The broken man sits on his bathroom floor: a mirror image of a year past. In pain, adrenaline rush gone, tormented by a happiness always beyond his grasp. And in his hand are two pills. A year away from Vicodin, he could take just two, and the pain in his leg and the pain in his heart would have faded to gray in a light narcotic haze. Just how long has House been sitting there, reflecting on what had transpired over eight hours?
As “Baggage” ends with the book, “Help Me” begins. What is the meaning of the book? Like the desk he restores to her in “Let Them Eat Cake” last season, the book is a sentimental gift, something deeply personal, quite unlike the cappuccino machine given to Cuddy a couple of weeks ago.
So why now? Why give it to her now? Is he resigned to Cuddy being with Lucas? There is no more “special occasion” for which he can hope? Or is it a last ditch effort to court her, something that is too late by far? Because in the end, the gesture is irrelevant. It isn’t the book that snaps Cuddy out of her Lucas fog, allowing her to look at House unfiltered and clear in the ironically filthy, dust-filled cavern of a crushed building.
What is it about House that makes it impossible for her to evict him from her mind? What does she see that had been obscured? Is it that he’s changed so much? He hasn’t. Is it that she had forgotten why she was in love with him in the first place?
“Help Me.” Help me what? A young woman with her life ahead of her cries out for help. House helps in the most cursory way he can. She is a cipher; a number; a nameless patient — just like all others that enter his sphere. But then again, Hannah doesn’t know that about House. She only knows that House is the only one she trusts. With subtle echoes back to season three’s “One Day One Room,” House answers that call. But this time his question is not “why me?”
Sucked into this tenuous relationship despite his best efforts not to connect with this patient who risks losing a leg or suffer what he did in “Three Stories.” Her muscle is dying, deprived of needed oxygen and when they finally lift the tons of concrete from her leg, she might suffer crush syndrome — just like what happened to House when the doctors removed the clot from his leg. All the poison rushed back into his system causing a heart attack.
House is right as the battle begins. They have time to save the leg if they can get her out in time. But as time goes on, a secondary structural collapse makes rescue much more of a shot in the dark. But House stands firm that cutting off Hannah’s leg is the wrong choice. Cuddy assumes his intransigence has to do with his anger over her engagement to Lucas, about which he has only just learned. But House’s attitude has little to do with Lucas and much to do with history — his and Cuddy’s.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Denise_muc
I've never commented before. But let me just thank you for all your great reviews. It's a pleasure every week. Or let's say whenever Fox is kind enough to give us another episode. ;-)
Reading your reviews is like watching the episode again from a complete different point of view.
Thanks again. I'm looking forward to the next season and more reviews.
2 - barbara barmett
Denise--thank you so much and I hope this is the first of many times over the summer!
3 - madfashionista
Thank you, Barbara. This is a wonderful review, even though I feel the ending was forced and unrealistic. Russell Friend had said that the original ending was darker, and that certainly made sense on all levels. To have Cuddy show up like a savior (for real this time) after the incredibly cruel things she said felt wrong. I wanted them to get together, but not like this.
Those five minutes aside, this was a stunning finale.
4 - Amanda
Barbara--The week is not complete, the episode is not over, until I read your reviews. Your interpretations are so often very close to mine, that you stretch me to new thoughts.
I know the writers could be gaming us, but I so hope not. It seems sudden, Cuddy's abrupt capitulation to how she feels, but that's because we're seeing it from out here. She was trying to make something true by doing it--moving on, new relationship, etc. She tried very hard; but even so, House's radar kept spotting things that weren't ringing true. She did it very well, so the discongruities were dismissable as wishful thinking--especially with Wilson there saying "it's wishful thinking"--but I think House had spotted something real, and Cuddy's been soul-searching, and this was her decision point. It's not sudden, from inside her perspective.
Or that's the way I hope it is. And it could be that way and still provide good fodder for the writers. They've already taken House through the wringer six ways from Sunday--rather than a new trip through, why not throw something at him that he has never been able to handle? Why not let him address the challenge of letting himself be happy? He's never had that challenge or choice, and in many ways it's harder than the familiar bed of misery.
Oh, I hope they let this be real. It feels right to be real; it feels like manipulation for it to be yet another illusion. Learning to deal with misery has been House's journey so far; maybe we can explore how he learns to deal with *not* being miserable. Totally new game--like getting your vision back, when the only way you know how to deal with the world is blind. Would you walk around with your eyes closed because it was known and easy, or would you open them and learn the brave new world?
Let it be real.
~Amanda
5 - Andreina China
Thank you for your intelligent reviews.
On other blogs people are saying that it doesn't ring true that Cuddy would say she loves House.
You say, "She remembers with absolute clarity why she cares about this man. And that she loves him."
Well as a fan of this show I have always seen the good man hidden behind the sacrastic facade. ( it helps that Hugh Laurie's acting perfectly reveals the humanity of House.)
Cuddy has always valued him but was afraid of the drama if they got together. Now she realizes she needs such a passionate, heroic man in her life. I am glad that the writers have the courage to explore this unique relationship.
House has not jumped the shark.
It continues to be a program that challenges itself and ventures boldy where no tv show has gone before.
Tell the writers Barbara that we are so grateful that the producers, writers, stars and crew care so much to bring the public such a creative,multilayered, touching show.
6 - Danielle
Barbara, thank you for this wonderful review. I loved the finale and I am more than happy that after six seasons there is still so much brilliance and passion in this show.
I loved every bit of House we saw, but most of all his bravery, honesty and humanity. We all know it is there, but it is rare that we get to see it this openly. I love how you explained Cuddy's actions, especially in the light of many comments I've read which found them unbelievable. I didn't and you explained better than I could why.
Finally, I loved the many many many callbacks in this episode and I will happily watch it again and again till I have found them all. :-)
It's great that you are going to do another interview and if you can please just tell them that there are people out there who still love the character of House to pieces and are absolutely grateful for the show they are giving us.
P.S. I just saw Mr. Friend's short statement from the House App - did they change the ending?? Or was it just the big masterplan of keeping it a secret at all costs?
7 - Tami
Me last night: on my sofa, gripping the cushions, screaming, teary-eyed. I'm not gonna pick apart the rest of the ep because I know there are flaws; I just want to watch that final scene over and over and over again. Amazing. Perfect little moment of TV.
8 - J.
The key moment for me in those last five minutes was when House tried to get up, failed, and asked with outstretched hand for Cuddy's help. Even if it was just practical, it is also, I think, a perfect metaphor for their relationship, both where it's been and where it's headed. Cuddy has always been there to help him, but he hasn't always been willing to ask. It's a testament to how far he has come.
I don't think such a hopeful ending is out of place, or undeserved. When House lamented that with Hannah he'd done everything right and it didn't matter, it equally applied to his journey over the season. He went through rehab, has been struggling to be a better person, partly for himself and partly for Cuddy, but still she picked Lucas. Earlier in the episode, he told Hannah that the jury was still out on whether good deeds come around. The man has been battered the entire series -- he's allowed a little light. Besides, I think we all know his and Cuddy's relationship isn't going to be easy.
Overall, a solid finale. I didn't care about subplot B (the crane operator) or C (13) -- in fact, I kept forgetting about them -- but I was fully engrossed with the happenings at the crash site. I also want to make special note of the score -- or the lack of it, in unconventional but appropriate places. Silence kept things intimate.
9 - Dominique
I felt very depressed when I watched the finale, and it made me happier than ever, but, as always when depressed, as soon as there was something that could be perceived negatively it overruled everything.
What I have haunting my mind is that there will be people feeling betrayed after this. And that they'll abandon the show... and if that happens in high enough quantities, they won't be able to pay Hugh Laurie etc, etc, etc...
10 - Katie
I liked the episode aside from the ending which was horribly rushed and so out of character.
I'm disappointed in how the writers handled Thirteen's departure. They were so engrossed in House and Cuddy that they didn't even give any explanation why Thirteen (who was a series regular!) was leaving.
Hugh Laurie was amazing but he always is.
11 - Lelinor09
Great review, Barbara! I have to admit I was totally blown away by this episode and the last few minutes was a total shock! It was a dream ending and something I never thought I would see (not while DS is calling the shots anyway but like you said they might have something up their sleeves -alhough I sincerely hope not!) It would have been so easy for them to just go with the cliffhanger of having us fret and wonder the whole summer about whether he was back on vicodin, and leaving Cuddy still unresolved. I thought it was courageous and so moving to see the season ending with House coming full circle like this - finally giving in to his emotions and being the man we all knew he could be. It was brilliantly played by Hugh Laurie - I was more impressed with his performance in this episode than in Broken. And also Lisa Edelstein was wonderful. I had no problem believing that Cuddy would finally see the light and admit her feelings for House. I don't know how they do it, but the chemistry between these two actors is just amazing - the end left me completely breathless! Simply wonderful to watch.
12 - Jeff Makos
I loved the episode, and unlike many fan reactions to it, I thought it was classic House.
All the best House episodes successfully juggle three plots: a major medical mystery (featuring House's sarcasm), a sometimes-related medical problem in the clinic or a personal problem with one of his staff (both featuring House's sarcasm) and House's interaction with Wilson & Cuddy (featuring House's sarcasm). Why does a House-Cuddy relationship have to change any of that?
House is still going to be hard on his team; he's still going to be giving grief to his often clueless clinic patients; and he's still going to be verbally sparring with Wilson & Cuddy.
I mean, House lived with Stacy for years and they got along. Why not with Cuddy? It doesn't have to be sickly sweet--House can take Rachel to monster truck shows!
13 - sophie
What a powerful episode. I was riveted the entire time and felt his emotions. I want to make clear that I'm not a shipper before I add the following. I do feel the ending was a bit contrived and fairy-tale, although in context of the season it does fit.
They could have done a better job of the lead-in to it over the past few episodes and made us aware it was truly about Cuddy and that she was having doubts. There was one episode where she seemed distracted and distant with Wilson and advised him to go for it with Sam and that was it. Because the show is from House's POV and all we saw from Cuddy was this sudden engagement and outburst against House, we are too suddenly thrown for a loop, just for the sake of the surprise ending of the finale. The Cuddy/Lucas engagement could have been part of his angst in "Baggage", at least.
One concern I have is this: it's been a wonderful season for the House and Wilson friendship. It did show us Wilson's tendency to rush into things for his desire for love and marriage and somewhat push House to the side without thinking; however, it did feel like a plot device to suddenly make room for the Cuddy situation without sufficient development. (And I'm NOT suggesting that Wilson doesn't deserve his own life without House living there, just that it was very rushed).
My questions for the writers: Will there still be a lot of the Wilson/House friendship next year, especially with Doris Egan writing only one script? That was definitely a highlight of this season.
Are they planning to just 'reset' everything back after a few episodes like they tend to do after the end of every season? I hope not. Katie Jacobs does seem to suggest otherwise, but how are they going to avoid the 'Moonlighting' or Ross and Rachel traps?
14 - Crabbyman
madfashionista - Care to share the alternate you know of? I can't find it anywhere.
I would appreciate it.
15 - Katie
I agree with Sophie, and I really hope House/Wilson won't be forgotten next season, even though it sadly seems like it since Doris Egan is leaving the show.
16 - lagoudera
I am glad that House was given a moment of happiness with the girl of his dreams in his arms. Loved the music at the end. While some people thought it was soapy (ah, but House loves soaps), I thought it sounded like something from a period drama. House might as well have been Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightly. I hope that House, the drama, just made history rewriting the rules for successful television, and that bringing together the two leads will not prove disastrous.
Thank you Barbara for giving us this forum and for so faithfully enriching our experience of House every week. Now on to a long summer...
17 - Katie
Crabbyman,
The alternate Madfashionista is talking about is from the interview with last night's episode writers which can be found on the House app for iPhone. I haven't seen it myself, but supposedly the ending wasn't Huddy focused at all.
18 - rmword
We are all forgetting the fact that Hadley is asking for a leave of absence. Her battle with Huntington's Disease is messing with her head. She could easily be using drugs too. I have a friend who has seen his father pass due to this crippling and depressing disease. His reaction to knowing that he too may be doomed to such pain was so sadly self destructive. Hadley seems poised to be the new House. That is why she and House connect on a similar thought process. Season 7 maybe less about Houses struggle and more about 13. A docter who thinks like House, feels doomed like house, but with reasons far more serious than house.
As much as this episode was about House, it is more about the Human Condition. How inescapable emotion is, for our highly evolved brain gives us such intense emotion and that it affects everything we do. Whether it is a leg, love, or a crippling disease, emotion will always distort.
19 - Orange450
Barbara, thank you for your wonderful review, as always.
I have nothing to add to all the descriptions of the episode as powerful, fundamental and riveting. Edge-of-your-seat-afraid-to-breathe-or-you'll-miss-an-inflection television. The kind of television that will go down in the annals of the art form as a classic. (Like most House season finales.)
I haven't ready any other reviews abt this episode yet, so I have no idea if House himself believes what he so poignantly told Hannah about his leg and what it did to him. I truly wonder if we'll ever know. Either it was a breakthrough truth or it was a heroic lie. And it doesn't matter at all. But when - as you put it so well - Cuddy saw with absolute clarity how she feels about House, I had to think about what precipitated her admission? Does she love him because he could finally make the admission that has blocked him all these years? Or does she love him because he is the rare human being who is able to selflessly sacrifice every dearly held principle of identity and self-perception when a patient's life is at stake. Either way, I think these are two solid reasons for one person to admit love to another.
One thing I have to add. In the interest of justice, I dearly hope that somehow, Stacy also gets to hear what House admitted to Hannah. She suffered deeply as a result of her actions, and I believe that House put her into an intolerable position at the time. If indeed House has come to terms with his leg, she also deserves to know.
p.s. Cuddy had the guts to say to House what I've been wanting to say to him for years. But I've never been able to convince any of the writers to write me in. More's the pity!
20 - Sarah H
The last time I felt such hope and peace from an ending of any TV show/movie, it was Shawshank Redemption. I love that, for at least a moment, House has found his hope as well as someone who accepts him and all his screwed-upedness. There are no words for Hugh's performance, and the crush victim was excellent. A fantastic ending to the season.
21 - Arisprite
Hi! I'm a new poster, but long time follower of your wonderful blog (in the process of delurking from the interent in general)
I just wanted to say that I was completely blown away by this episode, and Baggage before it. This is why I watch House; the great scope of emotions I experience along with the characters, and expecially with the marvelous Hugh Laurie.
In Help Me, I literally was in agony emotionally; wincing while Cuddy railed into House, shaking during House's quiet convincing speech, shuddering during the amputation scene, both for the physical pain of Hannah, and for House's anguish. Then the ending. There is alot of controversy regarding the final few minutes, but I for one thought they were right. House has gone through so much, and worked so hard, and on the brink of giving up, is FINALLY rewarded. I want it to be real, for it to work. And, even though I am generally a non-shipper, this is what House so dearly wants. I am looking forward to watching them explore this new territory.
Regarding the subplots, I cannot for the life of me remember if the crane operator got diagnosed, and better? Also, it says something for Olivia Wilde's redeeming acting the last half of this season, that I actually concerned for her, facing symptoms of her illness, I'm assumeing.
Well, thanks for letting me get my thoughts out on this episode. My friends all just shake their heads when i go on like this :)
Also, I was very sad to only see Wilson in one scene, though I understand why it was needed. Still missed him...
Ari
22 - leakeylover
Someone told me House showered at the hospital, but I think she was just projecting.
Cool review. :}}
23 - Janine
@Dominique
I know exactly what you mean, although more people seem to be happy than not. It does bother me that people think having House and Cuddy in a relationship will ruin the show. House and Stacey didn't and as long as its handled well it will work.
@Katie
In an interview a few weeks back, Jacobs said Thriteens departure was supposed to be left as a cliffhanger (although come september thats not the thing everyone will be waiting to see) and we will learn more about the story next season. So no, they didn't just write her out without a reson, in fact I don't even think Oliva Wilde is leaving the show. Barbara, perhaps you could get more answers on this situation?
@Spohie
I don't think the ending was contrived just for the plot shock value. As you said the show is from House's point of view. He did not know Cuddy had been agonizing over this and had doubts (which we as the audience can now infer). The shock was asbig to him as to us, and the show has used that strategy before. I wonder why the writers changed the final scene? I think its probably because so many people were threatening to leave the show if House wound up miserable and back where he started.Sure some people may be mad about "Huddy" but more would be mad if this season hadn't lead to anything. Barbara, maybe you could get some more information on the changed scene too???!
@J
great interpritation of the hand thing.
I posted a lot of my thoughts on the preview thread so I won't repeat myself except to say this... For those of you worrying about it not being real DONT!! Katie Jacobs talked to Ausiello and promised that everything we seen is real and that the relationship will be explored (i posted the link in the other thread for anyone who is interested)
@Barbara
Great Review, although I think it is hard to put into words the emotions felt by viewers in this episode. I have never been so sad and so happy within the same hour long span. In addition to the questions I asked above, I would absolutely love if you could perhaps get some scoop on anything the writers have planned relationship wise. I know that thisis going to be a turbulent ride, but will there be moments of happiness (as much as I don't want House as a family man ,I'd love to seem some interactions between him and Rachel. Hes always been surprisingly good with children).
24 - Janine
Sorry for the double post but looks like we just got our answer to the Thirteen thing.
They are temporarily writing Thirteen off in order to allow her to film a movie. They say that the storyline behind the characters leave of absence will be revealed next season.
25 - Anna
I disagree about having more of a build up to the House/Cuddy revelation at the end. The reason it was so incredibly shocking and poignant is that there wasn't the overdone fan fare, the shoving down our throats (and this from a massive House/Cuddy "shipper") in the weeks preceeding the finale of their will they/won't they relationship that we got in series 5. The best relationships just seem to fit without needing a justification in the form of a contrived build up. However, I don't understand how it would be possible for House and Cuddy getting together to ever come out of nowhere with their history.
I loved the series 5/6 finale parallel of the bathroom floor, the pills in hand and the apperance of legs (Amber to signal madness/corruption and Cuddy to signal sanity/redemption).
Also, that they were both so brutally honest only when there were no other words left. I think the simplistic dialogue worked wonderfully, I know some people found it cliche but it was beautiful in its unembellished truth.