A look inside the mind and heart of Dr. Robert Chase in this week's House, M.D.
I’ve always liked the character of Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer) on the Fox TV series House, M.D. His journey from the closed-off, apathetic, lazy fellow he appears to be when we first meet him to the compassionate, thoughtful surgeon he has become over eight years has been fascinating to observe from the other side of the television screen.…
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26 - Maria-Eleni
@ 20 - RobF
“And yet again House's actions have consequences that seem horrible, but turn out to be short-lived, as everything is neatly returned to normal at the end of an episode.”
That is a very facile observation.
H.’s actions and attitudes always had consequences.
Se 3: although the Tritter arc seemed inconclusive yet it partly resulted, together with H.’s general behaviour, in the team breaking up.
Se 4: Amber, though indirectly, died through H. acting selfishly and self-destructively.
Se 5 : H. lost his sanity.
Se 6: H. was heading that way again. Chase and H. (and the show) lost Cameron after the Dibala Affair .
Se 7: H. went back to crazy mode and ended up in jail.
As for Chase he is no Dorian Grey! From a happy-go-lucky self serving young man he developed to a person deeply in love and then, after losing Cameron, to a compulsive man-whore. However, by the end of Se 7 he shows again self -awareness when helping Thirteen. Se 8, he knows what he wants, working with H. The stabbing confused him again but at the end he was able to desist destroying someone’s resolution and beliefs even though it meant losing her. If he ends going back at H.’s diagnostic team that is not resignation but mature acceptance that a fatal incident does not need to provoke hasty changes from a chosen (twice and under difficult circumstances) direction.
Yet I agree with you as well:
“After all this time, wouldn't the greatest irony of the series be if the character House discovers that people actually do change -- because he himself changes?”
I already see changes. H. is more open to “socializing” with the people around his life. Offering drinks and first view of the “garage” door, more pranking with others not only Wilson and feelingly apologizing, amongst other.
In addition it looks as if the team is melding together as never before. They are competitive and quarrelsome (A-types!) but there is no backstabbing as before.
During “Nobody’s Fault”, not only they gathered around Chase putting aside their differences but they also defended H. and his diagnostic procedures. In a way they do not doubt his methods even if they exasperate them or even if they disagree with his diagnoses. This is a different attitude not really seen in the previous teams.
In a weird conclusive way there is definitely change. It seems that “everybody lies”!
27 - The Other Barnett
Maria-Eleni #25 and #26 -
Its nice to be welcomed in....:)
I tend to lean to your view of House'when he referred to his stupid stubborn mistake. It had to be about not only his stubborness about losing his leg, but more so his turning away Stacy. I have no idea why so many people assume Stacy left House. Its clear (from how it was portrayed in the 1st season finale) that Stacy and Cuddy both understood that House may never forgive Stacy for taking "the middle road". House had to have pushed her away by being the kind of snarling, hateful, bitter genius that he has shown inclinations toward (the kind that could cut out the heart with simply his sharp tongue). House has to know as he is speaking with Chase that much of where he is (when at his lowest) is because of his destruction of the one relationship that could have saved him after his operation.
I also agree with your defense of Chase, he is certainly no Dorian Grey. There is a soul inside that is good and somewhat pure compared even to Park. He hurts, but I don't think he is ruined.
I also agree with the melding reference to the team. "Nobody's Fault" proved this. As you said, they see the method in the madness and some see it even clearer like Chase. And the difference is what you and others have pointed hout. House is not just driving them to diagnostic success, he is actually providing support for them in some way.
Something I liked was the moment between Chase and Park near the end of the episode, where he actually mentored her. This may be an interesting foretaste of what this team could be. House, the mad genius who pokes and prods and Chase who interprets and guides.
I have noticed in my job as a college recruiter that House is less popular among high school students, while holding his popularity with the liberal arts college students. Maybe your son should be keeping an eye on Chase and ogle Adams....I still do. :)
28 - ada102
great episode.
29 - ada102
"I a phenomenal, emotional scene towards the end of the episode, House explains that by destroying Moira's belief, Chase will end up miserable. "If I wanted you to end up like me," he says, "I'd urge you" to destroy her faith and take this chance on love"
What a scene. The raising of Hugh Laurie's voice and the intensity of his facial expression as he urges Chase to reconsider his decision to puncture the womans' faith. I believe that House was actually trying to speak to Chase instead of pull pranks/schemes to get him to stop feeling guilty or that he made a mistake. Throughout the episode, nothing has helped chase, not the talk of seeing a trauma counselor or having companionship but when House reassures Chase that he did not make a mistake, he just "got stabbed". That was all he needed, the reassurance from the one person who has been there, that means the most, House.
House doesn't want anyone to be like him. Being a genius is a blessing and a curse.
The next scene when Chase comes back to the office was so very moving. The way House slightly nods, the way Chase returns with a slight nod. That tiny moment conveys so much emotion. House needs to know if Chase is alright and Chase returns with that nod.
Also, I love when the team demonstrates the understanding of House's diagnostic process. The games, the playing, they are made up of type A personalities. They defend him, as he should be defended.
This episode was amazing and touching.
This was House MD.
30 - maria-eleni
@ The Other Barnett
Great minds think alike!
I tried to be objective and avoid my nostalgia for the Stacy arc and Se 1&2 to seep through but there you are opening up the subject. Now in Se 8, Stacy figures as the most unscrewed up character in the whole series: quietly confident, in full knowledge of her value but not pushy, loyal and supportive, beautiful but not flaunting it, intelligent and, so important, very appreciative of H.’s quirkiness and humour. A good match for H. but I do not think he deserved her. I like to believe that is what made him send her back to Mark at the end.
It is somehow implied by H. that he did indeed push her out of his life after the infraction. Anyway it is clear that his bitterness towards her had to do with her decision about his leg and not for leaving him. She did not abandon him immediately after the infraction so he does not blame her for leaving but of course that made him miserable. He was measuring her levels of misery through her smoking patterns; behaving atrociously to Stacy is consistent with his admitting to Wilson that he pushes to find his breaking point. After Stacy he is more wary of the consequences of the breaking point and avoids going there with Wilson.
The Park/Chase moment is interesting because it highlights the difference in approach between H. and Chase.
Chase is not House Lite, he shares a lot of characteristics with H. but he is Chase. This effort to find who is the best House copy bugs me. Of course the Cottages are all positively or negatively influenced by H. but however invasive that influence is they still have their own distinctive personalities.
My son is missing ogling 13 and Cam!
31 - The Other Barnett
maria-eleni #30
Your son needs to let his tastes evolve. Wilde and Morrison are both beautiful in their own right, but Adams seems like a combo of the two....in looks, not personality.
I think House has been allowing a more individualistic approach from each of his doctors since he lost Cameron, Chase and Foreman; and had to look for new people. And, as he has hit some breaking point that had a consequence (Mayfield, prison), he has been looser on the reigns. Yet he is still in charge. And "Nobody's Fault" is once again the best indicator. Adams, Park and Chase are accepting and (at different levels) understanding of House's brilliance and preemince as a diagnostician, without being in awe or intimidated. Taub (I think because he is a dad now) is not as willing to risk, but he is just as reverent of House' abilities and his leadership. Chase will not be another House, but he could be the next-level of House (one with a moral code that is sometimes in overdrive).
Stacy.....ahh that woman! I may have to disagree a bit on why House sent Stacy back to Mark. I agree he thought he did not deserve her, but I'm inclined to think he never forgave himself for how he treated her after the infarction and the ensuing decision on his leg.....plus I think , deep deep down, he still had not forgiven her because he had not gotten over the condition of his leg. I saw "One Day, One Room" over the weekend. The rape victim tells House, "Its like you hurt, too." I'm still not sure if he is over it, but I'd sure like to see how he would interact with her now.
Another episode that I'd like to see has come to mind. Would it not be a great opportunity to bring together every woman (that has affected House) into a group session with Andre Braugher's Dr. Nolan? Imagine his mom, Cuddy, Cameron, 13, Stacy, Lydia, Adams, Park, Masters, Dominika all giving heir perspectives on him. It would be tv gold!
And I had a great idea (upset my best friend, even) on how to end the show. House (alone in his apartment, sitting at his piano) is crying, hyperventilating, and about to put his father's pistol barrel into his mouth when he awakes in a hospital bed to discover that his leg has been amputated - the last eight years have been a dream. He looks up and sees Stacy in tears and a very nervous Cuddy. Stacy says "I'm so sorry, you mean more to me than a leg." House takes a pause, looks into the camera, and then looks up at Stacy and says "Ditto" and hugs her as she falls into his arms.....the last 5 seconds is House looking over Stacy's shoulder to a relived teary Cuddy and mouthing "Thank You".....
I know the whole blogosphere would want to riot, but would it not close the series well?
32 - ada102
Difference between house and chase- House needs to stay objective in order to do well. With Chase it seems as though he can stay objective if he knows/cares for the patient. Scene where chase wakes up and has to tell house to stay objective bc house was shocked.
33 - guest
Correction: Julie Mond, not Julia Mond