“I told her to find you,” House recalls, telling it haltingly, emotionally, as the terrible impact hits him, recognizing his responsibility in Amber’s situation. It’s a quiet moment of grief, sadness, and regret. And recognition. And with that recognition comes House’s understanding that this is something than cannot be fixed. It is raw emotion, made exquisitely powerful by the close-up twin shots of House, agonizing over what he has (albeit inadvertently) caused, and the moment when Wilson knows that he’s going to lose Amber. Their fates are sealed. Amber is going to die. “There is nothing we could have done. I’m so, so sorry,” implores House, tears streaming down his face.
Now knowing that Amber is going to die, Cuddy begs Wilson to wake her up, so that he can have closure, have a chance to “say goodbye.” It is a powerful moment as Wilson wonders why she isn’t angry at him; at House, at the world. “Anger isn’t the last emotion I want to feel,” says Amber, resigned to her fate, and comfortable in the knowledge that for maybe the first time, she has experienced both love and respect, which is what she originally told House that Wilson gave her, and something she said that has always eluded her.
And House is left in a coma, having suffered a complex partial seizure, worsening his already badly injured brain. In yet another powerful moment, House wrestles with whether he can face life (and Wilson). “I want to stay here with you,” he tells Amber on the bus now bathed in a comforting white light, that clearly beckons House. It beckons him to a place where you don’t hurt and there are no betrayals. It is safe and free of despair. But it is not his time. “You can’t always get what you want,” she says. And Amber sends him back to the land of the living because (I think) she knows, that as angry as Wilson might be with House, Wilson will need House more than ever to get through his grief.
And so House struggles through the fog to awaken, and finds Cuddy, teary-eyed at his side, grateful to simply have him alive and aware. He tries to speak. “I’ve got to…” (I believe the rest of the sentence is “speak to Wilson”). But Cuddy only quiets him, telling him not to try and speak, to just rest. And as weak as he is, he can do nothing else. And Cuddy, House’s guardian angel so often, sits vigil at his at his bedside, holding his hand and weeping for him, for Amber, and for Wilson.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Buds
Great article, Barbara. Amazing in-sights. Awesome episode. I am still in shock from watching it, so I'll hold off on saying anything right now. Gonna have to watch it a couple of times before I think I will able to express my views on it properly.
2 - Mary Dagmar Davies
Thank you for this insightful commentary on the season four finale of House MD. Indeed it is the nobility of House, so clearly defined here, which sets him apart from other television characters. I hope the Emmy judges read your reviews of this and 'House's Head' because both these episodes contained the finest work of so many gifted artists of a magnificent cast and crew.
3 - Veresna Ussep
Thank you for this and for all of your wonderful, thoughtful reviews. I could not help but wonder as I heard his dialogue with 'Amber' (or with himself, if you prefer), that he was also asking himself if he could dare to try and rise above his "self-pity and self-loathing" and to really and truly attempt to try to NOT be "misreable". And I couldn't help but feel a bit of forboding. We saw the depths of his despair in Season 3 when, after a taste of being 'whole' again, he was plunged back into physical pain and impairment. One can only imagine the depths of his despair should he try to pull down those formidible emotional walls he has surrounded himself, and be rebuffed by those he tries to connect with.
4 - Susanne
Thankyou Barbara for such a beautiful, insightful review.
I loved this episode to bits and I bawled my eyes out on several House/cuddy/wilson/amber scenes. I could not stop crying throughout the last scenes. When I thought my waterworks was gone they had to show wilson in his bed all alone with only a piece of paper and her handwriting on it reminding him how she came to her death just made me finish off the last of my tissues, I had to have my husband hold me all night because of it. I loved the scenes with Cuddy and House at the end always being there for him in the end. I loved how she stood strong for wilson and House and gave House his strength.
I swear HL and RSL ar brillaint high class actors! They deserve those emmys and so does AD. The raw emotions in their facial expressions, tone of voice, body language is so perfect that it can evoke any emotions from a person. The new team were good today. I didn't really care for 13 though but i did feel a little for her. Loved how the old team reunited and in their spot similar to Half Wit. I loved how cameron silently comforted wilson, I bet she knows the pain he is going through. But once again we see the heart and the humanity in House behind all of his defence mechanisms and we see all the love, pain and guilt that he has.
It is a real shame that the writer's strike interrupted what it looked like to be a great second half of the season. I would like to see the old team more so I am hoping we will see more of them next season. I am looking foreward to the explorations of the House/wilson relationship and if I see more moments like this eps between House and cuddy I am more than open to see it happen.
I love the music and this might be just me but I thought that Amber/house dream seduction was hot especially on HL. I don't know how KJ does it. She seems to get HL to be more comfortable to do these types of scenes whether it is with JM or AD Hl seems less tense then ususal. I really thought that scene was sexy but I was glad they didn't have an affair.
This is going to be a long wait. Thanks a lot Barbara.
5 - Elizabeth
What an amazing review--anticipated, as always, almost as much as the episode itself.
But not quite. :)
I think it was great that the writers decided to wrap up this more humorous season with two episodes of this strength, making up for any of those "deep" scenes that may have been missing from "No More Mr. NIce Guy" and "Living the Dream." I loved both of the finale episodes, although I think I enjoyed "House's Head" more. "Wilson's Heart" was just too depressing, especially after the surprising and twisted BONES season finale. Also, Hugh Laurie had considerably less camera time in part II (and we all like looking at him :P). I enjoyed it immensely, though, and thought it was very clever that they used the song "Teardrop"--the nonvocals of which are the HOUSE theme song--in the episode itself. A great review to a great episode. Can't wait for September!
6 - Orange450
Barbara, thank you for your wonderful House reviews! I can't believe that you've only been doing them for one season. I really want you to know how immeasurably they (and you) enhance my enjoyment of the show. You generally express exactly what I'm thinking and feeling in words and phrases that I could never dream of putting together. (And even when I don't absolutely agree with every opinion you express - I'm in awe of the language with which you express it :-))
So thank your for your perfect wrap-up of the perfect season finale. (I honestly don't see how it could have been improved upon - yes of course I was rooting for Amber to live and stay on, but no character or actor could have asked for a better exit.) It left me sad *and* comforted, satisfied *and* wanting more. What could be better?
Looking forward to your earlier episode reviews throughout the summer!
7 - Orange450
Barbara, thank you for your wonderful House reviews! I can't believe that you've only been doing them for one season. I really want you to know how immeasurably they (and you) enhance my enjoyment of the show. You generally express exactly what I'm thinking and feeling in words and phrases that I could never dream of putting together. (And even when I don't absolutely agree with every opinion you express - I'm in awe of the language with which you express it :-))
So thank your for your perfect wrap-up of the perfect season finale. (I honestly don't see how it could have been improved upon - yes of course I was rooting for Amber to live and stay on, but no character or actor could have asked for a better exit.) It left me sad *and* comforted, satisfied *and* wanting more. What could be better?
Looking forward to your earlier episode reviews throughout the summer!
8 - HouseCall 123
Brilliantly insightful!
9 - Robin
Devestating and heartbreaking are the only words I have for it. I did not sleep well that night. This was one of the few times a show left me emotionaly drained. I am glad the writers didn't go the cheap route with an affair for shock value. House's fantasies and clues were leading that way but this show often zigs when you think its going to zag. That was an incredible look of fear and disappointment House gave Wilson from the chair. And Wilson gave no hint of comfort back. They both knew a barrier was perhaps being built. I think House went thru with it, not only to help Wilson, but he needed to know what happened between him and Amber and what was the symptom he saw. I hear the S5 H/W arc will be 10 episodes long. I think its going to be a grueling experience for both to come back together in some form. I just hope there will be moments of humor to make it endurable. I will be watching Wilson's Heart again, but House's Head is easier on my heart to watch. Thanks Barb for this wonderful blog site. Your reviews and the comments it receives are often well thought out and insightful.
10 - hl_lover
I'm intrigued by Veresna Ussep's comments concerning what might come in Season 5. She might well have summarized the gist of the next arc this coming season, if House does indeed try to come out from behind his walls. Sadly, we'll have to wait 3 months to find out!
Thanks for another awesome review, Barbara! You've done such a great job during Season 4, and I hope you realize how much all your readers appreciate it. :)
11 - Ann
Thank you again, Barbara. What a way to end the season. One that a lot of fans, including me, did a lot of whining about. If the Emmy nominations, and wins, don't come pouring in for all involved I think I'll have a temper tantrum. I didn't care about the new team until last night, which for me was the problem I was having. Now the writers have given me something to care about with them. I've enjoyed Ann Dudek in the post strike episodes and now I'm sorry to see her go. The finale has been, for me, two of the most compelling hours of television ever. I am in awe of the writers that developed this exquisite story and the rest of the team that brought it to life. I just love HL and RSL. And although it will be difficult to watch what happens to their recovering relationship some of the angst will be back. I wish FOX would air both episodes back to back sometime soon.
I've enjoyed your reviews immensely and I look forward to whatever you write over the summer and the upcoming Season 5.
12 - sdemar
Great review, Barbara. Like so many others have expressed,this was one emotional episode. These last 2 episodes rank as my 2 favorite episodes in House history. They were brilliantly done and I love the fact that Katie J directed WH.
Hugh was brilliant as usual but I am thrilled that they allowed RSL an opportunity to really show his acting skills. He made me weep for him and I swear I could feel his pain. His emotions were so raw and I wonder if Wilson ever felt love like that before? I would guess not even though he had been married 3 times before.
Noone has commented on this that I know of, but I loved the fact that they were doing a playful and what looked like a potential sex video. Amber was able to bring out another side of the ironed shirt Wilson and it was a good side. He looked embarassed but a willing participant at the same time. They were good for each other and now they are no longer-waaaaaaaa.
I had not seen Anne D in anything before House. I loved her character from the moment she showed up on screen and she played her brilliantly all the way to the end. She was able to stand toe-to-toe with both Hugh and RSL and I was impressed.
I don't know that I could ever rationalize asking someone to risk their life for someone I love. I think that scene will stay in my mind for a long time. The look on House's face, the look on Wilson's face as he thought again of what he asked and the quick affirmation that yes, he wanted his friend to sacrafice his life was truly heart wrenching. And House, hurt and sad, complied without hesitation. Amazing.
And the writer's knew I didn't want the season to end without a solid House/Cuddy moment and they gave me a gem that will satisfy me through the summer. The scene with Cuddy curled up on the chair holding House's hand and gently telling him to rest proved without a doubt that Cuddy not only looks out for House but also cares a great deal about him. That ship may have already sailed in her fantasy mind but deep down I don't think she believes that.
Where will Season 5 take us?
Thanks for the great reviews, Barbara. You did a solid job and earned your spot. May I request that you write some fic over the summer? I have been missing it.
13 - Barbara Barnett
Thank you all for your lovely and kind words. I had hoped all season for an emotionally packed episode, and I got so much of what I missed during so much of the season. See? I knew there was a reason I wanted to talk to Lerner and Friend. They really know how to dig into House's soul and uncover his humanity. It's why I was pumped to learn they were the finale's writers and why I wanted to speak with them.
And they delivered. I can't wait to re-watch from the beg. of House's Head (no commmericals--I downloaded the Unbox versions onto my Tivo!) to the end of Wilson's heart as one filmic experience.
Veresna--you make a good point. What if House does step away from his more closed off self--and he's hurt again? Like Wilson said way back in season one: there may never be another time.
Susanne--You weren't alone. I thought that scene was amazingly hot--particularly as House was passive, taking in the feel of it, eyes closed. There was an expression of longing and such sadness mixed in with his loving the sensuality of it...
So many powerful and moving moments in this episode, as many of you have pointed out. I think the finale two episodes redeemed the show for a lot of fans who had been harsh critics all season. I've read very little negative about it.
14 - Boffle
Fine review, Barbara, thanks! The weeping has subsided on my part, for now anyway... Brilliant, incendiary episodes full of heightened, surreal visions, then brought to reality through the most ordinary and extraordinary chain of circumstances, linking so many of the Houseian themes of self-destruction, love, death, meaning, taking the choice to live and accepting the time to die.
We're all feeling that the actors, writers, directors et al should receive Emmys (and they absolutely should) but if making the finest tv episodes ever is in any way its own reward, then they have been amply rewarded already by writing, creating and sharing this brilliant piece of filmmaking. Kudos to all involved and to St. Doris for the original story.
15 - tigerfeet
I can only join the others in their praise for your fantastic work through the season, Barbara. Thank you so very much for enhancing the House experience for us all. And now I am looking forward to whatever you will contribute to make the agonizing wait for next season a little easier to bear.
16 - Buds
Excellent review. I can't believe you have only been doing this for one season. I look forward to reading anything you can post while we wait for season 5. Hopefully *fingers crossed* we get a full season and there isn't an actors strike.
RSL stole the show (at least half the show) and deservedly so, he was superb. HL was at his best - how does he express so much with just a look? These two episodes have been the best of the series so far. Its brilliant how they were able to pull this out of the bag after the shortening of this season. Kudos to the everyone involved!!!
Wilson willingly put everyone he knows, cares about, and respects at risk to cling on to the love of his life. Now thats what I call love. Not that what he did was right, but it just shows us how much he really loved Amber. He disagreed and argued with House's team. He was screaming at the top of his lungs at Cuddy. He was even willing to risk his best friend's life in the hope that it might give him a definitive diagnosis before risking Amber's life.
House may have felt guilty on some level for Amber being on the bus without really knowing why (because of his amnesia) which may be another reason for him not treating Amber like a regular patient. I doubt that the only reason House agreed to the Deep Brain Stimulation was because Wilson asked him to do it. I think he himself wanted to find out what happened and why they were at the bar together that night. It being a puzzle, and him being him, he would risk himself just to find the answer. In the scene where he is hovering between life and death with Amber, I feel the thing that he was scared of most of all was that Wilson would hate him, and blame him for what happened to Amber. That seemed to the be the thing he feared most.
I was surprised that Cameron wasn't at House's side at all in this episode. She was there for Wilson and Foreman when they needed her, but not once with House. Could this mean that she is well and truly over House? Or was House's near death experience from the previous episode too much for her to handle? Also, for a case as important as this , I would have thought that either Wilson or Cuddy would have asked Cameron and Chase to join in the differential diagnosis. But you know what they say about too many cooks and broth.
17 - Krisztina
Fantastic review of a fantastic (probably best so far!) House episode. No episode has drained me as much as this one... the immediate emotions already did me in, and then I started to realize what was going on, really going on, between House and Wilson, House and House, and all the terrible things that could happen in the next season. I don't know who I shed more tears for, House or Wilson... Robert Sean Leonard's acting devastated me, Hugh Laurie's left me speechless, as always. Incredible episode, such emotional, psychological tension as most TV series wish they had.
Waiting with baited breath for the next season!
18 - sassydew
Barbara, wonderful review as usual! I agree, of course, that HL, RSL, and AD were phenomenal! And, like you, I am left wondering why House was in a bar drinking alone so early in the day, as comments were made suggesting it was unusual. I think House learned something or did something or had something happen that led to this and I do hope we'll learn what it was.
As others have suggested, the poignant conversation between House and Amber on the bus opens up the possibility for House to reexamine his life and reevaluate his choices, but I can't help remembering when he told Foreman, after the Euphoria ordeal, that nearly dying only changes a person for a very short time thereafter. I don't have any brilliant insights to add to what you and others have already said about the beautiful and heart-wrenching House/Wilson/Amber story.
I do want to comment on the new fellows, though, as they finally became much more real and three-dimensional for me in this episode. I had been hoping that would happen. While on the surface they first appeared to be similar to the old fellows, it's now clear that they are very different individuals. I watch the show primarily for House, and only House, but I'm excited at the possibilities to learn more about House through his interactions with these new people. I felt that new fellows were needed by the end of S2, and I was excited at the prospect, but, like many, I had my doubts. I don't have doubts anymore.
As much as it pains me to say this - because I have become quite a Chase fan - it is definitely more than time for Chase, Foreman, and Cameron to move on. I really liked the scene that showed them at the booth in the restaurant, and I got the feeling that everything had come full circle for them and that this was a message that they're moving on.
I have one question about Cuddy, though: I believe that House and Cuddy are great old friends who care deeply for one another, so I thought it was fitting that she was sitting at House's bedside and holding his hand. It got me wondering about this, though: Why wasn't Cuddy beside herself with grief when she thought House was dying in "Half-Wit", yet obviously broken up about his situation in "Wilson's Heart"? Is it possible that Cuddy somehow knew House wasn't really dying during "Half-Wit"?
Thank you again for your terrific reviews all season, Barbara! I am looking forward to your thoughts on the show to get me through the summer!
19 - Laurel
I think the only way House can escape his inner emotional prison is to be continually bashed down with unpleasant experiences that force him to confront his own personal truths. And, needless to say, these truths will have to be extreme. "Wilson's Heart" is only one of a number of emotional traumas he's had to endure in order for him to become a more "whole" human being. What he chooses to accept from these painful truths and emotional catastrophies has yet to be seen. I think, in order for more of House's underlying character to be revealed in the future, the trials will have to be as emotionally bloody, brutal and bent as he is.
20 - blacktop
Thank you for another superb review, Barbara, and for your kind nod in my direction! I want to take up a point made above by Buds: I think that it is right to see considerable ambiguity in House's decision to undergo the Deep Brain Stimulation. I believe he had multiple reasons for doing it. Certainly there was the considerable act of love and friendship he gave to Wilson in acceding to his request. Both men acknowledged the huge risks of the procedure and House's agreeing involved potential sacrifice of his mental faculties and even life.
But I think that an equally strong reason for his agreement was his fundamental drive to know, to solve the puzzle. Wilson's request gave House the opportunity for redemption through knowledge of the truth. Think of how tortuous the future would have been for House if he had faced Amber's death with only shadowy understanding of what had happened in that bar. These doubts would have eaten away at House's composure, his confidence, his relationships with Wilson and Cuddy, and possibly undone his sanity.
By learning the painful truth, House is left guilt-wracked and worried about Wilson's anger. But at least the way is cleared for an eventual reconciliation. House didn't just want to do the procedure from purely altruistic motives, he needed to do it for the sake of his own mental health and even his life. I think that is why House -- in the form of the dream Amber -- instructs himself to return to his life with all its miseries and painful disappointments. By knowing the truth he can give himself absolution and permission to live on.
21 - Barbara Barnett
Blacktop, my good friend, there is ALWAY ambiguity in EVERYTHING the complex Dr. House does;)
I think you make a great point in House's multiple reasons for agreeing to do the procedure. There was much fear on his face just as he was about to undergo the procedure, and a little resentment that Wilson would ask this of him. So very sad.
If House wanted to learn the truth, though, he could have done it once he was stronger and his head had healed,so the procedure would lose its risk. That he agreed to do when he was already badly injured and sick was where his greatest sacrifice came.
But I agree that if he had never done the procedure, the not knowing would eat away at him until there was nothing left. The guilt and self-hatred would be corrosive, and I would have no trouble believing that House would eventually end up committing suicide because of it.
House is such an emotionally fragile character, made more so for how he hides from it. He feels deeply and suppresses it more deeply.
22 - Clarice
Barbara, thanks for a thoughtful and serious review of these two episodes. "Reality" and "altered states," themes you wrote about earlier in the season came back into play in these two episodes. These writers did wonderful things with dreams, fantasy, the subconscious, and memory in the Head & Heart episodes. But, I also think that they are playing with genre in their consideration of reality--this season we had comments on reality shows, a documentary, a magic show, and soap opera. I look forward to your critique of the season. I, for one, am happy the writers took some chances. Maybe some of it didn't work but a great deal of it did. As House said to Amber, to work for him you have to risk losing. :-)
23 - Krista
Great review! Almost made me cry all over again. I also need to watch the episode a few more times to catch all of the nuances that you saw.
Hugh Laurie has got to win the Emmy this year. He is simply amazing. I would also love to see Robert Sean Leonard win as well.
24 - Clara
This finale was a masterpiece; it spotlighted each character and brought a new aspect of them out into the light. It was heart-wrenching and wonderfully beautiful. Got to watch it again and try not to sob...and sob...!!
Words really can't describe the impression that "Wilson's Heart" made upon me. Brought out the "human" in House, (I mean, who's ever seen tears running down his face? When has he ever apologized?) Taub is loving and caring, Kutner is warm, intelligent, and suddenly very appealing with his "freshness", as well as showing his self-control and maturity in living as an orphan. Thirteen's fear is reavealed even more, at possibly having Huntinton's, and not a surprise that she tests positive. (Oliva Wilde wondered how Thirteen came to be a doctor, perhaps this explains. Perhaps to feel that she has a control, going into the medical profession even though she fears a disease?) Cuddy is there for House, always steady, compassionate, and strong. Wilson shows great love and tenderness, as well as much emotion. For some reason Chase, Foreman, and Cameron seem far removed, rather aloof.
It's still hard to believe Amber's gone. She was so strong, alive, smart, even at times conniving. It was a very bold move for the plot...I think one that left many viewers (me!)after the show still bawling.
The music, so well chosen, played a large part in the feeling of the show. Hugh's acting was like nothing I've ever seen. There was something so strongly subtle to it. It's still so... wow. Pardon me as I wipe my eyes again....
25 - Veresna Ussep
Barbara, I hope you'll forgive me for leaving a second comment here, but I'm also hoping that you will consider two possible topics while we wait for Season 5 to begin. First of all, a retrospective of the season. I admit that, until 'Head & Heart', which is how I'm going to start thinking of these two episodes, I was so disappointed with the season that I doubted I would get the DVD set. Now, I know that I will and will be interested in watching the unfolding events again from a different perspective. Secondly, I think that reviewing the whole series up to now with the emphasis on Wilson and House's relationship would be intriguing. On some of the fan boards, it appears that people are close to fisticuffs, some people arguing that House bears absolutely no guilt in any way for Amber's death, etc. If Amber had lived, there would certainly have continued to be tension between all three. From what we have seen, Wilson's wives didn't even try to prevent his friendship with House from disrupting their lives, something that Amber would never have suffered gladly. Anyway, I think it would be great to have you give your thoughts on this complex relationship since it appears it is being tested to its limits at the moment.