The strike-shortened season of House draws to a close with what looks to be an exciting and emotional two-part finale. Part one, “House’s Head,” airs Monday night and concludes May 19 with “Wilson’s Heart.” The two-parter was originally to air following the Super Bowl, but was put off when the writers’ strike hit. (“Frozen,” guest-starring Mira Sorvino aired in its place.) In advance of the finale, Lisa Edelstein (Dr. Lisa Cuddy) chatted about the double episode, the series, and the compellingly sexy, yet adversarial relationship between dean of medicine Cuddy and iconoclastic diagnostician Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie).
Not wanting to give away too much information about the season-ending two-parter and spoil the fun, she divulged that it is a very unusual episode, as House tries to piece together fragments of his memory after suffering head trauma in a serious bus accident. He is convinced that a fellow passenger had been displaying symptoms of a serious illness before the crash, and he feels is compelled to identify and diagnose the person. But there are a couple of problems at hand. House has no idea who the passenger was. And, House's head injury has caused short-term memory loss, leaving him with only a vague recollection of the hours leading up to the accident.
House uses a variety of unorthodox and dangerous techniques to access his memories of the bus crash, including why he was on the bus in the first place. He experiences hallucinations and visions involving his colleagues, and according to Edelstein, we see the “world from his point of view directly,” even into his subconscious.
As the story unfolds, Edelstein said that we see “the effect of House’s mental struggle as he risks his own life to access his mind,” growing more and more desperate to save the patient. But because no one else can piece it together, his colleagues play along. Everyone is “willing to participate in that risk, while holding their breath. No one really knows the extent to which he’s risking his life.” But even when it does become clearer, she said, they continue to go along with it.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eve
Thank you so much for this very insightful article! I loved it !
Lisa Edelstein is one of the if not THE finest actress on tv at the moment.. great comic-timing and a capturing personality and beauty !
2 - sdemar
Thank you, Barbara, I have been excited about your opportunity to interview Lisa and was anxious to hear what you had to say. Lisa seems to really understand her character and House's, too. She is an intelligent, funny and sexy woman.
I loved her fantasy of what she would like from House. Hopefully, one day that will come to fruition. I wonder how many takes it took for her to do her striptease and if she and Hugh were able to keep from busting out laughing?
An episode of House is not the same until I get to view the wonderful banter between House and Cuddy. LE & HL have great chemistry together and it shows on screen. I also liked how she described Hugh.
3 - Heidi G.
Thanks for posting, Barbara! :)
As I commented on LJ, what struck me the most is the similarity to the scene in No Reason with Cameron and the robot:
She suggested that in Cuddy’s fantasy she would be lying quietly as House “caressed or tickled her belly while doing a diagnostic.”
At least, for me, what she suggested it sounds eerily familiar to that scene.
I'm scared of the prospect of ending on a major change in the story (Wilson/House's friendship) with another strike in sight. To me, it's like seeing "Human Error" with all quiting and the survivor arc all over again. >.< I guess we'll have to wait and see. Oh but the wait.
4 - noteworthy221b
I was surprised and disheartened to read that Lisa called it a "beautiful adult relationship filled with complicated subliminal messages." This is also the first time I've heard that House loves Cuddy; I'm a loyal viewer and have never seen that on the show. The majority of the time, House does the opposite of "protecting" Cuddy. Making her commit perjury is the first instance that comes to mind. He has consistently treated her with disrespect and has lashed out at her in the most unforgivable ways. I don't like what their platonic relationships says about how abusively one person can treat another in the workplace. I've never even seen them as friends, and now I fear that a sexual relationship will be far too similar to so many emotionally abusive relationships in real life. I will grit my teeth through the exploration of this "relationship" and look forward to the House/Wilson road trip. Unlike the way he behaves toward Cuddy, House treats Wilson with love and respect.
5 - nitsa_maro
Thank you so much for posting this interview!Lisa is amazing and I love the way she describes the realtionship between House and Cuddy! She is truly an amazing actress and a wonderful person ♥
6 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks all for your lovely comments. Lisa came across as genuine, funny and really a down-to-earth person (which I understand she is).
Noteworthy221B-I have seen their relationship as something other than you do (and disagreement is the essence of discussion and debate). I think when it comes right down to it, House will be protective of her: Whose Your Daddy, Forever (when he seemed concerned that she had Cancer. Wilson even called him on it, and he deflected.) Cuddy was certain that House was going to gossip to wilson, but he didn't -- and he could have.
Perjury was something Cuddy did on her own. House was prepared to go to jail and was surprised that Cuddy did what she did.
They have a long history, and there is benefit that cuddy derives from her relationship with House: personally and professionally. As she said in Humpty Dumpty : "The question is "why did I hire him?"
7 - sdemar
And may I add that Hugh, himself, has said of the relationship between House and Cuddy is one where there is a lot of sniping but underneath that is a lot of affection.
The House/Cuddy relationship is unconventional, which is why I love it so much. And when you look at it, you could call the relationship between House and Wilson as abusive, however, I have no doubt that House loves Wilson.
Lisa has said that because of House's past history, he is not able to show love the way they are of him. So what we get are little signs of his love that he has for them. Because we don't see it that often makes it all that much more special, IMHO.
8 - James
Hugh also said about their relationship "I think they both look back on the amour that happened as a mistake but one nonetheless they cherish" which tells me that he sees their relationship better left in the past.
9 - michelle
Thank you so much for the article. I have to scratch my head a bit at calling the House/Cuddy relationship a "beautiful adult relationship filled with complicated subliminal messages." All too often it seems to play as anything but, however, I suppose LE can't spin it any way other than how she did.
I'm probably one of the few House fan who's actually a bit bummed that S5 is going to start with yet more of the "House/Wilson friendship on the line"
stuff. Hopefully they have some additional ideas to explore as well.
10 - Barbara Barnett
And may I add that Hugh, himself, has said of the relationship between House and Cuddy is one where there is a lot of sniping but underneath that is a lot of affection.
there was actually a bit of that in the last episode, negotiating the television. The subtext was there while the sparring/sniping seemed to excite them both. But maybe that's just me.
Hugh also said about their relationship "I think they both look back on the amour that happened as a mistake but one nonetheless they cherish" which tells me that he sees their relationship better left in the past. You may be very correct James, but circumstances sometimes lead us in ways we probably ought not (but do) go. I can see this with House and Cuddy. I think the developing of their relationship, especially as it's unfolded more recently to be a slow build.
Michelle, I think that's the complexity of the relationship. Human nature is very complex and when you have two very complex people--both socially pretty stunted, who knows. They are clearly attracted to each other,in any event :)
Even if H/W kicks off S5, I'm sure there will be much more to explore. I will follow up with the writers when I speak to them on Tuesday. So stay tuned!
11 - James
I hope you ask them about Cameron and Chase's presence in season 5, the way they've been victimized this season tells me there won't be anything interesting to explore next season.
12 - Barbara Barnett
I do plan on asking them about the larger cast and the future.
13 - James
Thanks, it would be interesting to know if they feel more at ease writing for the new cast since there have been episodes where they "forgot" to write in Cameron or Chase.
14 - hl_lover
With the amount of effort and care David Shore uses to guide this series and his input into every single episode, I would find it highly unlikely that any particular character has been 'forgotten'.
The show is about House first and foremost, and at the present time, House's relationships with Wilson and Cuddy are the focus of the writers. Perhaps in the future House's interactions with his team, both current and former, will come into the fore again.
Thanks for the report and your insights on this lovely interview, Barbara!
Lisa E.'s idea of an encounter between Cuddy and House is reminiscent of the scene in "Airborne" of House examining (closely) the ailing Cuddy...far from the 'robotic' sex scene in "No Reason". The observing of Cuddy from afar, a la watching a stripper in a bar, however, is more akin to the emotional distance implied in the "No Reason" scene. Enjoyment without any of the entanglements of real human contact.
As opposed to others who've posted, I find LE's comment about House and Cuddy's subliminal messages to be understandable. I think Cuddy's tight clothing is an example. Watching the two of them bicker and spar is almost like watching a mating dance of, as Barbara puts it, the 'socially stunted', not to mention House's extraordinary lack of social skills coming into play. It's amusing and breathtaking, with the wonderful chemistry between these two fine actors just making it all that much more squirm-inducing (in a good way, of course).
15 - Pat
I hope that's not all there is to season 5 of House. It feels like his relationships with both Cuddy and Wilson have been done to death. Wilson nags at him, they're estranged, they're back together. Cuddy lusts for him, he insults her, she risks her job for him. Wash, rinse repeat. I'm ready for House to have someone else in his life than the same thing over and over again with those two.
House's fantasy of Cuddy is that she's a stripper; Cuddy's fantasy is she's House's sex toy while he makes the brilliant diagnsoses. The last thing this relationship is is adult, except in the sense of X-rated. Edelstein saying that Cuddy, an intelligent mature woman, lives through House makes Cuddy sound pitiful rather than strong. What a descent for a formerly impressive character.
If you interview any of the writers, I hope you have better news because the House/Cuddy/Wilson show looks very dull to me. The parts I can get through, that is. While House may be turned on by making Cuddy strip for him, it's a total turn-off for me in terms of intelligence or good story telling.
Weren't there a couple of young, interesting doctors around there somewhere? Their names were Chase, Cameron and Foreman. Maybe they can show up and provide some leaven for this sordid and unoriginal tale.
16 - fhmd
First and foremost, thank you Barbara for your insightful writeup of your interview with LE. This is certainly for me, one of the most anticipated season finale that I have encountered in recent years. I can see why LE described House/Cuddy's relationship as "a beautiful adult relationship filled with complicated subliminal messages." These two characters cared for each other more than they are willing to admit. When something important is on the line however they come through for each other:
House giving Cuddy fertility drug injections and keeping it a secret. He eventually blurb it out accidentally.
Cuddy perjurize herself to save House. (She did it because, just as the judge knew, House does not belong in jail.)
House will always try to have the upper hand on Cuddy but at the end of the day he does, in his own way, tries to protect her. This was seen in the recent episode Living The Dream. It seems that House was putting Cuddy's career "in danger" in the morgue scene just to get a flatscreen TV. In the end he not only got his TV but he also get Cuddy to call him sweet sauce which I believe House secretly enjoys. Before leaving the morgue, however, House directed the accreditator away from the incriminating evidence. Later in the episode, House again protects Cuddy by coming up with a plan to save both the patient and Cuddy, he only puts himself at risk.
I look forward to reading the writeup of your Tuesday's interview with the writers. I hope we can get some clear answers to the directions of Chase, Cameron and Foreman. The characters of Chase, Cameron and Foreman are there to learn from House and I find it rather unrealistic for both Chase and Cameron to occupy such important positions at PPTH so early in the career. I understand the need for these characters to be kept around for S4 since the majority of S4 was spent finding their replacement. However, now that their old positions have been filled by 13, Taub and Kutner I feel that it is time for something drastic to happen. Chase has been very underutilize all season and Cameron's role has only been marginally better. As the show is called House, IMO, the show should continue to center around House. Consequently, screen time for House (unless requested by Mr. Laurie) should not be sacrifice to ensure that every cast members continues to play a significant role on the show.
17 - Barbara Barnett
House's fantasy of Cuddy is that she's a stripper; Cuddy's fantasy is she's House's sex toy while he makes the brilliant diagnsoses. The last thing this relationship is is adult, except in the sense of X-rated. Edelstein saying that Cuddy, an intelligent mature woman, lives through House makes Cuddy sound pitiful rather than strong. What a descent for a formerly impressive character.
Her comment was in no way meant as a definition of her character. It was in response to what would her fantasy be like if the situations were reversed. House fantasizes about Cuddy. That's all he can do, as socially inept as he is. People do fantasize about each other in a romantic/sexual way, and it in no way defines them. In a reverse situation, Lisa said that Cuddy's image would be different than House's because women and men view sexual fantasy differently. She also didn't say that she lives through House. She (becuase she is not longer a practicioner, but an administrator, she is excited by the sort of medicine House practices and she appreciates for the sort of medicine that she might do if unfettered, as fearless as it is. Again, what's wrong by saying that. She's got her role; he his.
18 - Mary Dagmar Davies
Thank you Barbara. This excellent article reveals the intelligence that supports Lisa Edelstein's performance as Cuddy. It is a rare incite into Cuddy's character and that of Gregory House. It is also rare to learn about the thinking behind the performance. There is nothing shallow about Lisa Edelstein. She is an exceptional actor.
19 - michelle
"I do plan on asking them about the larger cast and the future."
I look forward to that interview. My fingers are crossed for some indication that there are plans that don't involve Wilson/House friendship on the line or Huddy-sex for a change.
I like both Wilson and Cuddy, but it would be nice if we got some indication that the other characters exist.
(LE, of course, would be expected to talk about her character, so I fully expected lots of Huddy mentions here.)
20 - Barbara Barnett
Of course that's true, that she would talk about her character. Many of the questions asked were about the House/Cuddy relationship. I will post the full transcript sometime on Tuesday on my personal blog.
21 - ann uk
Interesting how differently people see the characters.I have always thought of House and Cuddy as a Beatrice and Benedict act- in which case they must declare their love in the end. We aren't told much about Cuddy's past but getting to be " one of three women Deans of Medecine " can't have been easy. House accuses her of not seeing the abyss between the ideal and the reality of life but I think she is realist enough to see that life with an agonised soul like House would be ultra demanding.On the other hand I don't think any other man could measure up to House in her estimation.
22 - blacktop
Thank you, Barbara, for this sterling interview! Lisa Edelstein truly sparkles in this exchange as she does on the show. I think that her observations about House and his relationship to her character Cuddy are particularly apt and insightful. I am deeply encouraged that we will see further exploration of this rich relationship next season: it is so complex, unusual and fun that it merits much more attention. While the sexual attraction between House and Cuddy has certainly been apparent from the first season, the show has been admirably restrained in pushing forward with this aspect. Instead we have gotten carefully alloted doses of Cuddy's roles as House's boss, doctor, protector, enabler, substitute parent, friend, possible baby mama, and once-and-future lover. I hope we learn more about their past and their possibilities in the coming season.
23 - Mary
Thank you, Barbara, for this interesting interview with Lisa Edelstein, and to Ann-UK for pointing out that House and Cuddy are not the first fictional pair to show their affection through verbal sparring. (And, like House and Cuddy, Beatrice and Benedick had had a previous relationship as well.)
Another example from U.S. TV was the verbally combative relationship between Maddy and David on "Moonlighting." Unfortunately, the writers of that program threw away the viewers' interest in the unfolding of that relationship by having the characters get sexual too early; the program went straight downhill from there, because their relationship wasn't interesting anymore.
But I'm pretty sure that David Shore and company have more sense than to rush things, particularly since they now have all these new characters whose relationships they can play with without altering the emotionally complex (and not always healthy) relationships of their central character.
24 - Barbara Barnett
Thank you all for making this a terrific discussion. There are so many ways to see the characters and their relationships. This is what makes House so much more than simply a "procedural" show, and why we care so much.
I've always loved the sparring and the "UST"--unresolved sexual tension--except when it hits you over the head. It's always especially fine when you're not sure that it's coming. And when it develops quite apart from what the producers originally thought. My favorite example is X-Files, Chris Carter, over and over said that his intention was not to make the couple romantically interested in each other. But the chemistry between the actors became so undenaiable Carter and company had no choice but to give it a chance...ah but even then. I really thought they handled it poorly at the end, and I stopped watching (true confession time).
I do not see House and Cuddy thinking that their getting together will be a good idea, and if they do, I think each will shrink back from it--and then deal with the consequences of having rekindled something better left alone. But who knows.
25 - blacktop
Great discussion here, thanks to you Barbara! I think that some of the strongest film pairings in Hollywood history have featured a plotline that involves the RE-engagement of the central couple. What I mean is that when the story opens, the destined pair have already been together, but are now split up for whatever reason and the twists of the film's plot involve how they will eventually return to each other, wiser and in love once again. Think of almost any film with Cary Grant, but especially "The Front Page" or "A Philadelphia Story." Or how about any of the Tracy - Hepburn movies?
I believe that the House/Cuddy relationship follows this pattern. They were once together before the show opens, but have distanced themselves for reasons that are slowly revealed to us over the course of the seasons. The dance of attraction and repulsion between them that we witness is delicious, sexy, frustrating, provocative and mysterious. As viewers, we sense the rightness of the pairing, even if the two are temporarily blinded to its necessity. Of course, since "House" is not essentially a romantic comedy, I think there is no guarantee that the House and Cuddy will end up in each others arms at the end of the run. In fact, if I were betting, based on the quirky contrariness of David Shore and the fundamentally tragic nature of the central hero, I would have to guess that they end up apart.
I applaud the brilliant Shore for recognizing the innate chemistry between Laurie and Edelstein and capitalizing on it to deepen his story line and keep us on our toes as they dance on our screen.