An episode about a dying child and depressed lead character may not sound like comedy gold, but a hysterically theatrical House shows up in several scenes, notably when he directs the operating room as his own personal Broadway production. Many of his choice witticisms are deliciously un-PC observations on our need to put tragedy on a pedestal, but there are the usual barbs directed at his team, distracting from the fact that he also reveals the depth of his trust in Foreman and refrains from mocking Cameron quite as much as he could.
Someone at House has cool friends. Elvis Costello recorded a version of Christina Aguilera's song "Beautiful" specifically for the show, and both versions play as bookends for the episode. House the show relies on music for mood too often, but I can never get enough shots of House himself absorbed in everything from opera to rock, shutting out the world.
There is an upside to the bittersweet Emmy results, which gave one to Shore for writing (sweet) but not to Laurie for performing (bitter). While everyone who owns a television – except, I suspect, the man himself – is convinced of Hugh Laurie's incredible talent and range on display in House, the popular criticism of the show has been that it is too dependent on that talent. It's been slammed as "generally formulaic" and "better at witty, intelligent dialogue and creating the character of House than overall plot, medical realism, and secondary character consistency." And that was just by me, who loves the show. But when we're tempted to focus solely on the marvel of Laurie's performance, now we're reminded that there's an Emmy standing behind the words he's speaking, too.
And "Autopsy," from script to direction to props, is another example that the show is laden with enough talent behind the scenes to support the obvious talent on the screen.
Links:
- House, M.D. Season One DVD review
- House - "Acceptance" review
- Visit my blog, Unified Theory of Nothing Much for more on the Emmys and random thoughts on life and entertainment.
Article comments
1 - JELIEL
And I believe, that this episode pushed some buttons. Perhaps the more conservative crowd will find some scenes hard to digest from this episode but I think it went deep. The kissing, the sniffing and the "They are not all heroes" arguments were not the scenes we are accustomed to seeing on primetime TV.
This is by far one of the best episodes of the series. Just like you mentionned, makes you laugh and then cry, all in one long sentence. I'd give it a 5 outta 5.
2 - Baronius
Darn. I thought I finally found someone else who hates this series.
3 - visualsimplicity
Wait... "love" isn't a strong word?
4 - visualsimplicity
assuming you mean emotion when you reference word that is...
5 - deekay
Yah, it was kind of a joke. Emphasis on "kind of."
6 - Joanie
Once more, I think I need to start watching the show. I've been so very lax in my TV viewing habits. But if everyone is going to keep raving about it, it must be time to tune in.
7 - Tim
At the end of episode 2 in season 2 - Autopsy, when the little girl comes out to say her goodbyes to everyone, what is the name of that song?
8 - deekay
It's called "In The Deep" by Bird York - also known as Kathleen York, who played Toby's ex-wife in The West Wing. She has a website at www.birdyork.com. Gorgeous song, a little buried in the show because Elvis Costello's "Beautiful" played right afterwards.
9 - Tim
Thankyou so much, its a really gorgeous song. I was trying to listen for the lyrics so maybe i could catch the name of the song by searching for the lyrics, but i couldnt make them out over the voices.
I'm from Australia, and season 1 is being showed now, about half way through, but i've been downloading them as they've become available on the net. I'm a pretty die hard fan :-)
Thanks again.
10 - deekay
The lyrics are on her site:
Thought you had all the answers to rest your heart upon, but something happens, don't see it coming, now you can't stop yourself, now you're out there swimming in the deep
Life keeps tumbling your heart in circles till you let go, till you shed your pride and you climb to heaven and you throw yourself off, now you're out there spinning in the deep
words: bird york music: bird york and michael becker
11 - Diane Kristine (deekay)
Just had to say "yay" - Lawrence Kaplow won a Writers Guild award for this episode tonight. He named it as his favourite of the episodes he's written in the interview I did with him back in October: Constructing House
12 - Bobcat
I'm posting this belatedly because I just rewatched this episode on DVD a year or so after I viewed it live.
Sasha Pieterse was the young actress who played the cancer patient who gave us one of the series' most memorable scenes when she persuaded Chase to kiss her. For this experienced performer who's been in several series and films, appearing on "House" was also memorable. She says: "The project that I'm most proud of is the episode of "House" that I did. I played a young girl with cancer. I had to sit in make- up for about 5 hours a day for 9 days, while they hid all of my hair and made me look the part. The make-up artists are very talented. What an amazing time I had, and wow, did I realize just how lucky I am to be healthy."
Diane, thanks for another of your splendid reviews.
13 - Jane
One of my biggest complaints about this show is how House is always wronged by his colleagues and even reviewers to have a "rubix complex". House doesn't have an inhumane obsession with puzzles. On the contrary, it is his humanity that pushes him to search out a definitive diagnosis for his patients. With a definitive diagnosis, you cure the patient or you made sure you do not mistakenly condemn someone with a death sentence and cease all treatment. House doesn't solve puzzles just for puzzles' sake. In this episode, House forwent his chance to be absolutely sure about the clot went he offered Andie the choice to refuse the surgery so that she could die soon and be over with the cancer. House is a compassionate and dedicated doctor. I totally look up to him.
14 - Jenna
okay so anyone else thinks that Chase kissing the little girl was the sickest thing you ever saw?! Especially since in real life, she doesn't even have cancer. He is so hot tho. lol