All is not as it appears to be in House's brain as season five ends on a somber note.
Dr. Gregory House wakes up in bed after making love to Dr. Lisa Cuddy after the “cut” in last week’s House episode “Under My Skin.” Cuddy is gone, but not the memory, as House finds her lipstick sitting on his bathroom sink. He smiles, noting the lipstick smear on his face, the happy recollection of their ardent lovemaking. He pockets the lipstick, noting its color, with clearly a fondness for it: a talisman and a symbol of what lies ahead for the clean and sober House and love finally kindled after seasons of sparring and sparking.…
Article comments
76 - A
i liked the ep. and the review, too!
but it really hurts to see that they won't let him be happy, not even for a little while... my mother always says House would deserve that somebody heals him as well and she's right. i feel so sorry for this character, i really think he's a great man with deep feelings, not an evil as* like so many people think.
i love this show but sometimes i wish the series would be over so House had a chance to find some peace...
77 - barbara barnett
I want to comment on some of the things I'm picking up on here. As much as I like House and Cuddy together (I really do believe it would be awesome for real--not just fantasy), I do not feel cheated by the finale in the least. We got a very strong picture, perhaps for the first time, of how House would be transformed by a relationship with Cuddy. And how much he does not want to screw it up. This is different from the lust and innuencdo that have characterized their relationship. Cuddy isn't a conquest for him, just as stacy had not been.
Cuddy was reacting to House's bitter cry for help (which she didn't hear because of the cruelty of his words). He never stopped her, listening to his inner voice (Amber) who had told him "don't do this." And he didn't.
House is now being evaluated in a psych hospital. He is very ill. Had they had sex for real with House in this state, we (and House would always have wondered how much of it was pity).
When House returns in the Fall House will need every bit of support from those who love him and who he trusts in order to make it through that time. I don't see where a future relationship with Cuddy is off the table.
As far as Cameron, I like where House and Cameron are going. Cameron is a supporting player. Like everyone else on the show. I tihnk Cameron has always had a fear of letting go of things (like House has) and the sperm sample is an avatar for that. something that has to be reconciled before she can move on. That she was able to do that, and Chase is mature enough to understand (he wouldn't have been in season one)is a counter balance to House and Cuddy.
Chase and Cameron have had more screentime (if that's how you're assessing it) in the last several episodes than any of the other doctors outside House's innmost circle of Wilson and Cuddy.
I don't know where the show is going narrative-wise. I'm willing to go with the flow. I guess that doesn't make me a "true Huddy" (because I really loved House with Stacy and I loved what happened long-distance with Cate Milton in Frozen), but the show is about House. I watch it for him and his interactions with himself, his patients and his colleagues. Wherever it takes us, as long as the stories remain interesting, desnse, intense and well-written.
78 - Marianna
What a great, GREAT season finale. This show never fails to surprise me.
Probably along with Wilson's Heart, my favorite so far. And although the hallucination/dream thing has played before "well, to be more exact, in this case it was a delusion- in No Reason in particular (in very much the same way), in this episode it worked simply perfectly. I was in shock, in awe. Brilliant.
Am i the only one who remembered the unbelievable ending of the ‘Usual Suspects’? The bottle of Vicodin falling from his shocked hands (just like the Kobayashi Porcelain cup) and then the revelations/contrast of House alone/House with Cuddy -it felt like i was watching the revelations of the final collage and the puzzling board at the end of the brilliant Bryan Singer film. I was led to believe one thing, and then twist "it all makes sense, but in the other way round.
And, ditto, what a great song for the finale. This show has made me a retrospective fan of the Stones ? (and i thank TPTB for that).
I am looking forward to Season Six with PASSION (the summer detox will be long). However i feel that this unfortunate turn of events is much more poignant than we have realized. I mean, it shows that House's brilliant mind, the only thing that he cherishes, the only think that he believes in himself, is "proved" somehow damaged. I wonder what that will do to him, how it will affect his psyche. I am worried for the beloved doctor, but always trust Shore and co. (who, by the way, have earned my eternal respect).
I wonder if we will see some interaction with House and Wilson’s brother in the psychiatric Hospital. Could it be? I always hope (it’s an arbitrary and reasonless hope) that Wilson’s brother will be played by Ethan Hawke ?
Thanks again Barbara for your fantastic review. Looking forward to all your summer goodies.
79 - Marianna
*off topic*
something should definitely be done with the comments and the new layout.
a/ preview option back, please
b/ no ads in between comments please PLEASE
c/ and if possible, all the comments in the same page (i know that sometimes it's harder to upload the page when there are too many comments, so it might even be better for some that way. i personally prefer them all gathered in one page tho).
--for now, i will overlook the fact that there is regularly something wrong with the comment page: either it doesnt post them immediately, either double- or triple- posting of the same comment, and the page is generally down quite frequently.
However patience is a virtue, and i undertand that the new layout thing can be tricky.
Please, though, BC people work it out soon!!
80 - Tourmaline
Lovely article Barbara! I particularly liked the final scenes, the montage of Chase & Cameron and House & Wilson. I loved the contrast in the cinematography, but also the similarities - essentially we were watching two married couples - notice how in both cases they couldn't take their eyes off the other?
81 - marjohn
Barbara,
Since you brought it up, how likely do you think it is that Cate will reappear next season? I believe that Mira S did indicate that she would be eager to return if asked.
I'm also curious as to how the course of House's mental deterioration will be revealed. Unlike many others, I don't share the notion that the breakdown and hallucinations are caused exclusively by narcotics abuse. Aside from neurochemical mental illnesses, there are other physiological causes for hallucination [e.g., Andie's blood clot-induced hallucination during the 'Autopsy' cold open; the girl from 'Guardian Angels' from ergot poisoning]. For this reason, I suspect that House's delusions/hallucinations will not respond to traditional therapies for psychiatric maladies or drug abuse treatment.
Take, for one, the severe trauma caused by the bus accident in HH, and the subsequent deep brain stimulation, followed by a brief coma in WH. Then second, he has a motorcycle accident ['Locked In']. Looking back to that ep -- when House deduces from the PoTW's unscabbed hands that the brain injury caused bike accident rather than the other way around -- this may foreshadow the beginning of his own mental issues. It is also discovered in LI that he's sought psychiatric help. Now, I've seen my share of shrinks, and even in my darkest days, none has ever called me repeatedly as House's did. This leads me to think that Wilson's assumption - that House wants to be better adjusted to allow room in his life for a relationship - is way off base. I think that it may have been the shrink-averse House trying to rule out any mental illness in self-diagnosing the beginnings of his breakdown.
LI's ending with the cloudy visual effect as House looks at Wilson as he says "you'll be all alone" is chilling, as in retrospect it may be the first indications of House's visual hallucinations to follow.
And to all of these physical insults to House's brain, add the guilt over Amber, the prospect of losing Wilson's friendship, the loss of his father, failure to scratch his Cuddy 'Itch', and then the shocking betrayal of his own sense of observation when Kutner [arguably the most endearing of the new ducklings with his spark of Housian creative, unorthodox diagnosis] offs himself. Even without any brain injury, the cumulative effect of these crises would be enough within the space of a year to make anyone lose it. There was no doubt that TPTB were going to bring down the House. ((lamest pun *ever*, but there it is))
I'm so swept up by this madHouse arc, that I have never wanted so much for a summer to pass quickly.
Thanks to the peanut gallery for your colorful commentary. Barbara, you've got your work cut out for you this summer ~ thanks, as always.
p.s. pleasepleaseplease ask TPTB at BC to bring back the preview function!!
82 - Taryn
Before reading yet another one of your amazing reviews, Barbara, thinking about what happend in this episode sent chills of rage up my spine. After 5 (probably more)years of dancing around each other, House and Cuddy FINALLY had their huge moment only to find out that none of it was real. The cruelty of it all--I mean, seriously! That Fox "Huddy Promo" is now like a giant slap in the face.
I'm sure I'm not saying anything new here, but, after calming down a bit and reading your insights as well as those of your commentors, all this has done is open up new possibillites into what the House/Cuddy relationship could be. Of course, it is not over...really, it's just beginning.
Kudos to the House team for yet another brilliant work of art! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next. The wait will be nearly unbearable!
83 - pomme
"I do not feel cheated by the finale in the least. We got a very strong picture, perhaps for the first time, of how House would be transformed by a relationship with Cuddy. And how much he does not want to screw it up. This is different from the lust and innuencdo that have characterized their relationship. Cuddy isn't a conquest for him, just as stacy had not been."
I agree with this 100%. I don't feel cheated. I feel the Huddies got a great gift and whether some of us see it or not, we got a major development in this story as to House's feelings for Cuddy. Thanks for this, Barbara. And when you talk to Egan, will you tell her thanks from some of us H/C/W fans for writing all three of them instead of mainly just Wilson. I love her Wilson characterizations, and I'm so glad we got some in this episode as well as some great Cuddy.
84 - blacktop
Barbara, Thank you for another excellent report on this stunning episode.
You wrote: "I do not feel cheated by the finale in the least. We got a very strong picture, perhaps for the first time, of how House would be transformed by a relationship with Cuddy. And how much he does not want to screw it up. This is different from the lust and innuencdo that have characterized their relationship. Cuddy isn't a conquest for him, just as stacy had not been."
I would agree with you except that I don't think that we have ever been allowed to believe that House's feelings for Cuddy are simply about lust, innuendo or conquest.
The contrast between his shallow comments and his inner feelings about Cuddy has been at the heart of our understanding of House for the past five years. This is by no means the first time that we have been made aware of House's deep feelings for Cuddy. We have known of his deeper feelings through a variety of interactions including the complex emotions of respects, love, faith and vulnerability revealed in his dreams, his coma, and his fantasies in the past four seasons. House trusts Cuddy, relies on her to save him in his professional life and in his personal life, and treats her as one of the two pillars of his emotional existence.
Cuddy has carefully been presented as House's life giver from the beginning when she resusitated him in "Three Stories." She gave him a job, she saved him from Vogler, from Tritter, she gave him renewed life with the ketamine treatments, she breathed life into him at the end of Season four.
We have known all this for some time and the season five finale did not elaborate or develop our understanding of House's inner life in any significant new way. I dearly wish it had.
I am looking forward to your interview of Doris Egan whose writing in this finale was outstanding.
85 - barbara barnett
Blacktop--Thank you for your commentary, which is always so wonderfully drawn both here and other places we encounter each other. I agree that we've known (or deeply suspected) House's innmost feelings about Cuddy, but I think this is the first time it's been made really explicit in the foreground of House's mind to the point he could even articulate it to Wilson (who has also strongly suspsected it). I guess that's what I meant.
I agree Taryn who suggests it's just the beginning. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Ms. Egan. And am sitting at my desk transcribing my our lengthy conversation. It was interesting getting a bit inside her head regarding the episode, House, Wilson, Cuddy and the rest of the crew.
86 - Jen
As Wilson said, "WOW!", "WOW!", one for each! One for HL and Barbara one for you! I believe he also said, "WOW!" again,
That one is for this great blog site and all the fun I have had reading and re-watching each episode after reading your great review! I look forward to spending the summer with all of you and of course our blue eyed hero! As someone also wrote, HL is my vicodin!
87 - Veresna
#74 I was thinking that "The Trolley Song" was not a Berlin number, thanks for confirming that for me. It's just rather strange in a way...Last week, on another forum,I had commented about the fact that in the previews, there were shots of House reaching out for a Vicodin on the bathroom floor. I was prompted to remember a scene from "Me and My Shadows", where Hugh played Vincente Minnelli. Showing how Judy Garland's addictions were multiplying, there was a scene where he was going through her dressing room and finding pills all over the place, even sewn into the seams of her costumes. And something about the desperation of House in the episode had reminded me of it. This week-what song do they choose to have Hugh sing? "The Trolley Song", which is also shown in the movie with Vincente directing as Judy flawlessly performs the song in one take. Of course, I guess it is a marvelous echo of the fact that House believes he has rung Cuddy's "metaphorical bell".
I have to add my voice to the others complaining that I would like a preview available for posting comments and the comments back on one page, and if there is somewhere else we should be making these suggestions, please let us know!
88 - XJK
Barbara - I agree with you that 'Huddy' lives on, and I don't at all feel cheated by the outcome!
I don't have much to add, except for the fact that everytime I come to this site I end up with the song 'both sides now' by Joni Mitchell in my head, and can't help but think the lyrics are very apt:
'Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes true
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away'
The other lines I found quite fitting were 'tears and fears and feeling proud, to say I love you right out loud... but now old friends are acting strange'
Just thought someone else would like to share my current internal jukebox torment!
89 - NancyGail
Kudos to TPTB for leaving Kal Penn and Anne Dudek off opening credits. It made the scene with them towards the end that much better.
Carl Reiner was great, and the handclasp with PJ sweet, House gave them both something to hold onto.
90 - magz
Barbara,
Lovely review, as usual. Thanks to you and to all the posters for their insight and analysis of this wonderful and very addictive TV show!
I thought the episode was great, but unlike the previous ones, I was in no rush to watch this one again. It was too heartbreaking. To see House go from feeling happy and somewhat smug after his night with Cuddy, only to see him slowly unravel to the point of experiencing something Wilson called "worse than death" (the loss of his rational mind) was really really sad. I was completely with House when he told Cuddy, "No, that's not what happened" because I did not want that night to be a delusion. When he reached for the lipstick talisman in his pocket and found that pill bottle instead, I felt his devastation and her confusion. What great actors (HL rocks!), and kudos to Doris Egan for taking us on such a wild ride.
I admit, I was sorely disappointed that the "Huddy" hookup was a delusion. It was really nice to see House finally acknowledge his feelings for Cuddy. They would be so great together! I know TV characters are not supposed to evolve, and so House is doomed to remain unhappy lest the show be seen to 'jump the shark', but I would so like to see them try to be together - it would certainly be a big challenge to DS, KJ, and the writers to make this work. (I dare you, guys!) I hope the next season starts with visits to the hospital by Cuddy, Wilson and even House's mother, or with House diagnosing a fellow patient there, but I trust the writers to bring him back to PPTH on their own terms. I can't wait.
Has anyone else noticed that the last three patients were diagnosed by the team, not by House? I think this is deliberate, and will probably help introduce the next season, where House is unavailable but the team will still diagnose patients.
All in all, I really enjoyed Season 5. As someone who discovered House rather late (this season!), I am glad I have old episodes to keep me from suffering from the DTs too harshly until Season 6 begins....
91 - marjohn
I just began my second viewing and made my first 'aha' :: House has no lipstick smudge at all when he wakes up, walks to the bathroom... Only in his reflection! Ahhh, this is going to be a painful re-viewing!
I'll offer a bit of comic relief for you all too :: my son (10) and daughter (11) are watching with me, as they share my affliction, and my daughter is explaining to my son what "Huddy" means ~ House + Cuddy. Clever as he is, my son says, "why not Greg + Lisa... *Grease-a*!!".
Classic.
92 - 60 plus
#90. I agree with you about the significance of the team's diagnosing the last few patients instead of House, including this episode. In Under My Skin, I found it interesting that Chase seemed to be functioning as a team member at the end. There were glimpses of a different level of confidence and determination in the four, especially after Taub insisted they continue without House and Chase said, in so many words, that if they couldn't come up with the answer, she would die because they weren't smart enough to solve the case without House. In the end, of course, they did. (Interestingly, Foreman was the one who wanted to call it quits...)
I recall that some time back, one of the TPTB (maybe Katie J.) said that the season's end would bring a shock that would reverberate throughout the hospital.
As you said, this might be TPTB deliberately setting the stage for what we'll see at the beginning of Season 6 if House is unable to head the Diagnostic Department.
93 - Kit Sum
Wonderful review Barbara.
I don't have anything to add except one question.
Before House came into Cuddy's office, the camera was first on Cuddy's hand, then Cuddy's face. Some people and I noticed that there were something that looked like keys on Cuddy's hand. I wonder is there any meaning to it, because keys are very important to House. He solved his case mostly by symptoms, which were the keys to the case. Keys could also mean so many more things for House too. Anyone has any thoughts on that?
94 - Grace
So much to say but for now I just want to say that Wilson driving House to the hospital and watching House walk in and look back was one of the best scenes I've ever seen in any tv show or movie.
HUGH LAURIE IS AMAZING and RSL ROCKS!!!
95 - Grace
P.S. Forgot to say that Season 5 comes out on May 12th.
Secondly, I'd like to suggest that Doris Egan writes every HOUSE episode from now on.
And last but not least, Barbara's recaps become the official recaps of HOUSE/FOX.
Ok, here's the clue that had me thinking that maybe what we were seeing wasn't true.
Way back in the preview for Both Sides Now, it said that Cuddy was going to find a way to make House do clinic duty. Well, I got to thinking. Since Cuddy knew that House was in a bad way, WHY would she try to give him more work to do in a place that she knew he hated?
The short detox was my second clue.
96 - Sera G
Hello to all,
Grace, sorry to be the bearer of bad news; I just went to Amazon...House Season 5 is scheduled to be released on August 25!!!!
I can't wait, but I think I might need a while to clear my head before I watch it all again.
Looking forward to the Doris E. interview.
97 - JL
Once again, I wrote a perfectly wonderful piece that I find hasn't posted!
Anyway, the summary version:
1. Thankyou, Barbara. It's so good to read your thoughts. I love the idea that House's mind created the ultimate soppy Huddy fanfic.
2. I thought the finale was brilliantly clever, although I'm a bit over hallucinations.
3. I think this is a make-or-break point for both House and for 'House, M.D.' If this is used as an impetus for actual change in House, I think it's terrific. But I don't think 'House never changes' will wash after this one. It's too big. The story is too important. This needs to go somewhere.
I hope to goodness the writers have worked out where this story is going to go in future - I think the time for playing around with it has passed.
Looking forward with GREAT interest to the Doris Egan interview.
98 - Andree
hello everyone,
as they abruptly stopped showing season 5 here in the Netherlands to come up with the Tritter arc again, I just have the recaps and this blog to follow whatever happens to and in House.
Last week, while reading about this very short detox, I thought that can't be true, House's first detox took much longer. So that was somehow a clue for me that it was all an illusion or hallucination or however you want to call it. So, honestly, I hoped that Huddy was a delusion, too... and apparently it was. I am glad about that somehow, because I am really afraid that if House and Cuddy had a real relationship, it would take off the edge of a big part of the show. See other series where this happened. I don't mind them trying to have a relationship, but that's it. I wouldn't mind on the other hand that House could know some happiness.
I am already on the amazon.uk list to be notified when they will have season 5 on DVD. From experience it will just come out when the Netherlands might have shown the whole season - finally.
Just a little comment to the new layout of this site... I don't like it, at all. The old one was much nicer and user friendlier.
Barbara, I am looking forward to whatever reviews you might write during summer.
99 - capetown
With all of the mesmerizing moments between House and Wilson in this episode, you mentioned him once in a line about what he may have missed. It's not all about Cuddy; it really isn't. House has at least two guardian angels, and one of them is named Wilson. Robert Sean Leonard deserves an Emmy as well as Hugh.
100 - CLARA
I'm French and i live in Paris.House MD is my favorite tv-show.
I loved the finale season but it enormously shocked me! I cried!!!
Since i saw these two last episodes, i'm sad and depressed because of the sudden transition from the happiness (the love story between House and Cuddy) toward the misfortune(the illusions,
loneliness,illness,madness,dependency on drug. . .).
The scenario is excellent with actors of genius ( i love Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein).
In that dark finale season, i'm comforted by the fact that it seems that the relationship between House and Cuddy took a step forward;House admits to his feelings and Cuddy shows him
her feelings in the finale scene by her presence,look and movements (when she puts her hand on his shoulder or when her hands caress his face). They seem closer !
I have a question.I'd like to know what are there in the Cuddy's hands when she was in tears in her office .(keys?).I think that it's a clue on the future of her relationship with House in the season 6.
Thank you for your answer!
101 - Amie
Past the first deception of the "oh, no, they didn't dare do the hallucination routine??!!", I can only applaud.
Wow.
This episode could have totally been a serie's finale (and not just a season finale).
But since they signed up for more seasons, one can only hope that they will explore House's redemption. He's gone so low, he can only go up now.
It feels like the end of the second act of a 3 act drama. A kind of "Empire strikes back" (sorry, I can't find a better analogy at the moment). The three first season where the first act, describing the setting and characters. The fourth and fifth was the second act, where the exploration of the characters is deepened. They become very much real, they are wounded, they suffer, they have doubts. I'm eagerly waiting for the 3rd act and how it will all slowly play out.
Thanks Barbara for putting up your wonderful review so fast for everyone to share their thoughts. I enjoyed everyone's input as I had trouble figuring out myself how I felt about the episode. So many different emotions, opposite emotions at the same time. It's great that a TV show can give us all that.
102 - JL
Amie (#101) - your description of the story 'acts' is *exactly*, *precisely* what I had been thinking! The story really has reached a vital point - hence my great concern for the writers to have a clear picture of how this great story will ultimately be resolved.
I also agree with your comment about the power of a TV show that can cause so much conflict and debate in its viewers. I'd say David Shore et al could take that as confirmation that they're on the right path - PROVIDED (I know, I'm harping on this) that they do indeed show how it plays out rather than letting things stall.
Accordingly to your Star Wars analogy, this would put us right where Luke has discovered that Darth Vader is his father. How people got through those intervening years between movies, I can't imagine - I'm struggling to face getting through this short hiatus... (ARGH!)
103 - Amie
JL - (#102) : "your description of the story 'acts' is *exactly*, *precisely* what I had been thinking! "
Cool !! ;-)
"PROVIDED that they do indeed show how it plays out rather than letting things stall"
Yes to that!!!!
I do wonder if David Shore knows where he wants to take things in the end (has he written the last chapter yet, like JK Rowlings had with Harry Potter?) knowing they signed till season 8. That would give him the opportunity to build something coherent and strong. Or does he imagine everything along the way, season by season (should I even say half-season, as the writers apparently planned the end of season 5 in january)?
104 - Amie
OK, never mind my question.
It was answered in the next article (the Doris Egan interview)!
105 - wackjob
Barbara, maybe I'm being paranoid, but why do you never comment on my comments? I'm a normal person, not some nut on a tower with a weapon. Just happened to journey to some places most people haven't had the misfortune to experience.
106 - Amora
What song was in the end of this chapter????
107 - Amora
please help me
108 - Donna
Amora (#s106/107:
The ending song was "As Tears Go By" by The Rolling Stones.
109 - Ingrid
Finally I was able to read this review. And as usual its just excellent. I couldn't get to it since the season finale left me with mix feelings sliding from happyness to unbearable pain. House's emotional pain scaped from TV to get to our heads and hearts. I hope these months off help get ready for Season 6. I can't help wanting more House, more Cuddy, more Wilson, more of the show.
110 - Dorian
Love the foreshadowing {First with Kutner, House not understanding why Kutner did it, not with the POTW, and House making the heartbreaking connection as to why he did it " and as Wilson said ‘what he will do when he realizes this connection’ amazing!!}
For Me, the Patient was the key, Like House, The two halves have begun sending messages again, but it’s too early for both The Patient/House to fully pick up on it [they’re both in pain, but are kept appeased so to not pick up on it and stop it] ---- But, [like Foreman says while diagnosing with Talb and thirteen] there [were] ways to test for it.
1) House never talked to Cuddy " All this could have been averted if he would have just sat down and talked to Cuddy about what he thought happened like a rational adult. [Half of his patents could be spared the needless pain and torment of tests and prodding if he himself would stop hiding and see them. Shown With Kutner " If he would have stopped hiding and confronted himself.]
2) Cuddy would have asked him what he thought happened and House could have noticed and taken it from there " seen where he’s hallucinating " end of season. But, House always assumes things will go wrong [‘everybody lies’] and instead uses cunning instead of honesty. If House would have just approached the problem directly " he would have gotten answers. Just as he does when diagnosing his patients, he theorizes indirectly first, then when his theories are wrong, then and only then he feels the need to directly see them. House works like he lives and lives like he works and cannot separate the two " couple that with an addiction " and dealing with knowing you have a problem becomes enormously complex to solve. Even for House!!!
3.) It’s this [delusional] assumption and inability to think and experience outside of his constructed reasoning/reality that has cause him much suffering and isolation. It’s imprisoned him in his (a) addiction to Vicodin " an easy/lazy out, rather than working and sweating and laboring to better manage his pain (b) its consequences.
I find it better to think the hallucinations are an unconscious attempt at self education/edification/self-preservation, realizing that he will implode if he himself does not realize his need to stop himself from going over the edge. It’s tragic, but think of how absolutely horrifying it would be if house didn’t have Cuddy, or Wilson to help him.
Fantastic episode, fantastic writing, phenomenal acting.
Bring on Season 6!!!!
111 - Patrick
One of the many things I love about House is the attention to design and architecture shown by the choice of set design and furniture. The extremely apt choice of the building to represent the psychiatric hospital which Dr. House is admitted to is a case in point. The building though currently vacant was the main building of the Greystone State Psychiatric Hospital located in Morris Plains New Jersey. Interestingly this was the very hospital at which Woody Guthrie lived out the last years of his life while dying of huntington's disease. I have always thought that the building looked forbiding which is quite apropriate for the episode. Currently all patients of the hospital are in a new and much smaller building. The road leading to the old main hospital does have something like the feel of a road to the gates of hell. The brilliance of this choice is amazing.
I hope the comming season allows for House's hoped for recovery to play out on stage rather than being presented as a fait accompli as in the case of House's recovery from being shot.
112 - ladydyna
Barbara--as always, great review,& delightful comments by all the House diehard fans. I realize I'm way behind the times. I just watched this episode online yesterday. (I gave up House for Lent b/c I was not doing well with all the darkness & frustrations of season 5). I totally agree w/blacktop (post #39-40) who said that it's finally clear that, to House at least, his personal peace & happiness is bound up w/Cuddy; but also that the series lost some real potential & a lot of credibility by faking us out AGAIN with a 'faux' House/Cuddy 'relationship.' I have to agree that they really can't try pitching us that one again---a real shame b/c the chemistry between Hugh Laurie & Lisa Edelstein has been one of the show's tremendous assets even since Cuddy's somewhat unconvincing answer when Vogler asked her, "You sleeping with House?...Oh,but you used to...?"
Whatever psycho-analysis House will undergo next season will hopefully give us the long awaited Huddy back-story. The big question is, even with House at rock-bottom--i.e. insanity, will he still resist change? The question was raised in the South Pole episode, where House is strongly attracted to the young woman-doctor-psychiatrist who is the POTW b/c she tells House he doesn't necessarily need 'fixing.' Wouldn't it be interesting if she is back from the S. Pole & becomes House's therapist at the psych hospital? On the other hand, we have some strong hints that House's insanity may stem from syphillis. The POTW in this season finale had the two hemispheres of his brain severed--which was the very procedure that House suggested as the 'cure' for the idiot savant piano player (guest star Dave Matthews). In that same episode, House faked a patient chart for himself to get into a brain cancer drug trial. The team does their own diagnosis & determines from the fake file that House is suffering from neurosyphillus. 2 seasons later, Kutner concludes for a short time in 'No More Mr Nice Guy' that House has neurosyphillis & House says he's wrong, that House left a fake blood sample for Kutner to find.
One thing is certain--there must be a deep, dark, harrowing secret lurking in House's subconscious that will take all of season 6 to reveal. If season 5 is any foreshadowing, it's something to do with death, loss, Cuddy, and babies/childhood. I hope House doesn't end up a bitter old woman-hater, but it does seem that his spiral downward really started way back w/the reappearance of Stacy & the loss of her all over again. And, House has always demonized Cuddy, tending to blame her for his leg more than he does Stacy, & perhaps he feels she is an emasculating figure b/c of her involvement in his leg tragedy as well as her authority as his employer.
P.S.: I'm still waiting for older, smarter brother Mycroft House to make an appearance.
113 - cooba
"he is no longer simply suffering hallucinations, but full-blown delusions"
A full-blown psychosis, more like...
114 - julia
I'd love for them to get together, but as much as Cuddy clearly enjoys watching House act out her repressed id, I can't really believe she'd be irresponsible enough to bring him into her daughter's life.
FYI, the Trolley Song is by Martin and Blane, not Irving Berlin.