From the 1950s until the 1970s babies were routinely vaccinated against the often-fatal and highly contagious disease. Many of us can still see the scar left by the vaccine (on the upper arm near the shoulder—it looks sort of like a brown flower tattoo). But smallpox was eradicated from the face of the earth more than 30 years ago; the supply of virus was largely destroyed (small amounts were sent to specific, well-protected labs for research). The decision to destroy the vaccine supply came in the aftermath of the accidental exposure of medical photographer Janet Parker. Which brings us to this week’s House, M.D. episode “A Pox on Our House.”
Julie, a teenage girl, picks up a medicine bottle from 18th Century slave ship wreckage off Bermuda. The slave ship had been sunk because it was believed that the passengers were infected or exposed to the deadly virus. When the girl breaks out in a suspicious rash after cutting her hand with broken bottle, House (Hugh Laurie) thinks she may have smallpox. Despite Foreman’s (Omar Epps) protestations to the contrary, confirmatory tests do seem to indicate that she has it.
House sees something in Julie’s symptoms that don’t’ quite fit a smallpox diagnosis. But in the meantime, the hospital has been quarantined—because it might be smallpox, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) comes in to take over the investigation from House and the team, leaving them with little else to do but twiddle their thumbs and wait for results.
Minor rant: Okay, so there’s only one thing that bugged me about this episode. It makes complete sense to call in the CDC, but his complete dismissal of House doesn’t make sense given House’s expertise. House is not only as a diagnostician (he’s world famous enough for the CIA to have called him in on a consult in “Whatever it Takes,” which aired season four), he’s also board certified in infectious diseases (and nephrology). That’s quite a pedigree to have him shoved aside by the CDC guy like he’s some sort of provincial hospital doc. On the other hand, maybe the CDC honcho does know about House and just doesn’t like his way of doing things—or maybe he’s just arrogant. It just bothered me a bit – and it bothered me that House didn’t really push it. End of rant, and now returning you to your regularly scheduled House commentary.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Gino De Lucia
One of the best episodes ever; so far, this season of HOUSE has been absolutely awesome!
2 - BeeJ
I really loved this episode too! Once again, great review Barbara!
I feel like we're at the point where the season has settled into a definite rhythm now. With the exception of what's going on with Thirteen and the upcoming Taub/Rachel storylines we're hearing about...we now have an idea where Huddy is going and even Wilson/Sam.
I agree, I love the fact there wasn't just this simple make-up kiss or sex scene. Cuddy's anger felt real. However, I am a little steamed at the fact Cuddy simply walked out! Umm, wouldn't breakfast with your boyfriend be a perfect time to explain to him why you're so upset?
This is the only scene that bothered me. Cuddy isn't helping the situation by being mute and walking away. House really did seem confused. Now, we get the synopsis for episode 8 that he's trying to "impress" Cuddy. Why? Is he still gonna be in the "Dog House" and has to act out to get her to talk to him? IDK, guess we'll have to wait and see next week! I know it's the last epi til 2011...I really hope we get a nice ending to this particular House and Cuddy angst storyline. Would be nice to see them smile again, at least for now!
Anyways, POTW and the storyline was cool. I really love Masters. More character development and depending on if Amber Tamblyn stays on for a season or two...I could totally see a spinoff...just sayin' lol!
3 - HouseMDFan
Great episode, interesting case and I agree with you about Masters. She should bother me, but she doesn't. I like her and I like that she seems to get House in a way nobody else does.
I still disagree about House's lie, though. I still don't think it's simply intolerable or only his fault and it's not only Cuddy who drew a line, House did, too. They are both right and they are both wrong. They are both lying to themselves about their own motives. They are both caught up in their own egos. And they aren't talking about it, House is trying to belittle it and Cuddy is running away and being passive-aggressive. Maybe because she can't deal with her own conflicting feelings right now, but she certainly isn't handling the whole thing better than he is. Her harsh "You don't get to lie to me anywhere" isn't talking, it's dismissing him and still trying to control him.
4 - tantevespa
Spot on analyse as always, except for one, not insignificant detail: House said: 'dying changes everything, almost dying changes nothing'; which is exactly the (unspoken) arch around which the Cuddy -House dynamic in this ep. revolves. and that is, indeed, so true to live...
5 - Sue
Good episode - didn't care for the Wilson/Sam story line. I agree with you about the House/Cuddy situation and can't wait for next week. Hopefully House finally shows some remorse, not for saving the patient, but for hurting Cuddy.
6 - Grace
Unlike Sue, I enjoyed Wilson and Sam's scenes very much. Really liked how Sam apologized to the little girl.
I like MMM BUT should she be smarter than Foreman, Taub, Chase, AND House? I don't like how she seems to be taking over. I think she needs to be toned down just a bit.
I thought Hugh was very good in this one.
Cuddy on the other hand...well, I'll let it go for now.
Thanks for the review, Mrs. "I was on FOX news"! :)
7 - Heather
@Sue, I agree, I couldn't stand the Wilson/Sam storyline either.
My biggest problem with all of the Wilson/Sam storylines is that I think Cynthia Watros is a terrible actress.
I'm sure some people love her, but I admit that I don't "get" whatever people see in her as an actress.
8 - Leodie
Sorry but i didn’t buy it. Correct me if I’m wrong but what Cuddy is asking of House is to not lie about anything. She’s not merely mad at him for not coming clean after the deed. As someone said before, commenting your preview Barbara, House’s priority is the patient, Cuddy’s the hospital. There is always going to be conflicts, asking House to change his MO when a patient’s life is at stake is just unrealistic and wrong. But what bothers me the most is that it is out of character for Cuddy who has always been one of the few to consider the bigger picture with House. Bitterness I can understand, flat refusal I can’t, it's not like her. And I am not even considering the whole “I don’t expect you to change” argument (Ok, I am).
She said herself that she can’t compartmentalize and although I can understand it would be very hard for her, I don’t see how this can work if she doesn’t. I guess the right thing to do for House would be to fess up and apologize about the Rachel fiasco (after all he was about to engage into a serious medical procedure on the little girl without telling her mum. If that’s not disrespecting his gf, I don’t know what is), but stand firm on the professional ground. But this is not what he will do and that’s where things get interesting. Or he will do the right thing like he has done sometimes in the past when the situation was dire and balance a bit this relationship where Cuddy has been (or seemed to be) the strong and self-confident one up to now.
I can see how it is interesting to parallel House’s insecurities with the Rachel incident (I can’t tell her or she will kick me out) with Cuddy’s insecurities in last week’s episode (I can’t control him at work, but could she ever ?) but imo they are pushing it too far with Cuddy to be credible.
I am really interested in knowing other people opinions on this.
Two things I did like were Masters who am I really starting to like, although I agree, she is too House like and it would become redundant if she stayed too long. I also like how Cuddy and House weren’t all over each over after it turned out that House was out of the woods like it would have happened in over corny shows.
9 - servingthealien
One thing that bothered me was after House went into the room, when the CDC was still under the assumption it was smallpox. House is American and 51 years old. He'd have been vaccinated. They could have decontaminated him and let him out (I'm assuming there's an airlock/decontamination area near the quarantine room, there almost always is). He was at no risk of becoming infected himself. It's holes like that that bother me and can gnaw on my brain almost to the point of ruining an episode.
I also think Cuddy is making much ado about nothing about the lie. Did she REALLY think House would turn into someone else just because they're dating?
10 - Barbara barnett
TantaV, house said that to foreman in s2.
Re:Cuddy--there are some things we react to irrationally strongly. Maybe this is one of them, especially since their relationship is still new and her expectations inflated possibly.
She is digging in her heels. And I think it's all pretty magnified in her mind right now, Especially since House does't get where she's coming from.
11 - Leodie
Barbara
"House does't get where she's coming from."
What do you mean by that ?
12 - Andrea
The smallpox vaccine may lose its effectiveness without regular booster shots and they stopped giving the boosters after it was eradicated. On the other hand, I think the smallpox vaccine was given to key personnel after 9/11 when they were afraid it would be used as a weapon. I wonder if House would have been among them. Maybe the suit is just a precaution.
I'm on House's side in the whole House-Cuddy argument, though I think he IS guilty of lying/not telling the whole truth in the personal and professional sphere. If I were Cuddy I'd have been a lot more troubled and hurt by what happened with Rachel. If she's adding up all the lies he's told her including the most recent one, maybe that's why she's acting this way. They have to learn how to talk to each other and they aren't, which is the problem. I liked that House ignored Wilson's advice and went directly to Cuddy's office and asked her if she knew he'd lied. At least they put the issues on the table in this episode and stopped the lying.
I also read House's reaction to his possible death as a positive sign. He charged in with his typical arrogance and overconfidence but he put on the suit and stayed away from the body when he realized there was a real risk. He's now a man with something to lose and he knows it. He also knew Wilson would have been there at the window freaking out if he had known, which is why he didn't tell him. He saw that Cuddy WAS there when he was "dying" even though she was mad at him, which should boost his emotional security somewhat. I saw more frustration and bafflement in his reaction to her anger, not real desperation. Since the next episode is called "Small Sacrifices" I'm wondering if House's "small sacrifice" will be an apology for hurting her, if not for lying. Then again, maybe it will be having to get dressed up for a wedding and dance with Cuddy to get back in her good graces.
I liked the scenes with Geerte the Dutch phone sex worker. I also really liked every scene Martha Masters was in, especially the way she handles herself with House. She calmly tells him that whether or not she has a boyfriend is none of his business. House calls her "honey" and she zings him right back with "sexiest American man" and a giggle. She has his ability to pull together seemingly unrelated pieces of trivia and spin them into a diagnosis no one else would have thought of. The other fellows are sitting around reading the paper while Masters is busting her butt to get the diagnosis and help House. That bugged me a bit, along with the lack of airtime for Foreman, Chase and Taub. They should have been trying to save him if only because their jobs are on the line if he dies. None of them are capable of running that section on their own. House is mean to all of them but he's also helped save Taub's marriage, covered up for Chase's murder and went to great lengths to save Foreman when HE was dying. A little more effort would have been nice there.
I liked Wilson and Sam with the little girl and Sam's apology to little Eve for lying. I wonder if Wilson will propose in the next episode since they're going to a wedding?
13 - barbara barnett
Leodie--I think we have a men are from Mars... situation. Cuddy is making a point by her anger. I think had House lied for the patient's sake and then when Cuddy asked him about it, told the truth (which he will do) she would have been fleetingly angry and it would have been over. But this is different (in my opinion). And House doesn't understand the difference. It's not like Cuddy's communicating her POV well. She's not. But I think this is (despite what she says) why she's so upset and hurt. This is what House isn't getting.
Andrea--HOuse's reaction to his potential death struck me in exactly in the same way. He IS a man with something to lose now, and it matters to him that he stay alive to be with Cuddy. It was a subtle moment but incredibly well played.
I will be writing much more about the story arcs of S7 during the hiatus. There are many to explore: House-Cuddy, Masters' storyline, Wilson and Sam, the team, etc. and where it's going.
It's been a breathless autumn...
14 - Leodie
#9 Servingthealien :
"Vaccination immunity declines over time and is probably lost in all but the most recently vaccinated populations"
Thanks Wikipedia
15 - LucyM
I agree with Leodie.
I've watched the episode only once so maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't really seem to me that Cuddy's main problem is that House wasn't honest with her after faking the test results. She told him 'you don't get to lie in any case, I can't compartmentalize like this', which means, to me, 'in the past, you used to lie to me at work, but now that we're in a relationship you can't do that any longer because it would hurt me on a personal level'.
Which is a problem because we perfectly know that House will always lie to her to save a petient, if needed. I can easily understand Cuddy being frustrated and hurt, but she cannot ask him to completely change his MO like this, even if they're together.
Then, sure, House should've been more open with her - just telling her how bad he felt at the idea of lying to her would have helped. But IMO Cuddy's 'you can't lie to me, shut up!' attitude was not really a great starting point for a real discussion.
Probably, at this point they both need to take some time, think about it and then discuss the problem... hope that's what we'll see next week.
16 - barbara barnett
LUcy M--You're right. Neither of them are communicating well. That's how fights happen in relationships. What's compelling is that despite her anger and his frustration, when the chips were down and he was dying, she was right there at his side. That's the signature of a loving relationship (esp. at this early stage of it)
17 - LucyM
Barbara - I wrote my comment before reading your answer to Leodie. I get your point, and I hope you're right re: what's really bothering Cuddy. I'm really curious to see how this'll play out in ep. 8.
18 - Eve_Venn
Great review, as always and I loved this episode.
Just one thing.
The Dutch spoken on the slaveship was not Dutch. I, a native speaker, didn't understand a word that was said.
I thought that maybe with a Dutch born executive producer as Gerrit van der Meer (who they named the cat after) they could have gotten the pronounciation right.
However, the Dutch accent of the cyber hooker when she spoke English was spot on :)
19 - 54
Barbara, I'm so glad you pointed out the "I'll be right back" comment House made to Cuddy! I thought that was the single most touching moment between House and Cuddy in the whole episode. It's those subtle, intimate moments in House that strike a chord in me.
Thanks for another wonderful review!
20 - Leodie
#13 Barbara
You have me worried here, maybe after all i am from Mars too since i don't get it any more than House ;-)
Really, i see where you're going with this. Love does make people do irrational things as House himself pointed it out to Foreman back in season five when he was considering torching his career out of love for Thirteen.
But i guess we will have to agree to disagree about the way it's done. Too soapy and Ooc for the show's outstanding writing standards imho.
Kudos for the "i will be right back" moment though.
21 - barbara barnett
Leodie--always happy to be agreeable about disagreeing! I think we'll both have to wait to see how it plays out. I didn't mean that the Men are from Mars...was gender specific, jut that the two (whether from Dean/maverick doc, man/woman, impulsive/not, etc) they are different pages as to the importance of the lie.
22 - Jacksam4eva
I also really liked the episode and consider it probably like the best one of this seventh season so far. However I have a question for you guys and I'd really like to have your opinion 'cause I think it would be very interesting, both from a Huddy and a non-huddy POV : How do you feel about House's "I love you" in Now What?
Okay before everyone starts going all angry and annoyed at me at me ;), I'd like to get this straight : we have been, since "Now What?", exploring House and Cuddy and their relationship, and in a very House-ian way, I think that the writers are really doing a good job by trying to show how House's over-rational mind may interfere in his relationship. Just like a lot of you pointed out in your comments, this episode was definitely a Cuddy's emotions vs. House's brain episode and since we all know that love is probably the most irrational feeling that human beings can experience for one another, this episode really got me thinking about his ability to tell her he loves her right away and really mean it.
Again, trust me, I know about the fact that he's already told few people he loved them and I know that it doesn't really seem to be the issue here. When House admits experiencing irrational feelings (of any kind) it takes him to a whole new level of commitment. But still, don't you feel like Cuddy has much more understanding of what she feels than he does? She acknowledges the fact that she's irrational BECAUSE she loves him, which House, according to his reaction in A Pox On Our House, isn't able to understand. Yet.
I don't actually have an opinion on the writers' rightness (or wrongness) when they made House say those three words. I still think that the end of Now What was incredibly beautiful and emotionally strong but I'm wondering if you think that, by making House say those three words at the very beginning, the writers may have answered one of the most important questions of this season and might end up repeating themselves in the end (wherever direction the end takes us to). IMO, when House tells Cuddy he loves her, he also tells her that, under the right circumstances, he could eventually act irrationally because of his feelings. Today, I am a little disappointed by the fact that even though the question of House's emotions was somewhat discussed in Selfish (when he admitted having no real idea of the reason why he was agreeing with her "safe" approach), it has been left out ever since. Once again he's the one who's always analyzing how Cuddy feels, acting according to what he thinks she believes is the right thing to do in a relationship and ignoring the way he said he felt about her.
If he hadn't acknowledged his love, this situation could have led to a strong wake-up call at the end of the season with an "in-love" Greg House who would have to face the limits of his rational mind (and that, of course, has always been to me one of the most important recurring themes of the show). Since he's already told her he loved her, I really wonder where the writers are going with this.
23 - Susie
@Jacksam4eva : I agree with the fact that we should get more analyze about House's feelings, it's been left since "Selfish". And I can't give you an answer because I'm still cogitating about those three words !
@Barbara : Great review as always !
This episode is so far the greatest of this season, because the character part was very good (I truly love Masters !), and the case too (I think old diseases are fascinating). But I'm worried about the House/Cuddy thing : he is wrong, she is wrong, I hope TPTB will be working on that next week and not in january...
PS : I've just got your book, and the first pages are awesome ! Reading CZ between Stendhal and Dorothy Parker is a pleasure :)
[Again, sorry for the mistakes, French people suck about languages...]
24 - Dmcky
Great review Barbara, as usual..
So, 2 observations before i get started:
1. Is it just me, or did Cuddy look fantastic in this episode??
2. That little girl in the Sam/Wilson subplot was simply adorable..
Ok, now the show..
@Jacksam4eva
Could it be that the writers had House say it so early because they didn’t want to be like every other show that plays on the “when will he say it” theme? I don’t know, maybe. But beyond that, I think he said what he meant, without pressure, since he’s not one to be pressured. I do think he is now learning what loving Cuddy and being a relationship with her entails. I say “with her” because everyone is different. She isn’t Stacy, and the dynamics of their relationship is completely different. House’s “I love you” meant that I am willing to go through whatever is next to be with you. thoughts?
As for the Huddy bump in the road, well, as many have said, they’re both right and they’re both wrong. A simple apology from House would have potentially fixed the whole thing, but 1) House is what I call an honorable liar. Sure he’ll lie, but usually with good reason, not out of malice (mostly). In this case, he doesn’t feel like an apology is warranted. And 2) will a simple apology suffice for Cuddy? I mean at first maybe, but now they are at the point where she needs him to understand why she is hurt, so that a repeat performance might be prevented..
Instead of House just saying well, thats too bad, you need to separate the 2, he should take a moment to understand her POV..but at the same time Cuddy should try volunteering her POV instead of just walking away..they both need to communicate
I did love all the scenes with her by his side during the crisis..they love each other and they will work it out
Great ep overall!
25 - Delia_Beatrice
Dear Barbara, congratulations on your TV apparition - i watched it with delight and you were marvelous. Also, how does is feel to be named (repeatedly and deservedly) the ultimate reviewer and source of "House" insight?:))))))
On "Pox", i view it as the best episode of season 7 so far. It was compelling in every way.
My opinion of Masters has improved tremendously since last week. I appreciated her character a lot in this episode, for precisely all the reasons Barbara lists in her review. I also found that the "brilliant nerd" stereotypical details that bothered me last week (mostly in regard to her body language) are toned down in quite the right way.
Loved the "sexiest American man" moment, as well as the "do you have a boyfriend?" discussion, as well as her "blind spot for sarcasm", as well as her purely housian manner to get to the answer.
Robert Sean Leonard has a bunch of videos online, in which he brings to life, in a hugely funny manner, a little lamb-shaped puppet named Lamby - that was a very cute reference in this episode.
Other than that, i agree with Sue and Heather, i really don’t like Cynthia Watros or her character and i never cared much about the Sam/Wilson storyline.
Also, Wilson's advice about relationships are nothing short of catastrophic.
I find it of great significance that it was obvious how the danger he was in affected House - he showed fear, living or dying DID matter to him. In full opposition to the way we've seen him dealing with the consequences of his reckless actions, this time, it was clear that he finally has something to live for - something that he values in his life, something that gives him meaning and makes him cling to life. I had been very worried about this episode, wondering whether he would take that risk in his usual manner, and i am happy that the change was very visible.
The glass wall between House and Cuddy was a symbol of the rational/emotional dichotomy, that many of you have talked about. They can see each other, but they cannot reach out and truly be together, mentally and emotionally, because she is stuck in a negative emotional state, that she expresses and explains badly - or not at all, while House is stuck in his rationality and hasn't yet been able to transcend that and understand her feelings.
The glass wall is also the enabler of some terrific, intense emotional moments - out of which "i'll be right back" was truly amazing.
On Cuddy's attitude: i believe it to be strongly motivated by fear, and also by her need to be respected. The need for respect is what she verbalized, the fears she is keeping quiet (maybe even to herself) - which maybe indicates that the fears are actually the deeper and stronger motivation. It reminds me about how she lifted the Vicodin bottles off the floor and secretly threw them out in "Now What"... I think she feels that accepting the idea of lies, deception and lack of honesty, lack of open communication in their relationship puts them at great risk, when it comes to bigger issues (like the temptation of Vicodin, like the pain, like depression or other things House would not talk to her about). To her, it rings dangerously close to the old version of House - not necessarily the one who lied to her at work, but the one who was never open with his emotions and who never asked for help, when confronted with his pain and addiction.
On the factual note of the conflict: Not telling her the truth, even after the deed was done and the patient was saved, kinda mixes personal and professional, in my opinion. To lie in order to get approval for a treatment that saves his patient is professional - and i am as sure as Barbara is that Cuddy understands and can accept that. But to extend that lie by keeping quiet about it longer than the necessity of saving the patient required - that kinda rings personal to me. It's like he kept lying to her, by omission, even after they got home and started talking about their day...
I believe that Cuddy needed to feel some understanding coming from him. House refused to even acknowledge the emotional impact his actions had on her, he simply dismissed all of her emotions. He was condescending and completely blind to all of the emotional complexity of her position.
Barbara (#13): fully agree.
Finally: I believe that "You don't get to lie to me anywhere" was just Cuddy being hurt all over again by his condescending, dismissive attitude, and overreacting to it by shutting down and abruptly ending the conversation with that harsh line.