Very few doctors would view altruism as a symptom. But it is no surprise that the cynical Dr. Gregory House, on the road back to his “normal” (for him, anyway) would see it that way. Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) plays Benjamin, the overly generous patient of the week in “Charity Case,” episode three of House, M.D.’s eighth season.
Of course House is right, eventually, anyway. Ben owns a computer company. A wealthy man, he endeavors to pay it forward by giving away pretty much everything he owns—including both of his kidneys—just for the asking. No one quite believes House, suggesting that his ingrained cynicism fuels his refusal to believe in Benjamin’s kindness for kindness sake.
The week’s case provides an interesting context for examining motivation, generosity and even an ethical relativism that creates conflict between House and Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard). Conventional wisdom would suggest that Benjamin’s altruism is kindness and caring—selflessness, albeit a tad extreme
But giving gifts, small and large, monetary and less tangible, can be viewed from a more self-serving point of view: it makes us happy to make others happy. “It’s better to give than receive,” says an old proverb. But why? Giving becomes a balm for an unhappy soul—or an attempt to buy a little happiness. That’s the prism through which the chronically cynical House would view it, anyway: generosity as selfish selflessness; altruism with an agenda.
But at this point, House is mostly just trying to get back to his life. Giving himself a much needed haircut (and I’m loving the fact that The Powers That Be have decided not to cover his thinning hair this season), House is a new man—or not. The haircut symbolizes House’s re-entry into his universe: familiar hair, familiar toys—and though he’s not successful, he wants to surround himself with familiar physicians with whom to brainstorm.
Opportunistic ex-con with a sob story looking to re-fund his defunded diagnostics department, House sees a potential mark in Benjamin—at least that what he admits to his pathologically generous patient. As House grapples with the ethics of taking money from a patient whom he believes not to be in his right mind, Wilson does his Jiminy Cricket routine, reminding House about things he already knows (but sometimes needs to hear from his more morally straightforward friend. House knows that he cannot ethically take money from Benjamin, no matter what the purpose—or motives. On the other hand, Wilson’s own ethics go out the window when Benjamin offers to donate kidney (and then two!)
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - MusicandHouse
I really liked this episode and i agree that it feels a lot like a first season episode in many ways, which is good, especially if this is going to be the shows final season.
I miss Chase and Taub too, but they will be back and I am looking foward to that. I also can't wait to see how House is going to manage to get his office back from the orthopedic department. There are no spoilers yet saying he will, but its House...we know he will eventually!
2 - Amy
It was a better episode than we've seen it a while. Liked House's new team.
3 - tipitinatoo
House has GOT to have a team--by sheer force of personality, he is and will always be Head of Diagnostics at Princeton-Plainsboro. Foreman comes off as a figurehead, not a Dept. Head. House needs a whiteboard & differentials from a team to rev up his creative juices and allow him to chase zebras again. If not, "House" joins the ranks of all the other ho-hum medical shows that we all grew tired of. So perhaps it's not a new medical team that's needed, it's a fresh new team of creative writers. The formula worked; don't mess with success!
4 - Nate
Barbara,
Very good review. All I can say about this season of house is that I didn't know I missed the seasons of old until they were here again. I don't miss Cuddy. Her purpose was served, which in the end was more or less the woman that finally pushed house over the edge. I stated in last week's review, that the show now feels full circle. Even though we didn't see just how house dealt with the fallout after stacy, we feel like we were there because of how he acted after Cuddy. It gives the show even deeper roots, and makes everyone's point that the character doesn't change the main theme. What makes someone change? Some are capable of starting anew. Others simply can't. They try (like House has over and over again) but in the end they resort back to what is comfortable.
I think in a way the circle of the show has been the pattern in house's life even when he was a boy. Back in the third season episode "Son of a Coma Guy" he talks about why he wanted to become a doctor. It all came down to the Janitor who wasn't liked by anyone, but when he was needed they had to listen, because he was right. House doesn't like to be right; he needs it. It's what sets him apart. It's why medicine is something he risks his career (even his life) to find the answer. If House didn't have medicine, who would he be? Why would people even acknowledge his existence? They acknowledge him because he is right.
But, what I find so brilliant in my favorite show is that he is changing. This is not the House we met in season 1, even though in many ways it feels like season 1 again. This is a man who has tried to change for seven years only to find that his safest place to be is where he is comfortable. How could House be just a researcher like he talks about in twenty vicodin. Researching is just theory. There is no definite answer like in medicine. It's where he belongs. It's his validation. It's the thread that keeps him tied to those around him. This season has been an absolutely brilliant first three episodes, with two new girls who feel completely organic to the show. Foreman as dean fits perfectly. House and Wilson are back in fine form. The patients are once again front and center. I don't know about you but I actually got a bit of a chill when he was offering both kidneys and then all of his organs after dying. It was an episode that was subtle enough that the contrast between House and the patient is something we have to think about, instead of being obvious.
I've loved every season. It's been an amazing journey. And if this is the final season, I will relish in the fact that I got to experience eight years of an incredible journey about a very damaged man. Is House irreparable? I don't think it's the right way to look at him. I think House is House. And if he never changes for the better, it will be fine with me, because after all some people don't change.
5 - Barbara Barnett
tipi--patience. If House had everything back to normal by episode one--or even episode 4, people would have complained that everything went back to normal too quickly. Slowly everything in House's world is normalizing for him.
Nate--Thanks! I also like the new kids on the block.
6 - 60 plus
After these three episodes, I feel as though I can afford to stop holding my breath about what the new season will bring. So much good stuff. They have provided an insightful transition into what is to come.
Nate, I thoroughly agree with all of your last paragraph, especially the ending. I think Wilson once said it best: "House, you are as God made you."
Barbara, thank you once again for your reviews and offering us this opportunity for dialogue.
7 - RobF
In past seasons, House has expressed an opinion along the lines of charity / altruism / asceticism being a symptom, rather than just a part of being good. So, while they took that to an extreme in this episode, it was nice they also looked at the other side -- how people's own hang-ups affect how they accept gifts.
But apart from that, I found the writing very weak. The interaction between characters was forced and the dialogue stilted. That's to be expected with new characters; unfortunately the interactions between House and Wilson, Foreman, and Thirteen were also poorly done.
I don't know if the writers are just finding their groove for the new circumstances, the new direction for the show. I hope it will get better soon, because that was painful to watch.
(Also, they're not only avoiding talking about Cuddy altogether; they're also continuing to avoid talking about House's wife. Are we just supposed to pretend that never happened?)
8 - Josie123
I am enjoying House with his new team. He works at a teaching hospital, so it's natural that he should have new students. Hugh Laurie has a nice report with these new actresses. I personally would prefer if Chase and especially Taub not return. I like how in this episode there was less time spent in the supporting characters stories.
Although I liked this episode, there was something missing. I think the writers did not have any shots of House brooding nor rubbing his leg, to add some heft to his final scene with Thirteen. However, it just didn't work for me. Except for noting having his old team back, things have been easy for him at PPTH. He has no stigma for being in jail by the hospital staff. He only popped one pill. Is he so happy to be out of jail that he's just enjoying his relative freedom?
9 - Filmlover
I would like your input on this: At the end House tells Park that nothing is ever over. Howevr, he knows that isn't true. Relationships end. His relationship with Cuddy is over. I don't mean romantically. I mean working and friendship. His time with her is over. So, do you think he means? Is it the memories and feelings that remain that keeps something from never being over?
10 - bigHousefan aka Lori
I've enjoyed all three episodes! This season does feel like early seasons though, as many have said in the past I miss House's thinking scenes, piano playing...
I was hoping 13 would have given House a hug before leaving as I believe she saw right through his hard-ass act.
The only thing that didn't make sense to me was that he had his car fixed. Yes, he's attached to his stuff not unlike a small child, but the car? I would think it a constant reminder and something he wouldn't want to see again.
I hope Hugh gets to sleep in an extra half-hour now that he doesn't have to do time in the 'hair chair' as he once put it.
Nate 4 - I agree!
11 - bigHousefan aka Lori
Filmlover 9
When I heard that line I thought he might be thinking that consequences never go away, hurt remains...?
I, too, would love to hear others reaction to that line!
12 - HouseMDFan
@bigHousefan & Filmlover
I have been thinking about that line as well. Maybe he means that things aren't really over but change, their repercussions and effects stay. Also, since he was talking to Park and about her hang-up about charity, he could mean that you can't outrun yourself, that your history and your memories and your personality will stay with you.
@Nate - So glad to see that somebody else enjoyed all the seasons and the fact that we've had this incredible journey so far. I don't need House to change to like him, on the contrary, and it's been a pleasure and a privilege to explore all the corners of this character. Also, in the light of the first part of this comment, I don't think it's a circle, the events that transpired are forever a part of his and the show's history and I wouldn't want to miss any of them. (... yes, okay, I wouldn't miss the classroom fight in "Two Stories". *g*)
Oh, and @bigHousefan, yes to the hug. Big YES. But anyway, the scene was completely beautiful and wonderfully played by both HL and OW. Thirteen trying not to cry was a bit heartbreaking, but it's still a nicely positive send-off and therefore indeed bittersweet. Sara Hess is the queen of that.
Another thing I loved in this episode was once again Foreman, continuing his rational and level-headed approach to House, which is really working so far. Also loved the House and Wilson scenes, finally discussing ethics again, and cheered when Park revealed their ploy at the end.
13 - RobRow
The final rejection of Thirteen rang a bit false - after seeming to establish that her need for medicine was more than just guilt, for House to cite it was hollow. It smacked of the writers' and actress's convenience. Otherwise, a very interesting episode, that made me think about my own feelings towards altruism. Loved the bit about an opportunistic ex-con trying to scam some money for his department. Have realised that House's denial about Cuddy is actually making the tone of the show lighter and I'm thankful. A House wracked with guilt would be much harder to watch. How in-character I'm open to debate. I felt parameters were being reestablished, and the absurd contest between his team members - and House's manipulation of it - seemed familiar territory. As well as excellent dovetailing with the main story. As for the return of Chase and Taub I have mixed feelings. Chase ok, but the story about Taub fathering two children was embarrassing and seemed to belong to the medical soap that House watches. Would happily see it forgotten. A bit like the wife. Insightful review Barbara.
14 - bigHousefan
@HouseMDFan 12
...repercussions, effects, can't outrun yourself... perfectly stated!
@RobRow 13
"... but the story about Taub fathering two children was embarrassing and seemed to belong to the medical soap that House watches. Would happily see it forgotten. A bit like the wife."
Agreed!
15 - Barbara Barnett
Rob-I think House's realization that some part of 13 still felt guilty about leaving medicine, and might have kept her from leaving (or even loyalty to him). His act was ultimately selfless, truly selfless, because of the way in which he did it, to ensure that she would not feel either the need to be there for him--or for unnamed future patients. I thought it rang true for House, and the way in which he does things.
With arranging Park's father to come see her (and bring her dinner) also behind the scenes, I wonder if this sort of thing will become House's slow, quiet redemption as the season goes on.
16 - Elisabeth
"Slow, quiet redemption" - I LIKE it!
Like you, Barbara, I would have preferred some comment from House after 13 walked away, but this may be better as we can all individually imagine what he was thinking.
I have to say that I think they are handling House's re-entry beautifully. The discombobulation that House is experiencing with the PPTH environment and with his former colleagues is palpable. I am experiencing discomfort as I follow along with HIS discomfort. It takes brilliant acting and brilliant writing to achieve that end.
17 - bigHousefan
Barbara -
I watched the episode a second time and recalled your comment about the final scene with 13, and thought... After all that's happened, House is still a romantic!
Also, loved the choice of music in these three episodes as well. Loved that the Phoenix Center was next to Berta's Bar (Recession Proof). Loved the haircut scene and how it felt so familiar when thinking about the shave in 'Softer Side' Season 5.
I'm enjoying the continuity and finding comfort in the familiarity amongst all the change. Maybe that's the point.
Wasn't there a promo that said something to the effect of 'What if House's greatest failure is the key to his redemtion?'
18 - housemaniac
I have to admit, this back-to-basics season is not really working for me. In hitting the reset button, TPTB seem to have erased practically the entirety of the show's past. When people on this blog say that something is missing (last week and this), I think one of those things is the past itself. If the premise is that people don't change, then I would think each character's history (and the history of their interactions) would weigh more heavily on the present than has been the case so far this season. The season seems to be operating in a vaccuum and, for me at least, this is very unsatisfying and lacks drama. There's almost no tension in the episodes and as hard as that can be to watch sometimes, I miss that feeling in the pit of my stomach that I used to have when I watched the show. Also, episodes 2 and 3 have been stand-alones. With the possible exception of the introduction of two new characters (and given their character development so far, I am not sure that their introduction counts for much), there have been no arcs established!
I agree with Josie123 about the lack of a problematic transition back to the hospital for House. No legal, emotional, interpersonal repercussions whatsoever (okay, five minutes of tension with Wilson and an ankle bracelet that seems to have no real consequences for House, but that's it)? That simply does not ring true on this show and is another reason why there's virtually no dramatic tension this season so far. Also, Josie123, you mention the writing. On another blog, several posters mentioned the acting. As much as I hate to say it, I think it's as much or more the acting--including, alas, that of HL and RSL--that is off so far this season. The long-termers (Laurie, Leonard, Epps) seem burned out. And the new actors do not yet quite fit in. At least that's my take. Would love to know what others think.
I am sticking with the show. I've come this far and will not break off this relationship. But so far for me this is a disappointing season and if it continues like this, I think it should be the last. I think often of Barbara's comments on the X-Files, which was a show I adored, going on too long. House hasn't reached that point yet, but I'd hate to see it end with a whimper instead of a bang! Sorry to go on for so long....
19 - Michele1L
I Really liked this episode and agree that it reminds me of the first season. I really loved the final scene between House and 13 and think it played out just as it should have. There has always been an underlying affinity between House and 13. I've loved their relationship from the beginning and am sad to see OW go. It seemed fitting that she wouldn't hug him before leaving. For me, clearly she wanted to because she was fighting back tears. In some respects the two are so similar. So defiant through pain.
I actually miss both Taub and Chase, but the season, so far is progressing as I feel it should. House was in prison for a year. Eevryone is not going to be waiting there for his return a year later. They moved on as they had to. It's all making sense. (I don't miss Taub's crazy baby-daddy storyline, but his prickly interactions with House during differentials would be welcomed -- especially since Foreman is no longer part of House's team.)
I'm sure that the Cuddy matter and the whole thing with the green card wife will be revisited at some point. We have a lot to look forward to.
It's good to see Katie J's hubby back again in a producer seat. I haven't noticed Paul A.'s name in the credits for quite some time, and I generally enjoy Sara Hess's episodes.
I want the theme song back!!!
20 - Celia
This. #18 Housemaniac
DS and Co. have beat such a retreat to a revisionist 'past'that they should have the cast all wearing T-Shirts that say ' Been There;Done That'. Even the humor is a retread...a masturbating child identified in Clinic and a shocked parent. Original.
21 - RobRow
Rewatched the episode, and realised I was wrong about Thirteen. Guilt does seem to be her main motive for wishing to remain a doctor. But it still feels unnatural for me, given what the character said in a previous season - what was the episode? - about having to make her life matter because of her latent disease. She's always seemed driven to me, in ways that would make her choosing a girlfriend and Greece unlikely. Accept she may simply have changed her priorities, and left herself more open to guilt.
22 - Joan
housemaniac18 I tend to agree with you -- I'm happy enough with the patient focus, especially this week's guy and the ethical issues they used to address and its nice to have thinky time, clinic back etc. but the shows are a bit flat...Wilson and House are having very low key interactions, Foreman is playing DOM straightforward and House is not overplaying his hand to challenge him so there is nothing like with Cuddy. Not having Foreman, Taub, Chase or 13 to be challenging House we are left with two pretty subservient ducklings. Particularly Adams is bugging me -- she was the dr. when he was a prisoner and after his antics lost her her job,he summons her to be a freebie part of his team and she basically shrugs and buckles down to work! I appreciate that she gained respect for him finding out his bio and seeing him work, but it seems like there should be a little more push-pull in this relationship? I do like the way he is relating to little asian dr. -- I can't even recall her name, ugh, especially playing her against Adams, that felt like old times. But there is some dynamic still off -- partly the lack of sparks with ANYONE --Foreman, Wilson, anyone??? And not romantic sparks w/Adams, please G-d. But even the clinic scene -- the joke and everyone's reaction was so flat! Nothing like the hilarity of the little girl masturbating with House finding ever funnier names to refer to it or other kiddie scenes -- they wrote the joke but it just landed with a thud. Maybe writers are rusty on clinic scenes, lol.
I also agree that while there is some discomfort in House readjusting, overall it is moving along pretty quickly to the way things were for him at PPTH. Oh, except that Cuddy is gone and its his fault she left but no one is going to mention her name or allude to anything other than the cool street cred fact that House is now an ex-con. I don't know if its laziness or lack of skill or pointblank refusal to address the elephant in the room but it seems to me there should be something about how Foreman/Wilson/House feel about this new situation and the cause thereof... should we now refer to She Who Shall Not be Named? History being swept under the rug is definitely the way it feels. And not just re Cuddy but all the characters (I guess we'll see in a few weeks when Chase/Taub return)we are just moving on.
23 - Lauren
I think the episode Rob might be referring to is "The Greater Good" (also written by Sara Hess actually). I found parts of "Charity Case" to almost be an interesting response to "The Greater Good"--especially regarding 13's apparent change in opinion about 'making a difference' vs. 'personal happiness'. What's even more intriguing about 13's change of heart, is the fact that since "The Greater Good", she had appeared to have lost the hope that she had previously been holding on to. Her interactions with House in "Changes" last season demonstrated that neither of them felt that they were going to have a happy ending, and they each had their own coping mechanisms to deal with it. One of those coping mechanisms really seemed to be their friendship with each other--something I personally will really miss now that she has left.
Perhaps it was finding love in the year that House and viewers did not see, that led 13 to re-evaluate things. If she had completely given up hope, and then found this seemingly healthy and loving relationship that made her happy for the first time in years, I can see her wanting to jump at the opportunity to experience that love and happiness for as long as she has left.
As Rob pointed out though, 13's worldview has always been about contributing to the betterment of humankind over her own personal happiness, and the guilt that we see in her in this episode, is the struggle between that worldview, and what she wants out of life now. House knows her better than anyone. He knows how she thinks, and he knows that if he wanted to, he could use her guilt to convince her to stay--in fact, at first, he does. The look on House's face when 13 embraces her girlfriend shows that he now knows something else...she is happier than he had ever seen her. Her outlook has changed because SHE has changed (not much...but maybe a little), and love has done that. The fact that House is willing to concede that point (that maybe she has changed), is in itself an act of charity. He never mocks her newfound happiness or implies that it won't last (whether he thinks that or not, we don't know...but it certainly would be a Houseian view), instead, he wants her to pursue the happiness that neither of them thought she would have.
House's selflessness doesn't end there. He is giving up a friend and confidante. Someone who accepts him for all his flaws and understands him as well as anyone could. A kindred spirit with whom he shares a lot history (despite the fact that they've only known each other for 4 or 5 years). He's also giving up an experienced member of his team, and one of the few things in his life that hasn't changed.--Knowing House, we know that this is something he would not want to lose. Furthermore, by acknowledging that 13 can be happy, he is putting himself in a position where he may have to admit to himself that there is a chance that he could be happy to--something that on paper, sounds great...but to House, is terrifying. Misery loves company, and House lost that company in Thirteen....the thing is, he didn't lose it, he let her go. And that says something about House.
This episode was all about altruism, and yet House 'firing' Thirteen was probably the only true altruistic action in the entire episode. House did not have anything to gain from this...and so much to lose. Much like House's promise to 13 in "The Dig" it was an act of love. On a side note, two of the most loving and kind things ever said to 13 were not only said by House, but were: "I'll kill you" and "You're fired". If that isn't indicative of a Houseian relationship, I don't know what is!
In that final understated moment between House and Thirteen, one could see in their eyes that they were acknowledging the history and the understanding that they shared--as well as the fact that they may never see each other again. (and if they do, it would likely be when she was very ill, and he was following through with a promise.) Both HL and OW were excellent.
A couple seasons ago, I remember saying to a friend that if 13 were to leave, it would likely be because she was dying or had died, or because she decided to "move to a tropical climate to have fun for her final years". I scoffed when I suggested the latter and said that I hoped that wouldn't happen because the former would be deeper and more emotional. On any other show, I would have been right. As much as I still hope that we will one day get to see House fulfill his promise, I feel like the layers to this ending for 13's story made it beautiful.
She is the only character who has left House's circle happier and better off. People have certainly left wiser (i.e. Cameron and Masters), and others have left hurt, angry, and devastated (presumably the case for Cuddy), and a couple have left dead! (Poor Amber and Kutner). The fact that the woman with a terminal illness and a chip on her shoulder that has gotten bigger and bigger every season, was able to be genuinely happy, was also Houseian in a way. She's also the only person who House has willingly "let go" because he knew that would be best for her.
I've obviously read a lot into this, but with show, I think that its fair to, because the writers are so good and they really acknowledge the layers of these characters.
I will miss the House/Thirteen dynamic on this show...but I feel like this was an appropriate send off! As much as I would have loved for them to hug, or for House to speak some words at the end, I feel like the understated way in which it was played, where neither character revealed too much of how they were feeling, WAS the House/Thirteen dynamic that I love so much...for that reason, I think it was perfect.
24 - Lauren
I'm sorry that was so long! (Feeling guilty because I feel like putting that in writing was more for me than for you guys) ;) See what I did there??? haha
25 - HouseMDFan
@Lauren !!!!!!! I want to draw hearts all around your post ;-) So wonderful!
I also think that her drivenness, as RobRow called it, was very much a reaction to her illness. But she's been without the job for basically two years, experiencing the last months and death of her brother + prison in the first (which left her in a very dark place), and personal happiness in the second. After that, I can see her making this decision, making her life matter in a different way, by enjoying it as long as she can - even if it isn't an easy decision, which was the point of this episode.