A prophetic cat, who seems to know when someone is going to die, piques House's interest in "Here Kitty."
I confess. I do not like cats. They are, to be sure, pretty to look at (Persian’s my favorite) and have exotic eyes. (And I do have a thing for eyes.) But I’m much more of a dog person. My first thought when I’d heard that last night’s House episode “Here Kitty” was to be about a cat, I cringed (well, only slightly). I’m also not as much of a fan of House-light (hearted): episodes that are light (but never fluffy) and a bit more comedic than the dark, serious, angst-ridden House that I love.…
Article comments
26 - Eve K
"I almost hope you dont review the next ep,(Here Kitty) Barbara, I was very disappointed. One of the worst stories in the series. Maybe it had one or two funny scenes, but no good POTW, no character development and it could have happened in any season, it was totally unconnected to the main story line. Aufghhhh! Well, it had to come. Not all of them can be great. If you find something of interest in there, i will be in awe."
I wrote this last time and I still mean it.
Well, I looked it up, and yes, its the same writer as in "Whatever it takes" the worst ep in season four. Maybe it has something to do with his take on House. It seemed like the ep was OFF somehow. What about Wilsons brother? What about the character development of House this season? And House is suddenly best friends with Cuddy again, cuddling (he he) in the sofa?
Well, B. you managed to say something interesting about it anyway so kudos to you. Im looking forward to the much hyped last eps of the season, and will try to forget this one.
27 - Eve K
The theme of superstition is interesting, I have been surprised to se how many people who are severely affected by this, from politicians to business people and even scientists. The theme is interesting, and that's another reason why I think it should have made for a better episode.
28 - Mithril 33
Nice review, as always.
I share your disappointment about House behaviour towards Taub, but here's a theory.
House in the episode knew about the CEO guy that Taub had met at the hospital and asked Taub about it without getting any straight answers.
Knowing House and his curiosity he made a research about the Ceo guy and with his intellectual skills finds out the truth about him and contact the company he works for just in time to safe Taub from a huge mistake.
Is it plausible?
Anyway I loved the House Cuddy scene too!I love watching them acting so comforting around each other without aknoledging it!
29 - nc
First-time poster, long-time reader.
Taub sees himself as long suffering and thinks he's toughing out tough times. He has no idea how pampered and idyllic his life could be if he weren't determined to indulge in so much brinkmanship. Seems to me House wants Taub to face up to the fact that many, if not most, of his difficulties are of his own causation. Perhaps he finds the "glamor" of leading a secretive (i.e., double) life to be worth the toll it takes?
Look up Oscar, the cat at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, RI, if you want a likely inspiration for the feline part of this story. Dr. David Dosa of Brown University describes the phenomenon in an essay in a July 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Sorry you're not a cat person, as felines like this have wondrously plushy fur and lovely throaty purrs. (Yes, I have one who looks a lot like Debbie.)
30 - barbara barnett
Even though Debbie is a cat, the same therapeutic principle applies ;) Cats are furry and soft and irresistible when it comes to petting them. Most don't like to be petted in my experience, or they're so independent they run off.
I have a sheltie/golden mix who is in essence a stuffed animal. She loves being petted and cuddled (to a pathological degree, I think). We also have a rabbit who finds the nearest lap and plants herself there. I loved the fact that House couldn't resist petting the cat. He didn't shoo it away, threaten it or harass it. He stroked it. And I adored that.
nc--welcome to the debate. Glad you took the time to post a comment. Taub has caused much of his own mishegass (as they say). I watched again last night and didn't see House as harsh as I had Monday night. And his expression at the end spelled (to me) real concern (or sadness) over Taub.
31 - blacktop
I liked this episode and of course the conversation your review has inspired, Barbara. I think that with Taub, House has miscalculated. Over the past five seasons we have seen House push fiercely at Foreman, Cameron, Chase, Kutner, and Thirteen all with the objective of testing their limits as people and as doctors. But Foreman is resiliant because he has overcome a lifetime of adversity, Cameron has come through a devastating personal loss, Chase has arrived at a resolution about his father, Kutner seems reconciled to the horrible loss of his birth parents, and Thirteen has discovered new maturity in the face of her illness. The challenges that afflicted them (racism, husband's death, mother's alcoholism, parent's murder, deadly disease) were completely beyond their control, but they found the inner resources to work through their difficulties and prevail. The pressure from House has worked to their advantage.
Taub does not seem to have the personal resilliancy of the others and it shows now. Despite his age and professional position, he has not had to deal with adversity. He brought on his own job loss and unsettled his marriage through selfishness. Because his situation is so different from the others, House's extremely mean antics take a considerable toll on him.
I think that at the end of "Here Kitty" House is finally coming to the realization that it is possible to push someone too far. Taub is defeated and crushed because of his own gullibility, selfishness, and desperation. But House's casual cruelty is an important factor (perhaps even a tipping element) in his misery.
The House/Cuddy development in this episode was delicious; this is truly courtship House-style. And I loved the cat for her fierce expressions, dignity, elegance, and expert comic timing especially in the confrontation with Kutner in the doorway.
32 - Sheila
You may be a dog person Barbara, but a cat so suits House's personality i.e their independence; their aloofness; their close observation of everything; their bonding with whom they wish to bond; their instinct to be always on the hunt/prowl.....I thought the cat even resembled House a bit !
It's already been well said, but I will repeat that we need to remember that House is a fundamentally flawed personality and he can be real jerk... and cruel with it too..., whatever his underlying intentions are. He is suppose to make us cringe. He can also be excessively juvenile. The eight year old boy that Cuddy has to 'mother'. The cranberry juice was a cruel juvenile stunt; the construction of the 'Jump the Shark' run was delightfully juvenile....and a clever response front the writers to some of the viewers' angst as to the show's direction.
I'm sure we all noticed that Cuddy caught the shark ??
IMO this episode was about self delusion as represented by superstition. Taub's arrogance and anger maintain his world of self delusion as to the choices he makes and their consequences. House doesn't push easily and House will always push back. House's alpha male status was challenged by Taub at the Differential & House retaliated. I think House had pause to regret it when he observed Taub's total devastation at the end of the episode. I think the cat's approach to Taub might well signal another suicide attempt on his part and be one of the issues that pushes House into an emotional downward spiral.
I noted Wilson's comment to House in the autopsy suite that House " might be beginning to either doubt himself or care about others". I think that was a clue to the theme in the last five episodes and will take us back to the start of the season but with a PTS House who is less certain of his force for good or ill in the lives of others.
I do just want to mention that I loved the cosy/comfort level between House & Cuddy plus the many bits- of-business Hugh Laurie inserts into every scene he is in. In his case neither a cigar nor a lollipop are just a cigar & a lollipop.
33 - Elisa
Eve K, I tend to agree with you about the overall weakness of the episode, as I wrote above.
Although to me House's attacks on Taub were justified. Taub was trying to be the alpha male, and you DO NOT do that with House! House tends to match the other person's approach, either with racial taunting (Foreman), because he knew Foreman would take it, and putdowns about being too caring (Cameron) because he felt she needed to toughen up, and he tormented Chase about being a suck-up. Because Chase did tend to be a suck-up. Those scenes could be pretty brutal. But, that's House.
Now Taub comes along and tries to bump chests with House, caveman style. Do you think for one minute House won't squash him like a bug?
I love the character of House, but he's a vengeful, at times mean person who does whatever it takes to win. Do you remember the scene when House screamed at Cuddy in the shower that she would be a terrible mother? Later, she said he usually knew how far he could push people, but sometimes he went over the line and went to those places that really hurt.(I know he was in a lot of pain at the time, but still...)
34 - Wnkybx
Thanks for the review, Barbara. I don't have much to add, simply because I found the episode to be disappointing. The House/Cuddy scenes were the only highlight for me (j.i.m, I loved your dissection of those); for some reason I don't find Taub compelling on his own ... I prefer seeing him only with Kutner as part of a comedic duo. I also found the medicine to be more disorienting and more illogical than usual; that was distracting me from focusing on the characters ... and then I realized there wasn't much substance to focus on in terms of House himself, with the episode only offering hollow echos of what we have previously seen addressed with his character. I know that this episode is relatively "light," but with this lightness I was hoping for it to be more fun and funny, a la "Top Secret." I am actually really looking forward to "Locked In"; it seems like it will be very interesting.
35 - simchasd
I just want to add one observation to the House/Cuddy scene. I felt that the camera angles were quite suggestive and that Cuddy herself was wearing a much shorter skirt than usual. When she stands up facing House who is slouched on the couch, it's as if she is towering over him. In one shot all you see is the lower portion of the slit on her skirt and her legs. It is definitely a sign of things to come.
36 - cj_housegirl
Blacktop I really like your analysis of how House's methods are unlikely to work with Taub. Taub's of a different age and mind set than House's other ducklings. I don't know how old Taub is supposed to be, but the actor, Peter Jacobson, is 44, less than six years younger than Hugh. Age-wise, Taub is House's contemporary. Taub must have lead his own team when he was a surgeon. Now, he is House's fellow & that is how House treats him, but it isn't how Taub wants to be treated. I have no idea where TPTB are going with this, which is both exciting and kind of frightening.
I also loved the House-Cuddy scenes, so comforting yet sexy. And, yes, Cuddy did save House from Jumping The Shark. I love "big kid" House and his toys.
Definitely looking forward to Locked In, if only to stare at House's/Hugh's lovely blue eyes in lots of close-ups.
37 - Luisa Borges
Hi Barbara and fellow commenters,
Great review, as usual, key plot points signaled and analyzed with mastery by Barbara.
The comments brought a lot of new lights into this epi and it´s major plot points.
What caught my attention - not in a preference order BTW:
1) Hot wheels track fun at the clinic. The openning of this episode was just a joy ride for me. The cinematography in that scene was great. Pure kid fun, House the kid rides again.
2) Hugh´s performance with the cat. It was just a ball to watch. The way he fondled the cat (when it was on allergic coma patient´s bed) was just so a nice bit of intense touch.
3) The cigar. House smoking the cigar was also a great prop use. Lovely to watch. Both Holmes and Watson smoked cigars, although not as often as they smoked their pipes. Anyway, it made for great scenes.
4) House and Cuddy watching Debbie´s news video. The easy between them and House´s looks on Cuddy were just great. A tension free, but feeling full, scene.
5) Cuddy. She was fun in this episode. Light and fun Cuddy back on board.
6) Chase. He´s scene with the patient and talk about faith was very good to watch.
7) Kutner. I liked seeing this side of him, and watching him walk around stairs and throw salt over his shoulder was fun. Also his last prank on House was just so cool.
8) Taub. He is an enigma to me, a former successful doctor forced to leave it all behind and start from scratch because of mistakes in his personal like. I still feel he shields his wife from lots of things, as if she can´t handle the heat, and his constant speach about being a former cheater strikes me as just too much effort on his part to stay clean. It´s back to his talk with House about fidelity and the sacrifices it demands.
9) The Goldfinger dialogue. Brilliant.
Aside from that. I also noticed House´s pain decrease and his diminished cane use. I do think this is intentional and will play, and have light shead into it, as the season ends.
Great comments everyone and great review Barbara.
All the best!
38 - Eve K
Hi again! I couldn't quite point out what I disliked the most in this ep. I found this review below that nailed it. (Although I also thought it was funny Louisa!)
"Unfortunately, “Here Kitty” failed to handle its subject matter as impressively as “Unfaithful.” The writers awkwardly mixed together elements of Morgan’s superstition with faith, saying generic phrases like, “Everything happens for a reason,” and “There are powers beyond what we understand.” This clumsy mix of theology and superstition fails miserably and makes the characters, particularly Kutner, come off as unusually stupid when they try to compare belief in walking under ladders to belief in God. They even tried to use the same ending featured in “Unfaithful,” but this time it just didn’t ring true."
I do agree that this mix of the hilarious House and the to serious Chase did not go well in this ep. But in my country politicians has been using fortune tellers to tell them what to do, and known atheist secretly believe in rabbits foots and so on, so it is a subject that could be treated seriously, but in another way than Chase did.
39 - Eve K
This take on superstition (mix it with religion) could also be intended from the writers, if they mean that all "unknown" phenomena's comes from the same place, logic say you might as well believe in everything.
Im an agnostic, but I dont' believe in everything, (I dont believe in a personal god, and not in rabbits foots) so I dont buy that.
If the writers intention is to mock unknown phenomenas, I think Chase comes off as the stupid one, not Kutner.
40 - j.i.m.
By Sera G, "I, too felt that House was quite harsh with him and continued to push and punish. It was hard for me to decide if it was testing or true anger. It has seemed that his dynamic with Taub is completly different than with any other fellow. ...but there is also something else between them."
I have thought there was something else between them since "Ugly", something which was based on more than the obvious problem of Taub trying to steal House's patient in that episode. At the time, I thought it was House's fear of the "philanderer" trying to steal Cuddy. House is very protective of Cuddy. I can't imagine what he would do if Taub ever tried to seduce Cuddy. Remembering how Cuddy immediately and curtly ordered Taub out of her office in "Ugly", when House asked her to fire him, is one of the better Cuddy moments. She simply said, "Get Out", leaving Taub guessing as to whether he was fired. And in this episode she said, "I'll never tell, Taub" with the smallest of ironic beats inbetween to indicate her complete loyalty to House in all questions Taub. Because of this loyalty, Cuddy may be implicated, alongside House, in whatever may befall Taub in the future. In that case, it would be a double load of guilt for both House and Cuddy to bear.
By Sera G, "Those two (House and Cuddy) generate heat just sitting side by side on a sofa. I have stated my HUDDY love before and I won't belabor it."
It is the year of House and Cuddy, go ahead and belabor. If not now, when?
By Barbara, "I watched again last night and didn't see House as harsh as I had Monday night."(towards Taub)
Me too! It's strange and a bit disconcerting when, on subsequent viewing, a scene can strike a different chord. No wonder we disagree with each other from time to time when we also can interpret the same scene differently all by ourselves. Being a spectator involves a good deal of passive collaboration and intellectual participation. When they start adding the sense of smell to the broadcast some time in the future, will we find ourselves on the same page with more or less regularity?
41 - Sera G
Hi, j.i.m.,
Thanks for the comments to my comments. As I read over what I had written on Tuesday, I realized I had forgotten to state what others have said since; it must be a real blow to Taub to now have to answer to someone else and be a subordinant. Sometimes I feel that he is disdainful of House and his 'process'. Other times, like in "Don't Ever Change" you see him open up to new ideas and fresh views. He is an interesting character, I must say. I agree, that most of his problems are caused by his own actions. That makes it even more poignant.
When Chase comes back on the scene, I realize anew how much I miss him and his interactions/imput on the storyline.
Someone posted (sorry, I can't find it now to reference) that we resented the introduction of new characters and now are finding much to discuss/debate about them. Are we growing fond or used to them? I go back and forth in my mind.
j.i.m, thanks: Viva la Huddy!
42 - JL
Sera G, I think you're referencing my comment waaaaaaay back up the top there.
I don't know that everyone is *fond* of the newer characters - although I note MANY more people expressing love for them.
But if they're being discussed in their own right (rather than merely incidentally, and only inasmuch as they impact on previously established characters), that at least implies greater interest (positive/negative/whatever) than simple familiarity, I think.
I'd say Taub seems to have just reached that point, as of this episode (it's been brewing for a while).
Kutner has it made as far as love is concerned,:) but doesn't have any developing arcs to discuss.
(Ditto Cameron and Chase, except that people are used to discussing them and so miss their stories much more. No one's much used to discussing Kutner yet, so his lack-of-story isn't mourned so much.)
Thirteen has multiple ongoing arcs, but lacks the love or interest necessary for people to want to discuss her (because they feel as though they're *required* to do so and are annoyed about it).
Anyway, that's my take. I note that it may simply be indicative of the places I tend to look, and that, were I to visit the 'Thirteen-love' page or the 'Kutner-fan' page, I might develop a very different understanding of the situation...
(Still enjoying this debate. What are we all going to do next week? Have you got anything up your sleeve, Barbara?)
43 - barbara barnett
It is a great debate. Hectic time in RL right now...I do have a couple of things in mind for next week's column, but I'm open to suggestions :)
44 - cj_housegirl
Eve K This clumsy mix of theology and superstition fails miserably and makes the characters, particularly Kutner, come off as unusually stupid when they try to compare belief in walking under ladders to belief in God.
I don't know where this review comes from, but seriously, when did Kutner try to compare belief in walking under ladders to belief in God?
I think your second comment:
This take on superstition (mix it with religion) could also be intended from the writers, if they mean that all "unknown" phenomena's comes from the same place, logic say you might as well believe in everything.
Is a lot closer to how I viewed this episode.
But, House in general has become obsessed with disproving coincidences or superstition or religious practices this year. Considering that Amber died because of a series of coincidences, I see his actions this season as a consequence of her death. I don't know if he's struggling with his own belief system, but I think Wilson's throw-away line about House's obsession with the cat is more than just a throw away line:
"You know what, this is a good thing because either you're starting to doubt yourself which is healthy. Or, you're starting to give a crap what other people think. Which is just another way of saying you give a crap about other people."
I think this episode gives us another view of where House is mentally. IMO, this was a House-centric episode, which is why I liked it. Everything got tied back to House. Plus, it was kinda weird, and downright hilarious in places.
45 - ns
Barbara, maybe next week's article should just go ahead a re-evaluate the "Joy" episode, since it is kind of interesting that they are choosing to play it now, towards the end of the season, when we know something is gonna happen with House and Cuddy before the season is over.
46 - ns
I do think Taub is gonna go for Cuddy. He wants kids, she has one, he's Jewish, she's Jewish, he's not happy with his life, etc., etc., etc. Sounds like a plot to me.
47 - Louise
Thanks for the review, Barbara, and for making a home for some serious House discussion.
Not in my top-10 episodes but the Cuddy saving the car from "jumping the sharp" in the first scene was WONDERFUL! House and Cuddy on the couch was WONDERFUL. The pee in the chair was WONDERFUL!
I just felt like they took a shallow-bucket back to the "meaning of life" and science & religion well. David Shore has twin brothers who are rabbis, right? He, and the writing crew, are obsessed with this theme. It's one of my my favorite obsessions, too. I think I may like this episode more on second or third viewings. There's just all this subtle stuff going on. For example, Kutner had on a green striped shirt and even House was wearing a green t-shirt in the opening St. Patrick's Day scenes. Superstition? Tradition? Made me smile!
One the other hand, I don't think House is just being mean to Taub. From a couple of the scenes we have seen with Taub's wife, we have a pretty good idea that he isn't open with her and now he is unsure about how she will respond to less money. House's raison d'etre is medicine and diagnosis. He may be miserable but he loves his work. I think House is trying (maybe unconsciously) to make Taub admit/recognize consciously that what Taub is doing now, even with less money, even with less status, even with the rough hazing, that this is just the best place and the best job and the best possible way to spend his time possible.
I am starting to love Kutner, not just like him. I think it is great he is sometimes as funny as HL. Yes, he is sexy with is off-the-way Harry Potter references (last episode, I know). His smart, nerdy, deadpan innocence is right on!
Actually, House, who is verbally abusive, really takes a lot of flack back from his fellows. If it's fair payback, House takes it. In many ways he is remarkably NOT maliciousness.
Okay, not my fav episode, but I think in the long-run it may have some of my favorite scenes. A "not top-10" House is better than anything else on television. What better way to celebrate St. Paddy than with green pea?
48 - Debbie
#28 - very interesting theory and highly plausible. I wouldn't doubt it for a minute that House had somethng to do with saving Taub from the bad, bad CEO just in the nick of time.
And the scene with Cuddy and House on the couch was just priceless. They were so comfortable with each other's company. And I could swear - and I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this so far - that when she got up to turn the tape off, he was staring at her butt in a very appreciative manner. It was subtle enough not to be rude, but it was definitely there.
49 - Orange450
The downside to joining the discussion so late is that there's nothing to add - everything's already been said, and said very well. The upside is that I get to read so many wondeful comments. Everyone's insights are amazing. I can't over how the conversation here can turn what I originally thought was really just a light and fun episode into something far more important, and worthy of serious consideration.
My initial take on House's harsh treatment of Taub was exactly like yours, Barbara. I thought he was being needlessly cruel. (I still think that outing Taub's financial situation to the rest of the team was gratuitous.) And I thought that what House said to Chase about Nick (and himself) in TSC - that Nick would alienate the people he works with - was continuing to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. But cj_housegirl's comments got me thinking, and blacktop's comments added valuable perspective.
The interesting thing is that while it's hard to feel sorry for Taub - in this episode, I did. As you said, Barbara, he's responsible for all of his problems, and he doesn't seem to be a "step up and take your medicine" kind of guy. But even though Taub still has it much better than many people out there, PJ conveyed that panicky, helpless, "tied to a boss who's poisoning your life but you desperately need the job so you can't leave" kind of feeling very well.
Blacktop, I thought your comparison of the different fellows' reactions to House's "tough teaching" mode was spot on. You wrote:
"I think that at the end of "Here Kitty" House is finally coming to the realization that it is possible to push someone too far. Taub is defeated and crushed because of his own gullibility, selfishness, and desperation. But House's casual cruelty is an important factor (perhaps even a tipping element) in his misery."
I absolutely agree. I also thought that House's look of combined frustration and concern (HL once again expressing pages of dialogue without a single word!) indicated that he might be learning this about himself. Another small step on his path to self-discovery. It will be interesting to see whether - and with who - the realization manifests again.
I agree with others who thought the the faith vs. rationality issue wasn't handled well in this episode, and I also wish the writers weren't quite so obsessed with it. Enough already! But Morgan's very last comment to House redeemed the whole thing for me. It's high time that House was called on the perpetual fortuity of his aha moments. Of course, if "luck" is defined as "being in the right place at the right time - fully prepared", then Dr. House is indeed a very lucky guy :-)
50 - Orange450
Oh, and I wanted to add that I also enjoyed the House-and-Cuddy-on-the-sofa scene. I loved their comfortable vibe - it reminded me very much of how they watched the documentary video together at the end of Ugly. And I was VERY pleased with House's choice of lollipop color. I took it as a personal compliment :-)
51 - carolyn
I know this is really random, but I've been thinking about House's cane. He threw it away during "Softer Side", right? But it looks like the one he has now is the same one ... (oh, and did anybody else notice that the cane House used in the end of Softer Side was the same one he used during The Greater Good, when Cuddy stole his normal one? Delayed comment, I know, but I just happened to notice it ...)
I like the fact that House and Cuddy are comfortable with each other again. It's like what House said during greater good, "I just want things to go back to normal." After all the drama and misunderstanding in Unfaithful and The Softer Side, the Social Contract and Here Kitty are a new dynamic in their relationship, where things are almost back to normal - except for the fact that it's known they have feelings for each other. It seems like they're finally starting to figure out the right groove for their relationship, one without expectations of the other.
I didn't really like this episode when I first watched it, though I thought it was hilarious - it just didn't seem to flow all that well. But I'm so happy for the review and the great comments; there's meaning in every episode if you are perceptive enough to see it : )
52 - xinyuActor
Hi Dear Barbara
I'm a Chinese Fan of Hugh Laurie & House. I could barely write an article because of my poor English, so just say thank you for your lovely previews and I'm looking forward the next episode 'coz then I could read your new brilliant preview!;)
Greetings From China
Yours truely
Jane Leo
53 - Nickel
I always thought that House's goading of Taub was meant for Taub to make a decision as to who he wanted to be. House knew that Taub lost alot of money in stocks, and also knew that the loss would cause Taub to re-think his new position as a fellow instead of "Master of his universe". I think House was pushing so Taub would either quit or accept his new role. Either would be ok for House, but the lingering in between sucks. From my own experience as a boss: tardy, unengaged employees make crappy employees. I would also push to make them decide which they wanted to be....dig in or dig out.