We learn a lot more about House’s relationship with his father later in season three, in the episode “One Day, One Room.” That episode was one of those (I think like “Who’s You’re Daddy”) that people either loved or loathed. I loved it for what it told us about House on a lot of levels… and not just his relationship with his father.
In “One Day, One Room,” House is forced to spend time “just talking” to a young rape victim, who sees in House “someone who’s hurting, too.” Something that a lot of House’s patients seem to see, and something to which they often gravitate. But in this episode, House also reveals that as a child (and we have no idea how old he was) he was abused by his father. I would speculate that this is the first time he has ever spoken to anyone about this. And I believe that neither Cuddy nor Wilson are aware that he is an abuse survivor.
We learn that House had been forced to sit in baths of ice, and forced to sleep overnight outside. At least. It’s all he revealed, and House, a notably unreliable narrator, may not have been telling the complete story. We also don’t know about Blythe’s knowledge or complicity. My guess is that being a “peacemaker,” and not wanting to make things worse for young Greg — and wanting to please her husband — she probably saw what she wanted to see. And House doesn’t seem to blame her for his problems with his father.
Which brings us to next week’s episode, “Birthmarks.” Of course, as with any television series, the question is: how much of the show’s established canon will impact the episode? I’m pretty sure that House’s difficult relationship with his dad will play a significant role, but will the issue of the abuse come up? Or will it be forgotten and not mentioned at all? In general, the series has been very good with continuity, particularly after season one (when the show’s producers had no idea they’d even have a second season, much less a fifth).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Orange450
When House told Eve that he'd been physically abused by his father, I got the impression that he might not have been telling the truth about himself, but was trying to help her open up about herself. We know that he's conveyed inaccuracies about himself on more than one occasion, so there's a precedent for him to do that.
I've come across very few people who agree with my take on this (but there *are* a few), and only time will tell, but my premise is based on analysis of House's relationship with his father (and his mother) as presented to us in Daddy's Boy. I posted a very long "almost essay" about it this past summer, when spoilers about the upcoming episode came out. I'd mentioned my opinion many times before without citing anything concrete to back it, so I wanted to get it all down before events in S5 cemented anything into canon.
If House's childhood abuse is verified beyond doubt, I will maintain that the showrunners conceived of the idea after Daddy's Boy. The strain, difficulty and dislike come across loud and clear in that episode, and there's no doubt that it's a very troubled father/son relationship. But IMO, the evidence for a history of physical abuse doesn't add up, for quite a few reasons (which I will spare you here :))
But it's hard for me to understand how House - having the personality that he does - could have such a seemingly unreservedly warm relationship with his mom if she had closed her eyes to physical abuse of her child (which she had to have known about, for several reasons), and let things slide to "keep the peace". Because the refusal to face unpleasant facts is not a tendency that he tolerates kindly in others.
2 - Barbara Barnett
Hi orange. I think he was, in the end, honest with Eve. At that point he was no longer strategizing. And he was ambivalent in the end as well about the usefulness of getting her to talk. "Maybe all we've done was to make a girl cry." This sounds so much like it resonates with House himself, who has after so long "talked about 'it'" even in the smallest terms. It did nothing for him, but bring up emotions that he'd long repressed and didn't want to come to the fore, so...I do think this fits (although I'm speculating here).
Some aspects of House's behavior suggest abuse (although I'm not a professional). He dislikes being touched (and has always nearly flinched when someone touches him suddenly.) Even Crandall knew (in Who's Your Daddy) that he hates to be touched/hugged, etc.
He has always had an affinity for the outsiders and for children. His visceral reaction in Paternity when he suspected abuse could be read as sarcasm towards Cameron, but I think it was too pointed be only that.
So, I don't know...but I do think that House was abused. In the Fox clips, he makes reference to his father being a bas***d (to him?) And he speaks about his father refusing to speak to him for 2 months when he was a kid. I'm sure there's a lot more we'll learn next week. In those clips, House looks haggard and hurting. I'm anticipating an emotion level right up there with Merry Little Christmas, Son of Coma Guy, HH or WH...I just can't wait for this one. Hey. Good thing there's the diversion of Yom Kippur and Sukkah building in between to make the week go very, very fast.
3 - sdemar
Thanks for sharing something with us in our off-week of House. I believe that House was abused by his father, which is why he so deeply hates him. i have no problem believing that he was submerged in ice water or left outside at night to toughen him up.
To veer off subject for just a moment, I loathed ODOR but it wasn't the writing. It had everything to do with the actress that portrayed the rape victim. She was just plain awful and ruined this episode for me. At least we got those beautiful scenes of House and Cuddy in the park. Sorry, I digress.
I think House despises his father and the last thing he wants to do is sing praises to this man so I think he will use the opportunity of the eulogy to speak in code to Wilson. This will accomplish two things. It will give House an opportunity to tell Wilson how he really feels (we know that House is going to open up based on the TV article) and his mom and the attendees at the church will think it will be about his father. This will please Blythe because her son followed through on giving the eulogy and as Wilson said, she will think they were a happy family.
4 - Barbara Barnett
People definitely had a divergence of opinion on "One Day" I actually did like Eve, but could have done without the Cameron part of the story. Someone on a fan board pointed this out as well: in the Fox.com clip with Cuddy, she seems to be giving him an injection of some sort. And he seems to be in an awful lot of pain in the first clip. HE's also looking very, very drawn and especially haggard. So House is having a lot of problems dealing with the death, with a lot of things.
Also, last night's preview clip made reference to a 40 year old secret--something that happened when House was nine????? Hmmm.
5 - Starlight
Hi Barbara!
Love the article. I was looking at the promos and when I saw the look on House's mum's face it seemed to me that she didn't look to happy.
I was wondering how will House get there when it indicates that at the start he didn't want to go through with since I live in Australia I saw the promo for next week and it showed me that House was standing when he collapsed to the ground in his office. I am sure that it is not a repeat because the shirt he was wearing was the same one on the Americam promo and it happened in his main office and not in the conference room. This indicates to me that he refused to do it and someone drugged him in order to get him into the car. I am guessing its either cuddy or wilson. Thoughts?
Anyway I am so excited about the ep after some slow starts imo. I work in the department of human health services and I can tell you that many people who suffered from physical abuse from either a parent or someone who had a close connection with then often don't like to be touched because in their mind it brings back memories of their past in which they rather want to forget. Reactions differ, some will get very tense and not return the touches and me awfully silent or they may flinch in a small manner or react in an almost violent explosive manner. This all depends on the person, how withdrawn they are, how severe the abuse was and the amount of times that had occured to them. It also depends on the person's personality and their way of thinking, their environment in which surrounds them, influences on them like peers, lovers anyone that interact that may have a signifcant impact or influence on them and their way of thinking.
I hope that helps Barbara.
6 - Orange450
Hi Barbara, I just saw the promo clips. I agree that it looks to be an incredible episode on many levels, and in spite of what I posted about the House/Lucas relationship on your Adverse Events review - it looks like House and Wilson will have some all-time-high interchanges.
Something crazy occured to me when House spoke about his father refusing to speak to him for two months. Do you remember Chaim Potok's "The Chosen"? The protagonist's father brought him up "in silence" - refusing to speak to him except when they studied together (probably not a bond that House and his father shared!). The father did it for a specific reason which was purportedly beneficial (albeit in a very twisted way), but it had a profound impact on the character, and his relationship with his father. I wonder if the showrunners borrowed that detail?
Have an easy and meaningful fast and a Chag Sameach. I'll have to miss seeing the episode for a couple of days, but I can't wait - both to see it and to read your review :-)
7 - Kate
Barbara this really looks like it will prove to be an intense episode on many levels. I truly believe that House was abused as a child and had taken the brunt of criticism frm his father all those years. It makes me think of "Son of A Coma Guy" when all House wanted to hear from his father was that he was right and did the right thing. As for the pain of memories, House alluded in "One Day, One Room" that you can talk about an incident and the pain all you want, but it never goes away. Yet, a profound statement to make as his pain has never really dimished.
What will happen in next week's episode? It is an interesting question indeed. Will House be a hypocrit and utter words of false praise for his father or will he tell the truth? As you say it is anyone's guess. I am interested to see what warrants the reaction of Wilson throwin something with House standing there in the promo.
I also think it is interesting how House is leery about people touching him too. He's not comfortable with it. But on certain occassions, he has allowed it. He let Stacy touch him as ahe was close to him and he has let Cuddy touch him. With both ladies he has returned their gestures on occassions.
I am anxious to see how House and Wilson met and their connection in terms of this episode. I wonder what the significance will be and if it will bring House and Wilson closer to repairing thier friendship. It should be a fantastic episode.
Thanks again Barbara for another great blog that gets us thinking.
8 - Barbara Barnett
Starlight--thanks for the information and insights. I believe that Wilson is going to drag House to funeral kicking and screaming. He really, really doesn't want to go. Not that I blame him. Even in those short clips at FOX.com, I couldn't help but feel terrible for House (yeah, I know. Fictional characater :)
Orange--"gam lach"--a meaningful Yom Kippur to you and a joyous Sukkot! Interesting idea about The Chosen reference. Something to ask the writer if I get the opportunity.
Kate--thanks for your insightful comments. I can't wait to see how it plays out!
9 - Mary
While it's not an example of an interaction with his parents, in "Merry Little Christmas," when House has been cornered by Tritter, and faces the possible ruin of his career and his life, it is his mother whom he calls on Christmas Eve.
Since we, as viewers, can see his face as he's leaving an utterly conventional, even bland, Christmas greeting for his mother (but not his father), we can see the anguish on his face. And then he takes several pills, swallows a large amount of bourbon, and Wilson finds him passed out on the floor next to his own vomit.
It's about as close to a suicide attempt as we've seen him make, and I believe it is significant both that it was his mother whom he called, and that his message gave no indication of the difficulties he was experiencing at that time.
10 - Barbara Barnett
Of course you are right, Mary. In that scene, House has hit rock bottom. He's done with Wilson, he's done with the pain and the anguish.
And it's interesting that it's his mother that he's thinking about...
maybe he wanted to hear her voice, perhaps for the last time. But when he hangs up (and he does it very, very quickly...before he maybe said too much more than that bland greeting) he seems resolved to finish off the bottle of oxy and the alcohol. He had been taking oxy all day, and when he finishes off the bottle he would have taken 30 pills in a very, very short amount of time. I do think it's signficant that it was his mom, and significant that he revealed nothing to her about his problems.
11 - Jewels
Sorry if this has been addressed already but why was there no new episode last night?
12 - sassydew
Hi Barbara! As usual, I love reading your reviews and thoughts about past and future episodes. I have never looked forward to a House episode with such an uneasy combination of anticipation and dread. We got glimpses of the fact that House has issues about his worth in "Three Stories" with Stacy pointing out that he doesn't think he deserves to be happy and would give up his leg to save *her* life but not his own and I remember wondering what the backstory was. After seeing "Daddy's Boy", it was clear from my perspective that House was a victim of physical and/or emotional abuse, and that was confirmed for me, as it was for others who posted above, in "Son of Coma Guy" and "One Day One Room". And I loved "One Day One Room" for what we learned about House, though I thought Eve was over the top (and I keep forgetting there even *was* a B-story with Cameron).
Having viewed the recent clips on Fox and the promo from last night, I am sure we will learn about something horrible in House's past relationship with his father. I think that's what I'm dreading the most. Also, I am worried that no one will understand House's point of view. I can understand completely why House might want to reveal it at the funeral, and I will be bothered if Wilson doesn't understand. It looks like he might not, judging from two of the clips (one by the car and one in the funeral home). I think he was wrong about House having sent Stacy away because he needs to be miserable, and he clearly didn't know about House's relationship with his dad in "Daddy's Boy" or I don't think he would have gone along with Cameron's idea to plan a dinner with House's parents and his colleagues. I'll stop rambling now. All I know is that I think I'll have to miss a family Sukkah party to watch this right when it airs! Happy New Year! :-)
13 - Robin
With the episodes seen so far we know what House gets from Wilson, but it's still not clear yet to me what Wilson values in his relationship with House. I don't think Birthmarks will answer everything but maybe they will start healing. At least stop the heartache this split is causing me. So far what I get from Wilson is that when push comes to shove House is expendable next to his dearly beloved. I want Wilson to realize how crappy and abusive he has been to House, and one episode of togetherness can not resolve everything in a satisfying way.
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14 - Grace
Great comments by everyone! I think I will make sure I have a box of tissues nearby when I watch this episode.
I agree with most of you on all points but what bothers me is why he is not at all angry with his mother. To me it doesn't fit House's personality not to hate her too if she knew about the abuse.
I am hoping that House lies his butt off in the Eulogy and I think he may if only for his mother's sake. What's the point now?
Wilson says to House that he is only doing this (driving him) for his mother. I believe that. I don't think Wilson is ready to take House back into his life just yet. But it probably will be a beginning of wounds healed between House and Wilson.
In any case, we will probably like this episode the best for the season.
15 - L.Lilly
Orange, I understand what you are saying about House's interaction with his father in "Daddy's Boy." Like you, I saw the strain and dislike, but I didn't get any vibes that John House was a physically abusive father. Tough and strict, definitely. (Perhaps I was fooled, though, by the actor's kindly visage.)
On the other hand, I believe what House told Eve in One Day, One Room to be true. I love that episode and have watched it many times. One of the reasons that I believe it is true is because of the connection with the "B" storyline of Cameron's, as silly as that may sound. In both the "A" and "B" storylines, House and Cameron were forced to deal with something from their past, and they both faced it admirably in the end. Cameron's Achille's Heel had always been her unwillingness to deal with death and to impart bad news. Much of this came from her experience with her dying husband. In this episode, she gradually accepts the dying man's choice to die in pain, and sits with him until the bitter end. There is some growth for her in this episode. House, in the "A" storyline, is also forced to deal with something he doesn't want to face. In spite of his many attempts to rid himself of the rape patient, it is clear from Eve's overdose scene that he has made a connection with her. To me, that connection is abuse. *She* sees that in him, from one abuse victim to another, in my opinion. It is only when she tells him that she feels his pain (in so many words) that he finally begins to open up.
Having said all that, though, I don't want to be told in "Birthmarks" that House was beaten black and blue as a child or sexually abused. Knowing this episode was written by the wonderful Doris Egan gives me confidence that it will be a poignant episode we will be talking about for a long time. It's the first time in a long time that I've truly looked forward to a new episode.
16 - sassydew
Grace said, "I agree with most of you on all points but what bothers me is why he is not at all angry with his mother. To me it doesn't fit House's personality not to hate her too if she knew about the abuse."
Grace, I am certainly no expert on the subject, but I know a little bit, so I can say that it isn't particularly unusual for an abused child to hate the parent who was the abuser and have no ill feeling toward the other parent. Sometimes it's because the other parent was bullied/abused as well, sometimes it's because the child senses that the non-abusive parent can't handle the truth, and sometimes it just takes too much energy.
17 - Ali
Although I think the writers intend to establish House's history of physical abuse as canon, I personally believe they shouldn't -- for several reasons. Orange, I haven't read your essay, but I imagine our views on the interaction between House and his father in 'Daddy's Boy' are pretty similar. While the evidence of extreme tension and turbulence between them was obvious, it just didn't read like a physically abusive father and his child to me. Emotionally abusive -- insults and shouting and mindgames, etc., even physical punishment methods like spanking which were not considered 'child abuse' at the time -- probably, but not physically abusive. House's problems with his dad seem to be more about personality and general child-raising techniques than about hurting him physically. (For the record, I'm no professional either, although I am a child development student and have therefore done a fair amount of research on abuse and child psychology.) But that could be the writers' fault or, as Orange said, the episode could have been written before they decided to make House a physical abuse victim. Mostly, my reasons have more to do with personal opinion and experience.
I think physical abuse is the obvious, even cliched, explanation of 'troubled' fictional characters' personalities/behavior. House has nearly all of the classical signs that indicate a history of physical or sexual abuse, so to make that the root of his issues would be WAY too easy for a show as good as 'House.' There are a million other reasons he could have turned out the way he did and have the relationship he has with his father, so I'd really like to see the writers explore something different. (Also, physical abuse is too often used as a cheap, lazy way of making viewers feel sorry or sad for a character, and I'd hate to think that my favorite show's writing staff would stoop to such a low.)
For example, I'm practically a dead ringer for House -- not only in personality but even in terms of chronic pain (and painkiller) issues, all the way down to a bum right leg which makes me limp -- and I too have a very strained relationship with my ex-military-officer dad branching back into childhood. But I was never physically abused by him. I was spanked (hard) occasionally, and there were times when I thought for sure he was going to do more than that, but to his credit he never did. He did traumatize me in many other ways, some perhaps intentionally (I'm not him so I can't know for sure what his motivations were or if he realized the impact his actions would have on me) and some not, which is clearly the case with Houses Jr. & Sr. too. However, he was by no means an abusive monster like the confession in ODOR, if true, would make House's dad seem to be.
I just think it would be really disappointing if the writers went the obvious, overdone route with this relationship when they have an opportunity to make it so much more complex and interesting and different. I rarely see father-child relationships in fiction that I can relate to, where the dad is generally a decent person who just has a few flaws that make him not the best parent (though not the worst either). I would imagine a lot of other people out there could identify with such a storyline too, and maybe -- if done a certain way -- it could help them forgive their parents' imperfections or at least understand a little better why their parents treated them the way they did. I think House has done the latter, but he definitely hasn't done the former -- and his father's funeral would be a good starting point for it.
18 - Barbara Barnett
Great comments everyone. Look what I missed by being in synagogue all day (and I mean ALL day)--and now properly prayed and fed (and no longer starving and thirsty) I've had a chance to sort of catch up on comments.
I do think it's been established that House was emotionally abused; but also physically abused. I believe what he said to Eve, and I don't believe that House would necessarily react to people and his father from emotional abuse (but I'm not a pro).
I also want to see Wilson understand the role House plays in his life and appreciate that it's not a one way relationship.
As far as blythe knowing about the abuse, I do wonder if as Mrs. Peace-maker, she simply turned a blind eye to whatever John was doing...or let herself believe that it was better to leave it be so as to not make it worse.
More thoughts tomorrow. Happy new year to all of my Jewish readers!
19 - Orange450
"House's problems with his dad seem to be more about personality and general child-raising techniques than about hurting him physically."
Ali, I agree with your statement. It was my take, as well.
This is copied from the conclusion of my "essay": To me, their difficulties seem to be about existential decisions/directions over which House and his father clashed (perfectly understandable, in the face of two such different personalities), or fundamental opinions or positions which he and his father didn’t share â€" not about physical wrongs his father committed against him.
I agree with your opinion that a history of physical abuse would be a predictable way to explain aspects of House's personality, and I, too, would rather see the exploration of the relationship go in a different direction.
I was also emotionally abused by one of my parents. That parent had come from a dark place, and I was able to understand the roots of the abusive behavior - but to understand is simply to understand, and not necessarily to forgive. Although it *is* possible to get to a stage in life where one can put it behind oneself, while resolving never to do it to one's own children (or spouse).
Whatever the reasons behind House's relationship with his father (and I agree that the abuse will probably become canon), it's obvious that he's still in the throes of the struggle. It would be great if the writers (who do such a sensitive job of writing intensely emotional situations) could let House make some measure of peace between his past and his present. (And Hugh Laurie would do such a sensitive (and amazing) job of portraying the reconciliation!) But whatever happens is sure to be some of the most "compelling television" ever.
20 - Andree
I am reading this blog with increasing interest. I even went to read all the old stuff, because it is a real pleasure to read what mature, intelligent fans think and feel about this great series. Compared to other sites I first landed on when becoming hooked on House, where I just felt soooo old among these apparently nearly hysterical, immature people, this is just what I was looking for.
Next week they will show House's Head here, (yeah, we are always a year behind here in Europe, sigh) and I am looking forward to that. And as I like knowing what to expect coming next, I am eagerly waiting to see what you will write about "your" next week's episode. Which apparently will be one of the very good ones again.
Thanks to you all for your great comments.
21 - Ali
Oops, I forgot one thing I wanted to mention in my earlier comment. Since House's aversion to touch has been cited so many times as evidence of physical abuse, I wanted to offer some alternate explanations. I too tend to recoil from touch (and to remain stiff/guarded even when I allow it), but I thankfully have never suffered any physical abuse in my life. (I have been put through the rigors of grueling physical activity as punishment in army ROTC, and it's possible that House's military father used that style of punishment on him, although I don't think that would qualify as true abuse if it was less extreme and set at a child-appropriate level.) For me, it's a combination of several things, including: having Asperger's Syndrome (which I believe House does have at least to a mild degree, regardless of what Cuddy or Wilson says) and both the hypersensitivity to touch & the preference for isolation associated with it; body-image issues (we already know House doesn't like people to touch or see his damaged leg, so it wouldn't be unrealistic for more generalized body consciousness to develop from that); and of course, that old standby, fear of/disgust with intimacy (emotional & physical). That one's pretty powerful, and House has plent of reasons to dislike intimacy -- only some of which have to do with his father's treatment of him. I would go into possible reasons for his other 'abused child' traits too, but I just finished a massive midterm essay so my brain's wiped out for the night. I'd love to read your essay though, Orange. It sounds really insightful and well-written. Whatever path the writers decide to pave, I hope they bring something new to it, handle it with just the right blend of sensitivity & sarcasm, stay true to who the characters are, and give us something that will be satisfying to watch. I guess that's a lot of things to ask for, but they've done it many times before and I'm trying to have faith that they'll do it again!
22 - Eve
Hi Barbara, and thank you for a very well written blog, the first thing I read after a "House-viewing".
About Birthmarks. (Im not english, so I hope you understand me)
I think its sad if house´ intriguing personality must be "explained" by being victim of child abuse. I think being brutally honest and having a nihilistic worldview is just the way he is, and his father might have reacted badly towards him because of it. The fact that he does not like to be touched does not apply to ex Stacy, or others close to him. So some people do not like touching everybody, so what! Are they all abuse victims? I think the show is being stereotypical if the reason behind Houses behavior is simply being an abuse-victim. He might have some traits that leans towards asperger syndrome, who also fit the "symptoms". But most of all I think that people dont "get him", and that his personality is something he is born with, and that it gets him in a lot of trouble also (and sadly) with his cruel dad.
23 - Barbara Barnett
Orange wrote: To me, their difficulties seem to be about existential decisions/directions over which House and his father clashed (perfectly understandable, in the face of two such different personalities), or fundamental opinions or positions which he and his father didn't share - not about physical wrongs his father committed against him.
Thanks for sharing that. I do agree that they would have clashed on existential, social, political and pretty much every other plane of opinion. House appears also to be a natural rebel--and a non-conformist (and as my son would point out, there is a difference.) In a military household with a strict disciplinarian father, there would have been terrible tension.
But I also understand House as someone who is gifted. Gifted children are by nature hypersensitive, hyper-aware, even hyper allergic. If you place a kid like that in such an environment they're likely to end up with problems--House would have probably internalized (or tried to) any sensitiviites to the point of not having (outwardly) any at all. We see this in the character, because House's sensitivity (and I don't mean "aw gee, let's smell the flowers") comes out all the time--in his playing (particularly piano), his ability to connect so emotionally to (some) patients, his dealings with children. Those longingly long shots of House peering into patient rooms once they're healed--even his (in One Day One Room) observing and then freeing the ladybug on his hand.
But I also believe when he says he was abused. It's not something he would have exaggerated in his mind. So, I don't mind it becoming canon.
In any event, I agree that House is always in this struggle with life and with himself. We root for him, but I think it's the thing that keep me glued to his character. I love to see that struggle and Hugh does such a wonderful job of bringing it out--especially in all of those non-scripted, non-verbal ways.
Andree--welcome (and pass the word!). Making this blog the starting point for intelligent and thoughtful analysis of the show had really been my fondest wish for it. I am constantly amazed and gratified at the level of discussion here, and even when we disagree (as often happens) all opinions are respected. That's the beauty of the series: it is complicated and intricate. Many interpretations are possible. I envy you for seeing "House's Head" for the first time! Enjoy.
Ali--you offer good alternatives explanations for House's aversion to touch and other "abused child" behaviors. The Asperger's issue will probably be debated until the show ends, as will other explanations for House's self-isolation and aversion to touch. I cringed when I saw the clip in which House said his father refused to talk to him for two months. I wonder how old he was? If he was really young (not yet a rebellious teen), I wonder what sort of an impact that would have had on him. A young boy wanting his parents' approval, gets nothing but silence for an entire summer. That alone would be devastating to a nine or 10 year old boy.
Eve--thanks for your kind words. I don't believe that House is defined by the abuse. It's simply one aspect of a very, very complex personality. His giftedness/genius, his inherent personality traits (he's probably a loner by nature to an extent, although he does crave social interaction and was deeply in love one), He is socially awkward and that, too, probably doesn't help. His social awkwardness may come from his not "fitting in" anywhere as a kid (maybe until he went to university).
Anyway, as I said--the beauty of the character! So complex and so intricately performed.
24 - Ali
Barbara, I love your last comment. I didn't even think about the gifted thing, but it makes perfect sense. While I am by no means a genius like House is, I was apparently 'gifted' (I don't even think of myself with that word, but apparently others do) enough as a child to qualify for Gifted & Talented programs at school, so I can somewhat relate to that. Gifted children do require a special kind of home environment to really blossom, and House's father clearly had no idea how to provide such an environment or to encourage his giftedness. I totally agree about House being forced to internalize his sensitivities, which would help explain why he's so reticent to express -- or sometimes even acknowledge -- his emotions as an adult. (As a side note, between his giftedness, a natural tendency for being a loner yet still making some attempts toward socializing, an outward lack of empathy, heightened sensitivity, extreme preoccupation with things that interest him, choosing & excelling in a scientific career, and the social awkwardness, I can't imagine he WOULDN'T be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Plus, children with AS have trouble fitting in around 'normal' people, depressing them and making them feel like outcasts from society, which House definitely does. It's really emotionally draining for an Aspie child to try to understand and conform to the 'rules' everyone else seems to follow naturally, which can certainly encourage the kid -- especially if he's not getting proper treatment or accomodations for his differences -- to just give up and live by his own rules instead, regardless of how it affects others. Another interesting possibility is the fact that AS children tend to be naive and too trusting; that means they can be hurt/betrayed/lied to very easily and end up drawing into themselves even more for protection. What if that's why House came to his "everybody lies" conclusion?) There are undoubtedly a lot of additional reasons, because he is a human -- granted, a fictional one, but still -- and human personalities rarely have a single cut-and-dry explanation. One thing I love about the show is that we learn more and more about House's complexities as the seasons progress, that his many layers are unfolded gradually and (usually) subtly so our understanding of his character develops just as that of a real person would. And that, too, is part of why I wish physical abuse didn't enter into the picture -- because it's such an enormously heavy issue that it could very well overwhelm all the other aspects of his character. I don't want House to become defined by it, in the writers' eyes or in the viewers'. If the writers did intend it to be true (and at this point I'm pretty much certain they did), I hope it's handled as just one part of who House is, not some giant OMG DRAMATIC RATINGS DRAW thing that the show obsesses over forever.
Thank you so much, Barbara, for writing this article and for encouraging discussion in the comments. It's so interesting to read everyone's take on the situation and to consider more deeply what my own opinions are, too. And to have it done in such a mature, intelligent manner without the fighting and side-taking that often occurs in fandom makes it even better!
25 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Ali. We all love House because his is so complex! Without that complexity, he would just be another tv character!
Very exciting news--I will have an opportunity to talk with David Foster and Doris Egan before the episode airs next week. David and Doris have co-written "birthmarks." Should be a very interesting interview.