Amid all the hoopla for Sunday’s Superbowl, House fans (even those of us who could care less about the Superbowl, besides the commercials) have something to cheer about. Mira Sorvino guest stars in “Frozen,” scheduled to air in the desirable post-Superbowl time slot on FOX.
The Oscar-winning Sorvino has starred in such critically acclaimed films as Quiz Show, and Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite (1995), for which she won not only an Academy Award but also a Golden Globe. Sorvino graciously took time from her busy schedule as actress and mom to chat for a bit about her upcoming appearance on the House and its star, Hugh Laurie.
Sorvino plays Cate, a teaching fellow on leave from the show’s Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. She seeks out Dr. House when she suffers extreme incapacitating and unexplained kidney pain. But there’s an added problem: thousands of miles separate House from his patient, a psychiatrist stationed at a remote Antarctic research station, where Cate serves as the staff physician. House’s only access to his patient is via webcam!
The only doctor on staff, Cate is forced, under House’s direction, to perform diagnostic medical procedures on herself. “She doesn’t want to use up any of the medical supplies on theoretical diagnoses,” explained Sorvino, “because she feels that that will hurt her colleagues’ chance of surviving, trapped down there (in Antarctica).” As fans of the show know, House’s usual mode of diagnosis involves quite a bit of theory testing. Instant conflict!
Despite the conflict between the two strong-willed doctors, Sorvino sees House and Cate as sort of kindred spirits. “They understand each other. I feel that she gets him in a way that none of the actual people in his world get him. I think she really understands him and appreciates him and sees a deeper side of him than a lot of other people see because they write him off as this sarcastic curmudgeon, but actually I think she sees a bit of a heart and tortured soul in him.”
And Sorvino believes that the connection goes both ways. “I think he feels sympathy for her when she’s really all alone and has to diagnosis herself constantly and things go from bad to worse.“ Like the best episodes, agreed Sorvino, House and Cate seem to form a bond. “There’s actually a little bit of chemistry between the two of us,” she shared. “It’s not just a patient-doctor relationship. It’s more like a meeting of the minds between two somewhat similar people. There’s this nice little subplot, chemistry, sexual tension.”
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Article comments
1 - hl_lover
Nicely written, Barbara!
How fantastic to be offered a guest role on your favorite show, appearing with one of your favorite actors. Mira's enthusiasm really shows, and I hope the show lives up to not only the post-Super Bowl-slot hype, but also to the teases and spoiler-bits that have been given us. Her insight into Dr. House's psyche should give her performance added punch.
Am looking forward to this episode more than the SB commercials!
2 - Barbara Barnett
Mira was delightful to speak with. I felt that when I was talking to her it really was "fan-to-fan" as much as interviewer to star.
I am completely psyched about this Sunday's episode (and of course tomorrow night's as well)
barbara
3 - sdemar
Good job, Sasmom. After reading the TV Guide, I don't get the feeling that these two had any sort of relationship other than just knowing each other.
4 - Barbara Barnett
I didn't get the impression either that they had been "involved". But I did get the impression that the characters had perhaps known each other from the hospital (and was maybe why she called on House). But I have no idea, other than guessing.
5 - Susanne
Nicely written. I liked it.
But oh dear, more sexual chemistry as if we don't have enough of that already and her unstanding of him better than anyone else? Pick a number and stand in line with the rest of us, the list goes for 3 1/2 years long. Afer reading the tv guide me stomach just feels sick, are these women nothing but love interests for House? Surely there has to be more to them then that. How is cuddy an cameron strong this season? Between cam's bumbling speech to both the camera and the locker room and cuddy being degraded to a walking doormat and sex objecct I'm thinking what has happened?
The "Lets get it on" scene creeps me out a bit, I hope that it is better than it sounds I don't want to think that House is a dirty old man.
But other than that she seems sweet.
6 - Barbara Barnett
Well, Hugh Laurie has chemistry with everyone, so...
I'm not sure it's the sort of crush-y kind of sexual chemistry. I think she probably finds him interesting (she's a psychologist, so that's a given) and something strikes within him that resonates and makes him care. We know that House has a very deep reservoir of caring--and when he does care about a patient--when a patient strikes that caring-chord in him, he can be the most compassionate doctor and person on the planet. I think he keeps it tightly under wraps--or tries to--and sometimes with only limited success.
I think Cameron's being flustered in "Ugly" had more to do with her embarrassment at having said something unguardedly stupid that she no longer believes. I don't think she likes House in that way at this point. And I do think Cameron has travelled a long way since season one and her need for House's approval. (As has Chase). With Cuddy, I think that House's feelings coming more to the surface (again he would deny it) last season has had an effect on her. She and House go back a long way, and their bickering has always been part of the series. She has his number and he knows it and she knows he knows it, but lets him play anyway. In the end she usually wins (unless he has a good reason, and then she relents).
I really don't mind that House forms an attachment with this woman. it is so House to become enamoured of someone who is inaccessible. He can keep up his barrier; she doesn't even have to know that he is handicapped--makes him less (in his eyes) hunchback-of-notre-dame-ish. (and I'm a House/cuddy person, so...)
7 - Susanne
I agree.
This makes me feel a whole lot better. I saw afew clips it looks good. I won't be dissapointe after all.
I'm a House/cameron person but at the end of the day ships shoudn't be a huge factor on the show at least I hope they shouldn't
Thankyou for your response. I feel way better.
8 - Barbara Barnett
Glad to help, Susanne! I am so psyched for Sunday's episode, I'm having trouble concentrating on writing my review of last night's episode!
I saw those clips also. Love them!
9 - Douglas Mays
BB,
Thank you for the heads up with your article. I am a HUGE Mira Sorvino fan! In a good way (being a guy you find that you have to defend admiration for female actors as a non-sex, pro acting/personality thing)!
No matter how twisted the situation the script provides, she always maintains this down to earth, human value vibe. And she is a well educated person! And seems so personable...
Anyway, I'll have the TV focused in.
Mira fan,
DM
10 - Barbara Barnett
Hey Douglas! Glad you happened upon this place. Mira seemed to be so completely down to earth and unaffected. I really liked her. I've seen several of her films. Quiz Show is one of my favorite movie of all she was terrific; ralph fiennes is a particular favorite of mine; Paul Scofield. what a cast! I even liked Mimic. (Jeremy Northam is another favorite--I do have a thing for British actors, don't I?)
This will be a perfect episode for Sunday. Can't wait, and be sure to stop back to read my commentary on the episode (and I will hopefully make a House fan of you!)
Barbara
11 - Douglas Mays
Yes, Mira has made some interesting films. "Mighty Aphrodite" is a head spinner, yet she maintains her grace. "Mimic"? that is a tough one but she pulled it off.
You know, one I found interesting from a 'public must know' point of view is the one she did about Human Traffic-ing. Can't remember the exact title, but she plays an up and coming 'go get 'em' detective and exposes some realities in this country...
Go Mira! We love you....
best,
DM
12 - Barbara Barnett
Hey, Dan,
There are a couple of clips up at the FOX website you might enjoy. Do you normally watch House?
Barbara
13 - Douglas Mays
BB,
No, not a House addict yet. I am just a guy who is very selective about the TV nowadays. It all comes down to being 'screened out'. Between the TV, computer, cell phone toys, etc. I am just sick of looking at screens. You think I'm going to fall for the books on computer and all that stuff?
ANYWAY, the other cool thing about Mira is her alternative headspace. Anyone who was married to Quinten T has got to be OK in my book....
best,
Douglas M