The constant in every House episode is its medical mystery. It is the medical mystery that creates the series' "procedural" elements. A patient comes in with symptoms that point to several things; House and his team enter into a cycle of diagnose/treat/diagnose/treat as the patient worsens; House gets an epiphany, and synthesizing what he and his team have been doing with his epiphany, solves the mystery and cures the patient (most of the time.) This "formula" is at the heart of much criticism of the series by those who call it too predictable — "formulaic". Most of the series’ episodes unfold in this way, with some notable exceptions. But rather than a negative, I view the the main medical plot as a constant in each episode, the skeleton upon which everything else is layered to create the dense, elegant, and complex character study of Dr. Gregory House.
Sports Medicine
In “Sports Medicine,” a mid-season one episode, a star baseball pitcher (Hank Wiggin) has broken his arm by simply throwing a ball (in one of the most difficult-to-watch scenes in the series). House’s immediate diagnosis is steroid abuse, which then becomes Addison’s disease plus steroid abuse and then ultimately (after some twists and winds) cadmium poisoning from tainted marijuana. A simple, straightforward (okay, nothing on House is ever completely straightforward) story.
Monster Trucks and Cotton Candy
At the end of the episode, Houses attend a “Monster Truck” rally with Dr. Cameron. The planning of his outing, which threads in and out through the episode, at first appears to simply provide comic relief. And I have to admit that House obsessing about a monster truck rally, paying $1,000 for tickets, and acting like a 10-year-old boy who’s getting a Wii for his birthday is pretty amusing to watch. But this seeming side-plot becomes the vehicle (as it were) to elaborate on the character of House, and to provide entry for several crucial character threads to be explored later in that, and other, seasons.
If you closely observe him (rather than only take him at face value), House is an intellectual. His knowledge base includes history, philosophy, classical music, and several languages, in addition to a broad understanding of the sciences. He has a vast library in his home. But he has a thing (okay, not just a thing, but a thing) for monster trucks, a very "red-necked" pursuit, that is seemingly at odds with what we expect of an intellectual — but completely in keeping with his well-maintained anti-intellectual, low-brow (in all things but medicine) image. It’s such a “guy” thing, and one that it’s hard to imagine the dour and miserable House getting all excited about. But the gleam in his eyes when he asks Wilson to share this treasured outing is a priceless moment in the series. One of the things that makes the character of House so utterly compelling and so very human is his inner contradictions.
Article comments
1 - Robin
Thanks Barb for expressing my own thoughts. I love catching the off handed comment or gesture that can mean SO much later on, almost a snowball affect. I have been replaying the season 4 epps, and I am constantly rewinding after 3 minutes to try and catch everything that is happening; the words, gestures, glances, body language. Its like trying to capture a canvas in a moment in time.I am mostly focusing on Laurie who I can not take my eyes off of, but I enjoy how his new team reacts to him.
2 - Olga
Barbara,
I must say that this is another great piece of writing. I really loved your article.
Since the very beginning of the show, House has been presented as a rude, miserable person but my heart has always told me that he was also a vulnerable person who's able to love and care for someone, someone who gets excited for something and I keep insisting that House is a huge romantic who keeps it in secret.
Those (priceless)little moments you have mentioned (like the one showing the Monster Truck' tickets to Wilson) show us feelings that maybe were a very important part of Greg House in the past but in the present aren't. Will we ever see the House from the past again? I don't think so, too much damages is done but I've always thought that House can aspire to a better emotional life, he only has to give himself a chance as life has given him twice.
As well as you, I really hope that after the comeback of Letterman/Ferguson with good negotations with the WGA, the rest take example and finish this strike!!
3 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Olga and Robin. There is such a great intricacy to the show. It's interesting. When I first thought of picking apart an episode in this fashion: examining all of the plots and subplots; text and subtext, I would never have thought of Sports Medicine. But I think that the show is so richly layered you can really do it with any episode (with a few exceptions).
House, himself, is such a complex character that he never fails to intrigue me (of course Hugh is so much the character...). It is a testament to the creative team on House--from Shore and Jacobs to Hugh, the writers, directors, etc. that they've been able to maintain an internal consistency in such a complex character over the course of 3+ years.
Barbara
4 - hl_lover
You hit the nail on the head, Barbara, with your comment that "House" is not so much a procedural as a complex character study hung onto the frame of a procedural.
Excellent review of "Sports Medicine" and of the show in general.
The subtlety and density of House episodes, as you mention, can frequently escape the notice of the casual viewer, which I think is one of the things that hurts "House" come awards season. Let's hope the Golden Globes this month and the Emmys later on this year finally give this wonderful show its due, not to mention the Emmys rewarding Mr. Laurie with the Best Actor In A Drama statuette.
5 - Barbara Barnett
Hi HL_L: I think the manner in which House is constructed does affect it come awards season (as a show). The procedural aspects (which the Emmys do not like so much) do tend to hide some of the richness that wraps around, between and within the series' structure.
The show moves very fast, and makes it a show you really do either have to watch carefully or multiple times to fully appreciate.
6 - sdemar
Thank you for opening my eyes to things that simply pass me by. This was wonderfully done, Sasmom. As usual, you do not disappoint.
Happy New Year, my friend.
PS-I don't worry about you lacking for topics to write about with respect to our favorite complex character named Gregg.
7 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks, Sdemar. And a happy New Year to you too!
8 - Nancy
I was just about to say that very thing!
GREAT article, Barbara! Exactly why I love HUGH LAURIE and HOUSE so much.
9 - Sandy
Barbara,
You really expressed my love for this show better than I ever have. I think it is that subtle layering within that strict framework that allows them to explore such wide ground with Greg House. I think this layering is exactly what allowed us to hang in with him last year when he was vomiting on his floor, along with the other almost surreal things he was subjected to. If this was all there was to our beloved Dr. House, we wouldn't care so much.
There are many, myself included, who dislike the current season arc. I personally trust that innate structure, and the inevitable return to House himself, to guide all the various characters through the mess he has wrought upon them this season.
Thanks again for a lovely read.
10 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks, Sandy.
I do think that now the hiring arc is over, the show (and House) will settle down. I think he's been distracted from his usual angst and pain by the game and now that it's over he'll be back to his "normal" level of emotional turmoil.
I've had the chance to watch season 4 again, and I have to say that not having re-watched it for awhile, I really, really liked it better than I did on original viewing. (Except for You Don't Have to Know--the CIA episode, which I am not as crazy about, even though I understand why House was acting as he was in it, I still wasn't crazy about him as I usually am).
11 - Louise
Barbara,
Thank you for another insightful and beautifully written critique. I really think the monster trucks were one reason I fell in love with House--it is such a guy thing--as well as grabbing Cameron's cotton candy. This is a beautiful series and Season 4 seems to me House on fast-forward. It is so dense it requires a second and third viewing to catch all the intricacies. But, I am looking forward to things settling down. I have a hunch that the relatively "cheerful" House we have seen so far in Season 4 is due for a crash.
Happy New Year! Your articles certainly brightened my 2007 and I look forward to more this year.
Louise
12 - Sue
Wonderful article, as always.
Every book, movie, play and television show is a procedural in one form or another (protagonist/antagonist, introduction, story development, conflict, conflict resolution). Some of the most successful shows recently on tv are even more procedural than House is. That includes Law and Order, CSI, NCIS, and others. House has more character development than those other series, yet they don't put that label on the show.
I found that when I started to rewatch episodes, I became more and more addicted to the show. I don't fully appreciate any episode until I have watched it several times. The first time is to find out what happens, the second time is to catch what I missed the first time, the third time enlightens me to the relationship between the characters, the many more times I watch to concentrate on Hugh's subtle to over the top chacterization of House.
The scripts are very complex, which is appreciated by the avid fan, but I wonder how the occasional viewer feels about the complexity in the story. Will they give up trying to understand anything more than the basic storyline, or will they try to absorb the intricacies of the characters and their interrelationships? Grey's gets more viewers with a simple script where the medicine takes a back seat to the "who is he/she sleeping with now." Is that what occasional viewers want?
One of my favorite scripts was Mirror Mirror. It was intricate like Sports Medicine, and Hugh was magnificent in the scene where he was mirroring the patient. One of the many gems this series has gifted to us.
13 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks for your kind words, Louise and Sue! I agree, Louise, that House may be due for a crash now that things have settled down a bit.
Sue, I think one of the great things about House is that people can watch it for their own reasons. The series audience keeps increasing, which suggests (to me, at least) that people are enjoying it casually and regularly. But also that a significant portion of that audience "get" the intricacy and take the time to dig a little deeper. I have several friends who are casual viewers who will phone me up and tell me they didn't like a particular episode because..., and after discussing it and getting them to look at the more oblique angles, they'll watch it again and come 'round just loving it.
14 - bertas
Barbara I love it :) And for the record I did think I was the only oddball that had to rewind to catch something (but you know I am blond after all :)... sometimes it is a word, sometimes it is a gesture but I do think both the writers and the actors are doing a wonderful job. I have read just now the Golden Globes are canceled, but I do hope House does win... and it would be nice if Hugh won as well... although it would be even nicer if the blasted strike was over already...
15 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Bertas,
I'm forever hopeful that the strike will be settled in time to get a few more than the three remaining episodes.
barbara