When I started writing for Blogcritics last October, House, MD was already well into its fourth season; my first episode commentary was on the third episode of the season, “97 Seconds.” So as FOX re-airs season four on Monday nights over the summer, I will take the opportunity to fill in the couple of episodes I missed first time ‘round (I watched them, I just didn’t write about them!) Tonight, FOX re-airs “Alone,” the season four premiere.
When last we saw House, he had eliminated his entire team in one fell swoop in “Human Error.” Season four opens two weeks later, finding House as we last saw him — playing guitar. (Although now it’s no longer the vintage Gibson "Jumbo" acoustic model, but a vintage Gibson “Flying V” electric. Geez — he has nearly as many guitars as I have!)
Unwilling to hire fellows to replace the departed Cameron, Chase, and Foreman, Cuddy hands House a new case file. They argue in an exchange that can only be called “The Cuddy Blues,” their usual thrust and parry punctuated with electric blues riffs played by the ever-amazing Hugh Laurie on the aforementioned vintage electric. House contends that he can’t take on a case because he doesn’t have a team. And then that he doesn’t need a team because he doesn’t have a case. Obviously! After negotiating deal, House agrees to take on the case of a building collapse victim. If he solves the case without any help from an (unnecessary) team, Cuddy promises to leave him in peace for a week.
But in this tragic case of mistaken identity, the question becomes whether House might have solved his case quicker (and saved the patient) with a team of inquisitive fellows challenging his every theory. The patient, who is virtually unrecognizable after being crushed in a building collapse, exhibits symptom after symptom, each of which point to a lifestyle that is as unrecognizable as the victim’s face, leading House to conclude that she is leading a double life, lying to both her mother and her lover. House correctly treats each new symptom, “curing her” only for her to develop a new symptom, each time. In the course of diagnosis, he discovers that his injured patient is an alcoholic (unbeknownst to her lover) and has had a recent abortion (although her boyfriend insists that they were planning on having children). Not quite the girl with whom he believed himself to be involved!
When her final symptom turns out to be something not possible (an allergy to a drug to which she cannot be allergic), House finally realizes that she was misidentified in the chaotic aftermath of the building collapse. She is simply the wrong woman. Would House, team intact, have figured it out in time to save the patient? Is House, as Cuddy and Wilson contend, better off with a team than operating alone?
Article comments
1 - stephen fan
Barbara, what a treat that you publish again so soon. In your essential review of "Alone", the Season 4 opener, you asked the question if House was better off alone (or with a team). For ONCE I think Wilson is right and House should not be alone. (If Wilson is the mirror half of House, he sure is clueless about his alter ego. But aren't we all?)
You went on to add that "House is clearly troubled at the prospect." (of a new team) "But why?" Here I think Wilson's interpretation of House's fear is again wide of the mark. House does not fear a new team because it would mean new intimacy and so the possible loss of it. (Perhaps that is Wilson's fear of intimacy after 3 failed marriages) I think House values intimacy so highly that he is not ready to move on to a new team. He still had hopes of luring his team back after a suitable separation. How many times did he ask Cameron and Chase to reconsider in the upcoming episodes? (Hindsight is heaven) House may avoid forging intimacy but once he has, he does not give up lightly. (As opposed to Wilson)
I think House always understood the advantage of a team as he was daily seeking out substitute team members while his old team was absent. (He fired only one, perhaps planning, as he eventually did to retract) The prolonged interview process was really designed to give Forman, Cameron and Chase a chance to come back. But it did not work out that way. The master of manipulation lost.
I guess "Alone" is the Season 4 theme as "Meaning" was the Season 3 theme. (to sheepishly state the obvious) My favorite lines in "Alone" were when Cuddy asked House "Why are you here?" and answers for him, "You're here because I'm here". I suppose DS 'means' the reason we are here is for each other. That verbal exchange is a nice summary of the question of meaning and loneliness. And on a more intimate level when House says to Cuddy in "The Right Stuff", "You're here because my reasons make sense to you, not to a judge, but to you." I guess DS thinks we should not be alone but with someone who finds the reasons for living (meaning) in a similar way. House and Cuddy have "The Right Stuff" not to be alone together.
2 - Barbara Barnett
You went on to add that "House is clearly troubled at the prospect." (of a new team) "But why?" Here I think Wilson's interpretation of House's fear is again wide of the mark. House does not fear a new team because it would mean new intimacy and so the possible loss of it. (Perhaps that is Wilson's fear of intimacy after 3 failed marriages) I think House values intimacy so highly that he is not ready to move on to a new team. He still had hopes of luring his team back after a suitable separation. How many times did he ask Cameron and Chase to reconsider in the upcoming episodes? (Hindsight is heaven) House may avoid forging intimacy but once he has, he does not give up lightly. (As opposed to Wilson)
Stephen Fan, I do try to post a couple of columns (as time permits) per week, so thanks for stopping by. You raise some very interesting points. I hadn't really considered that his lengthy efforts to hire a new team would have been to give the old team a chance to filter back in. Hmmm.
I agree that House greatly values his relationships, has difficulty letting go of them. So I think maybe both things are at play. I do agree with Wilson (and I don't often do that!) that House's default position is deflection and distance. And I think to a certain extent that's true here as well. But what you say makes a great point. Have to think about that one :)
I guess "Alone" is the Season 4 theme as "Meaning" was the Season 3 theme. (to sheepishly state the obvious) My favorite lines in "Alone" were when Cuddy asked House "Why are you here?" and answers for him, "You're here because I'm here".
Again, an interesting idea. Season four has several themes. I hadn't thought about the "loneliness" theme, but as I re-watch with the aim of writing a season overview, I'll think about that. Cool.
3 - cath
Barbara, first of all, I would like to say how I really appreciate your reviews. I found them one day while I was exhausting all the House links that I can find. I read one of them (House's Head I think), and eventually read all eversince. You've really done the show justice :D
Anyhoo, I think that it's really nice of you to still post your reviews for the old episodes, it has somehow given us a fresh look and feel of the past episode.
I believe this episode shows us how House works alone - he can't. He still needs a team to give him ideas, agree with his logic, question his logic. Without a team he's a cripple - physically and mentally.
And being true to my nature as a Huddy follower, I cannot help but point out how Cuddy knows House so well. She was able to tell and convince House that he does indeed need a team.
I am really looking forward for more of your reviews, and of course the next season of House.
Ciao!
4 - stephen fan
Barbara wrote, "Season four has several themes. I hadn't thought about the "loneliness" theme..."
Barbara, I don't want to send you off on a wild goose chase. I don't think loneliness is a theme of Season 4 but I couldn't think of a better noun form for Alone. I think the theme Alone refers rather to all the best and worst ways we choose to be 'not Alone' (or 'together' in a non-Houseian universe). The absolute importance of correctly identifying your mate. The possibilites and limits of intimacy. Some fine examples of good mate choices such as Cameron and Chase and Wilson and Amber. And finally that being Alone is sometimes the best choice.