Late Christmas presents are always welcomed and appreciated. Not only do they brighten up a bleak winter, they usually contain an element of surprise. FOX gave us our present in the shape of this late holiday episode of House. This fast-paced episode, written by Pamela Davis, was chock full of the usual themes, Houseisms, and engaging dialogue that the show is famous for, along with lies, secrets, and surprises. It did not disappoint, and it seemed like the perfect remedy for a drab television season.
The patient of the week is Maggie, a mother who became paralyzed when spotting her eleven-year-old daughter, Jane, at an indoor climbing wall. Maggie’s mother died of breast cancer when she was young, and she later found out that she had inherited the cancer gene. As a result, Maggie had a preventive double mastectomy without reconstructive surgery, and she vowed never to lie to her daughter. The team rushes to discover what caused Maggie’s paralysis, which is followed by blindness, bleeding eyes, and calcification of her bones. The patient is dying, and they don’t know why.
Of course, House does not believe that Maggie never lies to her daughter. It goes against his main diagnostic mantra that everybody lies. He spends the majority of his time trying to discover Maggie’s lie.
First, House interviews Jane, in what seems like an impromptu lesson in deception. He explains to her the different kinds of lies: white lies are lies we tell to make other people happy and rationalizations are lies we tell to make ourselves feel better. Jane denies that her mother has lied to her in either way, and instead of explaining lies of omission, House asks Jane what her mother’s favorite sexual position is. Jane doesn’t see how it matters, but then factually tells House that her mother used to like being on top, but doesn’t now because of her scars. Maggie really doesn’t keep anything from her daughter.
Later, House tries to get Jane to lie to Maggie, telling her it would help with the diagnosis. Jane refuses. When his attempts to corrupt Jane fail, House follows up on his quest for discovering the lie by urging the team to do the usual home break-in, complete with stealing computers and reading emails. House never fails to show that he is a doctor without boundaries.
Article comments
1 - Judy
I really loved this episode. I loved the Wilson/House moments, Secret Santa and the clinic patient. Those were Great and so very House like. I am so glad they haven't lost their touch for surprise. Thank you for the recap.
2 - rob
it is to long, make it shorter and i would read it
3 - paige
i loved it, i want more more more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 - bliffle
Pretty good episode. I like seeing Wilson develop more and matching House intellectually.
5 - Susanne
Great recap
Unfortunetly I was not impressed by the episode at all. It felt disjointed and the newbies were in the same roles as the old ones. I would take the old team over the new team any old day. They actually had chemistry with one another and I liked their interactions with him. How was it fresh? It just feels the same old thing. I really miss the old team and I just want them back.
13 I just don't care for or her mysteries (that storyline has already been exhausted) she didn't remind me of cameron, cameron actually had some warmth to her and actually had some good scenes and cared for House and the others, 13 is more of an ice queen to me and should go. The others I can tolerate but they should really make up their minds. Felt really bad for Jennifer, seems humilating to be a main character reduced to nothing along side chase for cameos.
The clinic patient had me for a loop but enjoyed it especially the end, we all know what is going to be happening after the show. I liked his interactions with Wilson and Hugh singing was another highlight but other than that it was a very dissapointing episode it lacked a lot of depth that it usually brought after than House's bitter/sweet stuggle with truth and lies. The girl was really good and actually showed more life than the three newbies. I hope the "Frozen" episode won't dissapoint but I'm not wasting my breath.
6 - cindyc
Judy -- I loved the episode too. I tried to look at it as objectively as any fan could, although having a new episode felt somewhat like getting a drink of water after being stranded in the desert. I especially liked the fact that while there were comedic bits, it was not over the top.
Bliffle -- I also like seeing the House/Wilson friendship at work. I like when Wilson can match House in quips, conversation, and game playing more than I like to see Wilson lecturing or psychoanalyzing him.
Susanne -- I also think it is unfortunate for Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer that they have gotten so little screen time this season. Because of the unfortunate timing of the writers' strike, it seems unfair. I hope that they had bigger plans for the old team before the strike happened, and perhaps when the new season starts, all the pieces will come together. I don't want to look at this as an either/or situation. I would hope that the writers would come up with a way for there to be room for them all.
7 - VY
The double entendre with the song "who took the merry out of Christmas" with the Virgin Mary being brought in on mule was cute.
8 - cindyc
VY - I agree. In fact, I love the music on House. It was one of the first things that drew me to the show. In the beginning, I would listen to the show while I was on the computer. In the first season, a song that I remembered from "back in the day" was playing. That's when I knew I had to start watching. The song was: "Saturday Afernoons in 1963" by Rickie Lee Jones. I think they do an excellent job of incorporating music into each episode. I can credit House with expanding my musical tastes.