There are flaws to the series: occasional writing lapses, such as plot holes, awkward exposition, and character inconsistencies; an inconsistent season that began with self-contained formula and went on to slightly soapy continuing storylines; medical inaccuracies; some weaker moments by some of the secondary cast. But I often don't notice while I'm watching because the whole package has captivated me. And mostly I don't care, because the positive doesn't just outweigh the bad, it squishes it into a bloody pulp and buries it alive.
One five-episode arc involving a comically evil new board chair, Edward Vogler (Chi McBride), threatened to derail the show, but even it had redeeming qualities that elevated it above average television fare. It offered us an uncertain House, no longer head of his own empire and playing a game when he doesn't know the rules, and brought new dimensions to his relationships with the other characters. The Vogler arc was designed to add drama, perhaps to end off the season with a bang, but the drama is too contrived to stand up to much scrutiny (and, as it turns out, the season didn't end there). Though McBride is as good as he can be given his character's ridiculous motivations, the one-dimensional Vogler is a caricature more than a character.
Some of the plot and character floundering might be due to the show's uncertain fate. The first several episodes aired to less than overwhelming ratings, though House at least improved on those of its weak reality show lead-in, Rebel Billionaire. The full season order of 22 episodes was doled out in dribs and drabs, thanks to that early promise plus critical approval, and then an enormous boost in exposure with its new American Idol lead-in.
The Vogler arc and the Cameron crush are two of the only continuing plotlines in the largely self-contained episodes, and they are among the weakest elements of the show. However, even if the characters of Vogler and Cameron suffered from weak writing, they served to reveal more about Dr. House. Great writing wouldn't rely on bad plot devices to reveal great characterization, but these writers are great enough, often enough, and have developed such a great character that I'm willing to forgive all and call this a great show.
Evidence of its greatness was found in the second last episode of the season, “Three Stories,” written by creator and executive producer David Shore. Like some of the other standouts of the season – I'd name “Damned if You Do” and “Detox” - it defies audience expectations of easy answers, and brings up as many questions as it answers. “Three Stories” focuses on the causes of some of House's current misery without neatly tying his personality flaws to his tragic past. “Damned if You Do” treats faith from religion to atheism respectfully, and “Detox” provides no simple answers to the question of House's addiction to painkillers.
Article comments
1 - Doreen
This is a most brilliantly written review.
I am absolutely mesmerized by this show and the phenominal acting of Hugh Laurie.
In my House, Tuesday is HOUSE.
This is a not to be missed show, and your review perfectly captured the essence, and brilliance of this remarkable show.
I am practically in grief counseling until it comes back on 11/1.
2 - deekay
Thank you! Yes, October is a cruel month, but I'm grateful Fox didn't make us wait until November for the season premiere.
3 - Rosemary Rimmer-Clay
I think Hugh Laurie would have made a wonderfully interesting Bond...
In 'House' he is everyman struggling with the cruel lessons of life, with only music and his intelligence and barbed wit to deflect the slings and arrows! If only Hugh Laurie could understand how magnetic and compelling his performance as House is.No other actor could reveal the flawed humanity in all of us, in the way he has.
I hate the way the press are hounding him in his private life, so that he can't even go for a quiet stroll with his wife and dog!
He is a very fine actor, and I am very grateful to him for his dedication to his craft, as a sensitive and thoughtful actor he has made a lot of people feel genuinely happy, as they engage with the character of House. Well done Hugh!