Saving the life of a CEO is a Risky Business for House, M.D.
"Risky Business" is the perfect title for this week's House, M.D. The concerns Thad (Michael Nouri), the dying CEO of a manufacturing company about to move his business offshore and across the world, the cheaper labor market of Asia. Thousands of American jobs are at risk. Thad's daughter insists that her father has reasons other than financial self-interest at stake, but she risks her relationship with him, refusing to be a party to his relocation plan.…
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26 - smk46
the show is a shadow of its former self because house is no longer a fully realized character. hugh laurie does his best, but it isn't possible to work with the scripts he has been given this year and make house the deep and fascinating man he was before season 7 ended. the writing isn't up to the task. recycled plot situations, lack of humor, resolution of conflict with violence, dull medicine...none of these were part of the show before but are now. and with the main character as non-empathetic as house has been made, how can the show survive? for this season to succeed, our hero has to be given some depth and complexity that rings true so we can care about him again. if we don't care, we won't watch.
27 - Josie123
I found this episode really boring. I'm tired of seeing a cartoonish House. At the end of the episode, I was disgusted to see valuable medical equipment destroyed just to see someone vent out their anger. Why would a rational person, Adams, even listen to House who has emotional issues and a criminal past?
House seems to be trying to be useful, "the benevolent puppet master" and is not dealing with his own personal issues. Do you think he's going to crash soon? Once his team is reassembled, do you think his past is going to haunt him? Perhaps solving medical cases is not enough? Any thoughts where this season is going? Do you see House heading back to a "dark place"?
28 - Barbara barnett
Earthorbiter,
I still have lots of affinity for House and the show. That wasn't the issue for me. This was the first episode all season where I felt something was off, and just enough to bother me.
29 - Amy
I am very impressed with all the comments here concerning this episode. The remarks are very caring and insightful. I hope the producers read them all, learn from their wisdom, and act accordingly.
30 - charlea
I just watch this episode and I'm sorry, but I hold not a this season 8.
I repeat what I said last time.... he lacks pace, missing someone to counter house.... and the producer have left it go.
Foreman is soft, non-existent ds the episodes, and at the same time when he appears it is not essential was the episode
I am fan of the series since the beginning, but here I must confess that even if by fidelity I slot the series to the end is missing something, someone....
31 - RobRow
HouseMDFan, I agree, I found that one hard to follow and needed to watch it twice, just to understand it. There were still the show's defaults to enjoy, and Park's victory dance made me chuckle. I get the sense that things are going on with House's character beneath the surface. I hope more will be revealed next episode.
32 - bigHousefan
I am an admitted House addict and in love with the character. In this episode, I saw House scheming under the radar to help Dr. Park. I saw House's insatiable curiosity trying to pick apart Dr. Adams. I saw the 12 year old child in House mad that others had 'his' outer office and try to get it back. I saw House risking himself for the benefit of others while arguably the gains ultimately benefit House.
In Charity Case, House mocked charity but was in the end truly charitable. In this episode, House mocked loyalty, but House used his 'winnings' to refund his department and hire Adams, Chase and Taub. (He could have gone to Figi :) I saw this all as trying to make amends.
I did find the financial scheming a little hard to follow, it took me a second viewing to figure it out. I appreciate the difficult task of trying to 'clean up' after last season, deal with the loss of Cuddy, get House back in his role at PPTH in the aftermath of last season's finale, all this while not significantly changing his character AND getting all of this explaining done early on so they can start writing episodes that work accommodating all the changes in staff and in House's life.
I guess my viewing comes from a position of cutting them a little slack, and, I really enjoyed the episode. I could have used a lot more Wilson in the mix because to my mind there can never be enough House/Wilson 'repartee'.
I agree with Barbara that there was a lot of House just being a jerk and I really didn't like the blackmail attempt. House's benevolence was too under the surface, but it was there.
I hope now that the table is set we will see more of the introspective, playing piano in the dark, House!
33 - Margdee
I so love this show but lately, especially with this episode, I felt so sad when it ended. House is so mean, so devious, so quick to punch someone in the face. It's not attractive anymore. What has happened here? It's very disturbing.
David Shore stated he would know by this point in time whether or not there would be another season of HOUSE. Has anyone heard anthing along this line?
34 - bluehue
I couldn't agree more..with your review. "It lacked gravitas," which is why I was more intrigued with jerky House in "Fall from Grace." That episode had meaning, empathy AND a big splash..along with the misbehavior.
For the first time, I actually found myself not paying attention during "Risky Buisiness," except during the final scene when House handed Adams the baseball bat, took his seat to watch the bone shattering exercise..securing a pair of safety glasses on his face...did not offer her a protective pair..hmmmm, it made the smash therapy uncomfortable for me..as the broken bits flew. TO DO: Call in the janitor, clean up the mess..and on to next week.
(Okay..one more "vent." I didn't care for the title of "Risky Buisiness either, just too obvious).
35 - Allison
House and Dr Park are the best "team" on tv. Charlyne Yi has brought some much needed life back to the series.
36 - The Other Barnett
Allison, I agree that House and Park are an fun team to watch, but the best? No, cannot go that far.
Yi is this intellectually stunning, spiritually sardonic, and emotionally/socially stunted being. The fact that she bonds with House at times is a fun thing to watch.
I'd suggest that Adams and House are building some version of a Cameron/13 thing. House finds Adams attractive, but also finds her brimming with personal qualities that could be exploited or mocked. And she is so much more attractive than Cameron or 13....*purr*.
I think that the show was flippant on House's machinations around the PoTW. It did not show the gravity of what was happening with the stroke of the pen (for House and also for the unnamed employees and the daughter).
But I did watch the episode again, too (HouseMDFan) and I did find myself enjoying it more.
37 - djesus
What a bad ep, no pace, no emotion, House has issues with violence, it's the only part interesting in this ep.
38 - Elisabeth
I think that we all need to chill a bit and accept that these first few episodes are going to feel funny to us... the devoted fans. The writers are going to take a little time to re-set these characters. I agree with many of you that House, especially, seems light and superficial and maybe not at the center of the show. It makes me nervous. I agree with Barbara that I always want House to be the smartest person in the room. So, change the characters, change the scenery, but don't change the essential gestalt. That would throw us all off and make us not recognize the House character. And the House character is what we all tune in for...
39 - tipitinatoo
Great review by BB and very insightful comments by all. Although I remain firm that the writing is not up to par, I do concede that I've had to watch several of the better shows from prior seasons more than once to fully appreciate them, so you've convinced me I need to give this episode another viewing, too, Clearly, all of you are very keen observers. Thanks, and let's hope we're all feeling bolstered about our fave M.D. and his team by this time next week. Cheers!
40 - GMF
#5cecile. First off HL has NEVER or NEVER will phone in an episode. I am disgusted with the tone of these so called fans of the show. Like it fine dont then switch off and watch something else. I am sick of all the negatives here and on other sites. You will all be happy no doubt that this may be the last season, and we will loose the best actor on TV. What will you all watch then.
41 - Earth Orbiter
Say what you will; however, to expect dignity from a show whose characters are no longer afforded dignity by its own writers is - at best - quite a leap of faith. "Nobility" has never really been a part of "House, M.D." writer's lexicon. David Shore IS a lawyer, after all; worse yet, he's a lawyer who plays "doctor" the way only a lawyer could, and "gravitas" was a failed philosophical sentiment of a dead civilization.
42 - sara
I miss Cameron :(
43 - bluehue
@Elisabeth, Nice..supportive comment. Officially chilled.
@sara, I recently read a quote..something like, "the definition of agony is hoping..wishing for something you cannot have." :(
Checking out JM's new show..may help ease your pain.
44 - KMC
From GMF:I am disgusted with the tone of these so called fans of the show. Like it fine dont then switch off and watch something else. I am sick of all the negatives here and on other sites. You will all be happy no doubt that this may be the last season, and we will loose the best actor on TV. What will you all watch then.
Being long time fans has earned us the right to be critical of the show we all watch. That fact that you are reading so many negative reviews here and on other sites should be telling you something...people don't like what they're seeing and what's happening to the show they love. For me personally..I've seen too many shows that I've cared about take a long slow slide down to mediocrity because The Powers That Be didn't know enough to call it a day and wrap things up. I was hoping that wouldn't happen to House, and I still have hope that they can bring the characters and the show to a satisfying conclusion...but that doesn't mean I'm happy with what I'm seeing now...and I'm not going to lie and say I am. I admire Hugh Laurie's and RSL's work...seen them both live and it was worth the trip every time...and I will keep watching House and hope for the best.
45 - Cyndi Tessler
Barbara, You are right on target. I keep having this nagging feeling that since this is the last season, the writers have mentally quit already. The episodes are dragging. House is just too much of an ass, it's getting old. And yes, he did help Parks, but too much of the show is him being a low life. In addition, I find myself rewinding to understand what Parks says. My sister told me last week that she has sopped watching as she can't understand a word Parks says.
We're not that old, Parks just mumbles. I understand it's her character, but really annoying! Glad Chase and Taub are coming back on Monday. Does Taub now have two children?
46 - The Other Barnett
Cyndi @45
If Taub has two children, I hope House can find some enjoyable pop reference to stick the needle in a bit....or he could go into Hebrew history and reference Jacob's preference for one wife (and therefor children) over the other(s).
47 - AreKay
Lost electricity last Saturday afternoon due to winter storm Alfred and didn't get it back until last evening so I missed "Risky Business". The cable is still out but it better be back before 9 PM Monday or things may get ugly!!!
48 - Earth Orbiter
THREE days without TV? The horror!
49 - rsg
For the first time ever I've actually waited to re-watch episodes of House. I've just started watching season 7 once more, and tonight watched ep 2 again. It struck me that, unlike lately when watching House, in the first 15 minutes I laughed at the dialog, was impressed by the chemistry between House and Cuddy, (ok- of course that's not happening now), and then House and Wilson....and enjoyed the differential between House and his team.
Boy do I miss those days! It wasn't clear to me how much I was missing that until reviewing this last season 7 episode.....sigh. Enough to get me to post again since the last year!!
Barbara, thanks for the great work you do- I love this blog , though I miss many of your past consistent posters, and your book:)
50 - Susan
@rsg - I saw a rerun last week of "Top Secret" and that also got me missing the old days on "House". The banter and spark between House and Cuddy, House and Wilson, House catheterizing himself when he couldn't pee for days, etc.
Risky Business was both boring and made me dislike House more, his financial scheming, having Adams bash the medical equipment, and worst of all, the shenanigans with the next door orthopedics department.......Come on, he shines a light into the eyes of a doctor with a saw, cutting a cast off....This gets more ridiculous than the usual.
For the first time in a year and a half my husband refused to sit down and watch House. He said it's boring, specifically without Cuddy. And to EarthOrbiter - I'm not an enslaved LE fan (I watched her once on the Good Wife and that was enough) but I thought and still think that Cuddy was the light of the hospital and that whether she's with House as a couple or not, the show is not the same without her.
51 - Earth Orbiter
"Slavering," not "enslaved."
52 - AreKay
@Earth Orbiter-
It's now been SIX days with no TV...I'm going through withdrawl!!! LOL!!!
53 - Earth Orbiter
@AreKay: TV withdrawal: muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea... Bummer.
54 - Oversimplified
Great review Barbara. Thank you. I think this episode was an example of where they do try and layer on the jerk with a trowel and then temper it, unsuccessfully, with 'benevolent' acts that aren't actually that benevolent. One of the problems though is that it just doesn't tally with what happened the week before in 'Charity Case' where House told the patient to give the money to his family, as people have pointed out. I'm afraid that in this move 'Back to Basics' and being case-centric again, they seem to have made the protagonist's personality into a moveable feast that'll suit the plot each week, rather than what it's always been in my opinion,- character-led. Contrary to Shore's assertion that he doesn't change, he does now: weekly. In 'Risky Business' House was pretty much a parody of himself, but a cruel one and much more Moriarty than Holmes.
I just didn't see the humour in making another Doctor physically sick and then nearly punching them, all because they are going about their business in the space that you sacrificed when you quite rightly went to prison. The tricks House used to play on the other doctors were once intelligent and, on the whole, more annoying than harmful. This wasn't anything close to intelligent, and I'm afraid this whole new thread of him expressing himself through violence is diminishing the genius that he was once portrayed to be. It's also weak writing. It's one thing punching Chase because you feel massively betrayed by him, but another to go to punch someone because they are practicing medicine in the area that your department once inhabited. I mean, really?! In my eyes he's becoming an unpalatable bully like Tritter, Vogler and his own father. It really is getting increasingly harder to reconcile the fact that a couple of years ago these same people were getting plaudits from NAMI for highlighting mental illness when here their protagonist threatens to use China's cultural dismissal of it as weakness against his patient; or indeed that they were writing episodes worthy of a Humanitas nomination ('Help Me') when now they resort to violence for both 'humourous' and 'dramatic' purposes at every opportunity. What the Hell happened?
The logic and morality of him securing the money for the funding of the department was flawed too. Whatever way you look at it, insisting someone sign a major deal so you can benefit from insider trading so soon after treatment, is morally and legally dubious regardless of whether or not he'd already made up his mind. Once upon a time there'd have been an in-depth delving into the consequences rather than a weakly argued dismissal of patriotism that ignores the fact that although China has a cheap workforce, they also treat them like dirt and aren't exactly familiar with human rights. What about all the people who'd been loyal and would lose their jobs? Them possibly not being able to afford to pay their mortgages or the insurance for their healthcare, and the effect this would have on them and their families was completely glossed over. I get the feeling that for a lot of people who've lost their jobs as a result of the recession, that wouldn't sit too well with them. At this point they really can't afford to alienate any more viewers right now either. House 'needing' the DDX room back and even Chase and Taub, (God knows I'll be happy to see them at this point), as a justification for his actions doesn't make too much sense either. I doubt a larger area in which to insult the ducklings would make too much difference to the treatment of patients, and the fact that he hasn't lost a patient since he came back from prison seems to indicate that the department is functioning well enough without them. Let's be honest, the whole thing was a contrived means of getting 'back to normal', but also an unwitting means of damaging the character further. That end scene where he handed Adams the baseball bat didn't come across as him helping her out, but more like him dragging her down to his level. There was a massive parallel between House and the POTW here, in that them securing the future of their respective company/department was more out of pride and vanity than any altruistic need to make amends: this was where Nouri's anecdote about the Chinese CEO of the company who went bust after generations of building temples came into play. There was no sympathy for his or that person's workers. Just the fear that he'd be humiliated in the same way, and similarly House re-aquiring his work space and some of his former team felt more like him getting some of his self-worth back, rather him getting his department back fit for purpose. Yeah sure he gave Foreman more money than he necessarily needed, but he did make that money on the backs of people probably losing access to the healthcare that the hospital provides. With Cuddy gone and Wilson taking a backseat, (and basically providing summaries of what's gone on during the episodes for those who haven't kept up or who left in the middle for refreshments), there's nobody left to really challenge him, which I always thought was important and is generally with anybody in a position of power. He and Foreman agree to not get in each other's way, Taub and Chase always do what he says anyway, and as much as they try to push Park and Adams into Cuddy's role to varying degrees they are still his subordinates. In effect House is getting what he 'wants' and not what he 'needs', which is a dangerous prospect for a character that has a 'God Complex' that's now more rampant than ever. It's also less interesting to watch and displays less finesse from the writers. It's easy to create a character who's an outright jerk, but much harder to write one who has some really dubious characteristics, but who nevertheless incites empathy and identification. I felt neither of those for House in this episode and it's at times like these that I miss what Lawrence Kaplow and Doris Egan brought to the table: the ability to make these flawed characters human and three-dimensional.
One thing this episode did cement in my mind was that Fox are interfering left, right and centre in the creative process. I'm expecting anti-abortion and pro-gun rights stories at some point this season.
55 - Earth Orbiter
@Oversimplifed - Re your last paragraph: I wouldn't worry about that. The writers are not that deep, nor are they particularly up to speed on sociopolitical issues.
56 - lobentti
Well, a jerk in love is quite different from a jerk :/ And, by the way, why are they keeping this anti-love Thaub story? Boring, boring,boring...
57 - smk46
oversimplified, in your first two paragraphs #54, you have put your finger on what is the real problem with this season. well said but too true, alas, for gregory house and us viewers who have loved him.
58 - Blacktop
Oversimplified, what a superb summary of "House's" ills this season. I am afraid that with the absence of Lawrence Kaplow, Doris Egan, Lisa Edelstein, and Katie Jacobson, the show has lost it's heart... and it's way.
59 - elliecatt
I thought it was just me having a 'sour grapes' attitude about the direction my once favourite show has taken. I am so glad to know that it isn't just me that sees it. except for a handful of posts the overwhelming consensus is that the show has lost a step and the qualities that once made it so awesome and so different than anything else out there. I last posted in May after the debacle of a season finale, so disappointed and grief-stricken over what DS had done that I was not going to even return to follow the show this season. in the end I began to follow this season, albeit awhile after it began. I had never removed the record time from my DVR. I watch only because I am such a fan of Hugh Laurie but I gotta say that along with the whole show, even Hugh isn't nearly up to his potential. someone made the comment of him 'phoning it in' and I wholeheartedly agree. I just can't get over what has been done. fine, I know LE left, but FOREMAN?? REALLY??!? its not like he was even remotely likeable before (IMO. I have disliked this humourless, arrogant git from the first season. I always enjoyed seeing him put firmly back in his place. if they wanted to further humiliate and drag down the character of Greg House this was a great start by making Foreman DEAN. it made me nauseous to see that condescending fart put in charge of House. to me he has always been disingenuous, slightly malevolent, definitely too big for his britches and not to be trusted. here again, my opinion only. love Omar, hate Foreman. but that isn't the whole issue here. I think I am the only one who dislikes the idea of Foreman being Dean and House's boss. the show already went off the rails with season 7's finale and unless something miraculous happens it is beyond redemption. the two newbies are grating and unnecessary in that order. Yi's character is just a joke and the other one is clearly supposed to be Cameron #2. she isn't compelling enough to be a fitting replacement for 13. they need to go. sooner than later. while I am thrilled that Chase and Taub are returning, I doubt that even they can inject any new life into this shell of a show. House is nothing more that a tired buffoon now, with none of the broody, soulful and dark intensity that made him SO completely interesting. (and slightly intimidating). the GH of old was an ass, true, but he was an ass I respected, and the underlying influence his pain had on him made him cranky as hell, but he was by god a frickin GENIUS anyway. a force to be reckoned with. not someone you were compelled to like, but someone you could respect by virtue of the fact that they had a gift nobody else even came close to. over the years his character has lightened up some, sometimes too much IMO but still retained the darker introspection. now he's just a caricature, as so many have stated. now he is not only unlikeable, but not respectable and too over the top juvenile. he's SILLY. not in a good way. with Cuddy gone there is a huge hole, no question, but the writers could have tried harder to make it work. they have pushed too many changes, none of them good and at this point I think I watch for the train-wreck value more than anything. that and the weak hope that something great will happen. but, and let me once again clarify that this is only MY opinion, the bottom line is that David Shore created the show, and it was his to destroy. which he has done, masterfully. he comes off as a narcissistic, arrogant jerk who doesn't give a toss about his fans if it interferes with what he wants to do. what he wanted to do obviously is to take a unique, genius thing of beauty that was close to magical to watch and twist it to such a complete mess that all its loyal fans are sent into mourning for what once was. much of this was said tongue-in-cheek, everyone. I said 'much', not 'all'! I've gone on way too long anyway. in the end, while I think the show COULD be redeemed, I don't expect it to be. it feels like nobody cares anymore and that, more than anything, is a crying shame. House, the show and the character deserved so much more. so does Hugh.
60 - BrokenLeg
54 @ Oversimplified
As 57 @smk46 & 58@Blacktop,I agree in all your so devilish well articulated post, that is a clear resume of all the problems we’re finding this season. I couldn’t agree more!!...Except your last paragraph. As 55@ Earth Orbiter, I don’t think FOX will never interfere in sociopolitical issues. By the way, Earth Orbiter, your @41 post is good too.
As 45@Cyndi Tessler has said:”.. the writers have mentally quit already”, or more properly, maybe quitted mid past season!...Sadly
61 - BrokenLeg
59@elliecat
My friend, “It isn’t only just you”. And yes, “the overwhelming consensus is that the show has lost a step and the qualities that once made it so awesome and so different than anything else out there”. And not only in this BB thread. Visit other forums, and you can see the same feeling ( I ask myself if TPTB visit them from time to time).
And yes, as you noted: “House is nothing more that a tired buffoon now, with none of the broody, soulful and dark intensity that made him SO completely interesting”.
But the rest of your post is so hopeless that hurts. It hurts to see deep and so much sadness in it. To your comfort, maybe something great may still happen. At least on a recent interview, HL spoke about a BIG EVENT to come. “Colossal” one he defined it. Maybe that can be the so much needed “turning point” this season, who knows……
62 - Oversimplified
@55 Earth Orbiter & 60 BrokenLeg
Oh I don't know. I've read too much about both the news and Film/TV arm of Fox to be surprised by anything. All stations/networks have mission statements that might as well be statements of political intent. If/when the ratings worsen anymore they'll interfere all the more. It's also happening with 'Family Guy' which has just aired a pretty dubious ep revolving around domestic violence, when a while back they censored an ep that was essentially pro-abortion. As this new 'violent angle' is further explored I'll not be surprised if they have mini tanks with the word 'kaboom' emblazoned on the side rolling down the corridors of PPTH in a new take on product placement.
By the way are they just ignoring the issues with the pain in his leg?
63 - AreKay
Finally got my cable back after nine days(I can watch tonight's episode of HOUSE - Hooray!!!) but my celebration is tempered by the fact that thousands here in CT are still cold and in the dark without electricity. Winter storm Alfred did tremendous tree and power line damage. It is estimated that full power may not be restored till Wednesday or perhaps Thursday.
64 - Earth Orbiter
AreKay: Even with all of our technology, Mother Nature can still come along and kick our @ss. I spent the day shoving the 18" of snow that fell yesterday (Alaska). In any event, welcome back to civilization.