When we last left House, he had just lost a patient after amputating her leg at a horrific disaster scene. In the depths of despair (even Foreman is concerned), House returns home and to the possibility of returning to Vicodin. “He is bereft,” said Hugh Laurie in interview footage provided by Fox. "He’s formed an emotional connection with her,” and her death hits him hard. But also, says Laurie, it's because his powerful intellect has failed him and “his intellect is all he has.”
But as he sits in his darkest hour sitting on his bathroom floor, an angel in pink appears at his bathroom door at this critical juncture. It is (as Laurie puts it) “the saintly Cuddy” to pronounce to the stunned House that she has ended her brief engagement to Lucas Douglas. She cannot get House out of her head— no matter how happy she is supposed to be with a “new fiancé and a new house.” Season six ends on the clasped hands of a finally-united House and Cuddy after she declares to him, “I love you,” despite all her efforts to stay emotionally detached from him.
Season seven begins moments later with House and Cuddy standing in his bedroom with Cuddy tending to his physical (he was badly banged up in the season six finale) as well as his emotional wounds. It’s a powerful scene—something I won’t spoil. I’ll just say that my eyes misted and it’s a very important moment for both characters—and especially for House—to experience on several levels. 
It’s no secret that it all leads to lovemaking and House’s inevitable “now what?” Cuddy wants to go home, shower and go to work; House wants to capture this moment and let it linger into the rest of the day, calling himself in—and convincing Cuddy to play hooky as well.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Diane
Sounds like a great episode!Thanks for your insight. I always enjoying reading your articles on House.
2 - sdemar
So excited for Monday. I can't wait.
3 - Mariel
Thanks for this. I always love your articles.
4 - mel35
"an angel in pink"
lovely! Great review, can't wait to see it! :)
5 - Louise
Your review is so lovely :)
I don't regret reading it even if I avoid spoilers. You're the only journalist to have succeeded in giving a beautiful image of the season premiere : not too much Huddy nor too dramatic events (well, some people make me believe this ep was a horrible thing with dark secrets).
Can't wait for the next episode (tuesday for me !) and, of course, your next review.
(Sorry for the mistakes, I try my best, but French people are absolutely NOT good at foreign languages...)
6 - barbara barnett
Thanks everyone. I tried to (and I think succeeded) in giving the flavor of the episode without spoiling major plot points (not already revealed by Fox and the show).
7 - Janine
@Louise
I know what you mean. The review posted yesterday by Ruthnor made it seem like House was keeping a deep dark secret from Cuddy, when in reality it is just the fact of the neurosergon, which in a way is sweet, but also House like.
I have two questions for you Barbara, if the answers will not be spoilery or ruin something
1.) Where is Cuddy's child during all of this? It would make her seem like an irresponsible parent if she stayed away all night and into the next day without at least checking up on her kid.
2.) (Minor spoiler for those who have not seen the pictures released months ago) What happened to the beach? Those pictures were released into the press back in June, but all the reviews of this episode say that House and Cuddy say at his house the whole time.
Great review, got me even more excited for Monday (which I didn't thing was possible) Also, just a heads up, Hugh is supposed to be on Ellen on the 21st, so hopefully he will get to talk some about the premier after it airs.
8 - barbara barnett
Hi Janine--I will say that the issue of child care comes up at least one very tiny, but important way. (sorry to be oblique, but I can't explain further without talking about it in a spoilerish context.)
No clue about the other photos. A cleverly constructed smoke screen?
9 - Eli
Can't wait to see the episode! It sounds really exciting!
10 - norhu
Thanks Barbara. I´m looking forward to season 7 and "Now What?"
11 - simona
thanks barbara! You almost killed me with your review and my balance is already shaky :-))
And thanks because you tried not to reveal much, I'd like to keep me almost "spoiler virgin" for the season premiere and I can't wait anymore. Really crazy :-)
12 - Janine
thanks Barbara, i didn't want to be spoiled, so the vagueness is fine. I just didn't want this to become one of those shows where the child is only there when it is needed and then is never seen nor mentioned . I thought that the pictures may be a smoke screen after reading some reviews that made no mention of a beach, but that seems like a lot of money to spend. its not as thought we just saw them, we also saw equipment ( booms cameras etc) which appears as though something was being recorded. Perhaps it will reappear in a later episode
13 - Orange450
Thank you Barbara! You've made my anticipation for Monday nite surge even higher, if that was remotely possible :)
14 - Cynthiaanne (hiyacinth)
Thankyou for giving us a little insight into House and Cuddys new relationship, i think it is going to be such fun to watch House doing his clumsy best to make it work, have to wait til October for House's return here, so really looking foreward to your 'Now What' review after it airs.
15 - Delia_Beatrice
Barbara, thank you very much indeed. It is amazing to read this, as it's been amazing to watch the promos, sneak peaks and teasers. My excitement has turned into trembling, that is all i can say...
It is actually surreal to see them like this. I am convinced to the core not only of the incredible strength and necessity of this relationship, but also of it's magic and chance at being an ever-life-changing experience for House, one which i wish, for his sake, will last until the end of times.
And still, seeing them like this, seeing House so emotionally naked and intimate and romantic with the woman who has been his savior and guardian for all these years... It's so magical, i feel just like House does: i am even doubting my own eyes, experiencing this sensational emotional rollercoaster under the mark of intense AWE.
SPOILERY CONTENT: Barbara, please, please, could you please answer one question for me? To the extent that you can, so that you don't give away what you don't want to. Cuddy's initial answer to House's incredibly insecure "what now?" question is to recite the dull list of her duties. It speaks of her own fear and confusion, her issues of control and responsibility. But is she the one who sets the balance straight again and tries to give him strength and faith? Does she understand how scared he is? Does she try to reassure him and convince him of the power and greatness of her love and commitment?
16 - ruthinor
The source below has spoilers**** so if you don't want to know, don't read it. It's a detailed review of episode one that should answer questions that are worrisome for some. Again, I apologize in advance for copy and paste not working here.
17 - barbara barnett
D_B: It goes both ways. The do A LOT of talking like adults.
18 - DebbieJ.
Thank you for your preview Barbara and thank you for staying spoiler free. You've got me more anxious for Monday night than I already am and I didn't think that was possible! LOL
I also just received my copy of CZ in the mail yesterday. I cannot wait to savor it.
19 - Janine
@Ruthinor
WOW an A plus!!! I'm so excited. P.S. its not too spoilert for those who want to read it. It doesn't mention much more than Barbara did.
20 - ruthinor
That's true, Janine. It just goes a bit further in describing Cuddy's reactions. Also, just read that they cast a very famous actress as Cuddy's mom. I don't know if that would be considered a spoiler, so I won't say it here. Google Ausiello if you want to know more.
21 - Delia_Beatrice
@Barbara, thank you for your answer. It sounds so good, i am beyond myself...
@Ruthinor, thank you for that link. I've read many previews to this episode, but the one you posted sounds like the most mature and true interpretation of what is going on there - and it fills me with unspeakable joy.
Here's to The Monday of our dreams coming sooner:)
22 - Janine
@Ruthinor
I've read that too,it sounds good! also the titles for the first nine episodes have been released. spoilertv if you want
23 - John Wilson
House is a smart program so maybe they will solve the problems of a program maintaining it's interest after the central tension is resolved. Now that would be like a real marriage.
24 - barbara barnett
John--I think they've already begun to address that in episode two. I'm going to love this ride. I trust David Shore's cynicism, the writers' gift for dialogue and the actors' instincts and intelligence to carry it off! I am so stating for the record:)
25 - ruthinor
I'm glad that those who have read them enjoyed the reviews. Google is an amazing instrument! ****** spoilers below for those not wanting to know. The review below is from a different prospective in that the author prefers the medical mysteries to the Cuddy-House interactions. It contains one bombshell that I'm not sure I believe, but it is there to whet your appetite!