A small taste of what's to come in the House, M.D. Season 8 premiere
Caveat: mild spoilers ahead…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
A small taste of what's to come in the House, M.D. Season 8 premiere
Caveat: mild spoilers ahead…
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Article comments
76 - Barbara Barnett
DL-Mom isn't mentioned in the premiere. I agree that she probably has no idea of any of the things that have happened over the past two (now three, given the jump in time) years.
The episode is a standard one-hour event (it's slightly longer than the usual 43 minutes, but not substantially.
77 - 20V
@ #29
"The commentary to "The Dig" was just silly. Hoselton and Sara Hess sounded like they didn't know what they were talking about; and during that "Amongst the Oaks" scene where Thirteen finally admits to House that she killed her brother, and House is too stunned to say anything right away, one of them says, "This is exactly why Cuddy broke up with House - because House is emotionally incapable of connecting with anyone." Huh?
What are you "huh?"-ing at? That was the whole point of that episode. As for Cuddy's reasons for breaking up, I turn you to House circa Season 2:
"Cuddy…you see the world as it is and you see the world as it could be. What you don’t see is what everybody else sees. The giant, gaping chasm in between. ... If you did, you never would have hired me. You’re not happy unless things are just right. Which means two things. You’re a good boss. And you’ll never be happy."
She was warned.
78 - Nickel
Barbara (off subject), are you ever going to delve into the art in House's apartment? I am really curious about the b/w picture just left of his front door, and the brown pictures in his bedroom (look like boxing gloves.)
79 - Barbara Barnett
Hi Nickel--I've done an interviewer with the head of the art department (I think it was last summer), and like you, I am fascinated by House's apartment. Who knows? I may eventually get to see it for myself.
I've told as much as I know in other pieces and in CZ, but if I learn more, I will indeed report.
80 - BrokenLeg
79 @ Barbara Barnett
78 @Nickel
I subscribe both of your posts!!!!!
As an architect myself I've thought about GH apartment many times. The house of one person, were he/she lives, were is free to show him/herself as really is, were is surrounded by beloved or significant things, etc.. use to say many things of its user.
I’ve tried from the very beginning to find clues about GH self in it, and I believe that his home is mostly a really very common one, that only shows little sketches of the great, complex and uncommon character GH is, and that may be there are things that are still hidden, but can be discovered by the paintings, objects, etc..
So I find exciting if you, Barbara, can see this part of the set by yourself, talk to the art department people, and make an article reporting about all in this post, or in CZII.
I encourage you!!!!Bravo!
81 - Diane
@Barbara: In case you haven't heard, it appears that a copy of the DVD screener of Twenty Vicodin has been leaked online two weeks before the official premiere date (and on the anniversary of Now What?). How could something like this have happened?
82 - Barbara Barnett
Diane--it's very distressing.
83 - xinyuActor
When I heard there's a leaked version of Tweenty Vicodin out on the internet I feel very upset. I hated myself after I finish watching the episode... And I'm telling you Tweenty Vicodin is AWSOME.
84 - Oversimplified
@ 34 Earth Orbiter
No need to to explain 'critical thinking' thanks: former post-grad English Literature student here. It can also include speculation on future arcs based on our knowledge of patterns in narrative directions that have already taken place and information that's already available. With regards to Foreman, his failure was a result of his own choices when faced with certain decisions, coupled with his intrinsic inability to control House. Cuddy wasn't likely to give him the same leeway when he isn't as good a doctor as House.
Barbara, just out of curiosity did the premiere remind you of any other prison films, tv etc like 'Broken' had a slight 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' feel to it?
85 - Earth Orbiter
I saw the premiere. Sorry to disagree with you xinyuActor; however, (to put it into terms that us non-post-grad-in-Literature individuals can comprehend) with the exception of a few really good moments, it wasn't that remarkable.
@Oversimplified: Your sobriquet is at odds with your self-description. However, you are forgetting a number of things: The writers of House probably didn't finish college, they never, ever write a story the way we think they will, and they are very good at misdirection and (especially) misinformation.
May I suggest you read "Through the Looking Glass" and "The Divine Comedy" (the latter in its original Italian is best), and then rethink what you think you know and what you speculate as a result.
And, by the way, that in which you are engaging is not "critical thinking," it is "deductive reasoning." "Critical thinking" does not involve "speculation" or "extrapolation."
Nonetheless, I am enjoying our debate. You have a brain and are not afraid of using it. Good for you.
86 - Barbara Barnett
Oversimplified. No, it didn't. It was very much a House episode in its own way.
87 - sophie
Earth Orbiter, I agree. The episode was okay, nothing great for a season opener. House was House. No big reflections about what he'd done, just an indication of why he was where he was, but he'd also stayed on his island for three months, so... meh. Entertaining but just a House episode without the regulars. Certainly not Broken.
88 - Barbara Barnett
Again, I'm asking. Please do not discuss the episode if you have seen it. This is not the place for it.
89 - Oversimplified
@ 85 Earth Orbiter
I know for a fact that Peter Blake and David Shore went through law school, but that's kind of irrelevant in relation to my original point. Writers have signatures and narrative patterns that they fall back on, compounded by accepted norms/trends in television and especially in drama with a procedural emphasis. Before working on the show all of the writing staff will have taken writing classes and/or worked with other shows where these 'rules' are hammered home. Within each House ep this translates basically to 'Compelling teaser- DDX- Misdiagnosis 1- Misdiagnosis 2- Cure/Death - Lesson for the day'. On a more general level with regards to a season it's usually 'Recovering from rock bottom for the first few eps - Restoration - Mid-season bombshell- Plateau - End of season rock bottom'. Knowing this and having been acquainted with the characters for seven years does allow for some educated guesses as to where they are going at least. After being brought up with these formulas all their lives through television, film etc, (and more specifically because they've spent a number of years watching the show), people are instinctively good at spotting these patterns and building on them regardless of their level of education. If they are right or not is a different matter, but as time goes on they are more likely to be. It's a bit like an old married couple where the wife/husband knows what their spouse is going to say before they do because over the years they've learnt their habits etc. Besides in the last couple of years, this year certainly, I feel like they've become less adept at bringing original 'twists' to the screen. House sort of swallowed itself and became self-referential (i.e. Two Stories - Three Stories), as well as looking for it's cues from newer, wholly different shows, I believe, because the 'ideas well' ran dry. This is why the 'back to basics' thing doesn't instill me with enthusiasm.
Whether or not 'critical thinking' involves 'speculation' or 'extrapolation' depends on if you subscribe to 'liberal humanism' or 'post-structuralism'. In my opinion even a finished piece of work involves a certain degree of 'speculation' as to it's meaning, hence you seeing Cuddy as the Devil incarnate and me not. Different experiences inform different points of view. Both more than valid if a well-presented argument is put forward.
I read Carroll a long, long time ago but I'm up for a re-read, although the Dante is pretty much impossible as my Italian is non-existent. Have to say though I'm not a huge fan of medieval literature even when it is in English ;) I have no idea if you're interested or if you even care, but there is some amazing work out there by post-structuralist theorists like Jacques Lacan and Jacques Derrida which blew my mind when I first read them.
I'm also enjoying this debate by the way. We may not agree, but that's often half the fun.
@ 86 Barbara
Thanks for the info.
90 - ABRIL
look like they were the faults under the carpet
91 - Ladybelle Fiske
I'm hoping Foreman isn't the new DOM. This would really be "formulaic." It's been done, honey, as my old boyfriend, Art Spiegelman, said to me on many occasions. I'd much prefer to see "Big Love," Wils on, or Sam as Dean. I hope one day to see Cameron reunite with Chase. I still feel they aren't done with one another (and now no 13 either). I can't see why House should be punished for trying not to be in pain. Also, fail to see what House has to do with Jewish experience (he's Dutch, right?). Though I admired their lack of hassle over Cuddy's Jewishness and House's non-Jewishness.
I hope House sees his mom again; talks about his non-dad and his dad; and begins to transcend his problems. Or he may die. There's always that.
92 - Ladybelle Fiske
If I were Houses' Mom, I'd try to find out what the hell was going on with my son once in a blue moon!
93 - Barbara Barnett
Ladybelle: Holy smokes, Art Spiegelman was your boyfriend? Cool. He's brilliant.
Although I agree that House doesn't parallel the Jewish experience intentionally, There are many themes in House that reflect Jewish teaching (I've lectured on that actually), and David Shore (and many of the writers) are Jewish.
94 - doodle
@Ladybelle Fiske
maybe formulaic but the most credible. He has nothing to do anymore in House team, Foreman gets bored and he feels out of place among them IMO.
@earth orbiter @sophie
+100000!
95 - Ladybelle Fiske
Hi Barbara,
Yeah, Art and I were lovers for about three years (maybe 2 1/2) when he was in college and then had a passionate reunion in 1976-77. After that, Françoise Mouly came on the scene and we all became friends instead. We started a rubber stamp company (Top-Drawer Rubber Stamps) together-- a collaboration of Quarry Hill and the Underground Cartoonists-- it's had a couple of incarnations... R. Crumb is a good friend of mine, too.
96 - Ladybelle Fiske
Well, if it's Foreman, I'll take it. I'll take whatever has to do with House!
97 - Ladybelle Fiske
I agree Barbara. There are many "Jewish" reflections in House. He also seems to know a lot of Yiddish and even Hebrew. And the rituals of Judaism.
Yes, it's obvious that Shore is Jewish, and Katie Jacobs too!
98 - Ladybelle Fiske
PS Sorry to interrupt the thread again, but Barbara, if you know MAUS, and the "Prisoner on the Hell Planet" segment, I am the "Isabella" who spent the weekend with Art when his mother committed suicide on May 20, 1968. I was 17 (he had had his nervous breakdown a month or so before) and he was 20.
So, I love intense, rather crazy men with brilliance and ability! (House, too)
99 - Ladybelle Fiske
I wonder if Cuddy moved away, got another job, married that guy in the last ep of Season 7, or what?
And BTW what about Candace Bergen who promised to "Kill" House if he hurt Cuddy?
100 - The Other Barnett
It is nice to have House separated from everyone else in PPTH. It gives us an idea of how sane he may really be and how dysfunctional the work environment may actually be.
I remember an episode of M*A*S*H where Hawkeye said that, if you put a row of men next to a road with the foot out in the path of an oncoming jeep...the last one to pull it away is actually the sane one. Sometimes I feel the polite inanities of operating any human-driven entity creates a kind of skewed view of reality. And, my view of House is that he is (most of the time) a clearer thinker than those who profess any kind of moral high-ground.
And, Barb, don't you think this silence about who is going to be the Dean is a promo ploy or a sign that the PTB are not confident of their decision?
101 - Diane
@Ladybelle Fiske (#99):
Given Cuddy's history of screwing up every relationship she has ever had (her words) in combination with her intense guilt complex and exacting personal standards, I doubt that she's successfully dating these days even with House out of the picture. In fact, after what happened to her at the end of Moving On, I wouldn't be surprised if she's still struggling nowadays with fear of intimacy or low self-confidence when it comes to romantic relationships. Between re-establishing her career away from PPTH and raising her daughter, she probably doesn't have the inclination to jump-start her love life any time soon. If TPTB ever manage to lure Lisa E. back to the show in whatever capacity at some point this season, it would be interesting to witness what has transpired in Cuddy's life away from her familiar surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.
102 - BrokenLeg
101 @Diane
Agreed!!!
103 - Nickel
Not to be the only naysayer here, but I truly hope that Foreman's character has an anvil land on his head so he can experience the wonderful feeling of being disabled rather than just dead-boring. On a second note, I do hope that House does apologize to Wilson and then tells him to go psycho-analyze someone else. I have to say that between Cuddy's manipulative behavior, Wilson's idiotic better than thou attitude and Foreman's prejudgment of OH I DON'T KNOW.....EVERYONE. This show would be better off to let House sink back into his shell and just solve cases. Seems to me that David Shore is determined to completely ruin the character of House (probably due to the fact that David Shore wants to live vicariously thru House so he too can get over being bullied as a teenager because he was such a winnie). I continue to be amazed that no one in House's orbit ever gets any smarter. How is it possible that 1)Stacy lived with House for 5 years and doesn't know him at all (seriously a fling?????) 2) Cuddy has known him for 20 years and doesn't know him at all (not to mention why does she think for one moment that House owes her anything......) 3) Wilson, his best friend can't tell who House really is. I could go on and on and on.....all I know is if I was surrounded by these people I would have rammed my car into an embankment.....
104 - Nickel
Oh yea something else that I meant to mention. It looks like Foreman is the new Lisa Cuddy (oddly enough both are identical in their personality). Both want power and control (mostly over House). If Foreman is truly the new DoM I really hope the 12 board members are all patients in the hospital with brain injuries, since that would have to be the only way Foreman could be DoM. Let's re-cap some of Foreman's more unworthy traits. In Need to Know, he was willing to cheat (split the winnings with Cameron) in order to win a bet with House, in Fools for Love he bet with House even though he already knew the answer, manipulated the Huntingtons schedule in order to sleep w/13, stole Cameron's article in order to boost his ego with publication, burned the morgue sign in log with Chase's name on it (some think to protect Chase...yeah, that sounds like Foreman always looking out for others.) my guess was to protect his own ineffectiveness in the diagnoses of Dibala. So---lie, cheat, steal and conspire in murder....all for the advancement of his own personal gain. Yeah that sounds like a perfect DEAN OF MEDICINE.....LOTS OF ETHICS.
105 - Nickel
Oh yea also forgot how Foreman tried to infect Cameron in Euphoria 1(thus basically tried to kill her). Now that is definitely a quality I want in a leader.
106 - Nickel
Hey has anyone noticed that the door on Dr. Gregory House's inner office door does not have DIAGNOSTICS DEPT on it?
107 - Barbara Barnett
I didn't notice that! I'll have to take another look.
108 - nickel
Looks like his outer office is now some sort of prep room as well.
109 - Zeenit
Prison Break, main character and young female doctor-situation, agressive fellow-prisoneres, will main character get out? Never mind, it's something else. Mentalist is in jail for killing Red John. Will he get in trouble with other prisoners? Can he get out?
110 - Barbara Barnett
Nickel--I just took a closer look at one of the promo photos. You're right. Hmmm.