As "Everybody Dies," the series finale of FOX's House opens, Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) is lying next to the dead body of his patient of the week (or, POtW) in a burning building. Throughout most of the hour, House converses with hallucinations of some important people in his life, as he tries to decide whether he should live or die.
"Everybody Dies" is dark. There is no denying that. It's obvious when the first image House sees is Dr. Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn), a fellow who killed himself. Strangely, though, Kutner is trying to talk House out of suicide, while House is the one arguing that life is pointless.
Then Amber (Anne Dudek) appears. Her death is more tragic, but she still argues for life. Stacy (Sela Ward) wants House to try to find happiness again, but he continues to resist. Finally, though, Cameron (Jennifer Morrison) tells him to just lie down, letting the choice be taken from him. This House does, before thinking better of it.
These people are House's subconscious, and as such, he appears to be waging a war within himself. It's thrilling to see these former characters reappear, but besides being a gift to viewers, who they are isn't so important as what they say. House knows that death is the easy way out. He is not going to be able to enjoy the sort of life he has been enjoying much longer, even though his life hasn't been all that fun. Soon, his best friend will be dead, and even sooner, House will be back in jail, wasting Wilson's (Robert Sean Leonard) final moments on earth. So why not end it all?
Even in this darkest of moments, though, House fights on, as he always has. By making the people from his past appear to him, he talks himself out of such a deed. It's telling that he starts with the most tragic figure, and builds to the ones that love him the most. The trajectory is an upswing, and in retrospect, House moves closer to life with each passing moment. But viewers are tricked into missing this by the POW scenes, which are of a more depressing nature.
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Article comments
1 - Jane E
Your review was right on target. But I have to admit you are absolutely right. As a viewer, I never realized the sequence of the former co-workers.I was caught up in the potw and fire.
2 - Ladybelle Fiske
I loved it, and I did think things were getting "better" though not why. Sela Ward was a real turning point. Cameron's rap was a little confusing as first she urges him to die, then to live.
Well, our subconscious minds are not easy to manage. I'm glad he cared enough about all those people to "see" them again (mostly women)!
Wish Cuddy had been in it, but what's the point of caring to that extent? I think the story made sense and yours is the most intelligent review so far. Thanks.
3 - Jerome Wetzel
Thank you both so much! I really appreciate the kind words!
4 - Paul
There are some people saying that House is really dead and Wilson is just imagining House is alive. What do you think about that?
5 - Jerome Wetzel
Paul - I could see that as a valid theory, if Wilson is the only one who came in contact with House. But Foreman also got a sign. Now, granted, Wilson could have planted House's badge; it was doubtful House was wearing it in the burning building. Unfortunately, this theory just isn't as satisfying, nor does it fit with the characters and stories as well. I concede that it is possible, but do not think it likely.
6 - sara
Thank you Barbara. It's been so exciting to see Cameron again! She was such a big part of the show in its golden ages. I almost cried, I love her role, and I love that she was the woman who has really helped him at the end. I am still angry with the writers but this episode was like a balm for wounds. Thanks for all! House and Cameron was and will always remain my favorite ship. They are simply amazing, I love how they say everything without saying anything, has the peculiarity that makes me love them and that brings them closer great pairing in literature and movies (The silence of the lambs, The Artist etc).
7 - Jerome Wetzel
Sara - Sorry to confuse you! This article is not by Barbara! But she has an excellent take, too, as usual! There's a link to her column near the end of my review. :)
8 - Igor
Terrific finale!
9 - alowan
When watching it, 2 potential plots seemed to make sense to me as a viewer, firstly was the one that they went with, the faked death serving as the final nod of the head to Conan Doyle's Holmes. The other way I thought they could take it was to have people keep on appearing to House, going past Cameron, prehaps via Foreman and Chase, as they knew him best out of pretty much everyone, and finally ending at Wilson, with a final apology from House, as the flames started to encroach on him. Anyway, a very satisfying end to a great show: it could have been much worse
10 - sara
@Jerome Wetzel OMG, I'm so sorry, your article is amazing!^^
11 - Jerome Wetzel
Sara - No worries! I appreciate the kind words. And being mistaken for Barbara is a high compliment, indeed!
12 - tipitinatoo
Jerome Wetzel - glad I finally got to read one of your blogs. Very insightful and a great addition to Barbara's writings, which are among the best I've read anywhere about anything. So thank you, and I'll look for you on the web from now on.
13 - Jerome Wetzel
tipitinatoo - Thanks so much! I cover most shows sporadically. The only weekly column I do, like Barbara's House coverage, concerns Glee. Hopefully, though, I write about enough of a variety of shows that I get to the ones you like from time to time. :)
14 - Ladybelle
I was glad JM and Anne Dudek were in it. Seal Ward, too. Very comforting to feel they still cared about House (and the audience) enough to be there. What a great time this show gave us. One may hope H. Has a happy life with some woman who loves him after Wilson dies. Maybe W. and Amber reunite in the afterlife Wilson believes in...
15 - Ladybelle
And at the end of House's vision of Cameron, she changes her idea that he should let himself die. His subconscious message through her alters to urge him to live after all... I was surprised
By this change but glad "Cameron" was for his choosing life, in the end.
(I don't think House died in the fire...)
16 - claudiob62
pretty sure Foreman isnt the only person House left a clue for regarding his faked death. When we see Chase walk into HIS diagnosticians office wouldn't you expect it to be filled with HIS things? Yet, when he walks over to his desk what is laying in the middle of it?? House's red and gray tennis ball. As he approachea his desk he picks it up and looks at like "like how did this get here?" If he kept it merely as a momento there is no reason to pick it up, look at it and then put it back. Im also not convinced that the picture of the original team wasnt left on the scren by House. Why when she opened her laptop would that picture be opened? It definitely wasnt her desktop wallpaper. It would make sense that House would want his original team to know?!?