so much Habitusa, what a nice thing to say. The show will always have a place in my heart, but I actually haven't been too thrilled with this season. It's only this last arc that's hooked me emotionally and inspired me to want to write about it. I might do something post-season about my overall thoughts, but I don't think I can go back to episode reviews.
10 - Eve K
Great article! I wrote a comment about the mental health issue in House as NOT so usual in broadcast television, but I was obviously wrong, or right about that it wasn't a trend, but it now is.
I think one of the reasons that I like House is that they keep it real, even with the sense of humour. I guess they will do their research, and now a days with the internet, the audience and especially the advocacy groups are giving feedback at once if somethings not right!
11 - jon_e_7
Yes, Yes, by all means, let's find some meaning in the musings of a quirky actor guy
12 - Diane Kristine
Thanks Eve! I think House has always been unafraid to explore the mental health issue in interesting ways, from House himself being (arguably) depressed, to an episode like Socratic Method.
jon, you get the actor doesn't write the show, right?
13 - weezy
Welcome back Diane. I have been checking your posts to see if the newer episodes of House have 'inspired' you to write again about one of my favorite shows. I appreciate your insights and will continually look for more from you.
14 - Diane Kristine
Thanks Weezy!