“Merry Christmas, Cuddy.”
I couldn't imagine words normally intended to be so joyous could be uttered as poignantly as House did in the penultimate scene of Tuesday night’s House, MD episode “Joy to the World.” (Although Hugh Laurie's brilliance at portraying pathos should never come as a surprise — and it's the second time he's made me cry with those very words in a House episode.)
So Cuddy has her baby, and what a difference a month has made in the dynamic between her and House. Back in “Emancipation,” the news that Cuddy was going to adopt a baby landed a sucker punch in the gut. In “Joy,” House badgered her about being a mother — until he saw that it was something she really wanted and kissed her with passion, affection, and regret at having hurt her.Of course that was after Cuddy had lost the baby.
But tonight, rescuing the infant of a teenager who had left her for dead, Cuddy has been given another chance at motherhood. And House has another chance to react to the news and show Cuddy what's really in his heart.
I watched “Joy to the World” having been somewhat spoiled about the episode. I knew more than I would have wanted to know going in, and that led to expectations about the episode that materialized in ways not expected. Or not at all. My foreknowledge affected my enjoyment of the episode the first time through, but not the second, which I enjoyed tremendously, especially since I was able to speed through the commercial breaks, which were too frequent and too long. (By the way, whoever is listening — this six-act format really, really sucks! Badly!) So my advice to all: go spoiler-free.
Although the patient drama of bullied, unpopular teenager knocked up by the school stud, who’s really a nice guy underneath it all and really likes her, is a tried and true (and sometimes tired) device, the episode uses that device to further the series narrative. So I didn't mind. Simon, one of the bully ringleaders, acts one way in public, but when no one’s looking brings her homework to his victim. Hardly a romantic gesture, but one that shows that he cares. Somewhere in there.
Cuddy is drawn to this overweight, unhappy teenage girl; even House can't figure out why. Is there something in Cuddy’s past of which we’re unaware that makes her young patient’s plight resonate so strongly? What bad decisions did she make early on? Was she bullied? An outsider, and not the "circle queen," pursued by every "Tom, Dick, and Herschel?"
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sera G
Hello, Barbara!
Another beautifully articulated review.
I will try not to be as long winded as the last time.
I know how you feel about URST, but I still cling to hope that there is to be more to the House/Cuddy relationship and they are not done.
There is no reason that whatever they have can't still be exciting, dysfunctional, passionate and
dare I say it, romantic? I believe the writers are very deliberate in all they do. All of the allusions that House doesn't want to be miserable, lonely, etc. and that beautiful kiss, could not have been put before us and then dropped. That would just be too cruel for this HUDDY fan.
I, too am enjoying Taub and Kutner more than I expected. Foreman and Remy, already?!? I have waited 4 years, 3 months and 6 episodes before I get my HUDDY kiss and there they are...
As to spoilers, boy did I learn the hard way. They are misleading or spoil a great moment when actually portrayed on the show. I now avoid them.
Thanks, again, for wonderful writing, a comfortable place to share views and loving HOUSE and House as much as we do.
Thanks, Sera G
2 - CC
In the scene at the end with House and Cuddy,I loved the little smile he had on his face when cuddy smiled at the baby.
3 - JL
Good heavens, no comments yet. I seem to be the first one to get here! Thanks again for a great review, Barbara!
Having whiled away the time waiting for your thoughts by reading many that were somewhat... less articulately expressed, I'm encountering several similar themes in your review. Specifically,
- that Foreman and Thirteen's kiss felt like 'too much, too soon';
- that the final scene between House and Cuddy deserved to be the Final scene;
- and that the spoilers for this episode were what had spoiled it. Others have also commented that they were more able to appreciate the episode on a second viewing - so I may have to download it again to see if I enjoy it more...
I loved all the individual storylines - but I found the episode a bit top heavy. With four competing storylines, I felt a little as though none was given a chance to brew properly (and I think the six-part format makes things feel even more 'bitsy').
Having expected Cuddy to end up with a baby in this episode, I had actually arrived at the same conclusion prior to seeing it - that House didn't want to take advantage of Cuddy when she lost Joy, and that he wouldn't want to take advantage of her need for love by becoming a 'substitute child'. I was really pleased to see this development in him - I'm glad that the writers didn't just cover old ground.
I am glad that House showed enough concern for Cuddy not to start a relationship with her that would have been completely transitional - similar to jumping into a relationship while trying to move on from a break-up. I think it also shows how much he values what could be. It would interesting to relate this back to his actions in Let Them Eat Cake and, in particular, his conversation with Taub about giving up something in the hope of gaining something better.
It will be interesting to see how finally realising her dream of a baby will impact Cuddy's desire for relationship with House. And, for that matter how it will change her need to be in control and to have things perfect - relating to a child is a big impetus towards realisation of your inadequacies and of what really matters, I find. I found it significant that we learnt more personal background from Cuddy herself in this episode than in any previous stories.
Sorry that this is a bit waffly. I look forward with great anticipation to reading others' ideas about this episode, and, of course, to the second instalment of your 'House in love' article (and now some surprises, too! Christmas is surely here!).
4 - JL
(Yep - I figured others would probably nip in while I typed!)
5 - Joyce M
Hey Barbara!
Great review, as always. I enjoy reading them each week. I think you might have been mistaken about one thing, though. You mentioned once or twice how House learned about Cuddy's plans for adopting a baby in the end of Emancipation. I think the episode was actually Lucky Thirteen. Emancipation aired after The Itch. Just thought I'd mention it.
Anyway, thanks for always sharing your opinion on the show, especially in such a well-written manner!
Have a great holiday season,
Joyce M
6 - barbara barnett
the ending of this episode really put the "boob grab" into context for me...as well as the gift of the desk. House did not want to be the rebound replacement, and I don't think it was consciously that in either of their minds, but it was too much to soon,and I think that's what tripped House's radar in LTEC last week. And stopped him in his tracks. Just as he couldn't proceed and take advantage in Joy. I loved that last scene. and the little sad smile that House gave Cuddy. it was a beautiful, sad and wonderful moment for the characters. Too bad Cuddy couldn't see his reaction; his stepping back. But it's in keeping with house's reticence to not have that noticed. For him it's all the overt stuff, the jerking people around that he wants noticed. Not the nice things, not the gentleness that's actually there for anyone who looks for it.
7 - barbara barnett
Joyce--right you are! "lucky 13." See? That's what happens when the episodes come so fast and furious. I think this is the first season where we've had essentially the entire first half of the season with only one, one week break.
Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I stand corrected.
8 - aile
I have enjoyed reading your reviews, although I will be honest, I don't generally agree with you, but I never felt the need to comment.
But I did want to respond to something you wrote here.
I was also taken with Wilson's line "he's being kind", and I am surprised that it has not been written about until you mentioned it. But I strongly disagree with your interpretation of it, that it has something to do with House and Cuddy.
To me Wilson was being so sincere and wistful in the way he said it, I think it was only a reflection of House, and his own relationship with House. In the cafeteria scene Wilson was lecturing House that he was not capable being kind, and if one looks back through the whole House/Wilson relationship, there are far too many instances when House was extremely unkind to Wilson. Of course these instances include the whole Twitter arc, Vogler, etc, etc, etc.
I think that when Wilson and Cuddy were discussing Natalie, he realized of course that House was being kind by not wanting to put her through excess painful treatment, something that House has done or wanted to do in the past (Insensitive, for example.) I think that Wilson suddenly realized that House was trying to really make an effort to change, mainly to show Wilson that he can be kind. Or it could be partly that Wilson realized that he was wrong, that House has been a lot kinder then he realized before, although it was more likely the former, that Wilson realized that House was trying to change, for him.
We knew that, by House trying to be kind to the clinic patients, but Wilson didn't know about that. He just figured it out talking to Cuddy, hence the wistful and almost sad "he's being kind".
I also did not like the focus on 13 and Foreman in this episode, especially the very last scene, but the most fustrating thing about this episode was thatI would have really loved to see Wilson admitting to House that yes, he can be kind. But they did not put that scene in, which in previous years they would have, because of the time they wasted on 13/Foreman. I really wish that they did show Wilson and House together, after Wilson made the realization and House gave him the clinic patient's present. It would have been alot more interesting to see Wilson admit to House that he can be kind, than most of what was actually in this episode, certainly better than Foreteen.
I didn't mean to go on so long but again, I strongly disagree that Wilson's "he's being kind" had anything to do with Cuddy. It was a reflection of Wilson's relationship with and feelings for House.
9 - barbara barnett
Thanks aile for chiming in. I don't overtly think that Wilson was talking about House and Cuddy, but I thought the subtext was there. He was referring (in my opinion) to the idea that yes, House is capable of kindness--and he's been kind before. I agree with that assessment.
I think had Wilson told House this, however, House would have deflected and denied from here till New Year's Eve!
10 - Louise
Barbara, thank you for such a heartfelt review of a very emotional episode. This episode just had so many Housian goodies, all tied up with a Christmas bow, that I suspect it is a gift I will enjoy watching over and over as the series goes forward. (Lines in the Sand is another one of those key episodes for me.)
I was so glad to see the return of the clinic patients. You focused in on the look on HL's face with inhaler lady--oh, my, no wonder we are all entranced. I nearly had an asthma attack.
Wilson spinning the green wrapping/Irene Adler tale was superb. He understands that part of House's strategy is to reel everyone into the fascinating pastime of trying to understand House.
The writers continue to explore issues of substance versus style, beauty versus health, reality versus social lies through considerations weight. Quite heretical! This was two weeks in a row. The really are pushing around some assumptions that it is just not permissible to question! I love it!
The House and Cuddy interchange had about 15 layers and after reading your review, I realize I need to go back and view and review. The expression on House's face in their last scene was heartbreaking. They aren't right for each other, ultimately, I know. However, I am glad the writers decided to explore this.
Finally, the new comedy team of Kutner and Taub was, as you pointed out, a wonderful insertion of a new type of comedy--both are just goofy enough for genuine slapstick. But they also have an authentic intelligence that keeps the surprise element open. Kutner is my all time favorite duckling--there is just so much going on with him that he's fascinating to watch. Taub is growning on me as he continues to challenge House as an adult. This is a fresh and happy pairing for the writers to exploit.
11 - Amy
I read a lot of spoilers coming into this episode also so I had a very different idea of what was going to happen as far as the Cuddy/House relationship, especially after last week. And I was also pretty disappointed by the lack of really any of development there, the first time through at least. After I re-watched the episode and analyzed it a little bit I saw that it really was a good episode. I think that with the whole House backing off of Cuddy and the possibility might have a little to do with the fact that Cuddy was vulnerable because she was hurt over the baby in "Joy". I think that her vulnerability and desire resonates around the baby first and foremost, and more than anything that is what she wanted. Despite House and Cuddy's constant flirtation I think that the kiss came out of left field and he knows that. And I don't think that the kiss would have happened the way it happened and when it happened had it not been for Cuddy being broken-hearted over the adoption falling through. And I think House knows that. I also think that House does not want to play second fiddle to the baby. I think that he feels that if he is going to try to pursue something with Cuddy, it is going to be because both of them genuinely want it and know they want it and that it isn't going to be a gap filler just to try to make one of them happy (i.e. Cuddy). I just hope that what we saw from Cuddy in "Let Them Eat Cake" with her being jealous and putting it all out there for House doesn't just go away because she has the baby now, she better not be suddenly "fulfilled". It doesn't work that way. I think that they both have feelings for each other but I think that House thinks that Cuddy is just trying to fill the gap and Cuddy thinks that House is too afraid that dating her will spoil his image.
12 - Jane
Barbara great review as always! and Amy""loved your comments, right up until the last sentence, because I don't think that House really cares about his image (and Cuddy knows that). More I think Cuddy might not be sure if House is capable of love (remember the end of LTEC where she says to Wilson that House is "incapable of intimacy or romance"). Do you agree?
13 - Grace
Great review as usual, Barbara. I really missed you the week you were away...I think Thanksgiving week.
All I want to say about this episode is that it was disappointing to me and I think that is because the cast has just gotten too large.
I want the show to focus on HOUSE as in Dr. Gregory House, and there doesn't seem to be much time for that anymore.
TOO MANY DUCKLINGS!! Perhaps Foreman and 13 could run away together and enjoy her last days on some tropical island?
In closing may I say, I ADORE HUGH LAURIE!!!!
14 - val
Thanks for the review Barbara! I, too, had to watch it again (sans commercial) to make it flow more smoothly and did like it better on the second viewing, but still felt it was kind of 'blah' especially after all the great stuff we've had so far this season.
Huddy: I also thought Amy's comments on House and Cuddy are spot on and I completely agree. I will only add that his earlier conversation with Taub shows that he does take a potential relationship with Cuddy seriously by asking himself what would he gain and lose. The logical way for a logical mind.
New team: Kutner and Taub's antics were a riot to watch, both last week and this week. Their similarities to House/Wilson in this respect are uncanny and I would love to see the writers continue to build this friendship. Some great possibilities there.
Yeah for the return of the clinic! Thank you Peter Blake for the wonderful Christmas gift. Though it felt a bit odd that he was there without Cuddy holding it over him. Actually, I felt as if they had completely switched roles. They have done that before in "Fetal Position", but from the beginning Cuddy had taken an immediate Housian approach to the POTW (even having her own 'Eureka' moment) and I am still baffled...just as House was. Any more thoughts why?
Foreteen: Cuddy once said to Foreman something in the way of he would be lucky to turn out like House. I think we'd all agree. I thought the whole 'I don't want to be House' attitude was finished after he came back to PPTH and realized he was happy working there and certainly after 'Emanicipation'. I was disappointed to see that it had returned. As far as 13, I have always enjoyed that she is the exact opposite of Cameron when it comes to House. I like seeing a woman, other than Cuddy, who can be direct with him on his snarky level; something I don't think Cameron could do while she worked for him. Olivia Wilde's best performance was in "Last Resort" with both Hugh Laurie and the guest actor (sadly, can't remember his name); House's concern for 13 was practically paternal in that episode and both Laurie and Wilde pulled it off beautifully.
Finally: Barbara, I love your allusion to House as Holmes' "direct literary descendant"; what a fantastic way to describe it:) I must admit that that was the most enjoyable part of the whole episode for me: the mention of Dr. Joseph Bell and Irene Adler. Oddly, I enjoy the little kudos given to Conan Doyle and Holmes within episodes. If you'll remember: the POTW in the pilot was also an Adler. Rightly so, as I believe she was one who essentially beat House at his own game (just Irene Adler did with Holmes) and gained his respect and set the whole series in motion. Who can forget Esther Doyle in the wonderful episode "All In", a baby named Arthur in the maternity, and a copy of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes showing as House grabs his keys and limps away to, in the end, not face Cuddy about his feelings for her in "The Itch". I only hope that House's similarities to his literary father will end there; Holmes ended up quite alone, if I recall correctly. Five years has allowed us to see that House can and wants to be happy.
January is too far away at this point. But, I am eagerly looking forward to your Huddy installment Barbara!
Happy Holidays
15 - Sally
I'm happy Cuddy finally has her baby (she looked so happy, it was heartwarming), and I'm even more happy to see the end of the Huddy arc (I hope so). It's like the authors of "House and Philosophy: Everybody lies" pointed out: "Love is the only risk he can't take". And to be honest: I've never been a fan of the idea of a Huddy romance, so I am rather glad about that.
Anyway, happy holidays to you and everyone!
16 - jim
Barbara, a strong and clear review of a complicated, contradictory and sometimes confusing show that dares to broadcast without apology! And its main focus, House, is a mirror of that complicated confusion.
val, good comments, especially that House can and wants to be happy (but can he sustain it?)
I also liked Barbara's portrayal of the kiss as "something wild between them, and out of their control." It was a wonderfully exact description. And as she also emphasized, House declined to take advantage of that kiss. He even graciously accepted Cuddy's thanks for acting honorably after the kiss. A first in gracious acceptance? House does seem to feel "defeated by the bundle of joy." And "superfluous." But he accepts defeat graciously as well and with bittersweet love. However, this is where the contradiction sets in and House loses some of his appeal.
At bottom, he is a noble, bright spirit with instincts that are sweetly human. But so often he blocks, stifles, and covers these instincts with a highly developed self-protection mechanism, debilitating self-worth issues, lack of self-awareness, and an obsessive need to control his environment and maintain the leadership position to that end. And he is, periodically, selfish to a degree seldom seen, except in the wild. A confusing contradiction.
Consequently, this means he would be superfluous around a new baby which inherently takes the lead wherever it is by reason of its needs.
But what of Cuddy's needs as a single new mother? Can House rise to the occasion and provide some small portion of the practical help Cuddy would so thankfully receive from friends and family? Daily errands to pick up vital supplies, baby formula, diapers, fresh food for the mother, the list is endless and ongoing.
Only an idiot would continue to feel superfluous at such a time. Or will the writers just draw a veil over the practical aspects of the baby and Cuddy?
Barbara, I am looking forward to your thoughts on this fascinating and highly individual couple.
17 - JL
I find comments such as, "They (House and Cuddy) aren't right for each other, ultimately, I know," very interesting. Seeing as the writers aren't in agreement about this, I wonder why people feel that they can state this as though it's fact.
Katie Jacobs said that one of the reasons she was enjoying the 'Huddy' storyline was that she could make a case for it and a case against it. House and Cuddy *could* be right for each other... or not. And we (and they) don't really know (let alone the debate over whether people are 'right' for each other - seems like a very 'teenage idealistic One True Pair' view of love to me).
I also find it interesting when people use comments such as "Love is the only risk he (House) can't take" as a potential reason that a storyline involving House and love shouldn't be explored.
To my mind, that's the whole reason this is SO interesting. Seeing House grappling with love, where so much is at stake, gives us real insight into the character.
(I think the record number of comments on Barbara's review of Let Them Eat Cake last week is witness to this - and that discussion was anything but lots of squeeing fangirls. Everyone had their own take on House's behaviour.)
I will be very surprised (and disappointed) if the 'Huddy' romance (or whatever it should be called at this point) is dealt with quickly and forgotten. There's too much going on, and has been for too long. It has been a central story lately, and I would expect that to settle into the background for a while. But I would expect it to continue into the future in some form, as the characters continue to relate to each other. Whether this ultimately develops as a romantic relationship, or not, the ramifications of what has already occurred in House's life will (and should) affect him into the future.
Inasmuch as 'People don't change', seeing House grappling with the veeeeeery slow and painful process of doing so is what brings this show alive.
18 - Eve K
Hello Barbara!
This episode didn't flow well and I had to watch it again to get it.
I feel for you in the states who has to suffer through the commercials, thats even worse. (Im downloading the episodes)
Grace - "Perhaps Foreman and 13 could run away together and enjoy her last days on some tropical island?"
Im loving it! Lets start a campaign.
Back to this episode. I think the Cuddy speech to the young girl who asked her if she had any kids, says what we all have thought about her love-life.
That she has screwed up every relationship since high school. And then she said "why would I bring a child into this - but now..."
And this is before she knows about the new baby. She is ready to have a child again, even if she said she was through with that in "Joy".
Considering the last episodes ending, I would guess that she has ruled House out for now, and are back on track with the whole single mother thing.
Setting House and the baby up against each other seems a little strange to me. A grown man and a baby? But then again having a new baby for many women is like a crush, and many men are left feeling alone, even if they are married to the woman. So to try and start a relationship in that phase of a woman's life may be difficult. So I guess that House/Cuddy-ship/arc have maybe sailed?
I cant really understand why the relatively young grandparents and the bully-but-nice-inside father wouldn't try to raise this kid, the adoption-thing should not be happening. Keep forgetting that its a tv-show.
The holidays are here. Looking forward to your articles Barbara, sometimes they are better than the House-episodes.
19 - Alessandra
Hi Barbara! Again, a beautiful review. Well, I just wanted to agree with JL when he/she says "To my mind, that's the whole reason this is SO interesting. Seeing House grappling with love, where so much is at stake, gives us real insight into the character.".
I don't want to see the end of the Huddy arc, yet. It's unfair for the effort of the characters to make it something complicated while deep, right while not, smart while impulsive. Could Cuddy be so satisfied now that she has a baby, to let her feelings for House fall apart so easily? It's not a good narrative choice, nor for the character and nor for the entire storyline. It's not the squeeing girl in me that speaks, but the literature student (;)) and the die hard fan, both.
I really liked this ep, although I thought to see something else going on. Actually, I had two ideas of what it would have become: sex or a baby. And the baby happened,finally, leaving me heartwarmed for the meaningful way Cuddy finally gets her daughter (she finds her in poverty and cold, she saves her, she takes her even if she doesn't know how much she could be brain-damaged, and in the meantime it's Christmas...) . But on the other hand the episode left me disappointed because I expected something Huddy.
I don't know where the hell the whole thing will go, because now everything can happen.I'm really, really afraid that this is the end of the huddy thing. I hope so much that I'm wrong. That kiss, House grabbing his keys and riding to her house, then the talk with Taub, the desk...they simply can't erase it.
But The gift House makes to all of us is that "itch" of surprise which is THE thing of this beautiful show. So, what now?
20 - L.Lilly
I liked some of this episode - especially the clinic patients - but found some of it too unbelievable. As others have pointed out, I can't believe that both sets of grandparents gave the baby up, ESPECIALLY the maternal grandparents who will lose their daughter. However, I'm willing to overlook that contrivance for Cuddy to finally get her baby.
Another part I had a huge problem with (and I'm not willing to overlook)is House's treatment of Cuddy in front of the team. Having previously - heartlessly - made his point with the degrading boob grab, House still continued to humiliate her in the DDx sessions in this week's episode. Even worse, he did it in front of the newbies. There is nothing I can think of that would excuse this behavior. We saw from the clinic patient scenes that he is quite capable of being kind when he's motivated - he knows how he SHOULD behave - so why did he continue to mock Cuddy? I can understand pushing Cuddy away to avoid his own feelings, but she didn't deserve to be humiliated. I'd be glad to listen to anyone's theories, though.
I'll go with everyone regarding the clinic scenes - those were gold, and I loved seeing House dressed nicely for a change. My favorite ensemble was the tie and tucked-in ironed shirt - no labcoat. If I had a waistline like that...
I also observed that a pleasant House looked much younger than a snarky, miserable House.
I'm predicting that Lori Petty - the Huntington's patient - gets an Emmy for this arc. She is wonderful.
Like you, Barbara, I would have preferred to have the Cuddy baby scene as the final moment. In fact, I was hoping the final scene would be Cuddy rocking her baby with an expression of maternal bliss on her face, but instead I felt jarred by the Foreman/Thirteen kiss which seemed to drag on forever. That didn't interest me, and I didn't want it to be the last new image of the show for the next six weeks. Thirteen AGAIN. (scowl)
21 - Eve K
I forgot to say - A scenario with House playing house with Cuddy? Forgettaboutit!
22 - cadeira
How I Love My "Christmas Carol".
Dear Barbara,
a great review as always. I´m not much of a shipper really and seeing this most random couple ever evolve actually made me giggle. "Foreteen" is just silly but I´m okay with it. I´m also not a great House/Cuddy supporter but it´s endlessly entertaining to see the effects that this character constellation brings out, so I´m all for exploring it. But did not want to comment on the ships but had another thought I wanted to share.
When Foreman talked to Thirteen about the "Ghost of Future Christmas" and Wilson said "He´s being kind." some kind of switch clicked in my head and I suddenly felt we´re being told the story of E. Scrooge who in the end has learned how to be kind. In all three plots he´s involved House is nice in his very own unsappy way. The three mothers - the POTW, Cuddy and the clinic patient all somehow united in their struggle with pregnancy/child care stand for a different persprective of dealing with their maternal issues - which ones? Past, present, future.
Past because after all, the POTW thought the baby was dead and House accepted her wish and was "kind". Present because Cuddy has her baby now and personificated in the homeless woman faced her own past ghost - the scene mirrored her experience in the episode "Joy". House, as you have pointed out, was sincere in his way of wishing her "Merry Chrismas". And future - the clinic patient´s baby. House with Wilson´s bet surely had an agenda to be nice but in the scene in the clinic I found the invented phenomenon of human parthogenesis more likely than House being kind all of a sudden. It was at the same time hilarious and touching. What a good actor he is and I mean House and Hugh Laurie at the same time.
And everyone of the other characters was facing their own "ghost". Kutner his past one, Thirteen her future one, Foreman his still present one. And how wrong Thirteen is with her analyasis, I completely agree with you. In being mean he´s nothing like House. It´s just his unhumble way of dealing with emotional pressure. But she´s also wrong in stating that by going to Janice and being nice he´s not like House at all. Because this was this was one of the scenes where he came closest to being like House but his motives were again selfish.
Thank you for your insights.
23 - Christina
Hello Barbara! I've been reading and enjoying your reviews for quite a while now, but I think this is the first time I am daring to comment!
Your points about the Huddy situation are wonderful. I absolutely melted and cried indeed when I watched the look on House's face when he was with Cuddy and the baby. Somehow I think that this is some kind of a sign for us... What they will look like if they ever get truly together. It was like they are a family. The couple staring at their daughter... So touching and so heartbreaking at the same time. House was so happy for her and so sad that he felt he is losing her again(and I am saying again because as you said, the existence of a baby is a threat to him, that it will steal her attention from him, we all saw that in "Lucky Thirteen" and in "Joy"). His wish to her for Merry Christmas was a complete twist. No sarcastic tone, no deflections, no nothing. The man became human again at that point. His feelings for Cuddy bring his hidden side to the light again. He kissed her to show that he was hurting with her and to say he was sorry, he gave her the desk as a sign that he can be romantic and that he WANTS to try to begin something with her and now... he acted supportively, he gave us a chance to see that he has more than one friend as he said in "Not Cancer". That he considers Cuddy his friend (yes, I know that and-a-lot-more line is necessary here:P) too. Aside what he feels about her, he wants her to be happy.
I think that the existence of the baby is going to give them more and more chances to realize what they truly mean to each other and to come to terms with their feelings. I dare say that I think it's possible to expect House interacting with the baby himself. I will not be surprised if we actually get to see him holding her and trying to get her to sleep or maybe to just stop crying. Even if Cuddy needs to be away from the hospital for a little while to take care of the baby, I believe that House won't let her go that easy. He will constantly be there, asking for her permission on crazy procedures, covering that way the fact that he wants to see her.
I find myself laughing at those who believe that "Joy to the World" brought the end of the House/Cuddy relationship. People keep forgeting that it was the idea of a baby that brought them closer in season 2, with the ivf injections, that it was a possible adoption that made House start to understand how much she means to him and that he doesn't want to lose her in "Lucky Thirteen" and it was a baby again that lead them to a wonderful kiss in "Joy". Believe me when I say that it will be a baby again that will help their "unorthodox and most real" (as KJ says) relationship to evolve and reach new levels of exploration in the upcoming episodes (I am simply guessing here, but I really believe it's true).
As for the Foreteen situation... MAN they really don't fit... I don't understand the point of having them making out in the ending scene of the epi. The House/Cuddy was millions of times better and as you said it deserved to be at the end.
Now when it comes to Wilson, Taub and Kutner... I couldn't agree more with everything you said! And I find it hilarious that in a way Wilson was subconciously putting Taub into the matchmaker role he took on since "The Itch" and I love how they both try to make House, even in no obvious ways, to come to terms with his feelings open up!!
Yayy for the matchmakers!!!:D
Man, this is a huuuuuge comment... but I couldn't resist!:P
So, Joy to the World people! And a Huddy (oops, sorry! I meant Happy) New Year!:D
24 - lily
Barbara my love!
Wonderful review, as always. You know, I kind of think Cuddy's House's Irene Adler. I also noticed that when he came to see her in that last scene, he had the book with him - maybe he was thinking of giving it to her?
I am so happy you mentioned the six act structure! If I may say so, as much as I love your reviews, this site is a little like that - I have to strain my eyes to separate the text from all the ads on the side, there is so much clutter!
I agree that the House/Cuddy scene should have been the last scene of the show. It kind of feels like they have made Hadley a main character in her own little show within the "House" show - some of her storylines don't even have anything to do with House. Like I do, one could easily skip the Thirteen and Foreman scenes and not miss a thing that was relevant to the show as a whole and House the main character.
I hope they continue to explore House and Cuddy. I actually think they ARE right for each other, in a dysfunctional kind of way, I'm definitely on the Dysfunctionally Ever After train, in the sense that I think they will always be around each other and always kind of dysfunctionally in love, baby or not, relationship or not.
Looking forward to House in love part 2!
25 - barbara barnett
Just a quick breaking news flash--Congrats to Hugh and to House for being nominated for Golden Globe awards!