Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is back at Princeton-Plainsboro, but he's not exactly free.
Several transplants are at issue in last night’s House, M.D. episode, appropriately called “Transplant.” Of course there is the set of sick lungs sitting in an ICU box awaiting diagnosis and treatment before they can be transplanted into one of Wilson’s (Robert Sean Leonard) long-time patients. A recovering alcoholic, she had a double-mastectomy years earlier, and now has come down with emphysema.…
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Article comments
126 - HouseMDFan
@Droid - Understand and share your frustration, but hey, that's the internet. Just letting it go. And I'm glad you came back because: I couldn't care less about pro House or pro Cuddy comments and don't see why they should be mutually exclusive. Rock on my friend. :)
127 - Nickel
Visitkarte.....you rock. WILL YOU MARRY ME? Boy do we see eye to eye. I am female and am completely appalled at the behavior of women who "pounce on men". The real moment that I fell in love with Greg House was in Joy. He went to Cuddy's home to try and comfort her after seeing how much she truly wanted that child in the delivery room. Told her what he truly thought (by way of not looking directly at her), in his heart to help her feel better, she responded angry (understandable since she always believes he is a shit) and then kissed her. HE DID NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER WHILE SHE WAS VULNERABLE. Cuddy on the other hand swooped down on House at his absolute lowest and then tricked him into believing that she really loved him. During "Now What" I immediately noticed some things that concerned me greatly for House's sake. Other than the fact that she thought it more appropriate for Wilson to think that House was crazy (by her hiding in the closet...yea real brave) HER TERMS!!! Trip to France? Her terms. My absolute favorite was the sneaky way in which she snatched up his Vicodin (after 5 hrs earlier telling him that it was his choice if he wanted to go back on drugs). I also acknowledge the fact that she dumped Lucas prior to coming to House's apartment, so she was not leaving without a relationship with House.
I always thought that if these 2 characters really had a chance at a relationship it should have started at Braveheart. She truly looked pleased at the fact that House revealed to her that she made him feel "funny". Big of her to not relate to him then that there was no chance. She certainly had no problems telling him that in Top Secret.....get over me. HER TERMS!!!!
ugh.
128 - Nickel
HouseMDFan....House in Help Me did EXACTLY EVERYTHING THAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO, yes he did tell Foreman that he did everything "right" and she died anyway. What he DID NOT SAY WAS "HE DID THE RIGHT THING". He knew the risks of amputation, but did it anyway because he believed Cuddy when she told him all those really positive things ending with SCREW YOU. Wow. So yea. I also believe when he got in that ambulance and looked at Cuddy he told her "goodbye" right then. He was not in anguish on his bathroom floor because of Cuddy.....remember who he saw in the mirror???? It was not Cuddy, it was HANNAH. She trusted him and he felt like he let her down. That is why the Vicodin.....not Cuddy.
129 - Droid
126 - HouseMDFan Same to you.......(so I'm a little dramatic) :-/
130 - bakerstreet blues
housemdfan I think the office that nickel was making note of was the one that Dr. Park was sitting in. You know the one that Cameron and Chase were having sex in....THE JANITORS CLOSET. I think Foreman giving House HIS office back was the payment of the contract of the fact that House did as Foreman asked: solved the case w/o making Foreman look bad. Very classy Foreman. Glad to see Foreman has finally grown up. Course Foreman was in a great win/win position: had Cuddy not quit he probably would have gotten House's job.
131 - bakerstreet blues
I do find it odd that Chase, Taub and 13 all quit. I guess Foreman did not keep them on in House's absence as Cuddy did.
132 - Barbara Barnett
I would never want to see everyone on my comment threads in lock step agreement with me, the show or anyone else.
It's great to see civil (mostly) discussion, debate and even disagreement. And the article still has managed to get 130+comments :)
133 - Earth Orbiter
A righteous cyber-smackdown: The Intellectuals v. The Sentimentalists.
One question: What the frak are you people arguing about? The last time I checked in, we were "discussing" medical ethics and the law. Visitkarte, clearly an Intellectual, was defining "House" from a position of fact, and Droid, clearly a Sentimental-type person, was defining "House" from an emotional position. And now we've regressed into hyperbolic, drama queen-esque, verbal bitch-slapping and seemed to have strayed off-topic. If you cannot even agree on the issue being debated, then you certainly cannot come to a meeting of the minds of any sort.
However, if you want something REALLY contentious into which to sink your teeth, check out:
www.tvguide.com/News/Lisa-Edelstein-House-Good-Wife-1038756.aspx
I am interested in your various interpretations of this article, especially you, RUTHINOR, who has provided me with endless entertainment and amusement over on Polite Dissent and the AV Club.
134 - HouseMDFan
@Nickel - I have no real hopes, but hey, I'm on a roll:
(understandable since she always believes he is a shit)
Or maybe, it was because he had been harassing her about her abilities to be a mother during the whole episode, openly ignoring her request for help. She probably also remembered his "Good thing you didn't become a mother because you suck at it" comment, which she never called him out for in season three, even though she was completely crushed and crying afterwards.
then tricked him into believing that she really loved him
She did not trick him, she just told her heart and let him decide. And boy, this whole statement is seriously misogynistic, the evil woman tricking the helpless man. *shudder*
Other than the fact that she thought it more appropriate for Wilson to think that House was crazy (by her hiding in the closet...yea real brave)
You just talked about Cuddy tricking and pushing him into a relationship and then you turn around and take another piece of evidence for the fact that she wanted to let HIM decide if he was ready and turn it into something to make him look bad?
Trip to France? Her terms.
I call that compromise, since she didn't want to do it at all initially. It's not like she had a hospital or a kid.
sneaky way in which she snatched up his Vicodin
Funny enough, if you look at the original script, the scene was longer and they actually talked about the vicodin, that was cut afterwards. I rather liked that they cut it, since I liked the symbolism of it being the not-talked-about-but-threatening presence in the background.
You do realize that by putting Cuddy down like that, you are making House look like a man who can't decide a thing for himself and is completely helpless, gullible and stupid?
Finally, "did everything right"/"right thing" is actually an interesting point, I'll keep that in mind. It's still not Cuddy's fault, though, see my previous sentence.
135 - Nickel
Earth Orbiter...I just read that LE interview with TV Guide and yea wow. I made note earlier that every person that I saw interviewed about the loss of Lisa had great, sentimental things to say about her and how they really were going to miss her. Hugh Laurie's statements were truly kind...(course he is a great actor so who knows?). What I have noticed is the silent scream that Lisa E has made. Not a single word about her co-workers on House. Nothing about how much she misses them. Odd. I always guessed that she ended an ugly affair with Nurse Jeffery and couldn't handle working with him anymore...hahahaha..just joshing. Honestly I wish she was more congenial about the people that she left behind on House.
136 - Nickel
HouseMDFan, I do take into consideration that House is an 8 year old child, and can be completely manipulated by Wilson and Cuddy. And as for Cuddy, I always thought she defined herself by the fact that she alone is the only one who can control House. As for House being helpless, gullible and stupid?....well yeah. In matters of the heart House is all those things and more. Look how easily he believed Wilson, Cuddy, Cameron, Foreman and Chase in Meaning. The scene of him sitting in his office believing everything that these people told him about how screwed up he was made my heart break. So yea he is completely gullible.
137 - HouseMDFan
Ahahaha, now I'm beginning to wonder if you are actually a really elaborate troll... If so, kudos. LOL.
138 - Maria-Eleni
134 - HouseMDFan
136 - Nickel
Sorry, but I cannot refrain any longer. I am going to butt in your dialogue as I both agree and disagree with you.
"Good thing you didn't become a mother because you suck at it". She does not call him out as she acknowledges the state he is in because of the Vicodin withdrawal. What crushes her is knowing he is right. And frankly, subsequent events proved that she is not the greatest mother.
“then tricked him into believing that she really loved him”
She is sincere. She loves him and tried hard for years not to get involved with him. The intense and tragic circumstances in “Help me” left her defenseless. A bit melodramatic but plausible.
The closet:
She did not hide to make Wilson think House was crazy, but neither did she hide to let House decide. She hid because she was less ready than House to face Wilson. I found that she was procrastinating finalising their affair(delaying the trip) and it shows in Se7x02 when she prohibits House to talk about them before going to the committee - a non-emotional procedure.
“making House look like a man who can't decide a thing for himself and is completely helpless, gullible and stupid?”
He does behave more or less this way vis-avis to Cuddy. And, let’s face it, addicts when in need of their fix become “helpless, gullible and stupid”.
I think his determination to win her is connected to his psychotic breakdown in Se5. In his hallucination, after detoxing with her help, he wins her.
In fact Cuddy is a Vicodin replacement for House.
He has become dependent on her as after the infraction she employed him and also created a great cocoon of an environment to protect him from his worse characteristics. But she also prevented him from leaving that milieu as in “Soft Side”
Cuddy being his Vicodin he is able to function only with ibuprofen in Se7. In Se6 when he fears he is losing her he starts drinking heavily to compensate.
139 - Droid
Barbara...... You see...... As soon as any attempt at rational (and I use the word rational lightly because there is little discussion that isn't based in who is to blame for House's behavior, usually Cuddy) discussion ended, the Cuddy blame and hate begins anew and it gets nastier than before. Of course, in between, we have people who feel the need to call other posters names and be perfectly nasty to someone they were not even in a discussion with and to be aggressive with others. Then the Lisa E. hate starts, but yeah, great that there are so many posts. THIS is why I was reluctant to come here, why others tried to dissuade me and why I regret doing so now. Whatever your position, your site is riddled with Cuddy and LE hate and blame. It is also personal and not just story related. It's a real shame.
Sorry, @HouseMDFan, I guess I lied. It does matter!
140 - Earth Orbiter
@Nickel #135: "Ended an ugly affair with Nurse Jeffrey." I like it; funny!
141 - Shane
Visitkarte and fellow droids:
Thank you for reminding me why I don't come to this site anymore. Your venom, hate and disrespect has reached monumental levels and could only rival the attitudes of the middle eastern terrorist. Bravo for diminishing the value and respect of this fandom. And thank you Barbara for providing the outlet. Please continue with this brainwashing and delusional training. Surely the grand finale will be an implosion.
142 - Earth Orbiter
Thanks for the cyber-spaking, Shane. Are you also into water sports?
143 - Visitkarte
@ 128 - Nickel
LOL! Damn, I'm already taken
@ 141 - Shane
My ears are ringing
@ 135 - Nickel
I noticed something in that interview that made me smile. All these times, every single time I said Cuddy was a repressed control freak, I was bitch slapped for that. I am so happy the bith slappers have got another target now.
144 - ParadoxHugh
Reading along here and disturbed that discussion always breaks down like this into Cuddy/LE diatribes. Can we ever get away from this? Why continue to place focus on this? Cuddy is for sure the catalyst for where House is now and she matters as subtext to what he may be feeling. His reaction to rejection, his self punishment and how thick his walls may have become is the story now. That is really what I want to focus on for the rest of this season. This circling back to old agendas needs to stop if anything of a House community can ever be revived.
So can we get back to the show or to Barbara's review? She references One Day One Room and owning House's ass being echoed by Foreman. That is not the only echo from the past. DS said he was going back to basics. By using these little homages to the past, we are reattached to the familiar even though House is clearly in transition and out of place. We also had House bullying a donor family member ala Greg Grunberg in Sex Kills. And they went right to the pilot in Wilson saying that House is not necessarily good but a good doctor. And we had a patient who is cancelling treatment and giving up hope. So there were these echos to tether us back to the past and make all this change a little more palatable.
Barbara's review said this too:
-----He roams the halls in search of the creature comforts he thinks he needs to tap into his own medical mojo-----
And one of those things is his chair from Pinto's office. As metaphors go, having it stuck in the door is down right beautiful. He can't have things the way they have always been. No matter how much he believes he has repaired his friendship with Wilson and no matter if he gets his team back or if he is surrounded by his things all perfectly in order, things are different now. And there is lots of unresolved stuff still "stuck in the door." He can't have his life back exactly as it was. Pieces are missing and evidently they will stay missing. Will the season be about removing the blockages or will it be about having House stuck in the same emotional space that he began with - fresh from hurt, rejection and pain. If these echos are an indication, we have taken steps backwards. And that is where my head is at now. We are starting over and I am trying hard to remember why I liked this guy in the first place. I'll not forget that relationship as it has to matter just as Amber, Kutner and Mayfield matter as epic events that shape House's perceptions.
House lost something that mattered to HIM regardless of fan interpretation of that relationship. He paid a steep price for a false perception that she had lied to him about seeing another man. He was wrong with his assumption and wrong for his action. He hates being wrong and he hates failure. DS stated that House just can't believe he failed so badly. So I choose to believe that the whole "incident" does eat at him on that level if not others.
The whole feel of Transplant with everything being off and House not being able to go home again metaphorically,played perfectly for me. Despite his grin at the end, has he abandoned that thought he told the inmate,that he believes he does not belong amongst the "nice, normal people?"
It just seems to me that there is lots more to these concepts of "moving on" and "transplantation" to discuss. And that can't be done when the mere mention of Cuddy's name inspires these off topic
devisive rants. The two shows we have gotten so far have been better than expected for me. I am going to try to stick to the positives this year. I am simply battle weary and exhausted.
145 - Screams
Really, Barbara. So now people who disagree with someone on your site are called bitch slappers? Can we go any lower in the range of disrespect for fellow fans than to start name calling? Bitch slappers? Seriously? And I see you thanked this person on Twitter for her posts here. It's really good to know how far this fandom has fallen. Not just name calling but crassness at its worst.
146 - HouseMDFan
@ParadoxHugh - I believe that House's "failure" is not just the crash, but that he sees the whole relationship and his attempt to have a "normal" life as a failure. That theme surfaced in "Baggage" already, when he got himself beaten up for that reason, and when he was just incredibly angry about that, mainly at himself and at Nolan for giving him hope he could do it.
So I don't think that anything has changed about his statement that he doesn't think he belongs to the "nice, normal people", but that maybe he is okay with having his place among them if he doesn't try to be like them. Also, the "nice, normal people" speech was before he conceded that no, he was not going to quit humanity and medicine completely. He is actually unable to divorce himself from humanity because he can't change his gift and his desire to uncover the truth in medicine as well as people's contradictions.
The bodyless lung is actually a very nice metaphor for that, House's perfect patient which ends up in a real human being, enhancing their life. House's isolation, and then ending up in the middle of life again. I also like the symbolism of Wilson here, who cares for the patient as long as House is occupied by the lung, and then the two spheres connect again, Wilson being one of House's bridges to humanity, therefore the significance of his words: "Wilson [not the patient] needs those lungs".
147 - Visitkarte
"Wilson needs those lungs"
What a sad and yet beautiful statement!
Back in "TB or not TB" House stated, you can't care about the countless people out there, dying. It's just not compatible with the human nature. We are hardwired to care about our next. We can't extend the number of "our next" as much as we want. House even less than an average person.
He also said once (paraphrasing, it was in "Frozen"): “So I failed to see (the broken toe) because I cared too much. If this is what caring is, I don't want to have anything to do with it".
He is sure, caring about people makes us less objective, makes him a worse doctor (see his discussion with the student in "Three Stories").
This time, he refuses to think about Wilson's patient as the organ recipient; Wilson's patient is not his patient, the lungs are. The only way he can manage to care about Wilson's patient is, because the patient matters to his friend. Nothing wrong with that in my book. I can't care for all my patients on a personal level, either, it would overwhelm me. I must try and find a distance, to stay professional. Compassion is OK, hurting with the patient isn't. House seems incapable of compassion without getting too involved, so he will try and avoid involvement.
The transplant in the box (by the way, the procedure is real, it has been done!) is a perfect metaphor for House. He is out of jail, but he is stuck. Like his favorite chair in the door. He must leave his past behind if he wants to get unstuck.
It’s also funny and sad how he never cared if and how much he would earn by his new/old job. His only comment after he was told he was earning only a minimum wage: "I do? " House is still punishing himself.
He is trying to come to terms with the changes, but as we know, he is very attached to his things and to his team. He wrecked mayhem when his carpet was changed, until he got his old carpet back. He turned everything upside down to regain his old team at the beginning of Season 6. He hired a PD to get Wilson back once, now he vowed him back.
I am happy to see his diagnostic chops back. And I am happy that he came to acknowledge that he needs to do diagnostic medicine, and he can completely remove himself from the "nice, normal people" because he has this one gift. That's who he is, that's who everyone else needs him to be.
And as long there is even one single person out there to share some of his free time, he will be content.
148 - ann uk
HouseMDFan
I don't think at that point House is thinking about his friendship with Wilson - in fact I don't think he is thinking at all.
My point is that House's actions then don't justify Wilson in abandoning someone who has been a true friend to him and who is in great distress.I can understand that he would be immediately shocked and angry , but to maintain it for over a year knowing how House must be suffering?
Perhaps the real question is why House still values their friendship so much when Wilson has so signally failed him and he clearly feels it - remember that throw away line something like " we'll pass over the lack of visits "( I can't recall the exact words.)
And why does Wilson renew their friendship so promptly ? Is he being incredibly magnanimous, or can he not maintain his self - righteous condemnation faced with the real House in all his good and bad reality?
They both have much to thank each other for and much to forgive - but that's friendship for you.
149 - Visitkarte
Correcting: He CAN'T remove himself from the "nice, normal people" because he has this one gift.
BTW; I loved the giant "white board window".
House refusing other relationships is not a bad thing in my book, I have seen many happy single people and many unhappy people in a relationship. Wilson as a friend might be all he needs.
150 - Shane
Thank you ParadoxHugh! A voice of calm and reason, disillusion but not giving in to the venemoushate and personal agendas. Barabara should be thanking YOU. These are the discussions to be enjoyed.
151 - Eloise
Any hate toward LE is because of the fans of her will jump to her defense no matter what she does but will allow bashing of Hugh and the other members of cast and tptb.
Cuddy is of course separate from LE one is a character, one an actress, but the fact that some wanted their own vision to take place in S7 and now feel betrayed. It seems that LE leaving and the disappointment of the finale have become rolled into one.
This is a tv show and imo the best on tv now even in its 8th season, but it isn't real life.
I don't hate either actress or character but like lots of pple hate the double standards that seem to be going on all over the net.
152 - Muna
Barbara, I am concerned when you are happy with the nuber of comments for your blog when so many of the comments are not insightful discussions of the show but instead hate-related posts with regards to one character and actress. This is really quite shameful. You had credibility with me - as a viewer and writer - but allowing and encouraging hateful posts - not professional if you ask me. Posts about LE and her reasons for leaving when they are unknown to the poster - those should not be allowed at all. Your little blurb about personal attacks not being allowed needs to be enforced. If you are going to open your blog for posts - you have some responsibility to manage them. Slander should not be allowed. I am pretty sure you would not alllow posters to say these things about HL, or RSL. What I see instead is antifeminism flourishing here. For whatever reason, it is a woman being attacked - in some cases, I fear these attacks come from women because they are threatened by her strength - afterall - is she now allowed to make a decision for herself or her future? Is Cuddy the character also not allowed to make a decision for her own emotional well-being and her daughter's? If it were Cuddy who had taken House back upon his return to PPTH there would be an uproar - she is so weak, etc., but when Wilson does it it is a celebrated friendship. The gender lines this show has made evident for me scare the heck out of me. We have not come far at all from the 50s. The character stuff is fine,unfortunate but fine, but Barbara, you have a responsibiity to stop the LE hate posts. This is really alarming and unacceptable. I hadn't been on your site for a long time - and I am shocked at what it has become.
153 - Shane
Muna -
You are correct. Although there has been concerning negative comments on other sites, we are on this one and dealing with a singularly focused Lisa Edelstein bashing. It's disturbing and unprofessional to allow. Anyone trying to defend this behavior based on comment regarding Hugh Laurie or Robert Sean Leonard on other sites should remember: Two wrongs do not make a right. You are participating in the hate if you bash ANY of them and it's unnecessary. This site needs stronger moderators.
154 - BrokenLeg
I’ve been out for only two days . I left this thread in a very civilized discussion about ethics and law aspects of one of the past greatest and most wonderful [H]episodes ever ( but curiously not discussing THIS season “Transplant”).
I remember mostly enjoying Visitkarte and Earth Orbiter pure medical points of view posts, but many, many times, personally respectfully disagreeing with them both,they tending to view things too much rationally as only black or white , and with me being a part of the “shades of grey” team with some others.
I’ve just returned to a full of hate thread, plenty of disrespectful posts, plenty of “ships”: “anti-Cuddy’s” that are mostly “anti-LE’s”, “pro-House’s” ones, supposed to be exactly by that reason “anti-Cuddy’s” ones (¿¿!!??)…Many posts with a tone more than insulting to others. Fully of rage. Some bashing an actress who left. What has happened? Moderator’s vacation?
Or is all a consequence of ( I prefer to think unconsciously ) dividing the fandom from “the other part of the screen”, with a bad seven season ending for a great part of the fandom, a big “kaboom” showing GH out of character to many viewers, Cuddy’s role emptied of any lasting meaning to others, after a whole season in which it was re-written by TPTB as convenient to fulfill the break-up, and added to that, LE deciding not to return back to a show she always promoted generously, her reasons remaining secret, but not receiving a public support word in months from her former fellows? Still too much angry to be released by too many people!!
All that I know now is that a new season is beginning, probably the last one, maybe it will not be the better one, nor the one everyone of us have desired. But, regretting many things that have happened, and maybe a bit disillusioned, I’m a [H] addict as all of you. That is what we all have in common. That is what gathered people from very distant places all over the world, of different countries, cultures, languages and points of view. And that is really the great important thing. Disagreeing is always good, if wise done improves other points of view, but only if done with respect to the others. This forum was a civilized one. Can we return to be that way again?
And thank you , ParadoxHugh for your post. It is really a big relief to this forum.
155 - ruthinor
Earth Orbiter: Thanks, I think! I've never posted on the AV club site, and I don't post under "ruthinor" on Polite Dissent. I've just skimmed through some of the latest posts and I think a lot of you are in serious need of therapy. I just don't get blaming the actors for anything on the show. They are playing the roles written for them, not themselves in real life. Many of you seem to be very confused about that. If you don't like a character, blame the WRITERS!!
Someone mentioned LE's TV guide interview. What's the problem? What she said was that the role of Cuddy, as written, was, after 7 years too confining for her. It was not the person she wished to portray on screen anymore. What's the big deal? It's her choice, and IMO, a good one. The writers made a hash of her character and there didn't appear to be any interesting future for her. As for her NOT praising her coworkers...many of you have very short memories. For 7 years LE has promoted the show and HL in particular. She was the one who always did the interviews that HL and RSL shunned. I've never heard HL say anything publicly about LE until he was asked about her leaving, when he couldn't avoid it. Gotta go, this site is toxic.
156 - Sunny
Barbara. I am really concerned that the disrespectful posts concerning Lisa Edelstein are being allowed to stay here. Just offering the TV Guide article as a contentious piece is one thing but making fun of why Lisa left and suggesting she was sleeping with Nurse Jeffery is just mean and is not, in my opinion, joke worthy. (this could easily become an internet rumor with it's origins right here at blogcritics). Don't you think this is going too far? I know you have previously stated here that you think her leaving the show coupled with the fans disappointment with the finale has created a toxic fandom but to blame her and to allow others to suggest contentious things about her is, I believe, causing more problems. This kind of hate toward actors and toward fans (fans calling other fans here bitch slappers because they disagree with points made) can't contribute to a more positive fandom nor will it offer any hope of lessening the toxicity that exists already. Of course I don't believe that Lisa can be blamed for her choice nor should she be. I just find this kind of hostility disturbing on what was once, in my opinion, a well respected site.
157 - Earth Orbiter
@Sunny #156: Clearly, your remarks should have been directed at me. My response, therefore, is: Regarding the TV Guide interview, please read Ruthinor #155. Also, you need to lighten up. This is the most interesting this blog site has been for a very long time. Progress is made by disparate ideas. When everyone agrees, life becomes stagnant. And boring. As for people "making fun" of Lisa Edelstein, she's a big girl and I think she can take it. Besides which, according to the TV guide interview in question, "House" is foundering in her wake; she left it behind months ago and is beyond caring what anyone thinks of "Cuddy." And Nurse Jeffrey is ALWAYS funny.
@Ruthinor: Sorry, but I would've sworn I've read you on other blog sites. Also regarding the TV guide interview with LE, I thought it was interesting that she remarked that the atmosphere at TGW was much "lighter" than that at House. With everything I've read over the years about behind the scenes, I figured House was an on-going giggle-fest in between takes. So its not surprising that she wasn't too broken up about leaving. That's what I found most interesting about that article.
And lay off of Barbara, people. I almost never agree with her reviews; I think she's too emotionally invested in the show, in Hugh Laurie and in Huddy, and I've criticized her for that in the past. However, she's been sitting back and letting everyone have their say and without censure, especially since this is her site and she's entitled to do as she damn well pleases. And right now, it pleases her to allow us to express ourselves, even those of you who chose to contempt over tolerance.
158 - Cindy
I`m sorry i can`t find any LE hate. Where is the problem here? Everything what was written before the LE defenders started to post allthough there was nothing to defend here were very reasonable, rational and thoughtful discussions with exception of this ass-licking Wilson post. I don`t understand the fuss here. Come on people! Don´t be so supersensible!!
I pretty much enjoyed the first two episodes of the new house season and i hope the show stays on this level. i love the Dr.Park with her little aggresion problem and i think Charlyne portrayed her character very believable and exciting.
Thanks Barbara for the review!
159 - Barbara Barnett
Paradox: Thank you, thank you. Please let's get back to talking about the episode!
I've been away from my computer for most of the last couple of days, so I've not seen any of the recent comments.
Discussing a character (love or hate or in between) is fair game (remember, if 13 or Foreman disdain is OK, so is dislike of any character, including House). But please refrain from discussing actors personally, whether Hugh or Lisa--or anyone else.
I do not see any "hate" for Lisa Edelstein, and no personal attack. That is something I wouldn't stand for here from anyone about anyone!
160 - ParadoxHugh
@HouseMDFan
Loved your metaphor explanations. I am glad the show is being written like this again where we can get crazy overthinking the meanings. That is the fun for me. I liked this alot:
--- I also like the symbolism of Wilson here, who cares for the patient as long as House is occupied by the lung, and then the two spheres connect again, Wilson being one of House's bridges to humanity, therefore the significance of his words: "Wilson [not the patient] needs those lungs".---
Wilson is a bridge to showing us House's humanity and that is the part of this show that interests me the most. It may not be the dominant part of his personality and it can be hard to find sometimes but I have to believe he has some. So I'll always be looking for those little glimmers like the cricket last week and his words and actions with Wilson this week.
161 - Barbara Barnett
Paradox--yes!
There was much significance in the "Wilson needs those lungs." It was as if by giving Wilson this gift, it would begin to repair their friendship. No matter what Wilson said to him, this friendship means everything to House. He's lost a lot (some of it his own darn fault), and he's starting over after a year away from PPTH. This is going to be hard for him if he has no perceived allies. Wilson is his only anchor now.
162 - HouseMDFan
@Paradox
I don't think the show ever stopped being written like that, but yes, I have fun with it, too.
Wilson is a bridge to showing us House's humanity and that is the part of this show that interests me the most.
I actually didn't mean my words about Wilson as House's bridge quite in that way. This makes it sound as if Wilson is just a passive being, something that the show and House "use" to show his humanity. But the thing is, Wilson himself through is actions makes House see things differently, makes him consider perspectives he hadn't thought about, however much House might mock him for that at times. Remember the scene where he is honestly taken aback because Wilson is offended by his "It will definitely pay off, no matter if your patient dies or not"? Sometimes House is so caught up in his own way of thinking that he needs someone to cut through that. Wilson can connect House to the "normal" social sphere sometimes, and House can connect Wilson to himself beyond his social persona.
163 - Barbara Barnett
As much as have disliked Foreman lo these many years (he simply has never seen House for who he is, although that changed significantly after "Help Me"), I love the fact that he dug up House's belongings, procured his old office, etc. And more importantly must have personally placed his "stuff" painstakingly back on his desk.
To me that is a huge vote of confidence (albeit with deep reservations, still) that House can come back and they can manage together. I think Foreman will have to keep using the "it's better for both of us" card for awhile until House redeems himself completely.
164 - Merkof
@163 - Barbara Barnett
The "it's better for both of us" card worked because it was rational, and House needs that.
I also loved the way Foreman put House’s “stuff” “together again”.
Actually I found Foreman a pleasant surprise in the way he confronted House: He was dispassionate, clear, disapproving but not condescending and so avoided provoking House’s worse behavior.
I believe that there was an additional motive " apart from the vote of confidence " for putting back the office together: If Foreman wants to use House’s capabilities in full he must have a House capable of functioning in full. He realises that House needs his ‘toys”. And Foreman would definitely not want House roaming the hospital, disrupting everyone by trying to retreat his “stuff” (a metaphor for “normality” or his old life), writing on glass panes and generally stepping on hostile toes.
It is possible that by now Foreman is the one with the best understanding of how House operates.
Of course House still came out with irreverent comments but there was a change. Instead of gleefully observing how his comments affected personally the recipients, this time he is trying to gauge their reaction in connection to himself, how much accepted he might be. It is almost a if he is asking “Is it OK for me to be my usual jerkish self?” (e.g. “prison”, bracelet talk with Foreman….)
Foreman seems to have made it clear that it is not OK. Whether it sticks for either of them remains to be seen.
165 - Paulac45
Great review of a transitional episode that I thought was great and, like so many episodes, got better on subsequent viewings. Think Foreman as DOM could prove interesting as can imagine a few House/Foreman tussles of will down the road. the 'punchline' at the end was great and such a surprise it actually made me jump! From your review, and all the previous posts, I seem to be the only one who found the new doctor thoroughly aggravating in terms of how she is being played - as a cross between a Chinese cartoon character whose name I simply cannot remember, and Mr Magoo. don't know if the 'Mr Magoo' look with the boring stereotypical hair and 'kow towing' type stance is deliberate, but definitely don't like it - but the worst aspect is her high pitched irritating voice. The actress certainly played her character with more confidence than OA did hers in 20V, but I found her look and voice so irritating it was spoiling the scenes with HL. Hopefully when all the rest of the team are back on board she will fade into the background a bit! However, all that rant aside, the first two episodes of the season have been terrific - so well written, and beautifully played by HL. House at its Best!
166 - HouseMDFan
@Merkof - Nice observation. Foreman has worked with House very closely for the longest time, and he does indeed know that House needs some things to function in the long run. Just as he knows by now how House says thanks ("Well, this sucks." "You're welcome, House.") and how House pays people compliments (by invading their privacy). I LOVED these things.
Also agree with you about the fact that Foreman took a very rational approach to House, which worked quite well. House knows that Foreman is taking quite a leap for his sake, and Foreman's "for both our sakes" speech echoes positively what House says negatively in the very first scene: "You think this is a good idea for either of us?"
@Barbara
he simply has never seen House for who he is
There is nothing "simple" about this, because who has? There are people closer to him than others, having seen and learned more over time, but basically every character has his/her own idea of House, including House, and isn't that the point of the whole show? To examine and challenge and at times change those ideas, have them shed light on the characters themselves in return and see how they affect them? Every fan has his/her own idea of House, and almost everybody continues to judge him or the other characters based on that idea.
Also, I don't know what a "completely redeemed" House is supposed to even look like. In whose eyes? Maybe you are projecting the need to see him redeemed after the crash on a story-telling level on the characters' reactions, first Wilson as an avatar for the audience and now Foreman waiting for House to redeem himself?
167 - ParadoxHugh
@HouseMDFan
----Wilson can connect House to the "normal" social sphere sometimes, and House can connect Wilson to himself beyond his social persona.-----
Completely agree. There is a sort of symbiosis there. What did you think of Wilson saying "Another interaction in which I get nothing? Wilson perhaps just blowing off steam there or has he forgotten some of the things House has done for him like preventing career suicide at the conference?
He said that the bad outweighed the good and maybe for the last year he became focused on that while he was alone. It reminded me of Chase saying in You Must Remember This that people should not keep score like that in a numerical sense. One amazingly good act can outwiegh many small slights. Anyway we will see more tonight whether things are back to normal or if there is still some unresolved business between the two.
168 - HouseMDFan
@Paradox
"Another" interaction doesn't mean there were no interactions in which Wilson got something in return. And yes, definitely blowing off steam, he was completely unhappy with the situation he was in, with his patient as well as with House. Be that as it may, I think the point was - as Wilson realized at the end - that the whole "numerical" approach is inadequate.
169 - MamaBear
First off, want to say that this is not a flame - just making an observation. Articles are coming through with many an error in spelling, grammar, syntax. A once over after writing, perhaps?
170 - MHM
#141 Shane, that about sums it up (well, i don't agree with the terrorist part, though. sorry. the rest, yes.)
Popped my head in here for the first time in a long time, genuinely curious as to how people who are sticking with the show were reacting to S8.
Too many things about, surrounding, and related to the show seem to have imploded, and I really have to disagree with people who think that the show is on par with what it once was.
Well, if you're happy, ....
It really was the best show on television for a long time. Best of luck to all involved with the show and invested in the show after the final curtain call ends.
171 - Elorea
I agree it was a very good transitional episode. I'm glad to see Cuddy gone and see a little of the first House back again. Cuddy was a distraction. As for Foreman taking her job. Yuck. Foreman has always been an egotistical a$$ now he has an excuse to be an even bigger one. It may work though, two egos fighting each other.
172 - C
OK, weird. First comment rejected. Probably because of the link in it. Anyway, as I was trying to say, the bracelet that House wears on his wrist is a double chain friendship bracelet with three strands of brown and three strands of tan or cream (autumn colours) embroidery floss. You separate the strands by colour and make alternating forward and backward "4" knots, which are really just a long series of half hitches.
173 - housefriend
Again this episode was a vehicle for getting House back to the hospital and an exploration of the House/Wilson relationship.House is not pining for Cuddy because he never really wanted her to begin with,She was a substitite for the real love of his life-Wilson, This episode centered on Wilsons co dependency and devotion to House.Lots going on with Wilson and he is as much a main character as House-his friendship and devotion to his friend have met with some bumpy roads but it always wins out in the end.
174 - Sam
The bracelet that House was wearing on his right wrist is a black and white yarns which
symbolize the (Yin and Yang) and it's a Chinese philosophy,
175 - Lucas
First of all, thank you very much Barbara for this deep thought about the whole episode.
I have to say that I like it, and I think it was better than the premiere. Better than many episodes from season seven. I didn’t like so much the fact that now Thirteen, Chase and Taub are gone. They are an essential part of the team. There’s no team without them. The introduction of the new team member, Dr. Chi Park, was cool. She seems to be afraid, at first, of House. But, like Barbara you said, she had the cojones to punch her boss. It was funny imagining the whole scene. Park seemed to me, that she had to work a lot to make herself exceptional, to prove it to House. She reminded me a bit of Masters. They were similar in personality. Well, after this episode, I was hoping that next episodes would be funny, and interesting, two things that HOUSE MD has shown to us for a long time.