On the eve of the season four finale, an interview with House executive producers/writers Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner
When we last we saw Dr. Gregory House at the end of “House’s Head” (part one the House season finale), he was barely alive, lying on the floor of a bus. The entire episode was a weird and emotionally powerful rollercoaster ride, as we follow House (played to perfection by Hugh Laurie), while he tries to reassemble bits and pieces of his memory after being involved in a bus accident.…
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26 - Isabelle
Art is imperfect. "House"-- as far as television goes-- is as close to art as they come.
And I seriously do not understand the Chase and Cameron fans who feel like they were robbed of backstory. They were played out. I don't care at all about them. The few times we've seen them in the post-strike episodes have been fun, and I don't want more.
27 - Susanne
All I know about cameron is that she has a brother, her husband died and that she is an athiest. Other than that nothing.
28 - Buds
Great article Barbara. Just wish the writers had dropped some more spoilers. Another 18 hrs for the finale. Argh!!
I am tired of seeing this extended cast, and think its about time the writers made a decision about the team. Forman is the most annoying of the old cast in this season and has become so two dimensional. Forman needs to get out of this rut he is stuck in.
It has been interesting to see Chase, Cameron, and House interacting now that their circumstances have changed. I would like to see at least one episode next season where the new team ( Taub, Kutner and Hadley (13 was way cooler!!!) ) are away/unavailable, forcing House to work with his old team on a case. That would be fun.
Out of the new team, I got bored of Taub after "Don't Ever Change" and of Hadley (her name was the only interesting thing left) when they started (and have gotten stuck on) the bisexual thing. 13 showed promise early on in the series when there was that whole air of mystery around her, since then she has gotten boring and dull. I think one of the reasons for this might be the juggling act of trying to give everyone screen time. Kutner though is still fresh, funny, and interesting. Taub and 13 seem to have gotten bored of their jobs, which would be a really great way to kick them off the team and get CC back.
So basically what I'm saying is that they need to get rid of either 13 and Taub, or Cameron and Chase.
House wouldn't be Gregory House without Wilson the same way Holmes wouldn't have been Sherlock Holmes without Watson. Their interactions are an integral part of the series.
Anyone know when season 5 is supposed to start airing?
29 - lily
Excellent article!
I do truly trust the writers on House - they seem like a professional bunch with both vision and an eye for detail.
It does make me a little nervous that they're writing season 5 without a complete plan yet...but am crossing my fingers.
I don't desperately miss the old team. I'm more into the grown ups!
Can't wait for some House/Cuddy action. Come on writers, Katie Jacobs promised us season 4, but then the strike happened..plz let something happen in Seaons 5 :)
I'm glad to hear House will be back in the clinic!!
30 - blacktop
Wonderful write up of your important "get" Barbara! I am delighted with all the news you have broken in this interview particularly the fact that the writing team is still pondering what to do about Wilson's brother. It is heartening to learn that the concerns of us nit-picking fans are reflected in the musings of these excellent writers. Now if we could only learn where Wilson was during House's infarction, I would rest contentedly.
I have not missed Chase and Cameron one bit this season and would gladly trade all their highly repetitious scenes for more from the clinic. Those random encounters with ordinary patients hold an infinite variety of humor, pathos, and insight into the human condition and I look forward to seeing more from the clinic next season. Add lots more on the sizzling House/Cuddy front and I will be a satisfied camper indeed.
House's humanity and his struggle to express/suppress it is at the heart of this marvelous show. Hugh Laurie's brave work gives texture and depth to the wonderfully complex words concocted by Shore, Lerner, Friend, Egan, Hess, and the incomparable Lawrence Kaplow. We are so fortunate to have this sterling team creating "House" for our pleasure.
31 - ann uk
Like Boffle I have never been so enthralled by a TV series as I am by House . As somebody else ( sorry forget who ) said House is as close to art as TV drama has ever come.Quick witted , sure footed , profound and funny - it packs more into one episode than other series do in a whole season.In House the writers have created a character that lives outside the box, that provokes and engages us like Hamlet and Hugh Laurie, our perfect Bertie Wooster, has revealed that he is a great tragic actor ( of course,it helps that he looks like an El Greco saint ! )
I dread to think that I would have dismissed House MD as just another Hospital soap had I not hit on an episode by accident.
Thanks for a revealing nterview, Babara. I am really glad to hear that the writing team intends to concentrate more on House in Season 5. There is still so much to explore in that complex inner world.
32 - rtlemurs
As always Barbara you have given us a great opportunity to peek behind the curtains. But this time, instead of a peek behind House's curtains we get a peek behind the show itself.
First I need to squee a bit. Great news on the return of Lawrence Kaplow. I really felt he brought that playful element to House that no one else seems to hit as squarely on the head. Not to take away from any of the other writers, they are all head and shoulders above. But each has a particular aspect of House that they bring out best, as you've pointed out with Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend affinity for bringing out House's humaity better than any of the others. LK just does mischievious House the very best.
I love that childish, playful House and I think that was glaringly absent in season 4 (Maybe for more reasons than just LK's absence, like an abrieviated season). But LK also, has a great way of bringing that same humanity and emotional pain into the mix as a beautiful undercurrent to that playfulness. And he still manages to keep the jerk factor at a high level. That just blows my mind (as well as the balancing act all the writers on this show have displayed throughout the run)
Anyhow, I wanted to really comment on two things. One, These guys wrote a fantastic set of episodes! I think that worry about the departure from the normal inevitably bringing comparisons to "Three Stories" is a great worry to have. It has prompted them to rise to another level of intensity that has yielded some of the most memorable televison I have seen. Even though I have not seen the second part (is it 9:00 yet?!) I cannot forsee a let down. Thank you, Mr. Lerner and Mr. Friend it is a pleasure to watch your creation.
And second, I wanted to briefly throw my hat into the ring on the overpopulation of the show and the concerns that seems to be bringing on all levels.
I can only speak for myself but as long as you folks keep writing the amazing scritps and Hugh Laurie keeps bringing it on I don't care who you have flitting around the edges. This is what the show is about for me.
I love Wilson and Cuddy and would certainly be saddened if they leave, just as I am with the minimal screen time the old ducks are getting, but I realize that this show is and always has been about House. If you watch it for any other reason you may be missing the point.
Yes, we need the peripheral characters for House to bounce off of and they need to be developed, or things will suffer, We have to care about them as well for it to work and thus we, as an audience, become attached. THat is as it should be, but I think TPTB made a fantastic decision in doing what they did. From the get go I was saddened most by the loss of Chase as he was just "getting it". But then I thought if he is getting it why does he need to be around House anymore?
David Shore has done us all a favor and kept this show real and organic. In reality these folks would not be hanging around under House's guidance for any longer.They would be leaving to pursue their own careers, using the lessons they have learned from House to do what they do. Maybe, occasionally flitting in to see or visit or consult with House.
Thank you Mr. Shore for having the goombas to stick to your vision and do this. Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees.
And thanks Barbara. I hope you have more opportunities in the future to talk with the folks behind the scenes at House and allow us the pleasure of getting these little peeks behind the scenes.
33 - lslycanthrope
The relationship between House and Cuddy? What about all the unresolved sexual tension between House and Wilson?
34 - Toni
The relationship between House and Cuddy? What about all the unresolved sexual tension between House and Wilson?
Seriously! They make such a cute couple. They should just get it over with and get married already.
35 - John
I agree with you Toni, Wilson and House make such a cute couple that they should get married already. And I really hope Katie Jacobs is the bridesmaid.
36 - faust76
Thank you for this wonderful and insightful article. Most interviewers these days seem to not really care much about what questions the audience wants answered which results - more often than not - in having a dozen interviews with the same old questions and - how else could it be - nearly identical answers from the powers that be. So, thank you for having gone deeper into the minds of us normal folks and the writers. I think quite a lot has been revealed and I am completely and utterly psyched for the next season.
Dankeschön!
37 - Barbara Barnett
Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and contributions to the "discussion." Sorry for being a bit AWOL, myself, but real life (daughter's college graduation) called me to Boston (and very, very limited time).
I am completely psyched for the finale (thank goodness Keith Olbermann is on to distract me until showtime!). Love to know everyone's thoughts after the show. My review will probably be up some time on tomorrow or Wednesday morning.
38 - Clara
This article is great, and so are the comments. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, everybody!
Thoughts regarding the show? !! First of all it was absolutely amazing, a magical masterpiece, wonderfully beautiful, horribly sad... THE best House episode to date. Was anybody else sobbing uncontrollably? I watched another video clip today and cried my eyes out. No show, or movie, for that matter, has ever made cry so hard. Wow.
Can't wait to read more of your articles, Barbara and see more comments re the finale!
39 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks, Clara.
My finale review is up on BC as well at this point. One of the reasons I specifically asked to speak to Lerner and Friend was that they just seem to "get" the character of House. They always manage to access his essential humanity and his nobility (as well as his tragedy) better than any of the other writers (with the exception of Shore or Kaplow). They certainly did not disappoint.
40 - Mark
Kudos to the whole writing staff for the season-long Amber story arc. She was slipped in under the radar at the start of the season in the "new interns" story. The story ended, she left, and then, out of the blue, she popped up again, becoming more and more a significant presence, until the heart-wrenching finale. Wow, very clever, inspired writing. (And props to Anne Dudek for displaying an amazing range of acting chops, going from the Cutthroat Bitch that everyone hated to Amber, whose tragic fate was so deeply moving.) Thanks and congratulations to the whole cast and crew; very well done.
41 - Ed
Season IV was a bit of a disappointed, the new characters, Thirteen, Taub, Kutner were boring, only Amber added some extra value. Gimme back Cameron and Chase.
House alone won't do it, the success of season 1-3 is the combination of the House character, the medical puzzle and other strong characters such as the episodes with Vogler (season 1), House ex Stacey (season 2) and Tritter (season 3).
Nothing of that in season 4.
42 - jennifer
more house and cameron please..and please revive the old team..
43 - Katya
Hello! I am russian fan of "House md". I am very excited about the show and looking forward 5 season. It's really great show!!! To see new episods i have to download from internet and then download subs to understand some moments, but its worth of that efforts.
I think that first of all the show is about House. And i really dont care about Cameron, Chase and Forman. They were great, but i did welcomed the new team.
House/Caddy and House/Willson are awesome. The others - just a background.
And yes, it would be great to see House and Caddy relationship (but of cuz it will never work and can ruin the atmosphere)....
So i want to see House, and can take every change till he is brilliant jerk and brilliant doctor.
44 - Allison
Great interview. Thanks for posting it!
45 - tess g
Im a fan of this series..........HOUSE MD is so great, everything about it.the cast, the stories, and of course DR. HOUSE himself. He reminds me of my friend, who's a Doctor also. Im a medical representative, and I would be very happy to meet a Doctor like him.
Hope to see the SEASON 5 very soon.
love ya!!!!!1
46 - KS Superstar
What happened to TV? I love watching House, I think it is a very well written witty show, but come on. We waited till April 28th for the 2008 season to begin and it was finished by the end of May. What is that, all of four episodes, maybe five?
As much as the actors, writers, directors get paid you think they could give us viewers a little more.....
47 - Claudia
@ KS Superstar:
Not true:
the 2008 season started in Februari. Guess you missed some episodes.
After the writerstrike had ended, they began writing new episodes again, and those new ones they had finished then aired from April 28th onwards.
All tv series were affected by that writers strike, not just House.
As David Shore said in a recent interview:
They had to struglle to even get those few last episodes shown, because Fox had actually not planned on getting House back at all this TV eason, and had only wanted them back on air in the fall for season 5.
So if you really want to blame someone: blame Fox.
48 - Barbara Barnett
the season actually began last September. It ran through early december before the impact of the strike hit. They had only three episodes in the can at the strike's start, which ran at the end of January and into the first week of February. then the show was on an extended hiatus until the end of april.
The season in the US did not begin in February. In Europe and elsewhere, the season may have begun at different times.
49 - Linmark
I have that theory about this stones song, "You can't always get what you want".
First, Rolling Stones lyrics :
I saw her today at a reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
No, you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need
[...]
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
I said to him
[...]
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands
You can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need
*****
What is the link with House MD season finale 4 ?
WARNING SPOILERS. WARNING SPOILERS.
Well... "You can't always get what you want", Amber said at the end.
And that's a new enlightment for the episode.
"I saw her today at a reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man"
House meets Amber while he stands in a bar, with a glass in his hand, and she soon drinks one. They actually feel connected by their personalities, as said for a few episodes ("Oh my god, you're dating me" House tells to Wilson), and it seems they had feelings for each other (even if these were weaker than their feelings for Wilson (love/friendship)). And House walks with a cane, he's lost a leg, he's a "footloose man".
"I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled"
They tranported Amber to an other hospital (well it doesn't make full sense but whatever).
"I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red"
James Wilson, Jimmy, did look pretty ill, especially when he worried about his girl. House decides to "have a drink" with him (and verify the diagnosis) at Sharrie's bar. "Why would she drink sherry if it wasn't relevant ?", House asked after having hallucinating about Amber. So, why would they deal with cherry if it wasn't for the song in the episode ?
"I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead""
Later, House gives his final diagnosis, his "song" : there's only one answer, "and that was "dead"". "Am I dead ?" Amber says in the end, in few words... Wilson answers "I love you", but they know what he means. And that was "dead".
"I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands"
The "bleeding man" could be anxious Wilson, or even House, literally bleeding from his ear (and this wound seems useless in the story) when he has a bath to find his memories.
The viewer wonders if Amber cheated on Wilson that night, because she's "practiced at the art of deception" : she's still a cut-throat bitch.
"Blood-stained hands" could refer to her personality (she could have metaphorically blood on her hands because of the things she did to get the job), but seems more likely refer to the bus crash : House has literally "blood stained hands" (but it can be metaphorical too), but Amber can have too, since she's wounded (even if the rest of the wounded seem to still have perfect dentition after the accident).
And finally,
"You can't always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need"
The episode shows in a cruel way that "you can't always get what you want". House can't live in a pain-free world, in his coma, forever. But he needs to live, and wakes up as soon as he tries.
Hum... This chorus can be applied to many situations (and this is what makes its strenght). But series writers seem to like it particularly (it appears many times in Californication, and in House MD season 1). With the strike or not, I wonder if the scenarists get inspiration from that song to write this episode. It deals with medical issues ("prescription", "drugstore", "blood-stained hands"), and Gregory House is rock'n'roll.
Maybe Amber's last words in the serie are only pop-wisedom, and not the meaning, the plan, of the season finale, and the interpretation is just a coincidence. Obviously, it's nothing but a personal interpretation, but if it's just a coincidence, it's an interesting one.
=)
50 - Barbara Barnett
Linmark--Very inventive. I like it! Very interesting theory about the song, which has sort of become an alternate theme for the series.
51 - Toma
Hello! I'm another russian fan of "House md"(see 7 - 8 comments above).I hadn't to download new episods from internet and then download subs to understand some moments - I watched the show(c) on-line and dubbed...but,oh,sorry,that looks kinda personal attack..or not?Anyway,nothing like this won't happen again.Honestly.
So,the show.I think it must not go on.Four seasons are enough.Five-that's QUITE enough.Don't soap House,pliiiiiiiiiiiz!
Loveline House/Cuddy sucks.House/Wilson as well.I believe House will die alone,or he wouldn't be House.
People,who knows if they used Stephen Duffy&The Lilac Time's song "Nothing can last" in Wilson's theme in 5th season? Hope they used,because it really suits,especially in the moment "...love is like cancer,it's killing me faster than time..."
Thanks God House exist!
Also thanks to House's creators who magic on serial hardly.Thanks to people who proved to be actors,and not true doctors,as I thought first(I still doubt).
Special gratitude to Barbara Barnett who wasn't lazy about writting such a tremendous article.
52 - fan from Poland
Even in our life we have changes, so it's normal and logical that they've changed the staff in the 4 season. In that season nothing was sure and we could'nt predict nothing. I was surprised by some episode but in a positive way. the two last episodes was so unpredictable, so different and so interesting that I was unable to seat while watching it. I've never cried so much...
I've really enjoyed the whole show and I think that the caracter of gregory house is just amazing...
53 - Jablowski
It's great that house is constantly evolving as a show. No one would want to watch the same thing over and over again for five seasons, no matter how snappy and witty the dialogue is. I agree there are some changes people just don't like but change is always painful. I'm pretty sure that house will be back on it's groove in season five. cheers!
54 - Well, another fan from Poland, I guess
I found season four both fresh (good) and overdone, over the top. I'd liked the way Taub and Foreman dealt with the pill-guy in one episode and would've liked to see more of that kind of stuff. Instead, those characters both went a bit 2D, same for 13, I like the girl and her attitude but you don't gild the lily, keep her as mysterious as you want but don't pack her with new problems. Also, Cameron looks worse in blond. And they really could've skipped the Cuddy sexy-dance thing, but I'm not the one for House's hallucinations and dreams, though I really like Cuddy and their unrelationship. New Chase is good but new Cameron and Foreman need a little bit more definite finishing touch.
I hope House will return more like seasons 1-3. Cheers.
55 - UK fan
There just aren't enough superlatives to describe Seasons 1-3 of House. It was highly skillful, thought provokingly intelligent, sensitive, insensitive and at times hilarious. Well done the writers. That said I was so disappointed with this whole 'Survivor' thing in Series 4. House has been so successful for it's LACK of turn-over. I mean the minor characters of Vogler and Tritter were wonderfully despicable and added real dimension to the show, but I honestly don't think Taub, Kutner or 13 serve ANY purpose. They're not engaging, exciting or original. The dynamics of the relationships between House/Foreman, House/Cameron, (including Chase being his usual odious self) originally got me hooked on this programme. Instead of allowing these relationships to further develop (and they could have) the writers have brought in these sensational new characters who are attractive and dull in equal measures, and we have to suffer through watching them squabble instead of diagnosing. I'll continue watching with high hopes that the old characters will return... and I absolutely love the way Hugh Laurie skillfully creates and masters Gregory House. He is a national treasure afterall.
56 - Sally
Wonderful Finale of Season 5 . . . What is the music played at the wedding of Chase and Cameron (I think, because this was the first episode I saw . . . am now finding all the rest w/ TIVO)