The relationship between House and Cuddy has long simmered in House, MD. Is it going to boil over?
“There is not a thin line between love and hate. There is, in fact, a Great Wall of China with armed sentries posted every twenty feet between love and hate.” Dr. Gregory House articulates his feelings vehemently when his best friend Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) asks him in an early season one episode (“Occam’s Razor”), “What’s going on between you and Cuddy?” (Even so early in the series history, Hugh Laurie really nailed the internal struggle still at war within House's heart and soul.)…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Eve
I have been checking this site obsessively since weeks waiting for this to be posted... and now it's here!
Words do not begin to describe what I thought of this article. I want to print it, frame it and hang it on my wall! I agree with everything said. Thank you so much Barbara!!
The House/Cuddy relationship is currently the most interesting relationship on TV, it is so layered and complex that you could write a whole book about it!
I hope the writers realise what a gem they have in their hands with this couple. There are still so many things to explore and develop.
There is enough there to last us until the final season. I would be happy enough with some kind of closure in the end seasons finale (a positive closure of course!)
Although I'm not ready to wait until the seasons finale for another physical encounter between them !!
Please everyone is getting sexually frustrated ! Let them boil over once this season and then let the simmer continue until the soup is ready in the final season ! :-)
For now I'm still enjoying the dance, and hopefully after last episode's introduction of a baby , the dance will continue !
Season 5 has been a fantastic katalysator for the Huddy storyline. After episodes like 'Joy' 'the Itch' and 'Let them eat Cake' the train was full speed ahead.
The viewers were not going to wait any longer for a big pay off so to stop the Huddy story arc in its tracks they needed to bring in a roadblock.. et voilà.. baby !
I understand the writers needed to do something to throw off the recent developments. Cuddy's quest for a baby also needed some closure.
So they killed two birds with one stone.
Who knows how it will continue from now on. Will House start to compete with the baby for her attention? Is he going to back off ?
Honestly I have no clue whatsoever, to me the end scene of 'Joy to the world' was one BIG cliffhanger !
I'm looking forward to the second half of season 5 with excitement, anxiousness and anticipation.
My trust will go to the writers, they haven't disspointed me so far, frustrated me yes, but not disspointed me.
Bring on January 19th !
x
Eve (the Netherlands)
PS.
I can totally picture House/Cuddy's downtime at home.
They can be both reading a newspaper but at the same time argueing about different interpretations of the articles ;-)
I think they will never stop challenging eachother !
27 - j.i.m.
BTM wrote, "Cuddy...holding his hand at the end of 'Wilson's Heart'. The scene at the end of 'Joy to the World' could be interpreted as a mirror image." (In the nursery)
Very nice point, each is preoccupied at strategic moments, first House with Wilson and Amber, and then Cuddy with her new baby.
Fran wrote, "The way House is willing to put his job on the line for her and Cuddy making it clear it's either none of them or both of them leaving really shows the protectiveness and the trust of their relationship."
Yes, and it was done without fanfare, as if this would be the normal course of events.
With the themes of paths to emancipation, family, and home, I've been thinking about the various times House has approached or visited Cuddy's home through the years and vice versa. I came up with the following progression:
S2, "Humpty Dumpty" - House at Cuddy's, illegal entry.
S3, "Meaning" - House outside of Cuddy's bedroom window. No treatment.
S3, "Merry Little Christmas" - First time Cuddy at House's door. Pain all around.
S3, "Insensitive" - House at Cuddy's door. Delicious confrontation.
S3, "Fetal Position" - Cuddy at House's door. Request granted. House enamored.
(So far, illegal entry or outside windows or doors.)
S3, "Half-Wit" - House enters Cuddy's home legally for the first time. (under false pretences) He grabs her bottom with both hands when she offers him a comforting hug. Smiles all around. He takes a few steps toward her bedroom but is deflected.
S4, "House's Head, Wilson's Heart" - Cuddy enters House's home for the first time to babysit. Cuddy at House's bedroom door and sleeping in his living room. House grabs Cuddy's wrist and forces her hand to his neck to verify for her the healthy beat of his heart. This action exactly mirrors the movement of the PotW's husband in the S3 finale, "Human Error", when the husband grabbed House's wrist to show him that his wife's heart still beat. This was an unforgettable moment for House, to find the patient he had toggled to the off position was still very much alive. In HH/WH, House trys to repeat this revelation between Cuddy and him. Now that Cuddy has slept in his home, he wants to wake her up to the fact of his emotional vitality.
As Season 5 continues, House repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, tries to show Cuddy his human side in various indirect ways.
Finally, in "Joy", the kiss in the hallway of Cuddy's home makes House's human side passionately obvious. And her bedroom glows at the end of the hallway.
In "Itch", House never makes it to Cuddy's doorbell. And Cuddy seems more untouchable than ever.
In "Let Them Eat Cake", the boob grab in the office and the presence of the other woman there reverses but doesn't erase the kiss at Cuddy's home.
Perhaps the final scenes of this arc being conducted in the office was a foreshadowing of its temporary failure.
28 - Tyson
A lot of reference has been made to (what should have been the final scene) of 'Joy to the World' in which Cuddy's baby wishes are granted. The way i see that scene is that House is proud of Cuddy. He glances at the baby, and watch Houses face, a smile begins to shine, and it appears that genuine happiness sets in. This face is seen numerous times, specifically when House's diagnosis of the POTW is complete and ends well. There's a satisfaction. I bring this up because, imo, House is satisfied with the current direction his relationship with Cuddy is taken. I know a lot of people think that House has given up - but there's something about his face, something that indicates his pride and happiness for Cuddy. The baby has been one of the biggest catalysts for Huddy ever since he began injecting her in Season Two. (Speaking of those injections, I would say that scene - I can't remember the name of the ep sorry - is the most sexually intense moment that Huddy has had. More so than the kiss)
Now that the baby is here, Chapter 2 begins of the saga. I think EVE is on the right idea - despite House's pride and actual happiness for Cuddy's new found Joy (pun intended), House will begin to develop ways to grab her attention. He won't give up. The way the scene in 'Joy to the World' played out to me is House accepts the baby will forever be a part of her life - and he can handle that. House defeated = House deflecting, or hiding. He wishes Cuddy a Merry Christmas, and he smiles. Plenty more fun to come :)
29 - barbara barnett
I agree that the baby provides some interesting new material to work with for all the characters without harming the overall storytelling.
House is always going to be House (the character and the show). He's going to be prickly and intense and dark; sarcastic and blunt. I don't think he's going to change (much, anyway). But also don't think House will become a "romantic comedy." Or even soap operatic.
I really like the tension between House and Cuddy and always have. I don't really want it resolved, and if they do get together (even if only briefly) it should (IMHO)create even more tension after the fact--like the kiss did.
I really quite trust the writers with regard to House and Cuddy.
30 - Stagestruck
Excellent as always! I have absolutely nothing to add other than my heartfelt thanks. Well, maybe one thing...after watching JTTW, I felt like I'd been punched. It was kind of, oh I don't know, weird? After reading your reviews I'm feeling a bit better now! Perhaps you've given the Byronic/romantic fool that I am, a little hope for this relationship. I sometimes feel I'm not smart enough to watch this show, especially when people start comparing episodes with Puccini operas. I'm fairly well educated, but that's taking it to a whole dimension I don't even want to fathom. I really enjoy your insights in the same way I enjoy the commentaries and introductions of my favorite Dickens, Scott, Austen and Bronte (especially Bronte) novels. I'm so very glad you do this, and encourage you to please continue. You are very much appreciated!
Cheers,
Stage
31 - blacktop
Another excellent overview, Barbara. You have captured most of the highlights of this most intricate dance. As Sera noted above, I have written since "Half-Wit" that the relationship between House and Cuddy represents a wierd and compelling portrait of a unique marriage. The strange domesticity of House's visits to Cuddy's home stand out for me: House sweaty and seized with a new diagnosis at her bedroom window in "Meaning," House similarly enthralled with a medical solution in "Half-Wit" and devouring all the energy in Cuddy's living room to convey his excitement. House finds in Cuddy a kind of solace and intellectual anchoring that is essential to his diagnostic process. She literally grounds him (as well as floors him, heh).
I think that an additional layer of wierdness for this relationship is the maternal nature of Cuddy's protective drive toward House. A dominant theme of all their interactions is that Cuddy has literally and figuratively given life to House repeatedly. She re-started his heart in "Three Stories" at the time of the infarction and authorized the life-saving operation that left him crippled. Cuddy rescued House's career by creating for him the job at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, a move that I believe saved his actual life as well. Cuddy saved House's professional life again by defeating Vogler and then Tritter. Certainly his very existence would have been jeopardized by any extended jail time on the trumped up drug charges. Cuddy saved House by approving the ketamine treatments that temporarily gave him back his painfree mobility.
The deeply sensuous moment of the mouth-to-mouth resusitation in "House's Head" beautifully visualized the dual nature of this aspect of their relationship: Cuddy is the life-giver whose touch is simultaneously maternal and sexual.
So where do they go from here? I don't know of course. But I am certain that the intensity and quirky nature of House's relationship with Cuddy will continue to play a prominent role in future episodes of this great show. They share history, admiration, respect, sexual attraction, and an abiding affection. If this isn't love, then what is? The advent of a baby roils the waters for sure, but doesn't sink the ship.
32 - Jackie R.
Barbara, thank you so much for your spot-on assessment of the Huddy dynamic! After watching "Joy To the World," I was so depressed that I was unable to watch ANY House episodes for days. When I was finally able to watch "JTTW" again, I became more confident than ever that "Huddy" is unstoppable! Here's what blew me away, my own "Aha!" moment: Cuddy strongly identified with the POTW, surely because she had had similar experiences. Though she was at first unaware that the POTW had given birth, something about this girl resonated with her. Cuddy became so very upset when she heard the girl's story of how she was treated by her peers, especially Simon, that I found myself wondering just how much Cuddy and the girl had in common. Did a boy once get Cuddy "in trouble?" I am now of the opinion that Cuddy had either had a child and gave it up, or perhaps had an abortion, and she is desperately trying to make up for whatever it is she feels guilty about. If this is the case, it might explain why she went alone to the abandoned house, trying to right a wrong, and so clearly emotionally raw. Does "new baby" equal "atonement" to Cuddy? It seems that both the POTW and Cuddy had to grow up too fast, and felt very much alone.
One night, House gave Cuddy "everything she wanted." Could that have included a child? This long-shot possibility could explain so much, and add another interesting dimension to their relationship. I could go on for days, citing clues from past episodes- but as I may be completely off-base, I'll await everyone's thoughts!
33 - Eve K
j.i.m - about being in each other apartments -
Fun fact (I think):
When Cuddy is in House's apartment in "House's Head" she says she will sleep in a chair with a shotgun in her lap. Here she is referring to the John Wayne movie "Rio Bravo" where the female lead is protecting Wayne from the bad guys without him knowing, sitting in a rocking chair with a shotgun in her lap, when he sleeps in his room upstairs. In the middle of the night he finds her sleeping and carry her up the stairs to her (or his) room, this we never find out. It turns out she is very much in love with him, and vice versa. So why did Cuddy mention that ?(-:
34 - Heather
Fantastic article!
As to the future of these two characters, I am of the opinion that while there will always be something there underneath the surface (that can't be taken away no matter how many hookers she catches in his office) I think in light of House's inability to tell her how he feels, and her new preoccupation with this child, for now they are done. Though I know that they will come back to each other eventually. When they are ready.
35 - Val
Once again you don't disappoint me. Great inights to Huddy and I agree with every one...thanks Barbara!
I began watching House during the holiday hiatus of season 3 (wow, two years ago already...)and immediately liked the House/Cuddy pairing. Their mutual respect and admiration of each other so apparent, her wilingness to go to great lengths to protect him, and the way his demeanor altered in her prescence. Catching up on season 1 and 2 only accentuated the fact that these two people meant something to each other.
One scene that was very telling and important to me for House and Cuddy was "Need to Know" in season 2. I've watched the episode and scene many times and feel that though it was a big episode in the Stacy arc (the ramifications of another kiss and ultimately House letting her go) there was a Huddy moment.
--------------------------- (cut/pasted from twizTV)
[Cuddy's office]
Cuddy: You can't cancel the surgery.
House: If she goes off the pill, the tumor goes away on its own.
Cuddy: YOu ahve no proof the birth control pills caused this, you have no proof she's even taking them.
HOuse: "Well if we do the surgery, maybe we'll kill her on the table. Then I can prove I'm right at the autopsy.
Cuddy: Or, we can forget the surgery, let the tumor grow, and kill her.
House: Why don't you take it up with Stacy? See which option minimizes your risk.
Cuddy: Here's what I think she's gonna say. Oh, I love Greg. But if you go against a patient's wishes, you're calling her a liar. And if something goes wrong, I end up in court haivng to defend the big mean doctor, albeit with dreamy eyes, would wouldn't believe the nice suburban mom. And even though his cane makes me melt, do the damn surgery.
I adore the rant from Cuddy. She appeared to be mocking Stacy, but I believe she was closer to expressing her own sentiments (just as House often speaks about himself through his patients). Laurie and Edelstein, once again, pulled off that scene wonderfully. House's reaction (via Laurie of course) after Cuddy's "Oh I love Greg" was filled with surprise and amusement, as if he was hearing a declaration of love for the first time. In that moment, I think House saw the possibility of a relationship with Cuddy, and this reveal played a bit (not huge) part in his ultimate decision to let Stacy go. This scene is definitely worth another look, if it hasn't been viewed in awhile.
I have faith in Shore and Company to take Huddy in the appropriate direction. I can also picture House and Cuddy in some domestic...very humerous domestic...scenes. As I've mentioned, I hope the end of the series will not find House alone...with Cuddy in some way is preferable. I don't expect, nor would want it to be an easy route; the series and character, wouldn't be House if it was.
Jan 19 can't arrive soon enough!
36 - j.i.m.
Eve K,
This is a very fun fact, "...she (Cuddy) is referring to the John Wayne movie "Rio Bravo"..."
Thank you for the connection. So Cuddy slept by House's side twice to protect him in the Season 4 finales.
Now I'd like to see some of House protecting Cuddy and her baby.
37 - Luisa Borges
Barbara, I adored the article, was really looking forward to it and now I´m printing it out, so I can have your comments close by as I go through House episodes in my vacation.
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments. And thanks for the dialogue transcripts (Quin and Val), the episode time line (j.i.m.) and the Rio Bravo connection (Eve K.). Lots of things to think about.
I agree that there´s more great things to explore, and more to come, on the House / Cuddy front. Their relationship is one the great things on the show, because of the zest and skin deep attraction between. That coupled with their professional relationship makes for great dialogues and plenty of tension (hey I was a Moonlighting fan, so sexual tension and snappy dialogues are my cup of tea). And to have that in the most inteligent medical show ever (another great passion of mine), well that´s just perfect.
I´ve been increasingly more curious about the specifics of House and Cuddy´s shared past history. The whole desk thing, the fact that he called her mother to get it, it really had me wondering. Then there is the fact that he played a prank on her with her old desk in "Last Resort" and in again in "Joy" he goes into her office and drops the lamp from her desk while saying that her daugther´s boyfriend would like to do it on the desk. Wonder if that particular desk he gave her could have some special meaning regarding their past.
Another thing, their kiss was passionate, needy, full of hunger and yet, it left me switching between two ideas: either it was the first kiss they ever shared (full of pent up feelings and longings) or it was their fisrt kiss after many many years (although to me it didn´t feel like a familiar kiss, like his with Stacy felt).
I really can´t wait to see how the baby thing will play out, how House will go about it, and how his relationship with Cuddy will unfold. And I do agree with Barbara in trusting the writers to deliver something interesting, very housian and great to watch regarding them. January won´t come soon enough for me.
38 - Orange450
Eve wrote:
"P.S.
I can totally picture House/Cuddy's downtime at home.
They can be both reading a newspaper but at the same time argueing about different interpretations of the articles ;-)
I think they will never stop challenging eachother !"
Nice one, Eve! I can picture that too :-)
39 - Figgie125
I'm so thankful that I found this other universe, where discussions on my favorite show abound. I'll be reading and rereading all of your blogs on House before I even attempt to respond! I can tell I'm in for a real treat. This one was so well written! -- A New Fan...
40 - JL
House and Cuddy in Downtime moments for Orange
(I agree, there aren't many)
The two I think of particularly are:
'Ugly' (Season 4) where House and Cuddy are in her office watching the documentary together.
And 'Act your age' (Season 3) where they are on the balcony watching the patients leave.
These two moments spring to mind because the two of them are simply hanging out together, rather than sparring.
41 - Orange450
Thank you, JL! You're right, those are great downtime moments. I loved those scenes!
OK, so maybe I have to readjust my ideas a little :-)
42 - Edwin Castro
Oh, it's finally here! I just recently discovered this site and I am so glad I did. I just finished reading part 2 of House in Love. I have to put my two cents in because the realtionship between House and Cuddy stirs up powerful arguments between me and my best friend who are addicted the show. I believe that Hosue's relationship with Stacy was so passionate that when they broke up after he had his infarction, he couldn't allow himself to expose his heart again. House puts up an excellent front about not caring for people and for the most part, that's true. But when it comes to someone who has already "gotten" to him, be it a patient or one of his employees, he is willing to go to the limit for them. His defenses come down. This is a man whose method of working depends on his objectivity. Remember how...cautious House was when Foreman was ill in Euphoria? Look at what he was willing to do for Wilson during the House's Head/Wilson's Heart 2 parter. This a man who feels and deeply. That scares him. And who is one of the few people that can break past his defense besides Wilson? Cuddy. Watching them onscreen is just fun. These are two people that know the effect they have on the other. Cuddy denies having feelings for House but she has definetly thought about it. House has too and not just sexually. She challenges him mentally and physically. House would date someone who's an idiot for a while but sooner or later he would get bored. Other than Stacy, we don't know if House had any other previous relationships but what we can tell from his relationship with Stacy is that he does like strong women who will stand up to him. Cuddy does that in spades. Cuddy is willing to say No to him. She doesn't say it often but she does. House may never come out and say it but of course he wants Cuddy. The eternal question in his mind is would she want me? House has less than no self confidence in himself unless it has to do with medicine. There, medicine follows a certain order, a certain logic that messy human relationships just don't. He can make brilliant insights into other people's motives but never into his own. Relationships, dating are all somewhat illogical to someone who believes in logic and rationality above all else. House is aware enough that he's damaged. It's that question in his mind would she want me? Even though he's relatively sure that she's interested in him, to actually take a step forward and attempt to pursue it, is something that terrifies him. When Wilson was saying to Cameron in Love Hurts "if he opens up and he gets hurt again... I don't think there'll be a next time" to me that was the encapsulation not only of House and Stacy's relationship but of any potential future one with Cuddy or any woman. That's what makes the interplay between House and Cuddy so compelling at least for me. I have to know if House can actually take that step forward. I think Cuddy truly wants something more with House, she just may not want to admit it even to herself. But hey, this is just one guy's opinion. Agree or disagree with it.
43 - Melissa
I love this, thank you!
I wanted to add another of my favorite House/Cuddy scenes, from "Games". After she confronts him about why he fired Amber and Thirteen, House tells her that he was just listening to her advice...and of course she only told him that because she thought he would do the opposite of what she said. So she tells him to hire Thirteen too and as she is walking away, we see him looking at her so intently. He knows she's about to realize that this was his plan all along, and that he had duped her. He won this round. But he's thrilled to play the game with her, and he considers her a worthy opponent.
The expression on HL's face as he stares at her walking away is priceless - a mixture of amusement, affection, anticipation, respect and intimacy. He knows she's about to turn around and call him on it, and she does. And he's thrilled. She then says to him that she's glad the games are over, and he replies "how long have you known me?". He has no intention of stopping their dance, and neither does she, and they both know that they revel in it.
This interaction is so characteristic of their relationship. There's so much intimacy there. They know each other so thoroughly, which draws them together and pushes them apart. They can't hide from one another, there's no pretense. And of course, that's terrifying.
I am a little nervous about the baby storyline. Their relationship is probably my favorite aspect of this show, and I want to see it evolve and play out. There's such great fodder there for emotionally charged scenes as well as humorous ones. These two are so heartbreaking. I've never seen such a fascinating couple on tv. I want to see them try a real relationship in all of its dysfunctional glory. I really don't see either one of them with anyone else.
44 - Timeturner
hi Ms Barnett,
I am a big fan of your articles and 'House in love' is my favourite so far.
Please keep writing...it will help us all get through the (extremely) long wait. :)
Merry Christmas!!
45 - barbara barnett
I also enjoy those moments of "downtime" and quiet.
The folks at FOX official site have featured this article on the homepage. Along with lots of other interesting things, including videos, etc.
46 - Luisa Borges
Barbara, Great news, means even more people will have the change to read your wonderful article and savor your insights into the House / Cuddy relationship!
Hurray!!!
BTW, great stuff about the "downtime": Eve, Orange450 and JL.
47 - Fernanda Allendes
I really love reading yours reviews & reader comments.
I just want to add something else about the relationship between House & Cuddy.
One thing I love about their connection is that even it reaches an unconscious level, how some actions of both match, for example, when they are thinking or worried, both House & Cuddy play with a rubber band and probably without knowledge that the other does the same.
(I apologize if you can't understand something, I'm not native speaker)
& Happy Holidays everyone!
48 - Larz
Honestly as two animals in the wild seek out and find appropriate mates so goes the Cuddy House relationship.
As wierd as this lone opinion might be I honestly think that HOUSE is trying to MATE with CUDDY (As in have babies with).
She is everything he could ever want or need: brains, beauty, constant conflict... It's a long list but he is very territorial with her and didn't seem so much to have a problem with her having a baby as much as her having someone elses baby. (wierd huh) but that is just what I get from the episodes I've watched.
49 - Sera G
Hello All!
Just a few random observations:
1. Reading everyone's thoughtful and introspective comments makes me appreciate the show even more. It is almost as if we are discussing a great novel; deep, so many points of view and characters who truly 'live' for us.
2. Recalling favorite moments involving House and Cuddy clarified for me how cleverly the writers have involved us and revealed tiny moments that add up the the huge sum of their relationship. (Past, present and future.)
3. Someone posted...I am sorry I can't find it to give them credit, how much FUN this show and the Huddy relationship is. That is part of what hooked me from the beginning. Yes we laugh at what House gets away with saying (what we might only think) but the crazy bantering/bickering and one upsmanship with Cuddy is laugh out loud funny!
They revel in it and so do we.
4. It is fun to read comments from new posters.
(Look at me...old timer...I've only writing since October!) It is like we are part of a wonderful club.
Thank you, again, Barbara for providing this opportunity and safe place for us all to indulge our House Addiction.
50 - Sera G
Sorry, one more:
blacktop pot #31-you put it so beautifully:
"They share history, admiration, respect, sexual attraction and an abiding affection. If that isn't love, what is?"
Are you paying attention writers and Mr. Shore?
51 - Louise
Barbara, you selected scenes for your article that really pull gave the entire prism of this rather complex relationship between two of my all time favorite characters. Thank you.
After reading all these comments and responses, people have convinced me that this relationship could move forward without putting a whammy on the series. (Oh, I love this pairing--just know the writers have to be very careful.) Here' my thought: House is great with children. They "get him" as a honest, kindred spirit right away. Baby Cuddy offers a great opportunity for some great scenes. Oh yeah!
52 - j.i.m.
Melissa, Brava for all of it and especially, "But he's thrilled to play the game with her...and they both know that they revel in it."
Wonderful. That is one of my favorite House and Cuddy moments too. It does raise the question if House can learn to circumscribe himself in these games or cases so that they don't expand out of control and into undue burdens for Cuddy, as sometimes happens. But delightfully not in the case of "Games".
Edwin wrote, "The eternal question in his mind is would she want me? But hey, this is just one guy's opinion."
Thanks for your opinion. Its good to know how guys view this couple. My husband doesn't watch. I imagine House's perspective of zero self-worth in his ability to inspire love means that the calamitous boob grab in LTEC was House escalating the 'game' and oblivious to Cuddy's romantic willingness. That would fit with his comment to Taub about 'being required to play 20 questions when he should just tell him the answer'. Translated, he wishes Cuddy would have just told him that she wants a relationship instead of playing a game that he misconstrued as 'same procedure as last time' (the kiss being an anomaly of vulnerability).
This also fits with House continuing to try and engage Cuddy in the game in JTTW. He now knows her game was meant to lead to something serious and he is ready to play it to the end. Eventhough, as Barbara interprets, he's not sure Cuddy wants him for the right reasons or if he could make her happy.
But it turns out that she has changed (because she saw the other woman) and that door is closed for the present. He hopefully concludes that her unwillingness to play is simply 'hurt feelings' about the boob grab and predicts a two week healing period. He slowly realizes he is wrong about the simplicity of the problem and that he would have to do more than wait two weeks when Cuddy's baby arrives. We don't know what he would have done if the baby hadn't arrived, but if Barbara is right, nothing. It's almost like watching a man walk a tight rope and he keeps turning around and heading in the opposite direction.
I like Edwin's "lack of self-worth" explanation from House's point of view, that he thinks Cuddy couldn't possibly want him in a serious relationship when she is in her right mind and not 'emotionally vulnerable'. Included in this explanantion is Barbara's notion that because House believes he is not what Cuddy really wants and he would have a damaging effect on Cuddy (no self-worth for his ability to give love either) he decides to protect Cuddy from herself and him. And perhaps House is right. Neither is ripe for a real relationship with one another at present.
53 - Sally
I'm sorry to say, but to me House and Cuddy still should not be more than just friends. And to me it's awful how ridiculously desperate the writers made the formerly so strong character Cuddy look like. She knows House long enough, she knows that it's most likely that House will push her away, because (and I'm quoting here) "love is a risk he can't take". And still she corners him. And imo they are more like brother and sister, they sort of love each other but at the same time kind of hate each other.
I'm happy that Cuddy finally has the baby she always wanted, and I dearly hope that the writers will stop forcing Huddy into something it shouldn't develop into.
And one more thing: "I can totally picture House/Cuddy's downtime at home..." If you really want to see THAT on the show, I'd say House is the wrong show for you.
I'll never get how anyone who watches the show just because of Huddy ever liked the former seasons, especially 1 to 3 - which are the seasons that made House as successful as it is. I watch the show ever since the pilot and Huddy is the last thing why I watch the show (on the contrary I do not want to see a Huddy relationship, as I mentioned above).
54 - Eve
I applaud your courage for commenting this!
All comments posted before you were 100% positive regarding the Cuddy/House storyline.
I guess you are in a minority here but every opinion is respected.
First of all I don't think anyone here is waiting to see 'downtime' on House MD.
I, for one, was just speculating/fantasizing.
If you watch the show for pure medical reasons then I'm sure there are great shows for that on the Discovery Channel.
I personally also like the human side to it, the character development and relationship dynamics.
House will never turn into a soap opera, I'm sure the writers would not allow that and they shouldn't.
'they are more like brother and sister'
I can't even begin to say how wrong you are on this.
I understand you don't like the coupling but to compare it to a siblingrelationship is incomprehensible.
oh yes and I just wanted to quote David Shore:
'if House can have a relationship with ANYONE, it's Cuddy'
55 - Dany
I have to agree with Sally. As much as I understand the need and desire of the writers to include this story arc (it must be great fun to write the sarky dialogue for House and Cuddy), I find myself a little repelled by the idea of the two of them ever actually getting together. The dynamic that makes them both what they are would be irretrievable.
I'm far more excited at the idea of Cuddy as a mother than I ever have been as the idea of her as a girlfriend or wife (of anyone, but especially House). Being a mother makes her a stronger character. Being the girlfriend of a dominant House can only make her weaker, even if she pulled out all the stops not to play second fiddle. I'm hoping that the baby story effectively ends the Huddy adventure, while still allowing us to explore the concept of House as a father figure.
56 - Cate Malone
I don't think the Huddy arc is over by any means, and it is going to be interesting to see where it goes, however, I hope the writer's give House more screen time...and never forget the show is about HIM, not the ducklings!!! I can totally see them together. I don't think House will change with Cuddy, she doesn't expect change and loves him for who he is, 'cuz let's face it, if House changes, and turns in to a loving sweetie, the show is over.
57 - Kate
This is my first time posting, but I just loved this article. I loved the commenter that noticed that they both have some similar habits (like playing with rubber bands, etc.). I had noticed the same thing and had also noticed that every time the writers show House in bed, he is on the left side of the bed and every time they show Cuddy in bed, she is on the right side of the bed.
58 - Manu
Yet another fantastic review. You are one talented lady, Barbara.
House and Cuddy's relationship is fascinating. To me is one of the most important aspects of the show, along with House's relationship with Wilson. There is no denying that. These two are without a doubt the most important people in House's life.
Having watched the show since it's very first day, I admit I am flabbergasted whenever a person implies that for one to come to enjoy House and Cuddy's relationship as it is, they must have missed former seasons. Um, sorry, but you couldn't be more wrong.
People are well aware of the fact House and Cuddy might never be long term - if they ever attempt to start a relationship, that is. We're not asking for a marriage, kids and a white picket fence, here. I personally find it insulting when "non-shippers" not only believe people would want this, but actually fear the show might be taking route.
People appreciate their flirty/banter/romantic interaction for several different reasons. The journey has taught us that their relationship is anything but conventional and will remain unconventional until the very end of the series. To me, THAT is the appeal. I'm not a fan of the black or white thing, I've always been attracted to gray - I'm a very hard girl to please. And when it comes to the show, specially in regards to House and Cuddy's relationship, I couldn't be more pleased.
59 - barbara barnett
Welcome to any and all new readers!
Thanks also for all of your very kind comments.
I remember back in the X-Files days (the only other television addiction I harbored as an adult) and the discussions between the "no-romos" and the "UST" faction and "RST" faction.
I was firmly in the UST faction, but not everyone saw the UST between Mulder and Scully (UST is "unresolved sexual tension") Chris Carter teased everyone for years, with the ultimate tease being the "almost kiss" in the XF movie (which came out after the series' fifth season). Chris Carter (practically up to the end of the fourth season) insisted that there was "nothing between" the two central characters. They were professional colleagues and partners, and he had never intended to have them be romantically attracted to each other.
But television characters (more than film or literary characters) can take on a life of their own, no matter what the intentions of the creator. I think that's what's happened with House and Cuddy. I don't think that David Shore originally had any intention of having House and Cuddy even consider each other romantically. I think it just "happened" as it so often does.
Do I want House and Cuddy to resolve the exquisite tension between them? As long as the tease doesn't become the focus (as can), I'd rather see the two of them struggle with their emotions and their attraction. Of course they can impulsively act on their feelings and then suffer the emotional consequences afterward.
In any event, I don't think that whatever happens, House will become a puppies and babies sort of guy.
I think one of the attractions of House is to watch his struggle (with pretty much everything except his intellect) day to day.
60 - nicole.o
I comppletely agree with you Barbara that the tension and conflict is what makes their relationship exciting, but if the writers keep building up the sexual tension and never give any release that is just mean! You can't drag us along, get us so invested, and then drop it without any resolution. I'm not saying long term relationship, but at the very least another passionate kiss. =)
61 - barbara barnett
Nicole--I don't think they'll drop it. They may weave it into the fabric of the show as a whole, but I don't think they'll drop it. Will there be some real resolution to their feelings for each other? As in real life, who knows? I really like the way they're dealing with this. The push forward and pull back is very realistic--especially with people of their age. (Of which I'm one).
62 - JL
Barbara, here's my issue with the 'resolution' side of things:
You've frequently compared this storyline to that of a novel. But, when reading a novel, the reader feels able to invest emotionally in the story and the characters, knowing that the writer always had an endpoint in view and that some sort of resolution will be achieved (even if it's not what the reader may have wanted).
I believe it's one reason J.K.Rowling had such success with the Harry Potter series. With several books to go, I frequently heard people noting that she'd already written the FINAL chapter. I think it made readers feel secure that the journey was going somewhere definite, and so they were prepared to jump on for the ride.
I'd never understood the bitterness of House/Cameron shippers until I went back and read all the old spoilers for House, M.D. They were given reason to believe that the romance would be going somewhere and so they were prepared to invest emotionally. Understandably, they now feel somewhat cheated.
I'm in two minds.
I love the fact that the House/Cuddy relationship has arisen out of the writers going along with the chemistry right in front of their noses (I'll join the quoting trend here - I liked David Shore saying that, when it came to Lisa Edelstein and Hugh Laurie, "I can't seem to write anything that ISN'T sexual..."). And I enjoy the fact that, becasue it wasn't planned, there's still uncertainty as to how it will play out. It makes this relationship more ... real, somehow.
EXCEPT...
Often, when discussing this relationship, people mention, 'in the last series' or 'in the final episode'. They express a great need for ultimate resolution (whether it plays out the way they prefer, or not). But how can this occur? I gather the writers still don't know where the show is going... which has been fine so far. But in the long term, how can that lead to any satisfactory conclusion?
Will the team decide, at some point, where they're going? I want to know it's safe to engage...
63 - JenTheWriter
Very fascinating and beautiful article. It really looked into the depths of House and it was easier "getting to know him". I love the character of House (and personally know someone with the same kind of personality) and I hold a special kind of hope that House can eventually break down the barriers he has had erected for so long and take a chance on love again.
I would have to say, I think he's beginning to openly show Cuddy his feelings with out consciously realizing he's doing it. He knew there would aftermath after producing her college desk for her office remodel. It was a sweet and tender gesture, so polar opposite from grabbing her boob earlier instead of kissing her like she wanted.
I think the desk reveal is one of my favorite "Huddy" moments. That and the hints that they had some kind of past together pre-Stacy. That and the episode where Cuddy and House kept playing tricks on each other (Cuddy switching House's vicodin for laxatives, etc) and House makes the comment to Foreman that he's done something to Cuddy's birth control. And in another episode House says something (which escapes me) and Foreman turns to House and asks, "What does this have to do with your sleeping with Cuddy?" Or something to that effect. I love those little hidden moments where the writers are hinting about their past together and that they might even being doing a little something-something still.
64 - j.i.m.
blacktop wrote, "The strange domesticity of House's visits to Cuddy's home stand out for me: House sweaty and seized with a new diagnosis at her bedroom window in "Meaning," House similarly enthralled with a medical solution in "Half-Wit" and devouring all the energy in Cuddy's living room to convey his excitement. House finds in Cuddy a kind of solace and intellectual anchoring that is essential to his diagnostic process. She literally grounds him (as well as floors him, heh)."
Thank you for filling in the details of these two 'House Calls' at Cuddy's home so beautifully. I didn't have space in my 'home visit progression' to include all that I wished.
65 - operahouse
I realize this is a Huddy fest, but I feel the need to add a differing opinion. I don't think that House loves Cuddy. He loved Stacy, and he loves Wilson. He might've loved Cate, had she stuck around longer. I don't even see he and Cuddy as friends ... when have we ever seen that? He thinks she has an attractive body, and she's his boss (one that he disobeys and disrespects more often than not). They have been pushing this ship since the middle of S3, and especially lately. But it's forced and contrived (they had to write several storylines a certain way so that Cuddy would be the only one "there" for him), and it's not working. I think that Let Them Eat Cake was the beginning of the end, and Joy to the World was the end of it, thank goodness. As for House trusting someone with his life, he's trusted Wilson, and he's trusted Amber (97 Seconds). I just wonder how you would feel, Barbara, being in a relationship in which someone has no problem verbally and emotionally abusing you ... alone or in front of anyone who happens to be there ... including hospital employees. How would you like someone kicking you when you're down? How would you like to commit perjury for someone and not even receive a simple "thank you?" And why has Cuddy been the one to ask, "Do you like me, House?" and "Do you want a relationship with me, House?" When it comes to House, Cuddy lost all her self-respect years ago. There's no way she could be with him now and keep an ounce of self-worth. Belittling someone -- and sometimes trampling on someone -- is not a dance. It's abuse. I'm sorry for any women watching this show who can't tell the difference.
66 - Manu
Well, to each their own, operahouse. I, on the other hand, am sorry for any woman who takes everything at face value, never bothering to dig deeper - that's usually where the real beauty is.
We're all entitled to our opinions, even if they are not popular ones. Katie Jacobs have recently referred to House and Cuddy's relationship as "the most real love relationship on TV". Now, if you don't believe it is love as you believe it is an abusive relationship, it is a matter of interpretation, not an actual fact.
67 - TJ
Remember at the end of one of the episodes I believe is was the baby epidemic episode I am not sure though House is sitting at his piano and he plays the lullaby, which may indicate his want to be a father. But, his shyness and social awkwardness may prevent him from directly saying it. so this may be the beginning of the Cuddy house relationship.
68 - JL
operahouse, you are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
However, I note that you state 'House loves Wilson'.
Surely the exact same issues you express regarding House's 'abuse' of Cuddy apply to his relationship with Wilson. House is just as ready to 'belittle' or 'trample' on Wilson in public or private, nor did he ever thank Wilson for standing up for him to Vogler or to Tritter.
Yet I do not believe that you are accusing Wilson of having lost all self-respect in regarding their relationship as 'friendship'.
I think it's likely that you are interpreting Wilson as recognising House's actions towards him as having love underneath, even though they could just as readily be interpreted as 'abusive'.
And I'd put it to you that that is precisely how Cuddy's relationship with House can be interpreted, too.
69 - Orange450
Barbara wrote:
“The push forward and pull back is very realistic--especially with people of their age. (Of which I'm one).”
Barbara, it’s interesting that you say this. I’m their age too (well, I’m just a little older than House), and even though I enjoy their tension as much as anyone, certain aspects of their interaction sometimes make me think that they’re getting too old to be acting like such kids. I find that one of the compensations for getting a bit more mature (notice I was careful not to say “older” :-)) is that one often learns how to do this relationship-forging stuff " navigating the shoals and the deeps " a little better than one used to. Especially with people that one has known for a long time. Now granted, both House and Cuddy suffer from their own respective cases of arrested development in this area, so I would agree that their push forward/pull back is typical of that. But in general, by their age bracket (House is pushing fifty!), I think it’s more typical to see a growing comfort with one’s self, a growing awareness of what makes one’s self tick, and a correspondingly increased ease with other people. Along with a greater inclination to turn UST into RST without as much ado.
On the other hand, I think that Cuddy’s maternal yearning " in a woman of her age " is beautifully portrayed, and absolutely accurate. Completely believable. Maybe that’s why the idea of Cuddy with a baby is easier for me to picture than any other kind of relationship for her.
70 - Orange450
JL wrote:
“Often, when discussing this relationship, people mention, 'in the last series' or 'in the final episode'. They express a great need for ultimate resolution (whether it plays out the way they prefer, or not). But how can this occur? I gather the writers still don't know where the show is going... which has been fine so far. But in the long term, how can that lead to any satisfactory conclusion?”
JL, I loved your entire “resolution” post. Since I was one of the people who mentioned “the last season of the series” when talking about this relationship, I just wanted to say that personally, I enjoy going with the flow of the journey that the writers are taking us on, and I’m okay with a lack of resolution, even in the long term. I think that maybe with TV (as opposed to books), especially in recent years " there’s been less of a tendency for series finales to tie up loose ends, or even fulfill expectations. Come to think of it, this could be why the sole investment I’ve made is in the genius of HL, RSL and LE, and the excellence of the entire production. Everything else is up for grabs as far as I’m concerned. I may have certain preferences, one way or another, but I’m fully prepared to enjoy wherever it goes, even if I don’t always agree with all of it :-)
71 - Luisa Borges
Barbara, thanks so much for the insights into X-Files, how I loved this show. It had a huge following everywhere and in Brazil it was major. Mulder and Scully were one of the greatest couples on TV, and their sexual tension was really palpable (IMHO).
I do love the way the House writers are developing Cuddy and House´s relationship, its not being rushed and yet there is something in almost every episode of every season. There is high pitch sexual tension (IMHO) but also there is a lot of care and attention paid to each other (along with the playing, the bickering and the jabs).
Today the 8pm slot at Universal, which plays House epis (season´s 1-4) everyday of the week, had "rebooted" and is again in season one, showing "Maternity".
What a great show, a much tender moment for House (the autopsy scene was major). And in one scene when they where chasing the source of infection, Cuddy says she´s going to swab every place in the hospital and leaves as Cameron points to House why is he letting her go ahead with this as they all know its pointless and he says "The hospital is her baby, and her baby´s sick. If she doesn´t solve this soon her head is going to explode".
He totally gets her. And he knows what she needs to do to keep functioning, so he lets her. Again in the end, case closed, House goes further and stays on to locate the source of the problem (and he did this for Cuddy as much as he did it for him, as the hospital is really "their baby" at that point in time).
I´m sure that there are countless scenes showing the opposite, Cuddy knowing that House needs to do something (as in House´s head, when she calls him back to the hospital to see the driver, and lets him get them all in the bus).
These two really "get" each other, even if sometimes they do get "at" it each other too. It´s both sides of the same coin, in this case, both sides of the same feeling.
And its terrificaly real, as it takes steps forward and backward, just like some real life relationships. And it sure gives us plenty of material to make sense of.
Can´t wait for my vacation to start on friday as I jump into my House fest with all your insights by my side.
All the best to everyone!
72 - Luisa Borges
Orange 450, how very interesting your comment. Was just reading it now. Not only about the great resolved or unresolved journey, but about the "age x behaviour" (as tipped also by Barbara).
I´m around Cuddy´s age, 4 years younger to be exact. And I constantly wonder about why sometimes I don´t behave "my age" (as in my preconceived idea of what my age behaviour would be like in a given situation). I find, at least in my neck of the woods, that people in general act younger and less mature nowadays (I can just picture my Mom when she was my age).
About Cuddy and House, don´t no if not having kids plays a part in this, I think sometimes that it does. And also the "work is my life" thing, and they´re both great at their jobs, as it still has a "frat house" climate to it all (remember House and Wilson living together, the pranks). They work with younger people, and its a less stuck-up enviroment.
Maybe a way to divert from the stress of it all (I´m a doctor and can say that, in general, the work in hospitals was always full of fun exchanges and "kids" stuffs).
Well, really don´t know. But I can say that the two of them, and their behaviour, surely reminds me of a lot of people I know (minus House´s brilliancy, I was never lucky enough to meet someone with that genius).
73 - Ruth
JL, Shore said that everything he writes for House and Cuddy ends up being sexual. Sexual is not the same as romantic or love (and in this case I suspect a part of it is because of LE's natural personality because she makes even interview questions sexual). If Shore were writing a romance based on HL's and LE's chemistry, he would have started after the pilot when he saw them interact and most certainly after the original episodes were done and they had to write the next set for Fox (the Vogler quintet). Instead, the story telling carried on House's interest in Cameron (in Kids, Wilson was pushing House in Cameron's direction and even Cuddy was pushing the date with Cameron in Love Hurts). The story line didn't make Cuddy an official love interest until the middle of season 3. If Shore decided to change horses because of the House/Cuddy 'chemistry', why did he wait more than two and a half seasons to do it, meanwhile building a solidly written foundation for House being with Cameron?
Barbara, you've argued your case with feeling.
However, there are House/Cameron shippers who can make as good a case based on the canon of the first two seasons, and House/Wilson shippers who can make an even better one for their ship.
I've read over both essays now. They are very much "fanon" essays rather than a more abstract analysis of the show. In every interaction you see something significant about House's relationship with Cuddy but you dismiss Stacy as the past and Cameron as nothing at all. You are biased towards Cuddy which is okay but it's still your bias, not necessarily what the show is saying. If Wilson had said to Cuddy "It’s been a long time since he opened up to someone, and I… you better be absolutely sure you want this because if he opens up again and gets hurt, I don’t think there’s going to be a next time,” would you not have seen it as Wilson telling Cuddy that House genuinely cares about her, cares to the amount that if she hurt him, he wouldn't open up to someone again, rather than seeing it as being about House's feelings for his old love Stacy as you did with Cameron?
You also haven't dealt with House's relationship with Wilson. The show may never put them into a romantic relationship but IMO it's the most intense and necessary relationship of House's life and as such, sheds light on his relationships with the women in his life.
I don't know what's going to happen on the show because Shore seems to be making it up as the fancy takes him. However the timing of the House/Cuddy relationship (it started in season 3 when traditionally the time of the ship that stalls the true ship) and how much time they are spending on it argues against this being the true love of House's life. Those TV relationships that are the OTP spend only a few minutes per episode on the couple (e.g. Grissom/Sara on CSI) while the ones which get used up in the story arcs are the ones with more time spent on them while they are happening (e.g. Wilson/Amber).
Enjoy the House/Cuddy relationship right now but don't get too invested in the idea that they will be each other's true loves at the end of the show. I see several indications to the contrary.
74 - Ruth
"He totally gets her. And he knows what she needs to do to keep functioning, so he lets her. Again in the end, case closed, House goes further and stays on to locate the source of the problem (and he did this for Cuddy as much as he did it for him, as the hospital is really "their baby" at that point in time)."
Luisa Borges, this is why it's misleading to pay attention only to the House/Cuddy scenes. House totally gets most people, colleagues, fellows, patients, relatives, even when they don't understand themselves. He has understood Foreman from the pilot episode but that doesn't mean that he's in love with Foreman. The only people House doesn't understand completely are Wilson and Amber, and possibly Cameron if they ever choose to explain her.
House has always gone to extreme lengths to find the source of the problem, risking jail (DNR), lying to patients (Informed Consent), detoxing, getting punched out. The one thing about House is that he will rarely stop till he knows the answer. Odds are that he did it for himself, not for Cuddy.
75 - barbara barnett
Ruth,
Of course everyone is going to interpret the show based on their own POVs. to some House is simply an arrogant ass who can be funny. Some see House as an old soul who, when he sees suffering, can be compassionate. Some see him as soulful and others as simply a jerk.
At the beginning of my essay I made the caveat that people can interpret House and Cuddy's relationship differently. Just as people can interpret his relationship with Wilson and with Cameron.
I don't believe that I made part one into a Cuddy-fest. I loved House's relationship with Stacy, but it is his past. He won't go back there. He ended it finally on his own terms. He said it: He can't put himself through it again.
I've never seen the thing between House and Cameron as anything but a crush by Cameron on House (who she saw as damaged and very attractive). House was flattered and absolutely attracted to Cameron (and I thin he still is). But I think his attraction to Cameron is very much physical.
I've got no illusions about House and Cuddy. I never said they were each other's "one true love"--but ya never know.
I wrote an extensive article about House and Wilson at the start of the season
A Fine Bromance
and another one right after the season premiere:
House and Wilson in "Dying Changes Everything"
How one sees all the relationships in House, how one sees House's motivations and his nature really depends on your point of view, and that is the beauty of the show.