Conflict aversion can be as toxic as heavy metals on House, M.D.'s latest episode "Family Practice."
Lies are at the heart of so many of Dr. Gregory House’s (Hugh Laurie) cases: lies patients tell doctors, tell family members, and tell themselves. In “Family Practice,” this week’s latest House, M.D., episode the lies are compounded because family and medical treatment are wrapped up together along with the emotional relationship between of the patient’s daughter, Lisa Cuddy and her doctor (House, of course).…
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126 - Susan
Debbie J #124 - I found the article you referred to and here it is.
(Sorry if you wanted to post it first but I give you all the credit)
Guest Column: House's Doctor of Desires
Feb 10, 2011 03:31 PM ET
by TV Guide Magazine News10 Comments
House
To celebrate Valentine's Day, we asked best-selling romance writer and House fan Eloisa James how House stacks up against the heroes in her books.
At first glance, Dr. House is nothing like a conventional romantic hero. Can you imagine him bare-chested on a book cover, a bodacious blonde (or perhaps a ravishing radiologist) drooping in his arms? Not so much. House is the "Hunchback of Princeton," as Hugh Laurie himself once said. He's a disagreeable, physically (and emotionally) crippled genius. He'd hold up that blonde just long enough to point out her roots. The Cranky Cripple and the Bodacious Bride would never make it to the shelves â€" just ask my editor.
As the TV series has gone on, though, it's become evident that House does have a heroic side. He notices the weird eyelash lesions everyone else missed, just as the patient flatlines. And he displays extra-ordinary courage every time he orders hundreds of tests without consulting an insurance adjuster. Clearly, if one has the misfortune to contract a mysterious disease, Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital is the place to cure it.
But maybe we don't need a cover-worthy hero if the heroine fits the bill? Dr. Lisa Cuddy is not only wildly intelligent, but she wears pencil skirts and stiletto heels all day. That's heroic. Plus, she's the queen of the snappy retort, not to mention those emotional zingers that shake House down to his toes.
So, as a romance writer, would I bet on their relationship? Will the House scriptwriters allow the disagreeable doctor and the audacious administrator to stay together long term... or to the end of the season? My guess: Yes! We like male dysfunction in America â€" and we particularly like to see those dysfunctional males on their knees.
I let myself be inspired by House this year, and the hero of my latest romance, When Beauty Tamed the Beast, is an irascible and damaged doctor. My story went in a very different direction than the show, but to be honest, House is precisely my idea of a romantic hero. A man in love is vulnerable. Watching an intense, fascinating egotist like House become vulnerable to Cuddy...? Pure pleasure. â€" Eloisa James
127 - Susan
In reply to the article in TV Guide - "Yes. I can imagine Dr. House bare chested on a book cover". Bring it on.
128 - DebbieJ
@simona #125 - I wonder the same thing. There's got to more to her holding a grudge (for 3 episodes!) for his lying to her.
@Susan #126 - Oh, no problem! I'm glad you posted it. I thought it was very cheeky. Never heard of this author before but you know I just have to read this book now! Very clever way to advertise - compare it to the most loved anti-hero doc on TV!
@Susan #27 - I said the same thing when I read that line. Can you imagine? Ahem.... yes I could ;)
129 - barbara barnett
I'm mid writing a novel with a House-like character exactly the sort of romantic/tragic hero (no bare chest, not a bodice ripper) I'd love to see :)
130 - hwl40
Way to go, Barbara!
131 - DebbieJ
Way to Go, Barbara! Looking forward to it. :)
132 - Amanda
The lighting, okay? The lighting. I am thinking specifically of House's lowered-eye gaze at Cuddy in their "confrontation" scene, but that was only the best moment. House's truths are made even more inexorable by that whole LOOK they manage. Wow.
~Amanda