House, MD will celebrate its 100th episode on Monday, February 2. It’s an achievement that the series creators and star Hugh Laurie never imagined when they first endeavored to thrust this difficult, complex character into prime time network television. The fact that House is the only non-cable series up for a drama series Golden Globe award, and that Mr. Laurie is the only non-cable drama series star to be nominated for best actor, reminds us that House is unique among network television shows: a wonderfully detailed and textured character study wrapped in a medical procedural wrapped in a mystery.
The almost constant airing of series reruns on the USA Network has generated many new viewers. Unfortunately, USA chose to run many of the episodes out of order, leaving those new viewers with questions and some mistaken impressions.
So, as a service to all of those new viewers and to anyone else who might happen upon this column, I have assembled a guide to the 20 essential episodes of House, MD. (Okay, I cheated a little bit, incorporating by reference several other noteworthy episodes containing pivotal moments.) They represent major character reveals, firsts, and milestones; they explore the complexity of the central character by reaching into his soul (whether through the writing or through Hugh Laurie’s nuanced performance and expressively tragic blue eyes); have him engaged in not only the “puzzle,” but with the patient; or have him dealing with his own considerable emotional and physical issues.
While the episodes I’ve highlighted represent some of the best episodes in the four-plus years of House, I have excluded some of my favorites (and even some that are technically “better” than those listed) for not being as crucial to the overall series narrative. The chosen episodes really focus only on ongoing story arc of the central character Gregory House because it is his story that the series tells. Of course we’ve learned a lot about all of the other characters as well, and their personal narratives, but perhaps they are better served in a separate article.
Links in this guide are to more detailed commentary on specific episodes; I have also published comprehensive and graded episode guides to seasons one and two.
Part one of this two-part article covers episodes airing in seasons one and two; part two covers seasons three through five.
”Pilot” - Hugh Laurie nailed right from the start the flawed, melancholy, and tormented doctor. Caustically sarcastic, Laurie tempers this side of House with a genuine pathos, making the acerbic House completely sympathetic. It’s brilliant. Wilson’s character, too, is completely formed in the pilot. He is likable and mainstream, clearly a loyal friend — but manipulative enough to lie to House (and get away with it). Cuddy is portrayed as loyal to House, but able to go toe-to-toe with him, sarcasm for sarcasm. A tantalizing bit of House’s soul - and his history - is revealed as well in the poignant and pivotal moment he spends with the dying patient at the end. It’s a speech that stands, nearly five years later as one House’s best (in my mind, anyway). The difficulty with which he speaks about his leg finally to Rebecca Adler and the heartfelt intensity of the reveal tells us that there is much more to this man than a brilliant jerk. The episode also introduced us to the clinic and set the stage for so many memorable and truly funny moments there.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Orange450
Barbara - once again I find myself printing out your article and looking forward to my morning commute! Thank you so much :-)
2 - Cate Malone
Thanks for the chronicle of episodes. I found House late and am loving every minute of discovering it. Hugh Laurie is such a gift, and hopefully, he'll win his well deserved Emmy this year.
3 - Orange450
I have a point to add to your discussion of The Socratic Method. The very important part at the end - where House covers up the fact that it was Lucy herself who called Children's Services. I've always thought that "Look. I don't care how you were living. I just wanted you out of MY life. That's why I had Dr. Cuddy call Social Services." was a significant statement about who House is, and how he operates. That he is capable of deep and profound empathy, but will never express it in any kind of a conventional way - yet his actions will often have a more enduring positive impact than if he had said the kindest words imaginable.
I may be wrong - but I believe that it's in this episode that we first discover this key aspect of his character.
4 - barbara barnett
Orange-an excellent point. I tried to make these capsules as short as possible and I regret leaving that out of my SM summary. It's a huge reveal about House, but I don't think it's the first time we'd seen House's actions speak louder than his words. I do think we get that to an extent in the pilot. But not as explicitly as in SM. Thanks for adding that.
5 - kimbari
Your House articles make my day (and a couple of days after :). Thank you so much for this gift.
6 - Jackie
Great job as usual. I thoroughly enjoyed and concur with the 'essentials' chosen. Outstanding picks. I am looking forward to part 2 as well. Thanks to Fox and USA (as well as the dvds), I have watched all of these episodes over and over again and never fail to be in awe of the acting skills displayed by Hugh Laurie and ably supported by the rest of the cast. The direction and writing in those early seasons could not be beat.
7 - Jaim
Great article! I think I would also add the episode "Distractions" to the list. It really shows how much House would rather feel the physical pain of a self induced migraine than the emotional pain of letting Stacy go. It had a good mixture of angst and comedy. The scene when House interrupts Weber's lecture is hilarious as well are the comments Wilson makes to him. The most important scene is at the end when he opens his apartment door to a prostitute. The way he hesitates before opening the door often makes me wonder if this was the very first time he had a woman of the night, and if all his musings about usings prostitutes before were just his way of making people uncomfortable. I think this scene is vital to the episode because it shows how he is now resigned to paying for a detached connection with a woman instead of taking a risk in a real relationship. I almost felt that it was his way of giving up on love.
8 - Kim
Fantastic job! You're amazing.
This days I've been thinking that we don't know very much about Dr. Lisa Cuddy as we know of the other characters. In five years, we knew just a few things about her and always referred of her professional life. Se never talks about her family, friends or even her ex-boys. She is totally a mistery. Also I noticed that when she talks about her past it is when she was 12 years old. What happened to her at that age? What do you think?
Thanks Barbara.
9 - blacktop
Barbara -- excellent selection of essentials, I agreed with all of them. I would only add that in "Skin Deep" the reveal that the placebo that Cuddy injected actually did (temporarily) relieve House's discomfort is crucial to our understanding that his pain has a psychological as well as a physical aspect. The inextricably entwined nature of his pain is a theme that reasserts itself at several critical points in the character's development over the seasons.
In know that many viewers hate "Euphoria" because it dwelt on the much-despised Foreman's near death trauma, but I think this two-parter is essential for the superb exchange between House and Foreman on the ways that pain affects judgment. Also vital to peeling back the layers of House's character is this arc's stirring evidence of how his emotional involvement with a cherished patient seriously disrupts his ability to do his job. Having seen House falter here enriches our understanding of his distancing manoeuvers in other cases. It also strongly sets up the emotional context for House's otherwise puzzling struggle to keep Foreman on his team in season three.
Your description of "Who's Your Daddy" is right on target is identifying the search for meaning through familial connection as the theme that links Crandall's story to Cuddy's. I think that it is House's confrontation with the desperate grasps at human connection by two people who are dear to him that sparks House's own internal examination of his life and its meaning that we see in "No Reason." I am really looking forward to your thoughts about seasons three through five.
10 - Eve K
Jaim - I recently watched that ep. again and I agree with you. I will also say that it was Wilson who said "get a hooker, anything" to House in the same episode, before he actually did it.
I am also not sure that he has used prostitutes after this. But he and especially Wilson has taken this into his mythology/ the House Canon.
I hope that the writers continue to show us one House that is "public", with the colleagues and others, and one "private", that only we know. I think lately they have mixed the two, letting the colleagues know to much about the private House. (the joke about Cuddy in JTTW)
It is this dichotomy (public/private) of the character that is interesting, that makes him three-dimensional.
11 - lepoisson
"You're abrasive and rude, but I figured everything you do, you do it to help people. But I was wrong. You do it because it's right." Is the quote from Role Model :)
I think it says something when even David Shore (In the S4 DVD I think), said that he would probably never top Three Stories... it's still one of my favorites. Though I've been concerned for some time about the fact that DS doesn't think they will/he will ever top that episode.
Need to Know - I agree, I don't know what the point of Wilson accusing House of that was - perhaps to give a different view on why House would send Stacy away. I also liked that his 'epiphany' moment on that matter was spawned by Cameron's comment on her HIV test "The most important letter of my life... and you're still an ass" "Comforting isn't it?" I think he finally realized how much he was misleading himself and Stacy and despite all the things he had done to show her he had changed he was still the same.
No Reason is also on my list of favorites - once you've seen the episode and know he's hallucinating throughout it it's very interesting to re-watch and see how House places everyone in it. (Cameron being at his side when he wakes, Cuddy authorizing something he didn't agree or consent to [Stacy angle perhaps?] / Wilson conspiring with Cuddy - which I think is also maybe some foreshadowing for their conspiracy in S3, and also how he fears losing his brilliance and intelligence to something he considers useless in the grand scheme of things (mind vs. jogging shoes). And also as you mentioned the conversations he has with the shooter which is really a conversation with himself).
12 - Orange450
Wonderful article, Barbara. Of course it's difficult to pick just 20 episodes that fit your criteria, since - due to the overall excellence of the writing, and insightful design of the storylines - it's actually hard to eliminate any of them. But I would definitely add Daddy's Boy to your list.
I can't imagine developing our analysis of House's character without recognizing the impact of the stressful relationship with his father. Even before any of the subsequent details were revealed, for us to know that his father's basic nature was anathema to his lent a degree of nuance to our understanding of House's character that would have been hard to gain otherwise.
13 - barbara barnett
I agree with the idea that there are almost no episodes where we learn nothing crucial. There are exquiste moments that I have absolutely omitted (what a futile effort to constrain this to 20 episodes). Distractions, Skin Deep, Euphoria (it killed me not to include the House pain and judgment). Safe, and the entire series where Wilson moved in with House was filled with such moments. But only moments. This actually started as a 20 best moments of House and I found it impossible to write because there are just too many to leave out!
14 - Orange450
Barbara, it stands to reason that this show could never have become the phenomenon that it is if it was humanly possible to isolate "20 best moments"!! I think it would probably be easier to identify 20 "not all that good" moments, and consider all the rest to be priceless :-)
15 - barbara barnett
Hmmm. 20 not good moments: interesting challenge, Orange. I vote for all of the penis jokes (especially the one in "whatever it takes." All House is an ass or simply mean spirited for no reason moments.
I won't count the Wilson is unfair to House moments, because they illuminate the character. but those really, really tasteless House moment noted above, I could readily do without.
16 - Amie
Great article as always, Barbara. Thanks for all these great insights! Its nice to have something to think about while waiting for the 19th...
I must admit I keep coming back since I first stumbled on it a month or two ago! I have really been enjoying all the wonderful, intelligent and mature input of your articles and readers, even though I don't take the time to write (and usualy, other commenters have said it better than me ;-).
I just wanted to add something about that "Who's your Daddy" line : "someone you trust... someone you like". Besides confirming that he truly is a romantic (as we saw with Cameron's corsage or with Steve the rat...), it shows us his eternal lack of confidence concerning his friendships (like when he's always testing them). By saying "someone you like" after Cuddy has said "someone like you?", he excludes himself from that category. Hugh Laurie says that line in almost a shameful manner, hardly looking at her and looking down... He truly think she doesn't like him.
Oh, and I completely agree with Jaim and EveK.
"I think this scene is vital to the episode because it shows how he is now resigned to paying for a detached connection with a woman instead of taking a risk in a real relationship. I almost felt that it was his way of giving up on love."
That is so true! He was hurt once and so doesn't want to suffer again. Therefore his will to keep everyone at distance, to not get emotionaly involved, which proves again what a romantic he is, otherwise he wouldn't need to protect himself so much. He also avoids contact : have you ever noticed he doesn't like being touched? he always looks intensily at the hand who touchs him (at least once Chase, and twice Cuddy)
17 - Kyrpio
Hi! Great article again, Barbara :)
I think the one addition I would make would be 'Detox', for a few reasons. Firstly, it reveals the extent of House's pain, and at the same time proves he is addicted to the vicodin, raising the question 'which masks his judgement more?'. I love the scene between House and Wilson, where he admits he's an addict, but that he won't do anything about it, as being an addict allows him to do his job. Also, 'Detox' shows Wilson deceiving House, and in cohorts with Cuddy, working together with House's best interests at heart.
Looking forward to seeing whats on part two of the list! I'm hoping to see Frozen (pretty sure I'm on to a winner with that one) and Resignation (how could anyone not love Wilson on speed?), though I don't envy your job, Barbara; imo, Series 3 doesn't have a weak episode between 'Finding Judas' and 'Act your Age'!!
18 - Eve K
Barbara: all the episodes you mentioned are amongst my favourites, and they all show important sides of House. I assume that the addiction theme will be amongst the season three episodes, even if you mentioned it in this article too (The morphine and whatnot).
Amie: I also think that Houses "autistic" traits is an important side of him, the social ackwardness, the dislike of change. And "Lines in the sand" deals with all that. The do - not- touch thing is a little more complex.
I actually dont see the "looking intensely at the arm that has been touched" as a sign that House doesn't like it. But it is true that he does that - a lot.
It think it is very good acting from HL, and it gets me every time. It shows the chemistry between the actors, and with Cameron it really hits you in the gut.(In "No reason")
It does however show that he is not used to being touched and that he put a lot of meaning in to it whenever it happens.
Even when Stacys husband gets close into his personal space, he doesn't totally freak out, but takes it as a sign of real desperation and commitment from Mark to Stacy. And I believe this is important when House decides to leave Stacy.
House also has a very direct body language, as in "Let them eat cake" where he was clearly annoyed. The fist he put near Cuddys face when she demanded all the extra work done was not friendly. It was a warning - dont invade my public space as well as my private space! And the boob grab, well its been argued to death. But it wasn't very friendly either.
But he doesn't seem that uncomfortable with touching, he is just not a "hugging kind of guy".(as we see in Autopsy) I dont really think it has anything to do with his father.
The point is that he is in control of his body language. He is a good juggler, at card trick, jojo, musical instruments, and when his leg is functioning, at jogging, and biking and skateboarding. I've only seen him loose his self awareness in extreme pain, and sometimes with patients (the conversation in "control") and in the Cuddykiss,(not in the Cameronkiss, he noticed the syringe).
19 - Val
What a lovely read, Barbara. Thanks! Some great stuff to think about while waiting for the 19th.
One thing you mentioned that I didn't even know...that House and Laurie were the only non-cable nominees in their respective spots...wow! that's amazing. With that, it's hard to argue against the unique and great qualities about this series (or how it was better in previous seasons). For me, that illustrates that it has not lost its luster. First a Golden Globe, then that overdue Emmy!
20 - barbara barnett
Eve K--Remember that this article (and part 2 also) explore not nec. my faves, but those article that serve the overall story but moving it forward. Season three was tough, as was four and five as the series has become more character arc driven since the first two seasons. So I hope you all won't be disappointed with my selections. (Pt. two should be up sometime this evening, hopefully).
Amie--thanks for commenting. You're right about the Who's Your Daddy...and about Distractions. So many good moments...so little...
Welcome to all new commenters and readers! And happy new year to all.
21 - sdemar
Great article, Barbara. These are all fabulous episodes. I wish there was a way to incorporate House's special way he deals with children.
Looking forward to reading Part 2.
22 - Orange450
Barbara, I'm with you on the tasteless penis jokes - in fact with most of "Whatever it Takes" (except for the very last scene, which, IMO, gave us a pretty significant House reveal). But I can't dismiss all the House is an ass, or mean spirited for no reason moments, because - like the moments when Wilson is unfair to House - they too illuminate the character (of House).
House is not a perfect man by any means, and without some of those moments, we'd have much less reason to feel ambivalent towards him - as I believe we are meant to (IMVHO). Okay, maybe "ambivalent" is a strong word, because on balance, he is certainly a positive force in the universe. But I like him better at some times than at others, and if we were never shown the less attractive aspects of his character, I think we'd be more likely to forgive him everything, and less likely to hold him accountable for anything. I understand that this is purely a PPOV on my part.
This may be why I don't think that Wilson's comments marred the end of "Need to Know". Granted, there was a lot going on with House at the time. But I've always thought that along with everything else House was feeling - Wilson had a point, too. To me, the validity of that point at that time has become even clearer in S5, as we've been watching House attempt concrete steps to move past the state that Wilson accused him of. He wasn't ready, back then. He's readier now, poor guy, but nothing's going to come easy for him.
23 - barbara barnett
Hey, Sdemar--maybe a future article: House and kids--two peas in a pod ;)
24 - barbara barnett
Orange--you make some very valid points. I'm not dismissive of those particularly crass moments, but I'm not fond of them--as they mar my own image of who I'd want House to be (I guess ;))
But you're right. They do illuminate the character who is flawed. I really, really didn't like Whatever it Takes. (Can you tell?) the only scene in that episode I did like was House's scene with the patient (alone and feeding him tea.)
He is readier now to try to live a little more in the light of society--baby steps. He has come a long way from the reclusive House of the Pilot and early season one.
25 - Eve K
Barbara: I know, I know. Looking forward to the next article, and I understand that its going to be difficult to choose.
"Whatever it takes" is the worst episode of season four and maybe of the whole series.