As I watched “Moving the Chains,” this week’s House, M.D. episode, I was reminded of a conversation I had with the episode’s writers, Russel Friend and Garret Lerner. We had been discussing another of their episodes, the season six premiere “Broken.” I asked them whether they (as series writers and executive producers) believed that House (Hugh Laurie) had a compassionate streak. Of course he can be jerk, but is there a core of decency hidden beneath the snark and game-playing. David Shore’s oft-stated official line is, of course, that House isn’t a good guy. He isn’t a nice person. Yet in “Broken,” Lydia sees in House a great capacity for kindness beneath the misanthropic crust.
“The tricky thing about the character is that we have this sort of misanthropic, drug addicted guy,” they explained in September. “We want to preserve his edginess. Not betray that. But we always want to see that humanity.” At the time they told me they need “to give House some plausible deniability.”
Even if House is being nice, he has to have the cover of an alternative explanation, where it’s safer footing for him. And that safer footing seemed firmly in place during this week’s “Moving the Chains,” as House, the master manipulator was hard at work making Foreman’s life miserable—while (maybe) doing something profoundly important for him.
“Moving the chains” is a football term. Every time a team gets a first down, they “move the chains” down the field to the starting point for the next series of downs. Ten yards at a time, the ball is moved down the field, subject to blocks, fumbles, interceptions sacks behind the line of scrimmage. It’s also urban slang signifying small but meaningful steps down a relationship’s path towards a “score.”
Each of the plots and subplots marked forward motion towards another start and suggested the pain and sacrifice involved in sometimes moving even a little bit towards a more significant goal. There is, of course, the main plot: a young man felled during a football game—the most direct connection to the episode’s football metaphor. He has a chance to make the pros, being recruited from college by scouts and general managers. He sees opportunity ahead of him—and the opportunity to take care of his mother by becoming a success at something he does exceptionally well. But the best part of the medical story was having House back, fully engaged in the case—smartest guy in the room. It’s been awhile since (in my humble opinion) we’ve seen him quite so involved in the differentials.
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— go to most recent comments1 - marykir
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this episode. I liked all the scenes, except the ones where I was hissing at Lucas {g}, but couldn't decided at the end whether I liked the episode itself. I *think* perhaps that's because I never figured out what House was up to. How can Hugh Laurie be so good at showing us what House is thinking about some things and keeping other things completely ambiguous?
2 - andree
Barbara, another great recap and analysis. I thought it very creepy of Lucas to do such destructive pranks on House and Wilson. The critter in the tub was dangerous. The loose tub bar was vicious and aimed at House. The sprinkler system throughout the loft was expensive and damaging and really mean. I did like House solving the fact the prankster was trying to hurt the Hilson friendship. Lucas creeps me out, too. Cuddy should be informed of the nature of these pranks especially tripping House. I'd like to see House get even as only he can without getting in trouble for it and not even Lucas being able to prove House did it. Moreover, I want Cuddy to dump Lucas (yeah me and a million other viewers). Please give us some spoilers before next monday. The four minute preview on Aussiellos' website is great! Lucas is a 2-min. man and Cuddy deserves better. Man I'm way too obsessed with this show.
Envy your interview with Lisa E.
3 - Delia_Beatrice
Am I the first to comment? Well, I must admit I have been waiting impatiently for your review, Barbara, in order to test some of my own input on this great episode.
Happy to say I agree with your view on the essential subplots. Completely agree on the Foreman issue, and I do think that Foreman keeping so quiet about his mother's death is the similarity between them that really made House worry for him and decide to push the two brothers together - I'm sure House is by now aware of the devastating psychological impact of his estrangement to his family and his reaction to his father's death - in fact, to see House trying to connect to the memory of his dead father in "Braveheart" was a very powerful and telling scene.
Also completely agree that the best role for Wilson is to function as the interface between House and the world, between House and House himself, and between House and the viewers, decoding his behaviour and intentions. I am delighted to see that Wilson seems to have come to trust House's softer side, I believe that he is now convinced of how much House has changed - or perhaps the fact that he believes House has changed makes him see even clearer the good intentions that were often present in House's conscience, and which Wilson sometimes understood, but never quite like this, with such confidence in House's good nature.
I applaud the return of clinic duty, and with what an interesting patient - two very touching moments made possible by this patient: House's look after he visited the patient in the E.R. (after the "i'm a dad now" discussion) and the way he looked at the vet and his pregnant wife getting ready to leave the hospital. His expression suggested sadness and regret for all the chances he had wasted, for all the positive and meaningful experiences he refused himself for so many years.
Both the Foreman brothers subplot and the clinic patient's story indicate that House has come to value the concept of family in a way that we have never seen before, and this is in itself another highly impressive change in him.
Also, "chapeau" to the French accent scene, imitating Inspector Poirot (if i'm not mistaken) and the kitchen siege scene - the amazing high-quality "House" comedy, always a joy. And of course, the Taub scenes, ever so fun to watch.
And now onto less fun issues - i fully agree with you on Lucas, Barbara. I have not liked him in season 5 and I most certainly don't like him now. His motivations for the pranks are at least equally personal, as they are related to "protecting" Cuddy. Since she was obviously aware that Wilson had purchased "her" condo and was obviously fine with it, and also since she was against the idea of revenge and unaware of Lucas's pranks, my guess is that his personal motivation was much deeper and stronger than the "knight in shining armour for his girl" motivation.
My opinion is that Lucas is clearly frustrated by his untold competition with House - he is fully aware of and often mentions House's importance in Cuddy's life and her deep concern for him. We have seen Lucas checking with Cuddy very often about the issue of House, trying to make sure and questioning her in various ways. He is unsure of his relationship with Cuddy and he probably viewed the idea of moving in together in that appartment as a great way to escape his insecurities and consolidate the relationship, so to have that pulled from under his nose by House himself (in fact, by Wilson, but Lucas is not equally mad at the one who actually bought the place) must have made him furious.
He is perceptive enough to feel that he is probably just an intermezzo in her life (Miss Edelstein called him a "boytoy" in one of her today interviews, thank you for that, Lisa!) and he compensates for this frustration by escalating and punishing House in a war in which he takes the liberty of using whatever weapons necessary: cruelty, violence, blackmail and lies.
I cannot wait for next week's episode, it's always a treat to watch Lisa Edelstein at work and to get closer to Cuddy. It looks like a dramatic and emotional episode, and if it's anywhere near as good and important as "Wilson" was, it's gonna be amazing. I keep my fingers crossed for real emotional intimacy with House and Cuddy, his progress is so impressive and I really think it's high time she became aware of it. I also really feel that House should use her troubles in "5 to 9" in order to make up on the support and loyalty that he owes her, they are long overdue.
4 - Delia_Beatrice
wasn't the first to post, because i took forever in writing it. Sorry for taking undeserved credit:)
5 - barbara barnett
Thanks for your thoughtful comments so early! I try to shy away from overtly spoiling things in my episode reviews. I'll spoil a little more in my Lisa Edelstein interview (appearing tomorrow). I will say that I liked it: the story was great and LE held her own nicely throughout. House was in only a few scenes (which makes some sense), but they ere good scenes.
6 - Donna
I really liked this episode too. It was wonderful seeing Omar Epps finally given a story/script where he could deliver his bona fide acting chops vs the muted ones that have limited him for well over a season. Orlando Jones was a great casting choice paired w/Foreman as his brother Marcus. Also the weaving of the "family" and the "MTC" (multiple meanings)themes held the story together. And, as you stated, House was much more involved in the potw's case than of late.
Lastly, my favorite funny moment: Wilson trying to save the flat panel TV. Hilarious!
7 - barbara barnett
This is almost the first time I really felt Foreman's angst. Omar did a great job, and Orlando Jones was fabulous as older brother Marcus.
8 - Orange450
Thank you for your excellent review, Barbara. This was one of the episodes where I enjoyed your review more than I enjoyed the episode itself. But it's always so interesting to me to see how much all of our mileage actually does vary!
I agree that Omar Epps and Orlando Jones were both wonderful. But somehow I felt that the "seams" that connected the main and sub-plots were a little too much in evidence. The term "anvillicious" kept popping into my head during the episode, and somehow this one didn't feel quite as smooth as others this season have felt to me. Not meaning to belabor my point, but I did feel that this episode belabored several. And not that I didn't enjoy it, but I didn't even take a single note!
On the subject of Lucas - I think his character is changing too abruptly. He truly started out as a smart, perceptive and fairly sensitive guy (anyone who is referred to as "one of the 2 guys whom House considers a friend" really can't be all that bad, to begin with!) But I'm wondering whether he's being deliberately (and somewhat heavy-handedly) written worse and worse just to put him in an unequivocally bad light with Cuddy vis a vis House. If so, I'm a little disappointed. I've been liking him and enjoying his role, and if the plan is to have some sort of denouement for Cuddy, I'd hope that the choice wouldn't be rendered so obvious for her to make. I'd much rather there was some real tension and hard choosing involved. Maybe there still will be, so I won't get too upset just yet :)
9 - andree
What do we really know about Lucas? I get the feeling he doesn't make much money, hangs out at odd hours and if it weren't for his premature performance, would have wondered if he'd been with someone else that morning.
I'd like Cuddy to address what it is about Lucas she likes other than him helping her with Rachel. Hoping we'll get a compare and contrast moment from Cuddy concerning House and Lucas. Would help us to understand her choices and why she's dragging her feet to choose House now that he's let her know how he feels. Barbara, lookin forward to your Lisa E article tomorrow. Guessing LE didn't let much slip. She's too careful but I hope you'll give us some spoilers about the Cuddy episode so we know what to expect. Like is Lucas on the way out? Is Rachel the 3rd person in her bed at the end of the episode (Guessing so since the child is sick at the beginning.) Thanks!
10 - Val
Great review Barbara. Thanks for clearing up relevance of the title...I completely missed it not being a big football fan.
Upon first viewing, I felt it was was a bit blah. There are definitly some great elements, but it didn't really seem to blend. For me, the PotW came from left field and I am still trying to place him in the overall scheme of everyone: House in particular and even Foreman. Though I did enjoy seeing the CSI-effects return (whiteboard, whiteboard, whiteboard).
That being said, the other things that did stand out certainly made the episode most worthy. The Foreman brothers were wonderful. Epps put in a fine performance and Jones' first time out as Marcus was great; really enjoyable! This is the first time I've been on Foreman's side all season. I agree about that important moment re Foreman's mother and found House's annoucement of her passing a typical Housian low-blow; not his finest moment. But, I would respectfully disagree (and tell me if I am misunderstanding you)about House being distant from his mother. I would say he avoided seeing Blythe because of his strained relationship with John. My feeling is House felt he was a failure to his dad whereas Foreman seemingly had that issue with his mother, hence the avoidance and not telling anyone about their respective parents' passing.
Family. I felt it was a prevelant theme in this episode...another reason I liked it. More than once House said "Family is Family". I think he's truly starting to realize the importance of his PPTH "family". This is a side of House we haven't really discovered yet. I am curious to see it continue.
Wilson. I really Love him this season. I agree with your assessment on his role. He's always been our chorus to House's thoughts and the fact that Wilson realizes and accepts and supports House's growth makes it genuine. Favorite seen of the night had to be Wilson telling Chase and Taub they had a nice boss and Taub saying "I know". I really think he does. Taub and 13 have not experienced the earlier House that Chase and Foreman (and everyone else) did so they experience House differently.
Lucas. I don't know what has happened to him. Perhaps he always did have this much potential to be such a flat out mean guy...Poor House and Wilson!. He started out OK even though he was no Wilson and he certainly is no House. I think I saw this thought mentioned elsewhere...but, funny that House initially used him as a sub for Wilson and now, Cuddy is using him as a sub for a House she hoped to have. Well, I do hope she sees the light and she really puts things into perspective before dropping him like a hot potato! I have a feeling she will be none to happy when she finds out he lied to her about messing with House and Wilson.
So, even though the eppy seemed a bit blah, by the second view it was a good blah and certainly set a stage for possible things to come.
11 - PH
Wonderful review again Barbara.
I saw this as an episode that had a couple stepping stones that will play out in future shows.
I love that Lucas' true colors are showing through. From his male 'territorial' breakfast speech in 'Known Unknowns', to his devious deeds in this epi, we see his need to "establish his superiority", as boasted by Lucas himself.
** I love the scene in next week's '5 to 9'. Instead of just calling him a weasel (my pet name for him since his appearance last season), I will delightfully be able to call him a MinuteMan as well. ROFL -- Gotta give props to the writer for that, I'm guessing it was a she! **
I liked the slower pace of 'Moving the Chains'. I think alot of this season has episodes that are so crammed with story lines, the viewer doesn't get a chance to feel anything. I think it was more in keeping with the pace of Season 1 or 2.
Plus I enjoyed seeing some more of House's human side and the Hilson friendship. Wilson ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD his true motive behind his actions.
Wilson's recount of the opossum in the tub was beautifully acted, along with Chase's "What was that?" line. Had me laughing.
Cannot wait for next week!
12 - Veresna
I liked the show immensely. Looking forward to your interview with Lisa E., but after the barrage of interviews she's been doing, hope she had some time to have a little fun and maybe give a little more insight with you than the other 'quickie' chats I've seen in the past two days.
One thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned is that Foreman's mother was suffering from Alzheimer's, even three years ago she was only sometimes recognizing him. Although I have only seen this second-hand, through the eyes of a friend who went through this ordeal, it seems like you go through a loss and grieving period long before the physical death of the parent. And, of course, mourning is always different from person to person. I think the most surprising thing would have been that he hadn't taken time off to help his dad at that time.
13 - Nancy
The first viewing of the entire episode was a trip as Hugh Laurie said at the NAPTE panel last week about his directorial debut. Had I known the clinic patient was going to eventually severe his leg to stay home from the war I would've had a preconceived notion as how to react to the whole episode. So, in football terms(I've never watched football since high school) I can surmise that the players and the coach go down the field "moving the chains", but ahhh! they can't predict the ultimate outcome of the game. So, who wins? The clinic patient won on his own terms against a government that doesn't use the draft to replenish over used troops. The baby will have a Dad, is that the greatest sacrifice? As the football player asked Foreman as they were walking out to the football field to paraphrase "who was he not to sacrifice for his mother?" I guess Foreman had to stop punishing his mother for saying all those years ago after he stole the car that she would pray for him. I remember in the scene with his mother back in S3 she remembered him as her little boy Eric, Alzheimers I grant you but still poignant. So, what did the clinic patient did for his child, will the child reciprocate someday or will the child just not understand that sacrifice. Redemption is often sought after the game has been played and won. The football player wanted so much to help his mother but he didn't make it to the game. As House advised him he could just study hard and have a life like the other students in school. His mother seemed pleased with that too. I think the portrayal of House, Wilson and Lucas shows the immediate need to defend one's sacrifice against the unknown forces of life...namely Cuddy. If nothing else this episode shows how men will do anything to please the women in their lives, to protect them, to redeem themselves. House wanted this for Foreman so he hired his bro? As a friend says "oy." As for Lucas, he is going to be dumped by Cuddy for sure because the two men in her life want to protect her. Their sacrifice is outbidding Cuddy on the loft and living in it together.
14 - nc
Things I really liked:
1. POTW could have been portrayed as a "big, dumb jock," but he was a thoughtful, caring, smart young man who just happened to be the size of Mt. Everest.
2. Orlando Jones was terrific as Marcus, and seeing the history and dynamic of the brothers' relationship went a long way toward putting Foreman in emotional context. I always have liked Mr. Jones and his work; I hope we see Marcus again.
I liked the episode in general for other reasons besides the above, but those were two things I felt strongly about in specific.
But for me, a shadow hung over this episode for several reasons.
1. What Lucas did was criminal, destructive, vindictive, and way past "pranking." Breaking and entering, destruction of property, animal cruelty, some form of assault: this stuff is way beyond the pale. Most PIs I've met are very matter of fact about what they do. If this were Criminal Minds, Lucas would be the unsub. I did not like this character last season and I find him loathsome this year. And I just don't buy his relationship with Cuddy. If I were involved with a guy like that, I'd be afraid he'd planted a hidden camera in my bathroom or was tracking my finances. Or both. Ewww!
2. Surely House could have found some way to help the young soldier besides hinting that mutilating himself was a way out of his predicament? If we are to accept Lucas's outlandish antics, surely House could have done something less destructive to help the guy out.
3. The trajectory of the football player's illness cost him a shot at a pro career. I'm not a football fan, but I live with one; by osmosis, I have learned a bit about the game and its culture. There was no mention of whether he could have participated in the Combine, a college pro workout, or some other means to get his shot at being drafted or being a free agent. Obviously, diagnosing his problem and saving his life was the first priority, but you don't just give up a shot at a multi-million-dollar career, especially when it's tied to helping your family. It was as if his commitment to his mother ended along with his chance to play in the Senior Bowl.
Just my $0.02.
15 - Flo
I really liked this episode.
It was well written, the pace was good and the acting great.
House's humanity is showing more and more. The family is an important issue for a lot of characters in this show. No wonder why House could relate to Foreman. House can be a jerk but he always protected his team.
He is like a dad, ready to do anything for his kids to get better.
The parallel with the future dad clinic patient and Lucas was interesting.
The soldier was ready to do anything to be there for his future child and Lucas is ready to do anything to protect his relationship with Cuddy from House.
Only difference is House's and future dad's motivations were pure compared to Lucas'.
Cuddy was fine with House and Wilson getting the condo therefore, Lucas didn't have to do this. like you all said, it was mean ans unnecessary.
That being said, I must admit that I found his pranks very imaginative and well played. Like House said, "This guy is good". The opossum scene was hilarious.
I liked Lucas in season 5. He was fun. Now, his creepy side makes him just a jerk which is interesting.
I agree with Delia_Beatrice. I think he is frightened by House's place in Cuddy's life. In an earlier episode this season, he asked Cuddy if their relationship was about them or about House. It was a legitimate question, but like Delia said, I think, he knows that, somehow, she will always be faithful to House and he doesn't know what to do with this. He feels the need to mark his territory. The frustration of being just an "intermezzo" to quote Delia is bringing is creepy side full force.
We are not supposed to like him for sure and that's what we don't but I can see that he is not in a very good place right now and I can also understand his frustration because he seems to genuinely like Cuddy.
Onthe other hand, the pranks and making House fall in the cafeteria was too much. Unacceptable.
I think, little by little, Lucas's frustration and behavior will kill off the relationship in the end.
Looking forward to the Cuddy episode.
16 - janine
I really liked this episode for many reasons, but there are some aspects I thought should be mentioned.
First there is the Lucas thing. I agree, Barbara, that we are not supposed to like him, his purpose it that of Tritter, a road block for House. I don't think that his actions were to protect Cuddy (she didn't seem to mind about losing the condo and I honestly don't think she knew the full extent of the pranks Lucas played she only knew about the sprinkelers). Lucas was trying to protect himself. He knows that a large part of Cuddy's heart still belongs to House, therefore he is trying to keep House away from her at any means possible. I think that eventually Cuddy will find out what a weasle Lucas is and will change her mind about him. For now though, I don't mind the arc, Lucas is just a guy we love to hate.
There were two things in this episode that I thought were significant that you didn't point out. First was the kiss between Lucas and Cuddy. I know a lot of people did not like it because they don't like Lucas, but if you think about it, it showed Cuddy's true feelings about House. Before Cuddy kissed him, Lucas was talking about how Cuddy did not want him to continue with the pranks because she did not want House to suffer. He said that she felt guilty about being with him and Cuddy kissed Lucas, not out of love, but to shut him up and distract him. It shows us that what LUcas was saying was true, Cuddy does feel guilty but she has been trying to supress that (imho) since that dance scene in Known Unknowns because she is still afraid to be with House. Second was the final scene with the clinic patient. I felt that when House made the comment about not taking the antibiotics, he was trying to show the patient that he would be an idiot to sacrafice his foot to aviod war, therefore the expression on his face in the final scene was one of general surprise. I felt that House saw himself, shades of Three Stories, in this guy.When Stacey wanted House to give in and lose his leg, he refused, he would have rathered died that sacrafice for the woman he loved. This patient did the oppotist, something I think House would now be willing to do for Cuddy or even Wilson.
One last thing (sorry this post is so long) but did anyone else think that that line, "you got a girl pregnant, you're still just another guy" had some sort of significant meaning that we will find out later. I know earlier this year a roumor of the fanile invloving House's long lost son was dispelled, but I still feel like this line was important. Maybe it is just because of House's relationship with his father, who was not his biological Father.
17 - Eve K
Thanx for the review!
Janine - I agree with you that House did not put the soldier up to loosing his foot. House was surprised at the end. The comment "you got a girl pregnant, you're still just another guy" was about the guy trying to make this about family, in reality it was about saving himself. But still a big sacrifice, and it benefited his new family. (although he may not have a physical job in a while with one leg)
The question in this epiosode seems to be - are you doing it for you - or for others.(family, friends, lovers, co-workers) And even if you are doing it just for you - why do it at all? All the things who has been done in this episode has great emotional or physical risk for the ones involved.
We can agree that Lucas is doing it for himself. But why bother? As someone pointed out, he must feel that House is a big threat. And of course House pics up on that and that's why he don't seek revenge - for now.
House is at this point in his life obviously going through some changes, and it seems like he is doing nice stuff for others without having egoistical goals. But IMHO he has always done nice things, and not told anyone about it (We knew). So what's new? It seems more thought trough, more conscious. And before he was doing nice things to patients, to strangers, now he is doing it to people who are closer to him.
18 - janine
good point about how the change in House is that he is now doing nice stuff for people who matter. It shows he is realizing what is improtant in life.
I agree totally that Lucas is completely threatened by House and that is why he is feels the need to stoop to inappropriate (albiet hilarious and entertaining to watch) pranks.
For those of you who don't like Lucas I think watching the first four minutes of 5 to 9 might make you feel a little better (it involves sex but watch to the end)
19 - janine
forgot to mention this in my two earlier posts, but i think there was a mistake in the episode. When Marcus is telling the story about him and Foreman stealing the car, he says that he was 16 and Foreman was 14. In season one, i'm pretty sure House says that Foreman was 16 when he was arrested for stealing a car. Am I wrong, or did the writers make an error?
20 - Donna
Lucas' latest behavior displays have really made me uneasy. As nc‘s post stated, his behavior has officially gone beyond the prank level. Lucas literally destroyed Wilson and House's condo and attempted to physically harm House, at home and in the PPTH cafeteria. As some have already stated, the boy most certainly is threatened by Cuddy's friendship w/H&W (esp House) even though it’s been pretty much been non-existent of late. I worry that Lucas’ behaviors will become increasingly dangerous. JMO. Hope I’m wrong.
21 - barbara barnett
janine--continuity! Good thing time is not a fixed construct. It's probably an error. Or maybe House was wrong in season one ;)
22 - janine
House could have very easily been wrong in season one, after all he got his info from Foreman's old gym teacher. I just though it kind of odd since FOremans age when he was arrested has been mentioned more than once. oh well, a minor snag in an otherwise great episode
23 - Delia_Beatrice
VAL - perhaps you read about that season 5 - season 6 parallel (using Lucas as a substitute, first by House in the absence of Wilson, now by Cuddy in the absence of her desired relationship with House), in one of my previous posts - I have really repeated myself with that one a few times, because it's significat that the writers chose to build this creative structure and draw this parallel so clearly.
FLO - thank you for sharing my views:) As I just said, yes, it's most likely that Lucas's role in the story is to act as a temporary distration for Cuddy, as a bandaid to her hurt ego and as a bridge towards a better House-Cuddy relationship.
We all know how lonely she was and how deep her desire for a family has been, we all know that she is insecure and far less mature emotionally than she is intelectually and professionally. We can easily assume that she searched for someone, anyone, who really likes her, in order to heal her hurt ego, to help her move a little away from House and to give her the illusion of having a "normal" family that she so craved. The fact that Lucas also resembles House on some level must have been a bonus:) But this has been going on for quite a while, and it seems like she has tried hard to make things work with Lucas. She forced herself to like him more than she normally would have, she forced herself to ignore the fact that he is inferior to her (and to House) in every single way. She seems a bit tired of nurturing her illusions - i fully agree with Janine that the kiss Cuddy gave Lucas was meant to shut him up, not as a proof of devotion. Her reaction to him in the beginning of "5 to 9" and the impressive "passion" in their sexual life is further prof that she's getting sick of it.
However, I too am worried about the outcome of the "Luddy" arc - several versions for that: a) she breaks up with him because she becomes fully aware of her feelings for House b) she breaks up with him because Lucas disappoints her c)she wants House, but stays a while longer with Lucas, struggling with guilt d)Lucas realizes that he's lost the game and he breaks up with her, stepping out.
Eve K - i respectfully disagree about the motive of House's refusal to fight back against Lucas. I think House actually bought Lucas's lie, about Cuddy not knowing that they got the condo. At the end of "Wilson", House and Wilson were worried about her reaction and it is never mentioned whether she found out about it or not. When Lucas threatened to tell Cuddy about their "betrayal" of her trust and friendship, the looks on House's and Wilson's faces showed genuine guilt. So my opinion is that House did not want to escalate the war with Lucas, because he actually wanted to avoid hurting Cuddy and fighting with her, to avoid the situation in which Lucas tells Cuddy his version of the story and she is disappointed in House and Wilson.
24 - Eve K
Delia_B I just rewatched the episode and I guess you are rigth about Houses reasons not to fight back.
A pity though, that House couldn't see how insecure Lucas is about his relationship with Cuddy. Maybe its because he is so insecure about Cuddy himself.
25 - barbara barnett
Delia--I think you are right about House's motivations for not retaliating--but also that just like in last year's episode where Cuddy kept pulling mean stuff on him in retribution there are times he just doesn't want to escalate. He wants things to go back to normal (or some version thereof)