House and Cuddy are both pretty relationship-averse; they like what they have (or may have given a chance), but neither is especially adept at nurturing it. If it all goes to hell eventually there will be possibly irreparable hurt on both sides.
House understands this, and it is his greatest fear poised on the brink of something new and ultimately terrifying for him. He is able to articulate this fear to Cuddy honestly and painfully in the season premiere “Now What?” He seems caught where he had been in season two ("Need to Know") with Stacy.
But Cuddy reassures House that however screwed up he is, he is one incredible man and he needn't worry about expectations of change. Even though, as House warns, he will likely do "horrible things" to her. It's who he is. But Cuddy is aware of who House; she has fallen in love with House as he is. Why should she want him to change?
There is a tension between the two new lovers beginning right from the second episode "Selfish," now freed of the dreamlike cocoon enfolding them in the premiere. Striking the right balance between their professional—often contentious—relationship, and their strong feelings for each other, has made their dynamic even more complex as both characters try not to dynamite the fledgling affair.
Their efforts not to step on the other’s toes, hence, their reticence to act as they normally would at work nearly costs a patient her life in episode two. It is an important point to address early on, exploring House’s desire not to bend their relationship, refusing to risk it—instead avoiding what he does best: skirting medicine’s conventions and rules.
House is the one always willing to risk himself for the patient; he has never placed much value on his life or welfare. But now something’s changed and the risk is suddenly too great. It’s an important lesson they both must learn if their work and personal relationships have any chance of success. House must practice medicine without regard to Cuddy’s feelings; and court Cuddy as if he were not the maverick rule-breaker he must be to be effective. Cuddy has to be able to reign in her star doctor without fear.
Lying, doing things behind Cuddy’s back, are as much a part of House’s medical practice as his associative leaps. And as much as Cuddy says she doesn’t expect House to change, she wants him to change—at least in some ways. And she's deeply hurt when House does one of those "horrible" things he warns her about in "Now What?"
In the episode (“Office Politics”), House treats the campaign manager during the height of the election season. The only way he believes he can make the diagnosis is by testing the candidate, who House believes has the same condition. Cuddy refuses to allow the test, but House does it anyway—and behind her back, lying about it to her.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Orange450
Thanks for a fun recap/revisit of S7. I really do appreciate it. I have to admit that as the hiatus goes on, the details of the past episodes become hazier in my mind, and the series begins to take on an etherial, unreal quality, as if the show was something I dreamed about a long time ago, rather than an active component of my consciousness! I guess January 17 better hurry up and get here, if I'm going to keep on watching ;)
You mentioned that the writers have a habit of teasing old threads back to the surface (very well put!) I know this is true, but there are also times that the writers simply let the threads unravel. I had a fleeting thought that now that Cuddy's mom is all set to arrive on the scene, with some family-related dramedy in her wake, the recent "lie" plot point might be laid down to make way for some new dilemmas. Either way, I'm looking forward to what comes next.
2 - Cardiac Monitor
Ms. Barnett: I think you need to get over your huge crush on Hugh Laurie and start looking at this show with a more jaundiced eye. Your complete bias is evident in every review; perhaps you only look for the good in everyone and everything. However, "House MD" has lost so much of its mojo over the past two or three seasons. The "Huddy" relationship is resorting to cliche and puerile story lines: girls gets mad at boy and demands an apology; boy, being a boy, refuses to apologize, but despairs that girl is withholding sex (abject sexism, in my book); boy finally gives in and offers apology (which he doesn't mean) in order to get sex from girl; cue happy ending until next "crisis," in this case "mean mother-in-law." Cuddy used to be smarter than that. As a woman, I object to how her character has become caricature of a smart, evolved, free-thinking woman. As a woman and a journalist, I am saddened that you missed that very important de-evolution of her by the writers. Trip wires? Cruel practical jokes? House is a 13-year-old boy trapped in a 50-year-old body with all of the empathy and sensitivity of Osama Bin Laden, and after all the years of being called "fat-a**" and "incompetent," Cuddy suddenly realizes that she can't live without him? I don't get it; I've obviously missed the point.
The real chemistry, of course, has always been between House and Wilson. However, Wilson has been reduced to a walk-on, a sage deliverer of advice for the lovelorn. Friendship is much more complex than a love affair, and takes just as much work to maintain. Now his is the only character that resembles an adult, clearly the most well-adjusted of the group, and it appears as if he is being phased out of the show and out of House's life. I wonder if, when things go south with "Huddy," Wilson will offer his friend absolution or angst?
The first three or so seasons of "House" showed character development based on the character's reactions and interactions with the patient(s) of the week. I thought this was incredibly ambitious; however, the writers did manage to sustain that level of sharp, intelligent story lines during that period of time. Then it became the "most watched show on the planet," and the writers suddenly changed the focus and the formula, and we were left with this... In short, they fixed it until it broke.
3 - barbara barnett
Cardiac Monitor: Why do I have to look at the show with a jaundiced eye, pray tell. I still like the show. I've been watching it since season one and although it's evolved and certainly changed, I don't think it's changed for the worse.
It's no longer as novel as it once was, because we, by now know so much more about the characters.
I like the Wilson-House dynamic, but I've never felt that it IS the show. The show is about House. Full Stop. Everything feeds into House's journey.
Like mine, yours is a completely subjective take. You're entitled to your opinion, please allow me mine.
4 - Janine
Great! totally agree with your assessment of the House/Cuddy fight in all respects. Most other shows would have had the characters break up, whine about how much they miss each other, and then get back together in that episode span. Insted, House and Cuddy stuck it out like normal adults would. It was a silly fight, she had a right to get mad, but both of them knew that it was nothing to leave each other over.
As for Wilson, I too am curious as to what will happen to him. There was actually a whole conversation in the ppth conference room about what might happen between the House/Wilson dynamic and what Wilson himself will do in response to him being alone while House is in a relationship for the first time in their friendship
As for 13, I know OW had definately confirmed that she will be returning at some point this season, but I honestly don't think she will be sticking around much longer. Olivia Wilde has already signed on for another movie to begin shooting in March, so, unless House is done filming by then, I can't see how she will stick around. As for where she went, I have a feeling House does know, because its totally out of character for him to just disregard the fact that she is missing (his reaction to her absence in Selfish could only be described as less than non schlant) even if he is distracted by his new relationship. I'm liking Masters too, and I hope she does stick around.
For the boys, I agree that they are being a bit underused. I don't so much mind not seeing so much of Foreman, as hes not my favorite and has had a lot of big storylines over the course of the show. But I would like to see more of Chase's reaction to his divorce. It has been mentinoed and seen that he is serial dating, but not much more. Hopefully we will see more of Chase in January!
5 - Ms. M.D.
@ Barbara Barnett: I have just finished reading your review, or rather "recap" of House. I also read Cardiac Monitor's comment.
I have to agree with you both, but with Cardiac Monitor to a larger extent. As a practicing physician myself, I don't ordinarily watch television medical dramas. What begins with interesting, albeit somewhat "out there" story lines, usually quickly deteriorates into soap opera. As Cardiac Monitor stated, the first few years of this show were quite well done (ignoring the gross errors in the medicine) and the character development was "ambitious," yet satisfying. I began watching the show because many of my patients recommended it (early in its first season) and was initially delighted and intrigued, despite the fact that a doctor such as House, with his addictive habits and overwhelming personality disorder, would never be granted a license to practice medicine in any state in this country. It was fun and fanciful, and my husband, an attorney, amused himself weekly counting lawsuits. I'll stick with it until the end, but my interest is acutely waning at this point.
I think Cardiac Monitor was attempting to point out that your reviews appear to be one-sided. My understanding is that a "reviewer" should present both sides of a show (or film, play or piece of music), and yours clearly do not. You've even written a book about this television show (and who does that?), which begs the question if you have some other sort of interest in keeping it on the air? I think Cardiac Monitor surmised that your interest was that of a tender nature for Hugh Laurie, which is completely understandable, but can cloud your judgment.
Some other serious television critics, such as yourself, have agreed that House is definitely winding down, that something fundamental has changed, and that the chemistry between House and Cuddy has fizzled since they began their relationship. I think the producers and writers are resorting to comedic schtick and shock to garner ratings. Cuddy's outfits have gotten tighter with lower necklines and higher heels as time has passed; I know of no women doctors who dress so unprofessionally. She looks lovely, of course, but does not inspire confidence or respect as a woman or a physician. It is still a man's world, after all, and patients hold their doctors to certain standards. Additionally, I have to agree that her character has "de-evolved" to a great extent. I truly hate how women are depicted on film.
I apologize if I sound as if I have come to "bury Caesar" or you, for that matter. I simply felt compelled to attempt to qualify and quantify Cardiac Monitor's comments.
6 - TVTherapy
@BBarnett
I'm with you. I love what Martha has brought to the table this season and obviously am loving House and Cuddy. Additionally, I don't think the show has gotten worse.
You make a really good point about the boys on the show. Jesse Spencer and Omar Epps are totally underutilized and have been (with very few exceptions) for some time now.
@Ms. M.D. and @Cardiac Monitor
As a fellow critic/reviewer, I have to say the whole point of a review is to give an opinion and support your own arguments. Barbara does just that. And you did so as well. Agree to disagree?
Seems beyond pointless to say that Barbara is biased because she has a crush. Yes, Hugh Laurie is talented, but if the writing of the show was severely suffering, even he couldn't save it and we all know that.
And if having a crush on HL is a sin, guess I'll be paving the road to hell with my reviews. Reviews are biased. Reviews are subjective. Writing about television isn't scientific and one million people can look at the same hour of television and have one million different opinions. What makes one more valid than another?
There's nothing wrong with disagreeing, but to assert one's own opinion as fact is absurd. And to insult another person's opinions for being "wrong" well, do I even need to say it?
Just putting it out there...
7 - RSL fans
We hope Robert Sean leonard leaves the show for better prospects - his talent is wasted and he is a far better actor than Hugh Laurie!!!
8 - sally
I enjoyed your take on the season so far. I have enjoyed this season, it was time to see this side of House in a relationship and it's good to see more of Cuddy and her family as the relationship continues. I'm hoping their relationship remains for the duration of the series - i can't imagine it ever being boring
9 - Buddha's Delight
Several observations/questions:
(1) You mentioned in your article that House and Cuddy "haven’t been together more than a few weeks." However, since "Now What" took place immediately after last season's finale and "Office Politics" revolved around the November mid-term elections, doesn't that mean that they've actually been a romantic couple for several months now? Are the writers resorting to a sliding timescale in order to bypass this discrepancy in the passage of time on the show?
(2) It would be interesting (to say the least) if Wilson were to progressively gravitate towards Chase as his newest BFF during the second half of this season. In the wake of the Dibala debacle and the subsequent dissolution of his marriage to Cameron, our favorite wombat has resorted to less-than-healthy means to deal with his rut, including serial philandering, a possible dependence on alcohol, and an ostensibly blase attitude regarding the personal issues of his teammates. He's the perfect font of tapped neediness that Wilson could obsess over now that Sam is no longer in the picture and House is preoccupied with new love life. This could potentially kill two birds with one stone by increasing Chase's presence on the show and giving Wilson something else beyond playing Sancho Panza to House's Don Quixote.
(3) Given that House and Mama Cuddy don't actually meet - in the flesh - until after the mid-season hiatus, how is it possible that she lives relatively close enough to Cuddy to babysit little Rachel and yet be apparently unable to visit her daughter for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve? I hope the writers clarify this point.
(4) This might seem off topic than the previous question, but the upcoming presence of the extended Cuddy clan have left me wondering what exactly happened to Blythe House amidst all of these familial dramas. Her only child (as far as we know) is in a committed romantic relationship with another woman (a mother, to boot!) after nearly a decade of self-imposed emotional exile, and yet, the audience hasn't seen hide nor hair of Mama House since the funeral scene from Season 5's "Birthmarks." I hope her character hasn't come down with Chuck Cunningham syndrome since her possible return would allow the writers to not only further explore House's fractured family history but to also provide an outside perspective on the recent changes in her son's life.
10 - Barbara barnett
I think Cardiac Monitor was attempting to point out that your reviews appear to be one-sided. My understanding is that a "reviewer" should present both sides of a show (or film, play or piece of music), and yours clearly do not. You've even written a book about this television show (and who does that?), which begs the question if you have some other sort of interest in keeping it on the air? I think Cardiac Monitor surmised that your interest was that of a tender nature for Hugh Laurie, which is completely understandable, but can cloud your judgment.
Ms M.D. Reviews are opinions. Someone's bad is someone else's good.
I still think House is good television. Period. When I no longer like a show, I simply stop watching. I adored the x files. But by season seven, it was done for me. I stopped caring, stopped writing about it and left for others. The remote control is a powerful thing.
I have friends who stopped watching in season three, yet something brought them back this year. Others I know only began watching in the last year or two who much prefer these last couple of years to the first seasons. Yet others disagree.
To suggest that I have some sort of agenda in wanting to keep the show on the air is incredibly unfair. I would love the series to come to graceful end when it's time to do that.
Cuddy has been wearing tighter outfits since season 2. House has been an adolescent since the start. What the affair has done is to challenge him in some new ways. it's an altered journey in some respects. And I'm wondering where it will take him.
11 - simona
Barbara, your summary of the first half of the season has come to me and welcome as water in the desert. This hiatus is evil and detrimental to the series.
I think like you that the relationship between House and Cuddy should not have a significant role but should be used to explore deeper and deeper House. And that is what is happening. Of course the episodes lasting 40 minutes and we can not expect that the writers explore all the meat immediately put to fire over the 7 seasons. But I think they are absolutely brilliant and they will find a way to make ends meet and to surprise us once again, as they always have. An episode just above average (which is already very good) to give more emphasis to this wonderful series.
I think the risk is to see the glass half empty just because the series is so well made and ambitious and the fans, whose comments I always read with pleasure, are intelligent and deep. I don't know if there is another series as discussed in detail as House MD. And this is undoubtedly a big quality.
Above all I missed the Christmas episode and I believe that the hiatus has strongly affected the content of the series because Christmas has always been a very important moment in the story: an excuse to reflect on ethical issues that House has always faced. It's a pity.
I'm absolutely curious to see how it will evolve the Wilson situation, the "Wilson's need to be needed" (using your words because you fix the problem perfectly).
I miss the boys too and I hope that it will be offered to Chase the chance to show more depth.
On a side note: I bought Chasing Zebras and I can't wait to start reading it :-)
12 - Norma
I agree with rslfans, I want robert sean leonard out of this now awful show, I only hope that he is going to continue to work in some other show where he is really appreciated.
13 - Kim in California
I actually find that the Huddy relationship is not a mature one, especially from Cuddy's side. She specifically said that she did not want him to change and yet, right off the bat, she's expecting big changes at work and House's usual manipulations (which is precisely why you shouldn't date someone at work.) She also gets upset about the work lie (lies which she has tolerated and encouraged over the years) to a point where she becomes the epitome of a teenage girl--pouting, withholding affection and contact and holding firm to a ridiculous objective--to keep House from lying to her. What planet has she been living on for the past umpteen years of knowing him? She's partly responsible for the manipulative bastard that he has become (what administrator pulls a stained carpet out of a dumpster because the employee throw a tantrum over a new rug?)
What really made me shake my head and pray that Huddy implodes quickly was when the smallpox episode where Cuddy realized she could lose him and yet she still wouldn't let go of her petty gripe. Believe me, if you ever face the possible death of a loved one, petty arguments (such as, "you, the habitual manipulator, LIED to me."--duh) go out the window. You realize that you need to choose your battles, and House lying about work issues is one you're never going to win (if she doesn't realize this, then she really doesn't deserve a relationship with this man--she's got blinders on.)
It used to be that the show only had the occasional 'off' episode. Now they only have the occasional interesting episode. The writers are hamstrung with having to give some drama to Huddy to keep it interesting to the audience. As a result of their expoloration of this implausible relationship, I know that they've lost several male viewers (my husband included.) I'm much more drawn to the relationship between Masters and House. It's the only interesting male/female relationship on the show right now.
Give us more 'patient of the week' and team eccentric episodes. Stop shoveling the Huddy drivel and bring back more of the House/Wilson relationship. After all, Sherlock Holmes was popular to the end of the series and he never had the faintest hint of a male/female relationship with anyone (not even Irene Adler, who was respected, not loved, by Holmes.) If Sir Arthur Conan Doyle can do it, so can the House writers.
14 - ruthinor
One thing all the gripers have in common...they are all House-Wilson shippers and hate Cuddy. If you no longer like the show, don't watch! And go to websites that appreciate your point of view instead of coming here to bitch and moan about the unfairness of it all.
Keep it coming Barbara. Lots of us agree with YOU.
15 - brenda
to those saying the show has gotten worse, i wonder what show you guys were watching. the show is doing fine, if you want house and wilson to be a couple then you are clearly delusional. if you dislike the show's direction, quit watching it, no one has put a bullet to your head. it's sad the show its now based on shipping. i watch for house and his joruney, you should do the same, if you can't then stop watching it, you're torturing yourselves. by the way i love this review ms.barnett. you are a true fan
16 - Janine
@Ruthinor and Brenda
THANK YOU! I am so sick of dilusional fans who want House/Wilson or House/Cameron which is clearly not going to happen. Cameron is gone and House and Wilson are both clearly straight. Why do people waste their time commenting on shows they don't like and insutling the fans who do still enjoy this show? The show as well as Barbara'a reviews are both wonderful, and if people can't appreciate them, I agree that they should stop watching or go elsewhere to complain.
17 - RJW
Count me among those who feel that House has actually improved over the years.There's more character depth and there's not nearly as many "he gets better or he dies" lines.I have this feeling that the Chase storyline will be coming to the forefront,as I suspect that all his sleeping around is due to his lack of getting help over Dibala/Cameron.Not that I worry about Chase's story that much,as the show is about House and the people he interacts with.Chase is an interesting supporting character.I admit that I've never been a Foreman fan,but we get people like that in real life...people who we don't care for.My personal opinion is that the House cast is a great ensemble,with Laurie the best actor around today.I'm looking forward to the rest of Season 7.
18 - hazel eyes
When your reviews and book came out I asked the question if this book was based on fact or on a fans view of the show and I was quite rudely told by your fans that it was based on fact and it endorsed by the writers of the show. So I am glad that you have admitted that you are a Huddy fan and the reviews and your book is just how you see the show. Don't get me wrong because I do enjoy reading your views even though I tend to not agree with some of them.
19 - Nikki
Thank you for pointing out the lack of Chase. I do miss him and I don't like what the writers are doing with him in S7. It doesn't feel right to the character that we got to know over the past seasons, and RJW is most probably right that he is sleeping around due to unsolved issues. I actually do worry about his story because he deserves better than being taken on a back seat and becoming a juvenile womanizer. He's never shown any signs of awareness of how 'easy' he is with girls and it bothers me that he is frolicing around. It doesn't fit the character and I don't buy it unless there is a reason behind it which has yet to be revealed. The Dibala thing must have had a huge impact on him and I hope it won't be about his ill-fated marriage. Having said that, I'm not looking forward to another dilemma if he did the right thing or not. The best thing they could do was to leave the decision up to the viewers, IMO.
I do hope he'll be back on the team with some fresh and unexpected story lines. He's got quite an interesting dynamic with House and I always wished they'd explore that. The influence and the teaching that House did on his fellows has always been the most intriguing part of the show, to me. I hope they won't dismiss Chase and Foreman in favour of the new fellow, Masters. I love to see everyone's interactions with House because those have always been the most rewarding moments on the show. It truly is a character's journey which is so much better than any office romance stuff.
Still watching, still not giving up hope that we'll get some Chase/House in the near future. And, still enjoying the most complex show on TV.
20 - Barbara barnett
Hazel eyes,
Nowhere do I say my book or my Opinions about the show are either endorsed by the show writErs or are "fact."
I actually state in the book's intro that the opinions expressed are "one fan's subjective opinion." It is commentary. I can't be any plainer than that.
For heavens sake, the show's producers are into "huddy
21 - Barbara barnett
Sorry about that. The show's creators are fans of Huddy! That's where they're taking the story line, and I'm sorry if you're not on board with that, but i'm wiling to go along for the ride. People have been griping about the show's direction since season 4. It is now season 7.
My column has never been about recalling just the fact, ma'am. The book's entire episode guide, in my opinion is pretty well balanced within what I see on screen. YMMV.
22 - onecoolwoman
I agree with your comments Barbara, and you're entitled to your opinion, "this is America." I don't care if you're an MD or what, I have 2 Ivy League degrees - so what - who cares. If you do not like the show, hate Hugh Laurie, like CSI or Law and Order Better, then DO NOT WATCH THE SHOW AND SIT AROUND AND COMPLAIN, PERIOD - America is all about choice. This is simply one respected woman's (Barbara'a) subjective opinion, and why are you wasting your time, people - do something productive with your life -don't watch "House" if you don't like it - why waste your time??. Why would Hugh Laurie be nominated for an Emmy, a PCA, a SGA, and a Golden Globe if the show was so bad? This is Barbara's website and have some respect for her. I love your book and use it for re-runs all the time BTW, Barbara - just standing up for you b/c I really respect you and I do not appreciate other peoples' nonsense/disrespect of you....
23 - Barbara barnett
Thanks OCW. Decided I've spent all the time I have to spend banging my head against a wall for today ;)
I appreciate the support. Thanks to all.
24 - Chelsey
Barbara: I love your reviews, and I agree with the above comments that reviews are supposed to be subjective. Your detailed articles (and I can imagine Chasing Zebras as well) is an in-depth look in to House's character and his development. For all who feel that this show has gone down hill over the past few seasons, I would have to disagree. I feel that the writers have done a superb job of creating a balance between the House and Cuddy relationship story line and the medicine. House's relationship is a different direction, a new situation to explore and a chance to see House's personal evolution. If House (and all of the other characters) did not change and evolve I would not stop watching necessarily, but I think I would grow bored. Just like people in real life, the characters are going through changes.
25 - Leslie
It is rumored everywhere I go especially on twitter that Ms. Edelstein is involved with a married man named Robert whatever with young kids. If this is true, I have lost my great respect for her. If you are with him, let it be private by not posting photos of you two locking lips. Also about the show, I have lost interest, I had great expectations for the relationship, but now this huddy arc and cases suck. I will be looking for a new show to enjoy. And Barbara, you're a great a critic. I enjoyed your reviews. Best of luck and goodbye.