My apologies for this review being so late. There was much to digest about this episode, and I do hope that you enjoyed my interview with Lisa Edelstein, which is now being featured on the FOX official House, MD site. Now on to "Joy," episode six of what is turning out to be an excellent season of House, MD.
Dr. Gregory House's patient of the week, Jerry Harmon suffers from a genetic condition called familial Mediterranean fever. A rare symptom of this condition, anhedonia -- literally the inability to experience pleasure -- afflicts the patient and his daughter. The absence of even the simplest of pleasures is suggested beautifully by Deran Sarafian's stark, high contrast camera work in the teaser and the flat affect of the actors portraying the sick father and his joyless daughter.
But, as usual on House, the parallels, sidebars and deeper meanings as they relate to House and his colleagues are really the heart of the story. And when our (anti) hero House could be the poster child (in some respects) for anhedonia, the resonances for him and everyone in his orbit are enormous.Of course, House's misery isn't directly driven by illness, but circumstance. And although House has little joy in his life, he can, unlike his patient, find comfort in music, beauty in art, and satisfaction in his work.
House lives a life of pain, anger, and disappointment; betrayal and bitterness. And this has been a particularly difficult year for him (although not as bad as season three). House has been through emotional wringer and just when his life seemed to be settling down last episode in "Lucky 13," Cuddy hit him with the news that she is planning to adopt a baby.
House generally surrounds himself with people who, like him (but to a much lesser degree), are pretty miserable. His best friend Wilson has had three failed marriages, so something in his life just doesn’t quite click (not to mention having House as a best friend is pretty dysfunctional anyway). Cuddy, a middle-aged hospital administrator, is in a pretty heady professional space, but her life is empty. She can’t find fulfillment with an adult relationship. (As House said in last season's "Games" she may think she knows what she wants, but has no idea what she needs.) House believes that her baby-seeking efforts are a misguided attempt to fill that gaping void in her life, and perhaps he has a point. House’s fellows have their own (as House might say if he was using Yiddish) mishegas (sorry, no proper English translation for that, except “craziness"). In their company, House isn’t quite as alone; misery loves company, or so they say.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sheelagh
Barbara, I love all the nuanced insights you glean from the show. I enjoy running my own analyzes of the script & performances in my head and then seeing how they dovetail with yours. Usually there are a few " But of course ! Missed that one ". I think you nailed the episode & the back story for kiss.
I anticipate attempts by 'Cuddy' to rationalize the incident and 'House' to avoid dealing with it until they hit another unanticipated moment of personal clarity. I think the 'dance' as Hugh Laurier calls it will continue for some while.
One aside: I don't think having House for a friend proves pathology on Wilson's part ! Who wouldn't want to lay claim to a brilliant, funny, challenging friend who trusted and needed you ? OK, perhaps REALLY, REALLY needed you, but in Wilson's world 'neediness' is suchan attractive quality. Which leads me to a question: question I've always wondered about Wilson's 'lost brother' and if Wilson's youth was a rosie as he presents it. Wilson is pretty needy himself. Seems like such a great storyline for the friendship to build on.
Thanks again Barbara for your clarity on this terrific drama.
2 - JO
I did love the way the kiss was handled but a part of me wished Cuddy would just have physically shoved him out of her house, or physically smacked him. His antics this episode with Cuddy just grated; even in the House scale of being a total jerk.
Loved the Gerulitis joke.
3 - sf
Barbara, "Joy" was full of intense emotion and you reproduced a good portion of it here just by writing about it. Well done.
I wonder what the writer(s) of "Joy" would think if I suggested there were parallels to the classic film, "My Man Godfrey". The parallels are the kooky insanity, the futile romantic obsession that turns out not to be futile, the man claiming to be someone he is not (House), and perhaps, most importantly, the denouement where an epiphany of love (for House read 'deep affection') is revealed when anger is finally expressed.
I had the impression on subsequent viewings of the kiss that House experienced such an epiphany of Cuddy's deep affection for him, that her anger and especially her reason for it, meant she had profound feelings for him. Suddenly, he seemed abundantly confident that she would welcome his kiss. He was surrendering himself to her angry affection and returning it passionately, no restraint. But the aftermath of shocked and shaky expressions showed they had no inkling of the depth of their passion. Did they have a sleepless night?
4 - Sheelagh
Sorry, forgot one comment on 'the kiss' in my prior remarks. I thought House & Cuddy were expressing all the emotions you mentioned in the kiss , but I also thought House's comments @ the Caseroom door " You're not needed here; I need you. " where a prelude to the aspect of 'laying claim' to Cuddy through the kiss. A follow-up expository 'deed' to match the words on how he needed her...as his equal & as a woman. Hugh Laurie chose not to drop the cane during the kiss & I thought that might be to show he knew Cuddy's character accepted him as damaged (external & internal) as he was.
5 - sssh
I think this is -the- best analysis I've read of "Joy" so far, and trust me, I've read tons. Well, done..I really don't have anything to add.
6 - Veresna Ussep
I have rewatched this episode numerous times, but, as always, I am amazed at the nuances and insight you bring to light. Since we have a week 'off', are you still planning on doing a separate essay on House and Cuddy's relationship (not that you haven't provided ample information in this review)?
One little nitpick-it's pulmonary hypoplasia (indicating less than normal cellularity) rather than hyperplasia.
Veresna
7 - Orange450
Barbara, I'm glad you finally posted. I was getting worried, and hoping everything was alright with you (I can't help the worrying, although I try to get the better of it - it's part of the genetic make-up ;-))
I always enjoy revisiting the episode via your review, and I'm glad you mentioned House's supportive behavior in "Who's Your Daddy", because I had the same question. What changed here?? (I loved the way he was in that episode. I especially loved the way he seemed to know what Cuddy really wanted to ask him when she came to his office - and I wish she *would* have asked him, just to hear his answer!)
I think his motives here were less about wanting her to understand what she's getting into, and more about his worry over losing his place with her. I just think it makes more sense - because he's in a much more fragile place after almost losing Wilson - and he doesn't want to go there again. I also don't think his intense chagrin when he heard Cuddy's news in the baby store was about wondering if she knows what she's getting into!
IMO, the methods he chose to "test" her with were pretty silly, if he was trying to guage her readiness. I'm a veteran of almost 25 years of parenthood - and I still remember changing plenty of sweaters :-) (And draping my shoulders in cloth diapers - Cuddy just wasn't dressed for the job yet!) My husband enjoys the show - but not to the same extent I do. He likes the medical aspect; cares less about the character-driven stuff. But the first thing he said when House started bothering Cuddy was "he's jealous". And the second was "parents change their sweaters all the time!"
For sure, House overcame his resistance to the idea of Cuddy's motherhood when he saw her holding Joy. And I think that represents a moment of unselfish growth on his part to a much greater degree than if he had suddenly realized that her own motivations for motherhood were pure. And I think it's that growth that enables him to express the emotions of the last scene.
Yes, that scene definitely deserves an essay of its own. And Lisa Edelstein deserves Emmy consideration for her beautiful, transcendent performance. Both of them can do so much with just their eyes!
House's reaction - his abrupt "good-night" and departure rang very true. My husband and I also ran in opposite directions after our first kiss. It's what you do when you don't know how to deal with what you're feeling at the moment. But we got back together the next day :-) I can't wait to see what House and Cuddy do! (Yesterday was the 28th anniversary of the day my husband and I met, so I'm feeling kinda romantic ;-))
8 - Pam
Even when Stacy came back into his life, for her it was mostly about the passion, the fun. I cannot disagree more wholeheartedly with this. While the House/Cuddy kiss certainly had plenty of meaning, I think it's incredibly inaccurate to say that the one that occurred between House and Stacy was motivated merely by "passion and fun". Even after five years of separation, there were still deep feelings between the two of them, and the kiss that House initiated in "Failure to Communicate" was anything but lighthearted. It was the result of five years of "pining" for her, missing her; it was soft and very tender--as tender as we've ever seen House be with someone. Stacy returned it with the same kind of feeling and, later, was willing to leave the life she'd made for herself and stay with House--that huge of a choice isn't motivated by the desire for "fun". While, of course, Stacy has flaws (like all of these characters), and she was incredibly torn between the love of two men, her feelings for House ultimately led her to chose a difficult route--rebuilding a relationship with House--even though that never actually came to pass. Stacy cared for House, was "the one" for her, and I think it's inaccurate to cite the basis of her feelings for him as "fun". Certainly passion, and undoubtedly enjoying House's company was a factor in how she felt about him, but with a root of deep feelings that carried through five years of a relationship.
This, of course, takes nothing away from the kiss shared by House and Cuddy, as it was intense and raw, fueled by pent-up desire for one another, and I must say, I enjoyed it.
9 - Orange450
Pam, thank you for what you wrote about House and Stacy. I agree with every word - you expressed it perfectly!
I also agree that what happened between them doesn't take anything away from what happened between House and Cuddy.
10 - Barbara Barnett
Pam--I melted during the kiss in "Failure to Communicate," and I agree that it was anything but lighthearted, especially on House's part.
But I do not think her feelings for House were as deep as his for her. and after they had sex in "Need to Know," the degree to which her words stung him was really apparent. She did not view their encounter as anything serious. And she said as much to him on the rooftop. she hadn't even planned on telling Mark about it. The look on House's face as that became clear was devastating.
I do believe that Stacy loved House, but I think that love was obstructed by her belief that his skin was so thick, that his feelings and emotions were so non-existent, that he was unhurtable. I think Cuddy understands that House is pretty fragile. Stacy was even doubtful that House missed her when she was gone, going to Cuddy for her opinion (even after Wilson told her the truth). Of course House would never have shown Cuddy his feelings, leaving them pent up or coming out in a very negative way.
I loved the arc with Stacy--it showed a side to House we'd never seen to that point (or since). i thought that he and Sela were wonderful. OK--so maybe I need to do "revisted" reviews of those episodes...
Orange--mazal tov! Phil and I celebrated our 27th anniversary in July. I had a crazy week (and of course putting together the Lisa Edelstein interview took some time... but I was being sincere when I said that it just took a really long time to find the hook to the episode...beyond the obvious (kiss). I agree that a significant part of House's motivation is his fear of losing his place in Cuddy's life for all the reasons you've stated. He's been through the ringer this season (almost to season three levels) and he's a mess.
Veresna--I may still do the essay, although it was sort of my backup plan if the interview hadn't panned out. And my non "Huddy" readers will kill me if I do three straight House/Cuddy focused articles in a row.
Pulmonary hypoplasia, not hyper-. Thanks, and I stand corrected.
Great insights everyone on the kiss, the motivations. Where this is going is anyone's guess. I suppose we'll all find out together.
11 - Orange450
"I loved the arc with Stacy--it showed a side to House we'd never seen to that point (or since). i thought that he and Sela were wonderful. OK--so maybe I need to do "revisted" reviews of those episodes..."
Oh, please, please do! I wasn't yet watching the show when the Stacy arc originally aired, so I missed all the discussion the first time around. I've participated in plenty of House/Stacy discussion since - and I've never identified as strongly with any TV/movie character as I identified with Stacy, for many reasons. I'd never seen Sela Ward in anything else, and she just blew me away.
Maybe the summer hiatus would be a good time, if not before ...
12 - Eve K
Barbara, Thank you for a spot on review! It was amazing. The part about House surrounding himself with miserable people is so true, but also that he IS enjoying music, art, sience. I also liked the small parts that describes how House tries to be like (mimic) a human being. But all of the review was great.
Sf - also interesting about "My man Godfrey" one of my favorite movies. (-:
Let me say a little bit more about how I interpret House's personality.
I think he need others to give him feedback, (the team, wilson, Cuddy, The P.I, himself spying on the behavior of others (Stacy smoking)) so that he can use his excellent deductive skills to try and interpret the world around him as correctly as possible. He is selfish and stubborn but he is also dependent on the people around him. I think in a way, he has no solid inner core. Its all floating, like he has no skeleton. But that is also why he is objective and can focus on solving the puzzle.
The most dysfunctional part of this liquid core is his personal feelings, that space is a disaster area. But he has build up this wall around him, and hope that no one will se that floating inner stream of lava that he doesn't understand or can figure out. So he tries to navigate the same way as when he is solving cases, but that will not work so well.
So Cuddy got to close and had to be stopped. As you put it, she either had to slap him or he had to kiss her.
I think that the romantic scenes with Stacy in season two should not be interpret as mature love. He is very childish and naive and almost helpless when he lets his guard down. When is guard is up again, he remember Stacys words about feeling all alone when she was with him over time.
Thats why he cant be with her or anyone else for that matter, because he will not get close to his personal disaster area and his problems to connect again. It is a very scary place.
The point i'm trying to make is that where most people have some sort of inner social compass, House has not. The difference between him and a psychopath is that he has feelings, he just don't get to access them. He is dependent on the kindness of strangers, and being in his late forties, he has come to know that not all people are kind, in fact, he can't trust anybody. Now that is not a nice place to be.
And again I hope you understand my foreign and sometimes strange form of english. Thanks again for the review. No I have to work to. (But this is more fun)
Good luck with your election over there! It will have an effect on all of us.
13 - Pam
But I do not think her feelings for House were as deep as his for her. and after they had sex in "Need to Know," the degree to which her words stung him was really apparent. She did not view their encounter as anything serious. And she said as much to him on the rooftop. she hadn't even planned on telling Mark about it.
House was stung by what Stacy said on the rooftop, but I think it was unreasonable of House to expect Stacy to run to tell Mark about their affair hours after they'd slept together. The fact that Stacy was so torn and confused indicated she knew it was "serious". If she didn't view their encounter as serious, she never would have been willing to leave Mark for House--and she was. It's perfectly natural to be confused and unsure about that sort of encounter. Stacy never told House she wasn't "serious"; she expressed her confusion over it, and seemed to be attempting to work out her feelings in the aftermath of their affair. That didn't indicate to me that Stacy's feelings for House weren't strong. I also think that the fact that she sought advice from Cuddy showed even more how torn she was over the situation, and she was taking it seriously. Why not go to someone you trust when you're faced with a potentially life-changing decision?
I know many people view Stacy negatively, but I feel that her and House's interactions were, indeed, reflective of their complicated relationship, and the deep feelings they had for one another.
As to House and Cuddy, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out, and it'll be great to see each other character's personal feelings about how love works, and how relationships affect them, in the next episode or two. I have a hard time believing this will end well for them, definitely not in happiness, and probably more akin to the way their relationship has been throughout the series. I hope the same issues within characters that have come into play so far this season, will continue to work in guiding their decisions. While Cuddy may realize that House is "fragile", especially since his infarction and the end of his relationship with Stacy, she also has serious trouble seeing him "in a different light". The most recent attempts of House's to show her another side of himself have failed; Cuddy couldn't believe it was possible for House to join a cheerleading squad for a girl, and she reacted with anger when he told her, at the end of Joy, she'd have been a great mother, didn't take his words as the genuine ones they were. I also believe Cuddy will revisit her desire to have a child, and, even though House may be slightly more supportive in light of this episode, I think Cuddy would be aware that this desire would be something that would come between her and House (not to mention the tricky job-risking politics of a relationship with him). I think that, just as there are reasons that House and Stacy couldn't be together again and make a second attempt at a relationship succeed, there are many roadblocks in the way of one succeeding between House and Cuddy, and Cuddy is smart enough to be aware of them.
I completely agree that a large part of House's motivation for kissing Cuddy was because of his fear of losing her in his life. She's important to him, and he cares about her. I also think it would be a reason--this fear of losing her completely--why he wouldn't enter into a relationship with her. I think, based on the rationale behind not having another go-round with Stacy (and while Cuddy and Stacy are indeed different women, I think House's mindset and thought-process here would be similar), he would use his fear of pain and loss (and fear of even more misery) to not take things too far with Cuddy, even though he does care for her. As you said, love has brought House pain, and he has no reason to put aside his philosophy about love when it comes to Cuddy. Also, for House, "knowing is always better than not knowing", and, if he maintained the same relationship with Cuddy he's had, he would know exactly how it would continue, whereas a relationship is unpredictable and uncontrollable, with an unknowable outcome--a scary thing for House, especially when his goal here is to keep Cuddy in his life for as long as possible. And while House has recently expressed his desire not to be miserable, I think his fear of pain (emotional and physical) guides his decisions. It will be very interesting to see this play out.
Thanks for this review! Even the comments have been enjoyable to read. So well thought-out and interesting, even if I don't agree with everything. Not all things are set in stone about these characters, and nobody's interpretation will be the same as anyone else's, even though they're legitimate ones. It's always great to exchange thoughts with intelligent, courteous fans.
14 - sdemar
Barbara, I have been waiting for this review since last Tuesday. I, too, was hoping you were OK. You know that I love the House/Cuddy relationship and so it should not come as a surprise that this episode is the highlight for me of House episodes over the past 5 years. When I heard that House and Cuddy were going to kiss and they were going to expand on the development of motherhood issues for Cuddy, I wanted Lisa to hit it out of the park and that she did. She was brilliant in this episode playing all the right emotions and never played it over the top. When she was sitting on the floor in the baby's room, I cried right along with her.
I have nothing to add to your review. It's perfect just like this episode was.
And I love this comment by Sheelagh, "Hugh Laurie chose not to drop the cane during the kiss & I thought that might be to show he knew Cuddy's character accepted him as damaged (external & internal) as he was." EXCELLENT PICK UP.
This episode proved to me, not that I needed proof, that Cuddy is not just a hospital administrator to House. She is much more and is someone that he needs/wants/desires in his life. She is special to him as he is to her. And the deal was sealed with that passionate and sensual kiss. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
15 - Barbara Barnett
Orange--maybe winter hiatus :)
Eve K--I've noticed that when House is at a loss, he resorts to platitudes. Things he thinks you're "supposed to say." He did this with Eve in One Day One Room, he did it with Wilson, and has done it with Chase as well. You can always tell when he's doing it, because the words, for all of their appropriateness sound hollow and meaningless (and it's a testament to the actor--Hugh Laurie, of course) that it's a "tell." When he's really being kind or compassionate, his words may emerge harsh or blunt, but always very heartfelt.
Pam--Good point about House's need to "know" rather to "not know," and how that might affect his relationship with Cuddy. It's an established character trait, as you have so nicely pointed out that House is often driven by his fear of pain, fear of more misery. That fear, whether it is about physical pain or emotional pain is a strong motivator him.
Sdemar--thanks for your good thoughts and worries. All is (more or less) well. Lisa was fabulous in this episode, she hit all the notes perfectly. Cuddy is so much more than House's boss. You are quite right!
16 - HouseCall 123
Excellent and highly insightful review, Barbara! I agree with you on all points except for the "Stacy/fun" comment, which has already been addressed. I usually analyze the epis myself and then see if my analysis matches up with yours. Since I have established you as the gold standard for House reviews, it's always fun when we are in agreement! Oh, and "My Man Godfrey" is one of my faves, too!
17 - Barbara Barnett
thanks HouseCall! I'm blushing :)
OK, so now I have to rent My Man Godfrey. I confess to never having seen it.
18 - JL
I've been checking for this review all weekend! SO glad to read it, thanks, Barbara. I wanted to throw in a couple of questions:
Love Pam's thoughts about knowing / not knowing and House wanting to stay where he's sure. I'm not sure how this fits with his recent attempt to get Cuddy to see him in a different light, though. That suggests exploration of something new - albeit ridiculously tentative exploration (gee, that sounds rather sweet). What do you think?
Barbara, also loved your analysis of House's treatment of Cuddy during the episode - I know a lot of people felt he was too harsh. But when you say his attitude towards her changed once he'd seen her joy at holding her baby, you seem to skip the scene in Wilson's office.
House says something like, "Everybody's happy, at first - until they unwrap their present and discover it's a clock in the shape of Africa."
That doesn't quite sound like acceptance of her happiness to me. Any thoughts?
(Oh dear, and I really don't want to ask you about your comment that you think a relationship between them would be 'doomed'... but I might just have to. Or are you intending to discuss that in another article?)
19 - sassydew
Wonderful review, as always, Barbara! I appreciate your recap and insights. There is, however, one thing I need to take issue with, though, and that's - you might have guessed - your comments in the review and responses that even when Stacy came back into House's life it was mostly about the passion and the fun rather than something deep and meaningful, and your assertion that her feelings for House weren't as deep as his for her.
Personally, I don't know how TPTB could have done a better job of showing that Stacy's feelings were just as deep. In "Honeymoon", she told House, full of emotion, "You were the one; you always will be," and then kissed his cheek. (That moment actually made me teary - and, believe me, I am *not* a romantic person, I rarely cry in movies, and I don't get all emotional about on screen couples - or, at least, I didn't until House and Stacy came along! (-: ) That indicated to me that Stacy loves him more than Mark and always would. Throughout the Stacy arc we saw how conflicted she was between following her heart (House) and "doing the right thing" (sticking with Mark) - and that didn't look fun or passionate. She certainly wasn't in it for fun/passion during the attic scenes in "Hunting" where they began to reconnect emotionally as their feelings for one another were rising to the surface and they struggled to come to terms with the infarction and the aftermath. I was again deeply moved by their sincere apologies to one another. The emotional turmoil that Stacy was experiencing during "The Mistake" didn't look like fun, either, particularly near the end, when she was sitting with House outside the conference room where Chase was defending his actions regarding Kayla. Stacy admitted to House that he was right that she liked where things were going, and her eyes teared up when he asked her how they were going to work together. To me, that, too, showed that Stacy's feelings for House were as deep as his for her. And her realization/acknowledgment of those feelings is what made her try to remain distant from House during "Failure to Communicate". In any case, the scene where Stacy brought the phone charger down to House and the way she stayed there with him sleeping on uncomfortable airport chairs also did not lead me to believe she was there for the passion or the fun, particularly since House allowed their earlier passion to be interrupted with the case. In "Need to Know", she was as vulnerable as House. I understood her hesitancy to commit to House on the rooftop as indicative *not* of an inability to decide whom she loved more, but, rather, how she could follow her heart without hurting Mark. Yes, her words stung House, who wanted her to immediately say she'd be with him, but Stacy was still trying to work out how she could manage that with a minimum amount of hurt to Mark. When she said she didn't want to tell Mark, I took that to mean that she didn't want to tell Mark that she cheated on him - not that she would never leave Mark because she still had feelings for House - and I *never* got the impression that she didn't "consider their encounter as anything serious". Finally, the fact that in the end she was going to tell Mark - even though she struggled with the decision because she didn't want to hurt him - and stay with House indicates that she was very serious about her feelings for House. I apologize for going on about this at length, but it's hard for me to see Stacy dismissed and/or misunderstood, as she (in my opinion) often is.
I really like Cuddy (and have liked Lisa E. since her MTV days and then on "The West Wing"), I enjoy the exploration of House and Cuddy's relationship that we're now seeing, and there is no question that the kiss was hot - but I maintain that the House/Stacy kiss was about real, deep and abiding love, whereas this one was not. I don't deny that House and Cuddy care deeply for one another, but I can't see House ever allowing himself to love anyone other than Stacy.
20 - sassydew
Okay, I should have read through all the posts because I see that Pam addressed the Stacy issue much better than I did! And, once again, I loved your review even if I found one small thing to pick apart - but hopefully you already know that by now. :-)