Foreman's always been troubled by any suggestion that he's like his boss, focused on the case rather than the patient, but if even Cameron's getting less interested in the humanity that comes across their whiteboard, there's not much hope for Foreman. Though the fact that he cares that he might not care means he hasn't been completely subsumed by his boss's personality.
Foreman informs House about a new symptom for that whiteboard, which should narrow down the search for the type of infection:
Foreman: He has acute scrotum.
House: Adorable, please, much more dignified. [Pause] Come on, how am I not supposed to make that joke?
Foreman wants to recheck the donor registry as a backup plan, in case they can't solve the mystery in time. Them's fighting words to House, but he lets Foreman go without a fight, while Chase and Cameron discover Matty's heart has been affected. Plus, being Tuesday, Chase the multitasker reminds Cameron again that he's available and interested in her. It was hilarious last week, but this could get old fast.
House is delighted with the news that they've caused Matty to have a heart problem. "OK, perfect is too strong a word," but it means they can remove the heart valve, identify the infection, and cure the infection in his bone marrow before putting it in his brother.
As part of his new ultra-cautious MO, Foreman goes to Cuddy, who, unlike House, values Wilson's diplomatic and truthful approach to patient consent and leaves it to Wilson to make sure the parents know the options. House also lets Cuddy know that the reason he's cutting Foreman slack is that, like Nick, he has four days left. If he isn't cured of "the yips" (I had to Google to make sure I heard that right --I hate sports metaphors), his loss of confidence, he's fired. And, he says, no one gets cured of the yips.
The parents in this episode — whose names I don't remember, don't even know if they had names, so unessential were their personalities — are faced with more ethical dilemmas in an hour than most people in a lifetime. They choose to let Matty undergo open heart surgery for the chance to cure Nick, but don't let their youngest son know the consequences, that he'll be permanently limited physically by the operation, a consequence House scoffs at because it's not limiting enough to be considered crippled. While I was busy being horrified that Matty went into surgery ignorant, Cameron made a fair point: a 10-year-old shouldn't have to make that decision.
Article comments
1 - Judy
Is it just me or has House been less interested in saving the patients lately. He used to stay up all night reading books, googling and throwing his ball around and now he just says "cant be fixed, let's go home." What's up with this?
2 - Kaonashi
My understanding is that bone marrow donating is extremely painful, and that's under anesthesia. I can't even begin to imagine the agony Matty suffered under Foreman's needles. That scene was unwatchable, listening to the poor boy begging for him to stop. Nick had better be really, really nice to his little brother for the rest of his life.
And as for Foreman leaving, I doubt that'll happen. Otherwise, Omar Epps is the dumbest actor on the planet. I think he's great and all, but he did screw up once by leaving ER. Even David Caruso learned his lesson, and has stuck with CSI Miami.
Hector is adorable. I cracked up when House finds his stereo stolen because he left his door open.
3 - Diane Kristine
Judy, yeah, I think he's been less focused on patients this season. partly because he was more focused on getting drugs and curing his leg and staying out of jail. Though I think in this episode it was partly a way of highlighting his point that it was his way or nothing. And there was no puzzle to solve with leukemia kid, so he was sacrificeable (yeah, I know it's not a word) in order to solve the puzzle with Matty.
Kaonashi, yeah, Hector was adorable, not at all the kind of dog I expected ... which made it even funnier.
Good to hear I'm not alone in thinking Omar Epps will stay. Did he really leave ER by choice? I thought the character was supposed to be doomed from the beginning. Anyway, I'm still feeling good about the bet.
Poor Nick. He's doomed to a lifetime of "I gave you bone marrow with no anaesthetic and all I get for Christmas is this lousy CD?"
4 - Kaonashi
Diane - Granted, I don't know the real reason why Omar Epps left ER, but from what I've read on Wikipedia, many of the actors leave the show because they asked to, rather than as part of their contract -even those with smaller roles.
What sucks is that ER tends to prevent characters from returning by just killing them off, usually in a violent manner :P I mean, Epps' character was hit (or leaped in front of) by a train, while Kellie Martin's character (annoying as she was) was stabbed to death! Those were two very memorable episodes, even if they were only supporting characters.
5 - Maddoc
I have a feeling Epps is fairly similar to Foreman,at least as far as stubbornness is concerned.He might leave for good.Or maybe a long hiatus from the show.Or becomes a recurring guest appearance like Brenda-The-Nurse and the Pharmacy guy.
Best parts:House and the dog.And I felt this episode was much more similar to season 2 episodes,which is the best of the 3 aired so far.And it was one of the funniest so far.