Mom and dad at the movies. Cuddy is merciless in the sweetest of ways, relentlessly teasing the embarrassed and humiliated House at the way the filmmakers re-cut the footage to make House into his evil twin: kind, caring, and jovial. And the best part of that wonderful scene comes after House leaves her office and Cuddy turns the tape on again, smiling knowingly, as the boy thanks House for the camera. Even if House can’t be happy about it, Cuddy can stand in for him, appreciating him as no one else can. And it’s captured for posterity on film. Lovely face acting by Lisa Edelstein in that scene.
Everything is shaded by perception; nothing is black and white (even when filmed in black and white); normal can’t be defined for everyone in the same way. Perceptions can be altered, as can outward appearance, but it doesn’t change who you are for good or bad.
A wonderful episode beautifully shot, acted, and written. Only five more before we run out of episodes in what looks like a strike-shortened season. And just when it seemed to be really gearing up. If you missed the episode, it will be shown on USA Network a week from Friday (day after Thanksgiving).
Remember: Support David Shore and the rest of the writers on strike — NO downloading from Amazon Unbox!
Article comments
1 - hl_lover
I agree, House was not telling the patient that he shouldn't have his surgery, just that he should wait until it is safe to do so. Some have wondered if this contradicted his advice to the patient in Merry Little Christmas, but it doesn't. He wouldn't discourage anyone from having at least the outward appearance of 'normal', the ticket out of the freak show, as he put it.
Kudos to the writer of this episode of "House", and kudos to you, Barbara, for summarizing so well the major themes and revelations of this excellent episode in a (to-date) excellent season of "House". How unfortunate that it will be terminated so prematurely!
2 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks as always, HL_L for your kind words. House has never begrudged anyone their ticket to normal. He's risked his life and career to make that possible. He just understands that you'll still be the person that lifetime of misery has wrought. I found no contradiction either.
Also apologies for mistakenly calling Kenny Darnell. Darnell is the name of the interviewer. The boy's name is Kenny. I wasn't totally out my mind, however. In the season 2 episode Daddy's boy, the patient's name was Carnell.
3 - Louise
Barbara,
Another wonderful review. Thanks for focusing in on (a pun, I know) the perception theme in this season. Right on target. This episode will take me four or five times through it to catch all that was going on. It particularly satisfying--and simultaneously annoying--to see the empirical House not able see and hear reality as he "blinded" by lust.
Then we have reality TV frameworks within a narrative fiction television series with a storyline where documentary film-makers distort the reality of a supposedly actual situation. Nothing like a bit of jump-cutting among genres to delight and confuse the senses.
Louise
4 - Barbara Barnett
Hi Louise,
There are just too many potential plays on words that would work with this episode; lots of symbols to play with. Focus, perception, distortion (as the camera is able to accomplish), image, lens, prism.
Some people, I know, were confused at House's sudden blindness regarding Terzi. After all, he's surrounded by beautiful women who like him and find him attractive. Why Terzi (who's nowhere as pretty as 13, and nowhere as sensual as Cuddy) And why now? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And like those of us who find Hugh Laurie more attractive than say Patrick Dempsy, when Dempsey is more conventionally handsome, none of us know who and why we find ourselves deeply and inexplicably attracted to someone. To me, my husband is the most handsome man on the planet; my sister might say "eh" about his looks. Also, post season 3, House may be in a better place emotionally (for now anyway)and more open to that sort of infatuation. It was funny to see House doubt himself around not only Terzi, but 13 as well, when his own lens went soft-focus on him regarding Terzi. Loved it.
Thanks for stopping by.
5 - Robin
I loved House's reactions to Terzi's medical comments. Like he was trying to shake himself from a love spell. And had to depend on Foreman to tell him the truth. Or any of the guys when the women spoke. I was surprised Foreman didn't make any comment about House's weakened state. He seemed to have figured out what his place is on this new team, which is back up support while others try to learn from House. I liked Wilson's comment "you were protected by Foreman" during his fuzzy moments.
6 - Barbara Barnett
I loved House's "guy-ness." And his horror that he's acting like a middle aged guy having a mid-life crisis.
Late breaking news: Writers Guild Negotiations will be resuming on 11/26. Good luck to all concerned.