When Wilson suggests in “Act Your Age” that he might have an interest in Cuddy by taking her to the theatre (with the tickets House gave him), House confronts Wilson in a purely “Housian” way. But Wilson can easily push House’s “Cuddy” buttons. Each time Wilson tells House that he has slept with (or wants to sleep with) Cuddy, a rather terrified expression crosses House’s eyes, enough so that it prompts Wilson to warn House that he’s “got a problem.” (Of course House’s strong attraction to Cuddy is old news to Wilson.) But acting on that problem is something at which the otherwise brilliant Dr. Gregory House is hopeless. Stuck in the eighth grade.
And in the final scene of that episode, long-time friends House and Cuddy stand on the hospital’s mezzanine watching House’s patients leave. Cuddy asks why relationships need to be so difficult. Looking at her, and perhaps seeing an opening, and almost involuntarily, House replies that he has two theatre tickets. He asks so shyly and with so little confidence that it gives the impression of a geeky high school kid asking out the head cheerleader.
All of these later third season episodes set up a further serious exploration of the House-Cuddy relationship. But season four, shortened by the writers’ strike and dominated by the “survivor” arc, left little time to explore House and Cuddy’s relationship until the final two episodes of the season, “House’s Head” and “Wilson’s Heart.”
Punctuated by House’s fantasy diagnostic session with “Stripper Cuddy,” her babysitting him in his flat he recovers from his head trauma, and the sensually photographed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after House collapses at the end of the episode “House’s Head” suggests a closeness between them that seems only to come out when the other is not looking. The final scene in “Wilson’s Heart” underlines this notion as the fourth season closes with a shot of Cuddy sleeping in a chair next to House’s hospital bed. She is holding his hand, simply “there” for him. And he appears unaware of her intimate gesture.
Which leads us to this season, with the story still unfolding. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, to be sure. For House, season five has been an emotional roller coaster and Cuddy has only been a part of it (okay, a significant part). From the final scene of "Lucky 13" through Cuddy's finally getting the baby she has longed for since late season two in "Joy to the World," House's feelings for his boss — his nemesis, protector, friend, and colleague — have become more and more apparent.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DTM
Interesting that you said House is unaware of Cuddy's "intimate gesture" - 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. House is making an intimate gesture by just being there for Cuddy, supporting her in her decision to foster the baby - she is utterly in her own wee dream world and just doesn't notice.
I really hope they attempt some sort of weird relationship. I don't like the baby arc but think that it was in a way inevitable. Somehow it will move things forward.
2 - Suzanne
Ok, for one thing, I never EVER post on blogs. However, this read (and the previous one in this series) has proved that I just can't help it. They were great! Well done!
I am quite certain that people will have multitudes to comment on this topic, as everyone views things differently, but I actually think the baby situation might provide some much needed growth for the two of them. House will have to deal with the baby before he can even tackle the Cuddy relationship, which I think might make for some excellent and intelligent drama. Everything is so layered in meaning (or we're all crazy and seriously need to stop reading into things) that it will be thoroughly enjoyable to disect. It's like TV+!
Anyway, keep writing and I will continue to read...
3 - Sheelagh
I've always loved the elevator scene in 'Forever' where House protects Cuddy from ridicule on the IVF front. I thought it was nicely counter-balanced in 'Finding Judas' by Houses's verbal attack on Cuddy for a perceived lack of mothering skills with the child she was guardian of. Cuddy knows House's mental state when he shouts at her, but she is still reduced to tears in her office and not just because of what was said, but who said it. The insult hurt because it was hurled by House.
I always thought her 'madonna-like' appearance in his office in 'Forever' was to inform him that she was pregnant following IVF as she does subsequently tell Wilson that she suffered a miscarriage during the last IVF attempt. Cuddy had the 'pregnant glow' thing going on in that scene, so I don't think she was after another sperm donor.
I noticed Cuddy's clothes became more sexually provocative after the Stacy Arc & I always wondered if that indicated that Cuddy's character now felt she wasn't poaching on a friend's territory given House had sent Stacy away. Her dress prior to that arc was more modest. Perhaps subconsciously she picked up that she was noticed more as a woman by House than just his boss when she dressed in this manner. it shows a certain drive to be noticed by him as a woaman first.
House and Cuddy (and Wilson)are all 'damaged' in some way. House & Cuddy are more alike internally than House & Wilson are. I would particularly love to know the back story on these characters ( did I mention Wilson's lost brother??) I think House's and Cuddy's similarities both attract and repel them.Like strong magnets. They 'get' one another, but their needs can be so similar that they end up in direct competition with each other. In 'Mirror Mirror' the patient clearly identifies House as the dominate personality in the House/Cuddy relationship which makes being his boss a real fight for Cuddy and leads to tension & trouble between them. You can see it in 'Fetal Position' when Cuddy tells the patient she would most trust House to save her baby (given she had one), but then almost electrocutes him in the OR while over ruling him to resuscitate the same patient. Their 'talk' at the end of that episode in the hospital lobby as House lectures Cuddy.... standing so close into her personal space.... has got to be one of the sexier scene on TV this decade.
I hope the characters risk being involved as a couple. I think separate residences & lots insurance for flying plates and glasses and long stretches of angry silence or acting out.....but I think they were made for each other !
Here's hoping the Executive Producers are willing to boldly go where no show has successfully gone before !
4 - Jaim
Great article! I think that House following Cuddy's menstrual cycle down to the smallest fact that she breaks her ban on sugar and gets frozen yogurt is also his own weird way of being romantic. He even says she comes back from the children's cancer ward with her eyes glistening. He really pays attention to her. I think, although he'd never admit it, her openly emotional nature is something that he is envious of at times. I also think that this is part of the reason he is trying to fight having a real relationship with her. He is afraid that he'll begin to lose his hard resolve which protects him from feeling the gravity of losing a patient, a family member, or employee, etc.
I think another interesting moment between these two takes place in the episode Fetal Position, at the very end when Cuddy gives him the airplane tickets. The entire time she was fighting to save the woman and her baby, whereas House wanted to abort the child to save the mother. Everyone thought Cuddy was grasping at straws trying to save both but because of her unwavering faith and her realization that she needed to think like House, she was able to save both lives. House tells her that she doesn't need to say sorry(by giving him the tickets), he tells her that she screwed up. He argues that 99% of the time both the mother and baby would have died, but Cuddy tells him that the percentage left over is sometimes bigger. I think this is another reason why she intrigues him and drives him crazy. Logically, he knows that more often than not this case would have ended badly, but Cuddy believed every step of the way, and the case had a happy ending. She screwed with his logic which is one of his defense mechanisms.
I think that this episode demonstrated how far Cuddy will go for something and even someone that she believes in. I'm sure this has not been lost on House. This also showed that House, even though he didn't agree with Cuddy, would support her. I also thought that when the patient thanked House and he said, "Don't thank me. I would have killed the kid," shows that he sees that his logic isn't always right. Cuddy showed him that pure faith in what could be can be just as powerful as his calculating logic.
5 - JL
Hooray! It's here! Thankyou, Barbara, thankyou!
I have posted so much on this topic in the reviews of recent episodes that my head is spinning somewhat. It was good to revisit the earlier series and put things in perspective.
I think that a lot will hinge on Cuddy's new baby and whether the writers are prepared to let this play out. On the one hand, I don't know how it can be done well; on the other, I don't want to see 'Cuddy loses her baby after all' continually re-hashed. The shake-up that the baby has caused in House and Cuddy's relationship is a significant one, and I'm interested to see what is left over now she has someone else to play 'mother' to.
I'm sure everyone will have much to say, so I'll sit back and take in everyone's views for a while. There's a lot to think about...
6 - Sera G
Bravo, Barbara!
Once again, a marvelous summary of House and Cuddy.
I agree with all that you said. You certainly highlighted the moments that stand out for me as a testament to the depth of the feelings between them. As you have stated before, sometimes words are unnecessary. The way they look at each other or when the other has looked away speaks volumes to me.
From Cuddy's pov, remember the scene in "Airborne" when House is flirting with the flight attendant? She is quite jealous IMO.
I think it is also telling that House brings up her name all of the time. The first season I thought it was for a laugh at her expense, but I have come to think that she is constantly on his mind.
I wanted Cuddy to have a baby during the ivf treatments. I think the reason she didn't ask House is that in her heart she would want that baby to mean something to him. She knew he was far from ready for the commitment, support or love she would want him to have for their child. I am not opposed to it now, as long as it doesn't interfere with House/Cuddy's forward movement. IMHO, I think we are ready to move on. House has shown that his feeling are deep, real and we can't go back to the way things were. I agree with DTM and Suzanne, it could be an interesting aspect of their 'growning up'.
I intend to spend time with my DVDs and note all of the interactions. With this show, nothing is ever a throw away or a wasted word or plot. It may take 3 years before it is discussed again, but it is not superfluous.
Again, thanks for this excellent summary.
7 - Orange450
Barbara, thanks for the great article. I was looking forward to it! I really love the way you provide a broad, sweeping perspective on every topic you tackle " I get the sensation of standing on a high point, and seeing the all details of the landscape laid out neatly and clearly before me.
To answer your last question first " no, I don’t think they’re done. Not by a long shot. The PTB (powers that be " you asked us to explain fandom acronyms) on this show are famous for taking their time, and House and Cuddy will have to go through their development process patiently, just like a bottle of fine wine. And I’m so curious to see whether the baby issue will bring them closer or draw them apart!
I will freely admit that I haven’t spent time giving their relationship the in-depth analysis that others have, so I don’t have all the nuances by heart. That being said, I’ve always enjoyed the tug-of-war that defines the relationship, there's a lot of deep and true feeling between them, and I’ve always thought that they have real potential to be a great couple. I’ve never been sure that I could see it lasting forever, though. In fact, I posted the following on the Fox forum back in May, during the discussion of the final scene of Wilson’s Heart:
“As we saw from his yielding and yearning reactions to Cameron's syringe kiss, and the dream seduction sequence with Amber, the poor guy is starving for a woman's touch. And we know that Cuddy likes sex. Somehow I have a feeling (and maybe it's just me being an impractical romantic, but I really do think that they would be good together) that House and Cuddy would have a satisfying physical relationship. (A/N: I was understating. I really do think they would have a great physical relationship.) IMO, they also have tremendous affection for each other, as well as mutual respect and intellectual appreciation. And they're very good friends. You add all that up, and you get - if not passionate love, then something close enough to it that most people would probably consider themselves lucky to experience even once in a lifetime. I'm not saying it would last forever - but I remember posting ages ago that even if/when it ended, I think their fundamental friendship would be strong enough to withstand the strain.
I think it wouldn't harm the exploration of his character one bit to let him experience some part of what Wilson experienced with Amber. A good relationship with a strong woman. I think it's time.”
But here’s my issue with the relationship, and I’m interested in hearing opinions on this from others. You’ve done a terrific job of describing the delicious tension between them. And they’ve also had plenty of tense/dramatic/emotional moments. But with all the exciting thrust and parry, bait and switch, give and take, back and forth " I just don’t get a sense of what they would be like together on an everyday basis. I mean - the repartee is wonderful, but couples don’t do it *all* the time. Sometimes a couple just reads the paper together. For comparison’s sake " I could definitely picture House and Stacy’s “down time”, or everyday life. I can’t picture House and Cuddy’s. Of course, if their relationship progresses along with that of Cuddy and her baby, there won’t be much down time :-)
I don’t think that anyone on House is ready for their happy ending yet, so something is going to have to give. Here's some pure speculation on my part: Since at this point in the show I can see Cuddy having a baby more clearly than I can see her in a permanent relationship with House " I had the thought that they’ll try for a relationship, but the baby will put a strain on it, and eventually Cuddy will decide that being a mother is more important to her than being with House. But they'll stay very good friends.
8 - Orange450
I just want to add that when I said I could picture House and Stacy's down time, I wasn't talking pre-infarction, when of course House's life would have been very different. I was talking about what might have been had Stacy stayed the second time around.
9 - Sera G
Dear Orange,
Re: "Cuddy will decide that being a mother is more important to her than being with House." Oh, I hope not! I want her to be a good mother, of course, but does that have to preclude a relationship with House? Since we are speculating and it is all fantasy at this point, why can't she have both? Knowing the glacial pace this show takes, it will probably take until spring before House touches the baby. I think he will prove to be a better 'parent' than his father and Cuddy, always seeing House's true potential will not push him away. He means too much to her.
House got off that bus deliberatly and seems to want to make connections. My hope is that he will continue to move forward and that path leads to Cuddy. They may never have a 'traditional' relationship, but it would be exciting to watch them make it work.
10 - Orange450
Sera, I absolutely agree that House has the potential to be an excellent father - I remember discussing that many times. If this were the last season of the series, I would be glad to see things work out the way you describe (if I couldn't have my dearest wish ;-)). But I honestly do think that right now, this would provide too much closure. You're right about the glacial pace of the show though - I love the way you put that! And working things out could take up several more seasons. But I'm not sure if I can see the series ending in such a balanced and happy way for House.
11 - sandydemar
Barbara, thank you for that lovely write-up. Sorry I am not able to post on your blog. I know I am not the lone one on this board that feels this way, but I have loved the House & Cuddy relationship from the beginning and have always felt they are driven together by an underlying force that is hard to describe.
I'm glad you brought up the incident when Cuddy went into House's office to ask him about the pain in his leg. That to me is one of my favorite scenes involving the two of them. I loved that scene because you could feel the walls peeling away as Cuddy so gently entered into House's space and prodded him. His sarcastic manner melted away and we had a rare glimpse of a vulnerable man opening up and sharing an honest moment. Cuddy is the only person, other than Stacy, who House allows to enter into his space. I love how she nudges his legs aside so she can sit on his chaise lounge with him.
The other scene that you mentioned that was high on my list was when Cuddy went into House's office after he gave her the shot. No words were needed as both of their faces and expressions told us what was going on. At least in my mind, she went in there to ask him to be a donor and he was nervously waiting for that moment. Both of them are so guarded with their feelings toward each other.
No matter how this arc of theirs is resolved, I don't expect the feelings these two share with each other to ever go away. That sexual tension we feel oozing through our television screen is something TPTB will never take away from us. They like it as much as we do. I do hope before the show ends, we will see a love scene between them. Like their relationship, it would be explosive, hot with a dab of anger and a little dominance. Who's on top? I say it would be Cuddy.
This was perfect. Thank you.
Orange, I can definitely visualize House and Cuddy having some down time. I think they would very much enjoy each other's company and having lots of sex.
12 - sandydemar
Barbara, look I was able to post. I tried 3 computers and finally lucked out when I logged into my work computer.
13 - barbara barnett
Hey, Sdemar. You got to post! Cool. Great comments everyone. I have to say that this article took a really long time to write. There's so much and it's so intricately woven into the fabric of the episodes (and sometimes so subtlety) it was like teasing threads from whole a damask cloth.
14 - Stacey
Awesome!
15 - Janine
This is so FREAKING fabulous and I couldn't agree more. The writers definitely need to continue to explore the relationship, even if it is on the back burner. House and Cuddy will never be "done."
16 - Amy
too late to embellish on why exactly I think so right now, even though it is clearly obvious, but I think that you are brilliant! 'nuff said.
17 - Sera G
Hello,
One last thought for the night. Rereading Barbara's article, I was reminded of the middle of the night visit to Cuddy's home by House during "Half Wit." I believe it was a comment to a review by Diane Kristine (a former blogcritics writer) who called it a very domestic moment. That stayed with me. I could see these two smart people coming to a place of ease with each other at work and at home.
Can't wait to read further thoughts and opinions tomorrow. Love this!
18 - j.i.m.
Barbara, I want to add my thanks to you for the 'bird's eye view' you give to this fascinating subject. And everyone's comments keep broadening the view in wonderfully surprising ways. :-)
19 - nicole.o
I was unaware of how much i loved the idea of House and Cuddy until this season when the preview for 'Joy' came on and showed them going in for the kiss. I was a late comer to House but have since watched every episode many times (much thanks to USA for constant House marathons!)
The way the writers have taken these characters and developed this unconventional longing from afar love story is brilliant. The tension is so real sometimes it is hard to breath after watching. I think it makes it all the better to know how much Lisa Edelstein is hoping for it to happen. She has said on many occasions that she wants them to happen as much as the rest of us and that she is attracted to Hugh (watch her interview on Chelsea Lately...so cute!) So for me it makes it feel all the more real and passionate. (Even though I support Hugh's marriage)
The thought of the writers dropping the story line scares me. They cut off House and Cameron before letting it develop and ended House and Stacy too, but gave more closure on that one. When I watched the end of Joy to the World I thought it was over and got so sad. This show affects me like no other has. I think I long for that excitement and fire. I'm young and have been married for over 2 years and sometimes you miss that time when a million things could be said in one glance, and when you want to be with someone so bad even though you are afraid. I guess I am living through them a bit, and sad as it may sound, it works for me... =) I really hope we get some great scenes between them the second half of this season. House and Cuddy need to have some hot steamy scenes. I really hope the writers don't srop this one yet. I think this is the best season so far!
Thanks Barbara for your writing. I have become a recent fan and enjoy your insights!
20 - nicole.o
I also wanted to add how much I loved 'Let Them Eat Cake.' It was so fun to see their playful sides. Hands down one of my favorite episodes. The looks the two of them give each other are unbelievable in their ability to convey so much.I don't know about the rest of you but I've thought about what I wish would happen with them and how it could happen. The only problem is that you set yourself up for dissapointment when the actual episodes are much more restrained... =)
I was so frustrated when one of the writers said there would be a very satisfying moment between house and cuddy in Joy to the World. I kept waiting and waiting and when there was only a couple minutes left I was bummed! To me the scene was house giving up hope and cuddy not noticing him. Big steps in the wrong direction. I was not satisfied...
I'll be crossing my fingers for what is still to come. I keep thinking how they've already filmed ahead and would love to know what they know! ...here's hoping....
Oh Barbara! Is there any chance you have connections to get some behind the scenes/on the set info? I would love to know how long it takes to film an episode, how far in advance they shoot, and other small details like that. =)
21 - Andree
What a great article again, Barbara, thank you.
I for myself hope there won't be a relationship between House and Cuddy, it would take the whole suspense away. I always find it more interesting and thrilling to watch a couple play around their feelings and attraction than finally when they "get" it and go for it.
Hm, I admit that I am more of the kind of a House-Wilson relationship, but as they won't surely go for that, (why not by the way? huh? if they go for a lesbian doc, they can go for gay docs, too, right?) I can only hope for no Huddy. It's enough for me just watching them, fiddling and playing around each other, even getting closer but not that close, please.
As I will be off for a lonw holiday this evening, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2009... and for us all, some very great House episodes to come.
22 - Cindy
Thankyou once again, i hoped there could be a full time relationship between these two people but then i think this person who is House would change, he is destined to be single, having said that ' don't stop the dance' there is a magnet that draws these two together can't wait to see what happens .
23 - Fran
Wonderful article! I love your approach on House and Cuddy's relationship. It's the exact way I have always seen it.
There is just one scene from season 4 I really missed in this article: The allergy treatment scene from 'Living the dream'. It is my favourite s4 Huddy scene. 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.
Still, thanks for this great article, Barbara!
24 - Quin
A telling scene in the House/Cuddy relationship is when House and Wilson are in the car with Coma Guy and they are playing the quid pro quo question game and Coma Guy asks if House has ever been in love. House tells him about Stacy, but when Coma guy asks if he's ever loved anyone else, he refuses to answer. See the dialog below. I think it means he is in love with Cuddy but doesn't want to say it in front of Wilson.
(Cut & pasted dialog from Twiz TV website).
---------------------------------------------
GABE: What is up with you two?
HOUSE: Wilson lied to the bulls to keep me out of the big house.
WILSON: [Pissed.] Are you out of your mind?
HOUSE: Who's he gonna tell? By tomorrow night, he's gonna be a mindless stalk of celery. Since I answered that one, by the way, my turn. What did you make in your factory?
GABE: Luxury boats. You ever been in love?
HOUSE: Wow! Going right for the closets with the embarrassing stuff. Good move. [His answer.] Yes! Describe the boats.
GABE: Thirty-five to sixty-five foot hulls, twin engines, Parquet floors in the galley, staterooms with queen beds. How'd you meet?
HOUSE: She shot me. These boats - I assume you use mildew-resistant paint on the hulls?
GABE: Naturally. Shot you?
HOUSE: Paintball. Doctors versus lawyers. Ever take your son to the factory?
GABE: Sure. He used to run all over the place. He was perfectly safe. Ever love anybody else?
HOUSE: [Shaking his head.] No more questions. I got my answer. While dad's in the office, son's watching 'em spray-paint. And what kid wears a mask?
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Another telling scene is in the recent episode of "Let Them Eat Cake" when House is trying to get the fitness instructor to eat a bite of chocolate cake. He has the bite of cake on a fork and waves it in front of the FI saying, "Open the hanger, here comes the plane." House could have said that 100 different ways, but it shows that he's thinking about children and how you get children to eat. FI isn't a child, no children anywhere in the episode, so why is House thinking about children? I think he's mentally trying on the idea of having a child. With Cuddy.
25 - Alessandra
Hi Barbara. This time I really haven't anything to add. I loved your work and I think you picked the best moments of these two. And I think that this relationship is so sweet and intelligent and challenging that I'm not sure if I ever wanted to see the "next step". But the squeeing girl-part of me is struggling for something I really can't figure out what shape it could have. I'm quite sure that "the thing" will take this entire season to have any sort of "evolution". And we will watch, and comment your beautiful reviews, and make our hypotesis, and again, we'll finally see something unexpected. Bye from Italy, as always.