What distinguishes House from other doctors? House is outcome-driven. "Living with it" is not part of his vocabulary. It's probably something he has heard over and over since his infarction, and has never accepted for himself — or for his patients. Why simply fix a patient when you can heal him? And it is this attitude that has saved the lives and the quality of life for countless patients admitted onto House's service. From John Henry Giles in "DNR" (season one) to Patrick in "Half Wit" (season three); the dwarf teenager in "Merry Little Christmas" to Richard in "Meaning" (also season three), and into the current season, House looks at a patient file and asks "why not?"
If it is possible to send the patient home better off than before the current illness, why not? What stunned Cameron in season three's "Cane and Able" was that House didn't consider the possible with his young patient. Depressed and second guessing himself, House played it safe and contented himself with simply fixing the problem. She knew there was something terribly wrong.
I love the inherent irony of a television series that places the most cynical of doctors as the advocate of the dying and hopeless: the one doctor who relentlessly pursues a cure — and a better quality of life — long after every other doctor has given up.
Lee’s doctor is an avatar for all the physicians and administrators House rails against: doctors who either don’t care; don’t want to take the time or the risk; doctors more interested in their own lifestyles than the lives of their patients. Taking the easy way out has never been House’s MO, and like death itself, this sort of “do the best you can and what will be, will be” medical attitude is House’s archenemy.
Lee insists that God has sent House to him, continuing a recurrent House theme. (I’ll never forget the appropriateness of the song “Waiting for an Angel,” which played over the final scenes of season four’s “Lines in the Sand,” which really was the first overt suggestion of that series element).
House is with Lee in every fearful moment, as each plays out in his mind. In Lee’s “quiet place,” whether it is with the cool MRI glasses or in Lee’s dreams, House is there as guide and guardian. He is there to see Lee through his ordeal—relaxing on a sandy beach as he watches his children build sandcastles or discussing philosophy cynic to skeptic. This is how Lee understands House. Someone who has saved rescued him from certain death; listening to him when (literally) no one could — or would. I wonder how many others of House’s patients, near death, finally able to find the one doctor to listen, see House in the same way. (Of course, their families wouldn’t see House this way; they’d see the overly harsh, blunt, and caustic side to him, which the patient is too sick to see.)
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Wnkybx
A wonderful review, Barbara! I really enjoyed this episode; breaking the formula and telling the story so creatively worked very well for this episode. I loved watching the characters through the patient's eyes and listening to his hilarious running commentary.
I loved your comment: "If he can change, maybe there’s a slim chance he can finally accept his greatest loss (his leg) and finally move past it. If he can’t, then he has no future with Cuddy; no way to believe in even the slightest chance of happiness with her (or anyone else). Locked in. Isolated. Forever." I can certainly see the parallel between House and Lee in this respect, and I hope House is indeed trying to change so that he can break out of his self-imposed isolation. But since House is House, I am not entirely convinced that House is receiving psychotherapy. What are your thoughts on the possibility that he's checking up on Taub in some way ... since Taub didn't get the message to come to the Middleton hospital and has been in a bad emotional place with his recent financial losses?
As for House's blurry vision at the end ... that was an interesting touch. It would certainly explain why he got into a bike accident. House probably does have a medical problem, maybe related to yet another attempt to find a radical way to end his pain? If his trip to Middleton has nothing to do with Taub, I would guess that he may be finding reprieve from his pain via a psych clinic.
Like you, Barbara, I am also eagerly anticipating next week's episode!
2 - Luisa Borges
Hi Barbara and fellow commenters,
I was here packing (have a work related 7 day trip coming up) and refreshing your page on blogcritics like crazy because without reading your review my House experience is only half full.
And you didn´t miss a beat. The parallel between House and a guardian angel was a really great take. House has been seen by patients as an emissary of God by his patients before (this season this theme comes up severeal times over) but to actually see him as a conforting figure, one that brings security and nourishment, is quite a nice take.
The psychologist in me keeps refering the people in our minds (and dreams) reflects more about us (our angsts, dreams, needs and whatever have you) than about the actual person being pictured there. But this is House (the show) and I thought that Lee´s take on House and his views was quite an interesting one.
The cinematography on this episode was beautiful. The camera angles where fresh, not tiresome, innovative, and just plain great. The voiceover was also done in a great way, from thoughts to answers to feelings to dreams, again just great. House (the show) is always one to bring something new to the pot, its always refreshing and always cutting edge. Cuddos for Daniel Attias as well as to writers Russel Friend, Garret Lerner and David Foster.
I´m also very curious about next weeks episode. I do feel that there is more going on with House than what we can see. Right up there with you on the bike accident take.
Also I think that Wilson was a bit House on House, investigating, conniving and never backing out. Loved the caring Cuddy and Lee´s view of her. Kutner was great, his a-ha moment was priceless.
Next week I´ll be in the middle of work, maybe I won´t get to watch the new epi until I get home (but who knows maybe I´ll get lucky), anyway, you´re review Barbara will be the first thing I´ll read after I watch it.
All the best to you and to everyone.
Luisa
3 - barbara barnett
wynkbyx--I hadn't thought that House was spying on Taub in that way. I would think that he's seeing the therapist. The phone number was in his contacts. It would be completely in character for House to try it, hope that it would do something and know it would fail. House has said that doing things is the only way to change something. Up till now he has not thought of therapy as "doing"--just a waste of time. Maybe he's desperate enough to try. I think yes.
Luisa--you are very, very kind. Agree with everything you've said. It was a great episode in a wonderful season.
4 - sherlockjr
Brilliant, as always. Just when I think I've explored an episode to its fullest, your review comes out and I realize I've just scratched the surface.
And so when Wilson finally discovers House’s secret, his reaction is to shut down, pretend it doesn’t matter. Like many of their confrontations over House’s pain and emotional issues, Wilson has pushed one button too many.
This section really struck a chord with me, probably because I'd already been thinking along these lines myself. House has built certain "Off Limits" signs around himself. Wilson -- probably/perhaps with the best of intentions -- consistently knocks those signs down and barges right in, which -- not unexpectedly -- makes House back off. Then, the next time he has a pain/emotional issue, he protectively hides himself even more, creating a vicious cycle. For someone who House considers such a good friend, Wilson does have a bad habit of going after House's most tender parts with a really sharp stick.
5 - Rhys
Oh my gosh!
I honestly thought that since so many other reviews didn't mention it, that I imagined that camera fuzziness at the end.
I thought that House was gonna collapse at first.
But yeah.
Then I came here, after remembering reading so many other House related articles here and YOU NOTICED! Which means I didn't imagine it :D
I think he has some medical problem. The preview for next ep. was good. And then I read about the actual episode, and thought, those characters really can't be having those reactions to these other patients. There must be at least one House gets injured badly episode a season (since he got shot at least)
6 - Jaim
I actually wondered if Wilson even actually said that final line to House. Something about it made me wonder if he hallucinated that last moment because that is one of House's deepest fears; he'll end up alone. Furthermore, the fuzzy effect made me think that it was a clue to something physically wrong with House, and I think it has something to do with the brain procedure he underwent last season when trying to save Amber. Maybe symptoms are starting to show up as a result of that dangerous procedure.
It is interesting how House is likened to an angel with broken wings that saves those who others have all but given up on. This skeptical man somehow always comes to his epiphanies at the right time and is pulled into a patient's life when all hope has been lost. Yes he is a misanthrope, but he is also equally a humanist. The attending doctor was all set to slice Lee open for his organs, but House came to his side and was an advocate for the patient, a patient that wasn't even his yet.
I really enjoyed the small scene between House and Cuddy. They were very comfortable with each other again, and I almost wonder if off-screen the character's have started something.
The scene when Cameron comes to clean House's wound is also very sweet. I like the shift in their relationship. It seems more like their family members now. I feel like Chase and Cameron consider him kind of a older uncle or dare I say fatherly figure. I mean in a way I think House considers Chase, Cameron, Foreman, Kutner, and Thirteen as his kids in a way. He mentors them all to be better doctors and stronger people. He, himself, is a mess and I think he rides them all hard because he wants more for them. He cares because he sees their potential.
I'm glad House is seeking therapy. I think after the methadone treatment fell through he needed something more natural to get past his leg pain. I agree that Cuddy has influenced him to at least try it out. He knows she's an option for him now, whereas before I think he thought he had lost his romance options when Stacy left.
7 - cj_housegirl
Awesome review Barbara. I'm with you in thinking this is a great season. There are a lot of great episodes and this is one of them. Also, this is the first season that I can see a running theme, although S3 had strong themes as well. I just think this season has extended it over the entire series.
The ending with the blurred vision was left a little opened ended, but I thought that it was a metaphor for House being locked in himself. I hope it doesn't signify that he is hurt or hurting.
I'm anxiously waiting for next week's episode.
I liked Taub's confession about being scared to work with House. Going from a career as a plastic surgeon where you're dealing with superficiality to what House does, who deals with terribly sick and dying patients, is a drastic shift psychologically. This episode and it's POV really socked that fact home for me.
8 - barbara barnett
sherlockjr--thanks for your kind words. Yeah, Wilson does have a history of that doesn't he? And it's been a vicious cycle since season one. Wilson can't seem to leave House alone. I hated that sort of behavior back in "meaning" because Wilson couldn't leave well enough alone. He had to lecture House; had to poke that stick in there and needle him. And House predictably shut down with a silent "never mind."
Rhys--hi! There was definitely something going on in that last scene. a lot of people seem to think that it was an artistic choice to show the connection between House and the patient. But I've never seen a director on House EVER do that. They leave it to us to make those connections, so I genuinely do not know.
Jaim--interesting about that last scene. So you think he hallucinated Wilson's last remark. hmmm. I guess we'll find out next week.
I find the idea of the misanthrope who is the best patient advocate in the world to be one of the most compelling angles of the series. House is no saint, but he is a fierce advocate and has so often risked much for a patient (way above and beyond the puzzle.)
I also enjoyed the scene with Cameron. There is a playfulness there I haven't seen in awhile and it's nice to see it back in place. Nothing romantic (at least not through my lenses) but very, very sweet.
Loved the brief Cuddy scene as well.
Cannot wait for next week!
9 - barbara barnett
CJ--I think this season is as good as season three, which I feel was the strongest season of House so far. And you're right. there has been a continuum to the story that was lacking even in nearly operatic third season.
As far as Taub, I can see where moving into House's realm might be terrifying. They deal with life and death against a quickly beating clock. It's a risky, high stakes practice, and i can also see that House doesn't want anyone around who is fearful of it--or sees it as simply a challenge. That's where House the humanist comes in. The patient always takes precedence--above squabbles, above politics, above personal lives. And House has never had a tolerance for anyone forgetting or not knowing that.
10 - Wnkybx
I think Sherlock is right about House having put up "Off Limits" signs around his innermost struggles, and throughout the series we have seen that House and Wilson have serious boundary (or lack thereof) issues. I don't condemn Wilson for his words towards House in the final scene; House himself certainly pushed Wilson's buttons in "The Social Contract" after Wilson made so much effort to cover his tracks. Remember House even drugged Wilson with amphetamines to determine that his yawning was due anti-depressants? They always jab and push each other on a level we may find harsh, but they are equals in that respect, despite Wilson's attempts to try to be House's "wiser" big brother. As a wounded, damaged soul, House needs not an equal but someone with more parental instincts to help him heal ... he needs someone like Cuddy, who has always been somewhat of a protective, maternal figure in his lfe. I suspect that she will be more instrumental in helping him through whatever shocker rocks the show between now and the finale.
11 - Kit O'Toole
Barbara, thanks as always for a great review. "Locked In" does give the viewer much to chew on. As for the last scene, I didn't interpret it as House having a medical problem. To me, it was a metaphor reflecting House's relationships with other people. When Wilson warned House that he would end up being alone, the blurriness (to me) referred to the patient's inability to communicate or connect with other people, even though he wanted to. The patient ultimately escaped his prison, but House remains in his own prison--not only physically, but definitely emotionally. If he doesn't make changes, he could end up as "locked in" as that patient.
Next week's episode looks very intense--I'm wondering if the rumored character death will occur then. So many theories are flying around the Internet that it's hard to predict!
12 - Roo
I haven't commented here before but I have immensely enjoyed reading your articles, Barbara. Thanks for such in depth and insightful reviews on our favorite character.
When I saw the previews that House had been in a bike crash, I originally thought that he was involved in some study or new drug trial that had unexpected side effects that could cause a crash. Something like the new pain meds cause dizziness or even seizures. Then I watched the episode and I believed I was wrong. He was going to see a psychiatrist, mystery solved. But then I read the wonderful review and the comments here. I’m beginning to think I wasn’t far off. The blurriness at the end of the episode seemed strange to me, and Wilson’s words seemed reminiscent of “No Reason”. The comment made here about how he hallucinated Wilson telling him that he’ll end up alone seems to be very likely. While watching the episode again I noticed that House had “crashed” his motorcycle, not been in an accident. It also was sunny that day (Lee’s memory of his crash; I assumed it was the same day) No obvious reason to crash a beloved bike.
Well that’s all I think. I’m thinking that House is in for something big.
13 - Val
Barbara, thanks for the great review. I have to agree that a viewing of House for me, also, isn't complete till I've read your piece. You always manage to go a bit deeper with things that I notice and wonder about...
I have to admit I was skeptical about this episode after reading spoilers (I've tried to quite, but it's so hard) and seeing the preview. I have seen the movie the Diving Bell and the Butterfly(story of the Frenchman with Locked In Syndrome who wrote the book that the movie was based on) and the excellent episode of MASH that was also told through the wounded soldier's POV and was honestly a bit scared that it would be similar to those great stories. But, as DS and Co. had said in an interview I read it definitely had it's own Housian twist and told a unique House (both the show and character) story. Huzzah! Why did I expect any less?!
One of the most interesting aspects I found was the different angle taken on the religion, God, guardian angel, beliefs etc. theme. It has certainly been a subject of many episodes through out these five years, but I find this season particularly filled with it--Unfaithful and Here Kitty stick out in my mind now--and I liked the way Lee held onto House as a source or beacon of Hope. It was certainly a new viewpoint and it couldn't have been communicated better other than by the patient himself. House is typically his patients last shot, but I think Lee's circumstances were far different. The priest in Unfaithful, the nurse in Here Kitty, the guy in 97 seconds, and even the Cubans in Human Error all brough thier beliefs and views to House in one way or another. If there was ever someone who would believe what the priest in 'Unfaithful' brought to House about coincidences and miracles, I think it would be Lee. Don't really know where I am going with that thought, but I enjoyed how it was told.
I think Lee saw House and his world in the simplest of ways; Lee's reactions were perhaps more concise then anyone actually in the situation would react(his comments about Huddy, the House/Wilson dynamic, and the ducklings he came in contact with were some of the best lines in the show)!
My last comment, is to agree on the look of the show. The beach and dream-like interrogation sequences were amazing and what essentially made this episode top-notch, unique television. I hope that the blurred vision we saw through House's eyes was an allusion to him feeling "lock-in" as well, but knowing those PTB I doubt it.
14 - Eve K
Interesting review!
On first viewing I thought that the ending was a metaphor for Houses problems to communicate. Kind of "artsy" for the show I agree, Barbara, but OK.
But maybe the ending is foreshadowing Houses psychological problems. (Or neurological problems, re-emerging via the bike-crash from the damages in Houses Head) I thought the episode was very well done, and it left me with an uneasy feeling of things to come.
I like the idea that Cuddy and House already started something. Their comfort level around each other the last episodes can indicate something like that. It would be in character of the show to hold back that information from us. (-; But not.
15 - sherlockjr
wnkybx said: As a wounded, damaged soul, House needs not an equal but someone with more parental instincts to help him heal ...
I don't really see it this way. From my perspective, one House's biggest problems is that the people around him, the ones who claim to care, continually treat him as if he were a recalcitrant child, rather than a grown-up. The more they treat him that way, the more he behaves that way. The last thing this man needs, in order to really screw with his head, is for the woman he'd like to get into bed with to start behaving like his mother. Freud, anyone?
Yes, he's wounded and damaged, but look how well he responds to the very few people who have treated him either with respect or as an equal: In particular, Ridiculously Old Fraud, Cate Milton, Kutner and now, very often, Chase. He seldom messes with them and he opens up emotionally. He's like wilting plant that finally gets some water.
16 - sandra
"If he can change, maybe there's a slim chance he can finally accept his greatest loss (his leg) and finally move past it. If he can't, then he has no future with Cuddy; no way to believe in even the slightest chance of happiness with her (or anyone else). Locked in. Isolated. Forever."
Excellent analysis, although I want to add this should not always be just about Cuddy. Honestly I think a relationship with Cuddy is not a good idea for him anyway, their past is in the way of that, they share too much of a complicated history (her being his boss doesn't make it easier). And I'm pretty sure it won't work out. But it is right that he has to accept and move on if he ever wants to be happy with anyone. I just don't see Cuddy in this. And if he wants to change like Wilson suggested, he has to do it for himself not for anyone else. No one should change for anyone else but only for oneself because in the long shot it doesn't make you happy. I actually witness something like that right now with a friend who changed a lot for her husband, who adapted to him so much she wasn't herself anymore. It worked well for a while, but now she realized it doesn't make her happy and it doesn't make him happy as well - I guess I don't have to say what that means for her marriage: they are filing for a divorce right now.
I liked the unusual POV, the dream-like scenes, that was really good. And I love the scene with Cameron. I was so surprised she was in the episode, because I had heard she wouldn't be, seeing her was great. And the scene was the most wonderful in the entire episode imo. It showed how much he trusts Cameron, they really seem to be more like friends than just (former) employer/employee. Very sweet scene, yet not so blunt but very subtle which is one of the reasons why I appreciate the chemistry between House and Cameron so much.
The preview for next week is really exciting, I can't wait to see what will happen, who's going to leave and how House will cope with it...
17 - j.i.m.
Thank you, Barbara, your depth of understanding of House MD is a gift for your readers every new episode.
I was delighted by the fresh glimpses into House afforded by the new perspective of this episode. As Barbara mentioned, when House made his hospital-gowned late night visit to the patient, we were treated to an unguarded moment of uncertainty from House. "The MRI is more useful than hand holding...I think". That uncertainty and self-questioning about what is important and has more value, facts or love, was not an epiphany for House but a question in the normal course of events. Do his thoughts always stream that way? It seems so! That places his consciousness in a much more wide open, flexible, precarious, and vulnerable state if he does, indeed, routinely entertain such questions in the course of the day. Previous to this I had seen him as a man who would avoid the questions that do not support his heavily defended, isolated state. I knew he enjoyed the intellectual questions but thought he shied away from the personal. Evidently not. Another peel of the onion stripped away.
In life there is the realm of the voluntary and the involuntary. Was House discussing this question with his psychiatrist? "Help me to change the things I can and give me the wisdom to know the difference." That is a paraphrase of the prayer from the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. It truly seems sometimes that all of our thoughts are recycled rather than original but then again, every moment brings renewal. I love the recent themes of choices, change, and simply doing something. They are invigorating topics for a TV series in its fifth season.
18 - Reba
Dear Barbara
Always love your reviews. Liked the episode too, it was inventive and different, and a breath of fresh air. However two things bugged me. 1) If House is a world renowned diagnostician, I think that the ER doctor i New York would actually put two and two together. 2) About Wilson. I must say that Wilson pushed it too far, and realised it too in the end. But I can't see that it is just him. I think it is the dynamic of their friendship that they push each other too far. And over the years I think Wilson has learned from House. House does not thread carefully around Wilson and now he repays him with the same dr. evil streak. But is it just me or are their roles somehow reverted this season, as House clearly tries to behave differently with Wilson?
19 - Shaz
Great review as always, Barbara. Although I didn't like Wilson's persistence in trying to find out why House was up to, I have to admit House does exactly the same to everyone else - so why he thinks he should be immune to the same treatement from others....
I am curious about one of Wilson's comment though - why did he credit Cuddy for him seeking out therapy? I guess it could point to them already being in a relationship, but I hope not. I would kind of feel cheated!
20 - nc
In "Joy," Cuddy asked House why he always has to negate everything. "I don't know," he answered, and for House, that's not an answer.
I think that moment, perhaps even more than the embrace which followed it, has had (and continues to have) defining consequences for House all season.
21 - Eve K
nc " Thats what I meant when I said that the kiss was kind of a deflection.
22 - barbara barnett
So many comments overnight :). Much to chew on. Kit, I'm still not sure about that last scene. It would be so very unlike the camera work employed by the series even in out-of-the-box episodes. But you could be right, we'll find out next week (maybe).
Roo--welcome. On the other hand, maybe it's both. Something is up with House undoubtedly. Maybe whatever it is is causing minor brain disturbances. He crashed the bike and hallucinated Wilson's final words to him about being alone. Wilson's warning seemed so harsh in light of the fact that he KNOWS House is trying (methadone, therapy). To kick him when he's this vulnerable is pretty unkind. Of course it's not completely unlike Wilson, either. So we'll see....
Val--thanks for your kind words. I also love this idea of House as a tarnished knight or an angel with broken wings. And seeing him through Lee's innocent/pure point of view was really revelatory for me.
EveK--I also thought that House and Cuddy were together at the end of season three (I wrote fanfiction tomes around that idea.) But they weren't. I don't think they're together, but they're getting there.
Sherlockjr--I agree that House needs an equal--someone who will call foul without being parental; who treats him like an adult. He totally responds to that. He has so often admitted that he knows how much he gets away with because he "a cripple." I think he no respect for people who do let him get away with stuff. But I also think he doesn't appreciate the sort of destructive tough love that borders on the parental. He takes it from Wilson, but he has his limits. As we saw.
Sandra said "No one should change for anyone else but only for oneself because in the long shot it doesn't make you happy. ...It worked well for a while, but now she realized it doesn't make her happy and it doesn't make him happy as well -"
this was House's argument regarding STacy in "Need to Know." He'd try and then after a few months he'd slip back into House-mode. It's what he told her.
I also liked the scene with Cameron. She will always care about him, and it was reminicent of that fabulous scene in Merry Little Christmas in season three.
j.i.m. I think you are right about House questioning himself much more than we see. All the doubts we (the viewers) are privy to alone. To his colleagues he's egotistical and arrogant. They seldom know the agonizing thought process that brings him to that outwards self-assurance.
REba--that ER doc looked like an overworked attending. Not every doctor in the world, especially not journeyman ER doc would have necessarily heard of House. Professors of medicine-yes; researchers--yes; deans of top notch schools--yes. But not the local trauma doc.
I agree with you that Wilson's role with House is much changed this year. Wilson pulled a "house" with his actions. Like House's compassionate side, Wilson's dr. evil stays mostly under wraps, But it's there.
I think Wilson credited Cuddy because he can see the effect she's had on him--simply by his attraction to her. House may actually be beginning to see himself in a relationship again. And that motivates him to change (or at least to try).
nc--I agree that that's an incredibly important moment (even more than the kiss). It was a question that House could not answer, and I'm sure he's thought about it alot over the last few months.
23 - Mary Marguerite
I agree with "nc"s comment above, and think that the "Joy" episode will, in retrospect, prove to be a pivot point of this season.
House can't let a puzzle go, but he's usually too busy deflecting from his own concerns by finding the solution to other people's puzzles to investigate the puzzle of himself and why he acts as he does. I think that's part of the overarching theme of this season, and I have been loving watching it unfold, as well as happy to read all the enlightening reviews from Barbara and the comments here.
24 - Twinkie
Just a couple of thoughts: Does anyone think that House wa seeing the psychiatrist-character played by Mia Sorvino in Frozen?
Also, I see that Taub appears to be unraveling and may become suicidal. Remember, he attempted suicide in his earlier years.
25 - barbara barnett
Just found out that I will be on BC Talk Radio tonight (6:30-7:00 p.m. ET) to discuss television and (of course) House. So tune in and join the discussion live! BC Radio