Anyway, until last week, their relationship had been fueled by forthrightness—each knowing where the other stands. There had been there a mutual trust—and friendship. But then House has to go and conceal Dominka’s immigrant status.
The man who understands everything about everyone (but himself) cannot imagine that Dominika might stay with him knowing that she was finally free to go. So he pathetically lies about her immigration status. Not wanting her to leave (ah, shades of the Wilson-lives-with-House story arc of season two!), House had torn up her notice at the end of last week’s episode. And this week, of course, she finds out. And leaves. Frankly, I don’t blame her for leaving House in the dust.
Speaking of Dominika’s status, I thought House’s Ukrainian friend has been going for a Green Card, and that House has been helping her maintain a legal status in the U.S. All of a sudden this week, she’s a citizen? Huh? Very, very sloppy writing, not to mention the lack of continuity. Unless I’m missing something.
But as I said at the top of this commentary, all of this is overshadowed by the dire news that Wilson has a Stage 2 Thymoma. The revelation is a stunning blow to House, especially on the heels of Dominkia’s hasty, tearful departure, just as the two had begun to connect.
Wilson has cancer. As sad as this news is (note to self: remember, these are fictional characters!), it provides a huge, emotional dramatic landscape with which the series writers can paint the final scenes of this great television series.
The news hits House the way we would hope it would—he is speechless, and the look on his face could not have been more stunned. He looks like he’d been punched in the gut once he realizes that Wilson is telling him the truth; that this is no elaborate game Wilson is playing.
More than anything, Wilson’s illness offers House a second chance of sorts; the chance to demonstrate to himself (most of all) that not all love is conditional. And for once the unconditional nature of love must be proven by House—not by Wilson, not by Cuddy, not by Stacy. Wilson has no one else to turn to, and although House has tried before to be there when he’s been needed for support, it’s always been a terrible struggle for him. But House has no choice; he must be there for Wilson, as monumentally difficult for him as it will be. He can't run; he can't hide. He can't drown himself in a bottle of Maker's Mark-dipped Vicodin and watch from the sidelines.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - KMC
I have to admit, my stomach dropped when Wilson said the words...and I've heard them said in real-life about loved ones. While this was unexpected, in a way, it will say more about House than if the cancer was his. We know he needed the Vicodin to deal with Cuddy's illness...and for all that he loved Cuddy...he loves Wilson more. This will be a painful journey...but I suspect we'll see some breathtaking acting along the way. I want Wilson to live...I've invested a lot of emotion in his character, but watching House dealing with his best..and only...friend's mortality..will, I suspect..be quite something to see.
2 - Nancy
Think Dominika was having to wonder if she was going to be deported or not. A green card does not equal being a citizen, just means you are allowed to be in the country. Also guessing she needed to get back in touch with the Official Office - otherwise, no need for them to call her after sending the letter.
3 - Barbara Barnett
They were specifically talking about citizenship (i.e. citizenship papers). She would in no way be becoming a citizen at this point. I'm usually pretty forgiving of factual lapses in light of better drama, but they contradicted themselves here.
4 - Musical shouts
I actually predicted that it would be Wilson who would get cancer when I learned the title of episode nineteen would be the c word. I don't know why, I just had a hunch. Based on the titles of the remaining four episodes, I dont think things look gOod for Wilson. I have a theory but I won't divulge that here because it involves spoilers!
5 - suzmum
Good review - and, yes, good that you called them on the sloppy writing re: the distinction between the green card and citizenship. I confess, however, that I am enormously relieved that the Dominika arc has come to an end: I really found her tiresome, and I simply have never found the relationship credible.
I have found this season to be pretty disappointing (with a few notable exceptions - e.g., the Chase episode, and Twenty Vicodin)...but the final arc certainly seems promising, and you are *so* right in underlining the fact that House is going to have to actually BE THERE for Wilson. The series deserves a great ending....
6 - D
In hindsight and serious objective viewing and analysis of a remarkable series I think it will show that there was ONLY one person House truly loved-Wilson.
Sad we will not get another season to explore the real love story . But hopefully these last few episodes enable DS to tell the story
7 - Eric
I was disappointed with how the case ended; giving leeway to some magical ritual. I'd expect a follow-up on this in the next episode, but I'm pretty sure that won't happen. You have to wonder; did someone twist Shore's arm?
The first rule in troubleshooting; do not try two things at once, unless you don't care about the cause.
8 - bigHousefan
Barbara
This was a lovely episode. I agree with you completely with regard to House's relationship with Dominika. He could have been happy sharing a life with her but his self-loathing did not see it possible that she would choose to stay with him so he sabbotages it - so House.
This episode also raises the question of faith. As Dominika points out, House has faith that dark matter in the universe exists but how is it different than having spiritual faith? I always suspected that House was looking for someone to prove him wrong as the priest in Unfaithful pointed out. Maybe House will reach out to God in the wake of Wilson's cancer.
THANKS FOR STAYING SPOILER FREE! And thanks so much for your thoughtful reviews.
9 - hwl40
Barbara, will miss your reviews as much as House - or almost! Many thanks for all that you have done to enhance our enjoyment and expand our insights.
10 - Jane E
I thought last night's episode was not a top quality episode that House teams usually puts out. I thought it was lacking. As for Dominica, I all along felt they only brought her back to set up another storyline and we found out that was true at the end.
I believe House will be their for Wilson because he blamed himself for Cuddy telling her in Moving on it wasn't her fault. I think this will be a step in maturity for House.
11 - Sheena
While it was kind of predictable and ironic that Wilson is the one who's diagnosed with something like cancer, it's still a good plot twist, especially this close to the end of the series. We won't get to see how ouse takes it later on in life (depending on exactly the last episode goes) like we got to see how he took it when Amber died. Which is probably a spoiler right there.
On a somewhat related note, we know that 13 will be back for the final episode and it was said that she intervenes in between House and Wilson. i think the most fitting end to her character would be to have House go through with his promise to euthanize her. And then Wilson dies and House is screwed...I see that being a crappy but acceptable ending.
12 - Ryan
Cant wait for the finale, but gonna be so depressed when its over lol. No matter what happens with house or Wilson I hope we get a great ending and not one that's cheap or disappointing like the season 7 finale. Wish the ride wasn't over. I may be a new poster but I've been a loyal reader of this blog and just want to say thanks to barbara for all her reviews and insight. Its been my favorite part of my Tuesday evenings after work
13 - tipitinatoo
Want to echo Ryan's comments, but REALLY wanted to see the House-Dominika thing succeed. There was an unmistakeable connection and she seemed hesitant to leave. Is there a chance she'll realize she "forgot" something, giving her a reason to return to his apartment? And will he get his $31K for marrying her, making the Green Card possible? Will Wilson encourage House to contact her and let her know Wilson has cancer and will she decide to help House through this devastating challenge? Is this the switch we've heard about for the finale? Barbara, my thanks again for making House" so much more than it would have been--both through your insightful weekly blogs and the wonderful "Chasing Zebras," my ever-present reference on a TV series like no other. You're the Best!
14 - dvbfan
Wilson's cancer was something ,personally, I didn't expect to happen but I think this storyline is a better way to see House's reaction and his feelings to his best friend,Wilson and it is good way to end this amazing show after 8 seasons by showing heartbreaking and emotional scenes especially between House and Wilson. As you said Barbara , House has a very special relationship with Wilson and it is interesting to see what is House going to do to save his best friend .
I am very sad that this show is going to an end but I am so excited and nervous to watch the last 4 episodes and knowing what will happen at the end for House and other casts.
15 - lobentti
Well, I can say, according to 'House', that only friendship is an unconditional kind of love! Maybe he´s right ...
16 - Barbara Barnett
Thank you all for your kind words about my column (and Chasing Zebras). This place would never have been the success it has been without the contributions of all of you and those readers who don't comment, but come back here week after week.
I'm thinking of doing a post-ep chat after the finale, so make plans now to be here for that!
17 - emmy4hugh
I can see enormous potential for an emotional payoff, great acting, and growth of House's character in this final story of House/Wilson. What I'm not seeing yet is potential for a final brilliant diagnosis, but I can't wait to see what the writers have in store for us.
18 - SharkJump
Barbara,
I will miss your reviews. I found them interesting whether I agreed or not.
I didn't think the "Body & Soul" episode was all that great. Clearly, the creativity of the writers has gone out the window. And, although I understand where some of the viewers are excited about the arc implications from the preview with Wilson revealing that he has cancer...I'm totally not surprised.
HL & RSL are great actors and I'm sure they'll act the arses off but, unfortunately, I feel that I'll just continue to watch while doing other things around the house since S8 has been strangely repetitive. Why can't it be House that gets some sort of sickness based on all of his years of abuse to his body... I don't know - a disease from an accidental encounter with so many hookers, liver damage from the use of vicodin/liquer and so much more. Why poor Wilson & why cancer/death all the time? There are so many other life-changing things that could happen. It's like TPTB think "hey, let's create drama for House by giving someone he cares for or loves a deadly sickness or kill someone off(Cuddy, 13, House's Dad's & Kutner's death). How freak'in morbid, damb!
I'm not falling for it & won't hold my breath even though TPTB are saying that these last 4 episodes are gonna be great. They said that about S7 and it was a big let down.
19 - SharkJump
sorry for all the mispelled words. LOL!
Oh, I hope his happy ending is that he heals his friend Wilson & not that the ends up with Dominika, or Emily or any young woman that makes him look like an dirty old viagra carrying creep. No love-life stuff, PLEASE! These writers don't know how to write for stuff like that w/out looking like it's a High school soap.
20 - Nickel
Barbara, I have to say that D. Shore is not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. I KNEW the only way that House would leave PPTH or medicine was if Wilson died. As long as Wilson is alive House would continue to eat pride, betrayal, manipulations, lies and any other dish that Wilson served up, just to keep that connection. I disagree that "for once House has to prove unconditional love", HE HAS PROVEN IT MANY TIMES. Cuddy, Wilson, Stacy, Cameron and anyone else you might want to add has always had conditions to LOVE House. CHANGE WHO YOU ARE, BE LESS MISERABLE, OPEN UP MORE, BE LESS TOXIC, DON'T BE ANGRY AT ME FOR BETRAYING YOUR TRUST....these are all conditions that were thrown at House from the beginning. No matter how many times Wilson has SELFISHLY lied, manipulated, betrayed or demanded sacrifice from House.....IT IS ALWAYS HOUSE ASKING TO BE FORGIVEN. (even when he hasn't done anything wrong...IN MY OPINION.)
I have to say it is pretty crappy for Wilson (self proclaimed best friend of House) to ask House to risk LIFE IN PRISON AND LOSS OF HIS MEDICAL LICENSE FOREVER to satisfy his own agenda...ONCE AGAIN. Sorry, but good riddance to Wilson...who can't decide if House is a good man or a bad man, who only interacts with House for his own needs, asks him to risk his life for a woman he has only known 4 months and then watched his friend spiral into madness because of the guilt and grief that caused.....all this without EVER SAYING THANK YOU. psssst
21 - lobentti
Barbara,
I want to say a few words to you; I always write about the show, but ... well, I had a chance and just bought 'Chasing Zebras" from Amazon.com, as the book was not available where I live, it will be here soon; I can´t remember the first time I watched 'House, md' but I do remember the first of yours reviews I read: 'A love story in six seasons'; since then, I´ve been reading them all the time, so I want to thank you, we are always some episodes behind, and reading the reviews made me pay attention to many facets I should miss; sometimes, I disagreed, but it was always a enriching process. Now, the show is going to an end, I didn´t like the last season, actually I disliked from the middle of 7th season; but it doesn´t matter, they gave us a lot of geat moments. So, I want to thank you to help us to understand this incredible character, to follow the process of solving the puzzles,and even to pour our tears on your shoulders; thank you very much!
22 - housemaniac
I echo the thanks to Barbara, the disappointment about Season 8, and the concern about how this is going to end. At this point, though, I feel I've gotten so much out of the show, I am willing to just ride out the rest. I'm in mourning for the show and therefore feel weirdly disconnected, but of course also very curious. I think Wilson will die and force House to decide whether his own life is still worth living. I do think having Wilson get cancer is a much better move than having House get sick and, say, having to diagnose himself, or die/not die as did his alter-ego Holmes. To see how House deals with the tragedy of his best friend, with one last, giant disappointment--that, I think, could be a very worthwhile ending indeed. Let's hope the writers left all their creative energy for this final arc.
23 - D
This season has been one of the best ever in this series. Finally back to how it started-real exploration of characters.
The sad thing is they wasted so much time with the Cuddy stuff that only 4 episodes left to delve more deeply into House and Wilson.For 8 seasons if you rewatch series there is only one constant and one relationship that matters to House-the one he has with Wilson.The promo even staes that ,The case that matters most,Would love to have seen entire season with more RSL scenes.Aside from HL he is the best actor in the series,Amazing talent.
24 - trisha1915
It is with a sad heart I post here for only the second time. The thoughts of this wonderful series ending and the opportunity to read Barbara's insightful responses to what we've all watched have me reeling. Never before have I reacted so emotionally to what is after all only a television show. I want to go on record as one what didn't hate season seven. I loved "After Hours" and while I disagreed with House ramming his car into Cuddy's house in "Moving On", I can certainly see how her haranguing and Wilson's prompted him to do something so outrageous. I was never a Huddy fan much preferring his interaction with Stacy and appreciative of the sparks that flew whenever House looked into Cameron's eyes. I own seasons One through Seven. I will not be purchasing season eight though I am hoping for some powerful final episodes. It must remain House's story to the end. Barbara, I appreciate the understanding you have shared with us.
25 - bluehue
THANKS for the ongoing intelligent dialogue & recent "Best Of," is nostalgic closure.
Many fans I know watched this show with "Body & Soul," a tv drama that actually offered food for thought & also a hunger to see their own version of events play out..which made for all sorts of fun & frustration.
I'm okay with the show coming to a close now. I never expected things would ever wrap up neatly. SPOILER: I read that 13 & possibly Cameron may be back for the finale. Their possible return (along with newest revelation) only makes me wonder just what event..would draw them back. :( I kinda wish the original triangle will some how join in spirit..perhaps Cuddy's presence in the form of a letter. All involved bound together by the love of having known one another. Only wondering & speculating, because anything can happen..but thinking..House will have to be stronger than ever for his friend now and that sounds worthy of a defining moment..ending.