After enduring blatant racist remarks for more than a year – taken in stride because they are no more meaningful than House's blatant sexist, ageist, anythingist remarks that are designed to shock - Foreman (Omar Epps) accuses House of a more insidious, latent racism. There is truth in Foreman's speech, though House's actions that prompted it have their root not so much in racism but in his philosophy that all people are stupid, and his method to ignore a patient's autonomy when he thinks they've made the wrong choice.
Between that and the bitter truth House throws out to Cuddy when they are ostensibly talking about Alfredo (Cuddy: "He's not like us." House: "Can't work as a cripple?"), the writers have dropped a couple of elephants in the room and left the viewer to deal with them or dismiss them. Much as I love the grey areas the show introduces, and the complexities of the already complex central character we're discovering, sometimes I want it to either say something deeper about its issues, like race in medicine and the unfair privilege of class, or at least not treat them as minor throwaways in search of that admittedly wonderful character development.
(As with many Fox programs, House gets thrown off the air for baseball in October. The next new episode is scheduled for November 1 – but check your local listings. I will not be responsible if you miss it.)
Links:
- House - "Autopsy" review
- House - "Acceptance" review
- House, M.D. Season One DVD review
- Visit my blog, Unified Theory of Nothing Much for more random thoughts on life and entertainment.
Article comments
1 - ben
can some one please tell me where i can find the tune at the start of every episode (email me)
2 - deekay
The theme is Teardrop by Massive Attack, available through iTunes. The song has lyrics, though - I don't know if you can get the instrumental version used in the show.
3 - Chief
The instrumental version is just the beginning and end of the song.
4 - Diane Kristine
But longer, I guess in a loop. I'm just sayin' ... I haven't seen a version that's just what's used in the show.
5 - Mr. Man
What song was played at the very end of this episode?
6 - Diane Kristine
It was Delicate by Damien Rice.
7 - DrHouseForum
You guys might be interested in DrHouseForum.com, a new fan forum for House MD fans. We're a small, friendly community. Come by and say hi!