Amy Irving and Hugh Laurie face off as Dr. House and his children's author patient in "Unwritten" on House, M.D.
“Unwritten,” the third episode in House’s seventh season features Amy Irving as the author of a popular young adult book series. Finishing her last book about “Jack Cannon, Boy Detective” Alice puts a gun her own head, intending to commit suicide; a seizure throws off her aim and lands her at Princeton-Plainsboro.…
Article comments
26 - SeraG
Barbara, you are the best. I loved your review/comments on what I thought was a really great episode.
I loved "Now What?" and "Selfish." Long time fans needed to see the beginning of House and Cuddy as a couple. We (and they) have fantasized about how it would work. I loved seeing the caresses and kisses. The bedroom scenes were important, too, as we know that Cuddy "...likes sex." ("Insensitive") and that House is a very sexual man, even though his outlet has mainly been prostitutes. (How many is up for debate, IMO.) The love scenes were in no way salacious or crude. I thought they were beautifully done. The physical part of a relationship is very important as it can be an indicator of compatability and building of trust and bonding. Plus, it was just fun to watch the two of them together!
The relationship development, to me is crucial. We know that he loved Stacy, but that pairing had its flaws as she tells him that she, "Never felt there was room for me. With Mark, I do." Perhaps that is another reason why House worries about lack of things in common. He knows that he can be obsessive and driven. Would he and Cuddy have enough to hold them together when those moments arrive? It has been 11 years since Stacy left and if nothing else, he is out of practice in considering the needs of another. He has been a loner most of his life and alone a long time.
I also believe that TPTB are intent on showing new viewers that there are more sides to this man than the cranky misanthrope they have heard about.
On to a lighter point, I loved the boss/girlfriend exchange. I thought it was a clever and funny way for these two, so used to keeping a lot inside with regards to their feelings for each other, to express those thoughts. Paraphrasing, 'I admire you, but that was crazy and reckless.' These two need to talk. The more, the better. Problems have ensued because they didn't share what they were feeling.
Amy Irving was terrific. She very realistically portrayed a woman at the end of her emotional rope. She didn't want to find out why she was sick or get better. We have not had that too often on House and I liked that quality.
I was a bit worried about the go-carts, but ended up laughing anyway. Personality traits were on display.
A purely superficial comment; Lisa E. has looked amazing this season. She is always beautiful, but she almost glows. I also like her clothes, sexy, but very sophisticated. That black dress was perfect. (Sorry, guys, it's a woman thing.)
I thought Cuddy's assurances to House that what they had was uncommon was right and true. No one else understands or appreicates the other quite the way they do.
Call it cheesy, call it easy writing, call it whatever you like, it was an excellent moment when House looks at Cuddy, calls on the "better" part of himself and leaves Alice in her consolation. Then, in a pure House moment, tells Cuddy, "Oh, shut up!" Her smile spoke for all of us. He is House, but perhaps a man on the path to more inner peace, happiness and the realization that he now has more than his "one thing."
Long may it last!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Wasn't the Peace Penguin still on Cuddy' desk at the end of the episode? Sweet.
27 - Jessica
House just isn't House anymore. I wish the writers could keep their romantic notions to themselves and keep writing these characters as interesting, complicated beings!
Cuddy keeps telling him how much she loves him, that she won't dumped him, and she has gone from someone who House repeatedly rejected an emotional relationship with to someone who has the upper hand. How does that make sense?
And House is more complicated than this. Would he really waltz around with flowers and tell Wilson he's happy and generally make himself so vulnerable? Remember when he told Taub that Taub was only criticizing him because he's jealous of his relationship with Cuddy?
That's the kind of argument House would have rolled his eyes at if Wilson had tried to use it on him!
It's so bizarre.
House isn't a classic romantic. It also doesn't make sense that he's insecure about a relationship he parades around about. And Cuddy's not exactly an interesting character... She's basically Admin Barbie, if they're trying to make her into an interesting character why not put a bit of effort in and give them some intelligent banter?!
28 - PH
I guess I'm living in an AU, since I can't believe the notches on everyone's pistols.
Blacktop #20: I agree with your, "As others have pointed out, House -- the admirer of TV soap operas, video games, and monster trucks -- was utterly in character with his adoration of adolescent pasttimes like the boy detective novels and go-karts."
What is so OOC, as others have stated, when previous ep's have detailed how House is a child at heart?!? I loved it.
The go-karts were a window. It was a funny, light-hearted double date that let us in on the current interplay between the four individuals involved. Between Sam's driving and her help with the typewriter ribbon, the writers handed us a new twist.
I appreciate that the writers/crew do the minute details that show us House's attempt for a lasting relationship... the bouquet of peonies (mmm.. one of my faves, ants included), the choice of the penguin over the beaver (*snicker*), his 'invitation' to include her in his illegal investigation of the patients' home, his lack of a T-shirt since he was going on a date later. Nuances, pieces of the puzzle.
I think that House personally related to the POTW. Many of her comments could have easily been voiced by House pre-Mayfield.
I thought it EXTREMELY significant that she tried to end her pain by injecting the syringe into her right thigh. Sound familiar? House's reaction was breath taking.
At the end, when House approaches the POTW with his 'aneurism findings', the author sees her son. But this time WITHOUT the scar. Is it due to her recollection of him solely as her son, versus seeing him as her literary muse?
(BTW, if my doc showed me a photo of my deceased son on the autopsy table, I would open up a can of whoop-ass on him, regardless of how depressed I was.)
Did anyone else catch the part that House seemed embarrassed to have Foreman hear Chase summarize his passion for the boy detective as "for girls 10-14"?
hmmmm.... Does he actually, down deep, want Foreman's approval? That's a change.
I am whole heartedly awaiting the next intricate episode, I just need a few more edge pieces to complete the outside of the puzzle. Then comes the inside pieces... always did suck at those.
29 - Michele1L
Andrea#12- I agree with much of what you said. I think Cuddy and House are more alike than they are different, despite having differing tastes. (They do both like poker, by the way. Remember that episode, "All In", when the hospital hosted a fundraiser? It would be cute to watch them play a hand as a team at one of House's regular games.)
I digress though about your comments about Wilson and Cuddy being more alike than she and House. Wilson is the 'high and mighty' (though hilarious) moral compass to House's silly digressions. Earlier in the series, when Wilson was staying with House and House was joyfully pranking him, Wilson was initially dismissive of House's juvenile behavior. He eventually came around (sawing at House's cane to cause House to take a tumble in the hospital corridor -- but it never takes Cuddy any time to lower herself to House's delinquency. She is immediately right down there with him. -- He pranks her, she pranks him back, and vise versa. I don't think Cuddy and Wilson are much alike at all. Wilson has always been compelled to try and make House change, in some cases to the point of disaster. One incident that springs to mind was when House was right about the patient who needed the cortisol injection. Wilson insisted that Cuddy not tell House he was right, despite the fact that House was clearly suffering for it, while Cuddy was bursting at the seams to tell him. Clearly, despite how arrogant House may be, Cuddy is proud enough of him to validate him, no matter what. There was another episode where Wilson insisted that House was wrong and Cuddy retorted, "No, he's never just 'wrong'. Both Wilson and Cuddy have been enablers in House's life, but, in my view, it has been Cuddy who has been far more willing to accept House for who he is, faults and all. Once she came to terms with this herself, she was able to confess her feelings for him.
I do agree with your assessment as to why Wilson and House are friends -- although Wilson, too, is a bit screwed up, just in a different way.
'Loved Cuddy's smile and House's 'Oh shut up' at the end of the episode. -- Perfect. Love the way this season is going so far. -- Everything new is old again. Business as usual.
30 - barbara barnett
House just isn't House anymore. I wish the writers could keep their romantic notions to themselves and keep writing these characters as interesting, complicated beings!
--Involved characters can very much be interesting and complex. The relationship provides new challenges and obstacles for House to overcome on this leg of his journey, IMHO
Cuddy keeps telling him how much she loves him, that she won't dumped him, and she has gone from someone who House repeatedly rejected an emotional relationship with to someone who has the upper hand. How does that make sense?
--Not sure what you mean. House has been chasing her since the end of season two (at least). It makes perfect sense. After he got some closure on his relationship with Stacy, he discovered his attraction (or re-discovered it) for Cuddy
And House is more complicated than this. Would he really waltz around with flowers and tell Wilson he's happy and generally make himself so vulnerable? Remember when he told Taub that Taub was only criticizing him because he's jealous of his relationship with Cuddy?
Absolutely. S1: the Corsage he bought for Cameron; S2: Stacy's prescription for her heart condition. Also, his behind the scenes advocacy of Foreman/13's relationship and his advice that when you love someone you "do the stupid things" for the one you love.
House isn't a classic romantic. It also doesn't make sense that he's insecure about a relationship he parades around about.
House is insecure about a great many things. The parading about is a part of his personality designed to put people off. You're right. He's not a classic romantic, but he is incredibly romantic--and a romantic figure.
31 - Michele1L
You took the words straight from my mouth, Barbara. Agree with you 100 percent. House has always been a romantic and he has certainly 'paraded about' with his business -- some of which no one other than he and the person he's 'conducting' it with should know about -- throughout the duration of the series. It's all part of his complex and dynamic nature -- and what makes him irresistably watchable.
32 - PH
Can anyone tell me why Taub and Chase were so astonished that the POTW could read their lives? House does it to them constantly. Remember House's left-field read on drugged Cameron jumping Chase's bones?
That part of the scene didn't add up for me. I understand the concept was to compare the POTW to House, but I would have expected the docs to just roll their eyes and exit asap.
33 - Andrea
I think House has always been a romantic. Cynics are often disillusioned romantics and House is exhibit No. 1. No one but a romantic would get so involved in soap operas or try to persuade Taub to be honest with or stay faithful to his wife, etc. etc. etc. A big part of him still believes in the happy ending.
On another note, I just rewatched 5 to 9 and noticed once again what an annoying character Lucas is. There's such a difference in how Cuddy reacts to Lucas and how she reacts to House in that episode that it should have been obvious last season where they were going with this. Cuddy so obviously did not love Lucas and so obviously DOES love House in that episode. When Lucas did annoying things, she wanted nothing more than to get away from him. Sex with him was one more thing she had to do to get through her day and he wasn't very good at it. He was clueless when she looked in the mirror and told herself she could do it all. House pays such close attention to her that he can decipher the hidden meaning of the quirk of an eyebrow.
As always she was energized and completely engaged in all her scenes with House. House was who she went to for advice or moral support and the one whose advice she listened to. He didn't call her a bitch and even if he had it would have been a compliment. At the end of the episode he's the only one not clapping or smiling but the look on his face is sheer admiration and pride and not a little jealousy. Her being with Lucas REALLY bothers him.
It's going to be interesting to see House deal with Rachel, but in retrospect I don't think Lucas was as good with her as some might think. Lucas was irresponsible enough to turn off the phone's ringer so he could sleep, didn't really act concerned about what was wrong with Rachel, who had a fever and a rash, and was quite casual about leaving her to the nanny. House can't do much worse than Lucas did in that episode. I hope he will end up surprising Cuddy with his kid-wrangling skills. I'm also hoping for an episode where it can be rubbed in Lucas's face just how much happier Cuddy is with House. So far there's always a smile on Cuddy's face when she's watching House and he isn't leaving her sexually frustrated. She's not lying when she tells him here that she's happier than she's ever been and most definitely not bored. Lucas bored her.
34 - SeraG
Andrea#3, AMEN!
35 - SeraG
Sorry, Andrea, I meant post #33.
36 - pawpaw
I'm loving this new season so far! Think it just might be the best yet. Loved first episode and thought, gosh, how can they top this? And they did with episode 2, and now with Unwritten, it was just delightful, fun and FUNNY, tender, touching...I can go on (though not as eloquently as the other fans here). Suffice to say that I am feeling calmer about where House & Cuddy are headed. Could have been Cuddy's declaration and reassurance that she's never been happier. worked for me & I think (at least for now) for House, too.
@blacktop-loved your comments, especially: (paraphrasing) who wouldn't want to break into that fab old Victorian with a beautiful woman like Cuddy in tow...I definitely share that sentiment!
37 - Kim F
Barbara,
I have to say that I LOVED this episode and your writing of course, which I usually do. I did see the similarities between House and his obsession with Jack Cannon, the scar, his father, and how he has two love interests which people have certain feelings for ;). The obsession with the yo-yo, House and 'ball-y.' So, I was thrilled that you wrote that in your article because I thought that I was obsessing over the show instead of my english lit hw. I loved how House was worrying over the 'eventual doom' of his relationship with Cuddy and tried to make an effort to find a common ground. Wilson being a 'gossip' and telling Cuddy hopefully means that their friendship is back on track after a disastrous year. Which of course meant that Cuddy would bring it up with House and reassured him that their 'uncommon' relationship is what makes her happy.
While, I can certainly understand how certain viewers would feel sacred about the dynamic and how 'House isn't the same and they forced Huddy', it was a natural progression, honestly how many would've kept on watching if House never changed and kept going the way he was? It's no fluke that House is in its 7th season and is the #1 watched show worldwide. For some to say that this came out of nowhere , it didn't House has made certain strides since day one, he's learned and grown so much since we first laid eyes on him and that sky blue turtleneck.
I think that the first two episodes were meant to be awkward, the tango that they've normally danced is off rhythm because everything has changed.They aren't just employer/employee or perjurer/felon, but an item, a couple, something that they both don't know how to deal with, but are trying to learn. As the season progresses and House and Cuddy learn how to be together so will we. For those who say that the show is doomed... 'Unwritten' is the perfect 'inyourface' episode.
38 - Grace
GREAT comments from everyone!! I was wondering.... Do you all think that House really called Cuddy's mom to ask her what Cuddy likes to do? Seems to me he was just joking.
Someone mentioned Stacy probably wouldn't like go kart racing. I respectfully disagree. If her relationship with House wasn't filled with fun times, I'd have to blame most of that on House.
WHY doesn't House's leg hurt anymore?????
He said he thought it was getting worse. It was hurting more. Then the episode HELP ME where he's crawling around on the ground. Then the sex. Still, his leg is not hurting.
I am really perplexed by this.
And I CAN'T BELIEVE no one mentioned the return of the WHITE BOARD!!! :)
I liked SELFISH better, but this was a good ep. too.
And to you Barbara, LOVE your recaps and am looking forward to reading your book.
39 - Leodie
#38 Grace. I noticed the white board too and was thrilled about its return, but couldn’t be 100% sure that we hadn’t seen it at all in the last episodes (season 6 included) so I didn’t comment.
#33 Andrea. I agree with you, House is a romantic at heart and I see him as a weary and cynical man throwing his delusion about mankind at everyone’s face, secretly but desperately hoping for someone to prove him wrong. Will Cuddy be that person?
#28 PH. I loved your take on that episode, nice attention to meaningful details. # 32 I was also disturbed by Chase’s overreaction at POTW astute observations when House does the same with his ducklings three times before lunch every day (quite a feat considering at what time he usually pulls in). My only explanation is that he internally is as impressed when House does it but knows better than to encourage him by reacting when it always is at his expense.
Have to add that short but perfect line which got me hysterical:
Taub (waking up): … the hell ?
Foreman : Close, it’s House
40 - Andrea
Grace, I think it's been established that House has been in contact with Cuddy's mom before since he arranged with her to get Cuddy's old desk from medical school. Maybe he just talks to her on the phone and has never met her in person. That would have been an interesting conversation to be a fly on the wall for. Mrs. Cuddy has probably heard some House stories over the years and I think the antics of Greg House (if not the one night stand) would have been someone Cuddy would have mentioned at Thanksgiving dinner during med school. She might not be totally unfamiliar with him.
41 - Jane
I think that Chase's surprise at the POTW's astute observation was justified. Although they frequently receive the same from House, to hear it from someone else unexpected would be surprising indeed. Another House--how many times in a lifetime do you get to meet such geniuses?
Can someone tell me if there is any significance in House choosing the peace penguine over the beaver?
Granted that House is a child-at-heart, but personally, I still find it hard to accept that House is a fan of teenage girls' fiction. Even though House like soap operas, I never saw this habit as a true hobby of his but a space for him to think. I never saw him indulging in fiction to satisfy a voyeuristic need and this is contrary to the concept of an ultra-rational man that he is. Yes, I totally agree that House is a romantic and love that he is one. But House is romantic with REAL people, so this isn't enough reason for me to believe that House indulges in teenage girls' fiction. But of course, this is only my opinion, and I definitely respect that other fans who have responded to my post earlier hold other opinions.
Thanks to Andrea (#33) for pointing out that important fallacy that Lucas is a better "domestic man". I almost fell for that false comparison between Lucas and House. Now I'm excited to see how House will interact with Rachel and if there is going to be any "revenge" with Lucas.
For the record, thanks to Delia_Beatrice (#17) for the correction on Rachel's birth, which was in S5's "Joy to the World". Well, somehow, I found the secret parenthood plot quite repetitive and unimpressive, especially since it's supposed to be an epiphany. Well, maybe it didn't work for me because I saw it coming and so lost the impact of the epiphany that it was supposed to be.
And again, I don't understand how mirroring pre-Mayfield House fits into the story-telling. True that House had behaved in similar fashion with the Addison disease patient. But there was a building up to that behavior because the emphasis then was on the different quality of life House was experiencing and how it changed him when freed from his physical pain. Right now, I don't see a need for the writers to show forth this aspect of House when there is more urgent and greater emphasis on the story-telling of the relationship between House and Cuddy.
Yes, I agree with Ruthinor (#23) that it was beneath House that he should have wanted to tell the POTW the truth just to get even. House is brash and honest but he always do that to make a point; he doesn't say things just to be nasty.
@ PH(#28), Maybe the Jack Connor without the scar was a dramatic clue that the POTW was deceived by House and had altered her memory of her son to a rosier one.
42 - Delia_Beatrice
@Ruthinor (#23): yes! I had forgotten to mention that, glad that you did! I, too, was certain that "old House" would have still refrained from an act of completely empty cruelty towards Alice/Helen. The key towards her decision to continue her life was the fact that, after all those years, she was capable to free herself from the guilt she had been tormented by. This is clearly stated in the lines (maybe, again, a bit too obvious): "It wasn't my fault" - "And it wasn't mine". To help her find a reason to go on and free her from torment, only to take it away for no good reason, would have been way too much, even for House at his most depressed and most angry.
In regard to the reccuring "secret paternity" theme - and parental theme altogether (@Flo): i do hope this is a clue towards House's paternity issue finally being addressed. It is long overdue!!!!!! The paternity theme has been a constant on the show since season 1, we get AT LEAST one episode a year in which the father/parents - child relationship is a major focus. I hope that this is the season when we finally get the explanatory encounter between House, his mother and his biological father. His therapeutic journey is blocked by this unresolved, very important aspect of his identity.
@Leodie (#39): True. House has always been waiting for somebody to prove him wrong. His cynicism and the mask of absolute lucidity are his defense mechanisms, underneath lies his need that his life be validated by somebody's unconditional love. And yes, if that person is not Cuddy (which i doubt - i think that their relationship is unfolding in the perfect manner, to maximize his chance at achieving some extent of healing and balance), then there is no one. It's been said many times by many people, this is IT for him.
43 - blacktop
@Jane (#41), I'll take a crack at the significance of the beaver vs. peace penguin stuffed toys. House had the opportunity to make a really rude and obnoxious sexual pun by choosing to give Cuddy the beaver to express his feelings for her. Fortunately, he chose to give her the cute penguin, a stuffed version of an animal famous for its elegant good looks, hardiness, tenacity, determination, and remarkable devotion to both its life mate and its offspring. The penguin was a great choice by far.
I agree with Delia_Beatrice in hoping that this season the issues of House's paternity are addressed head on. Perhaps the involvement of House with Rachel -- another child raised apart from a biological father -- will prompt this re-examination of House's issues in this regard.
And as many others have said, House is the ultimate romantic. It is completely in character to have him act with grand flourishes and extreme trepidation in this new love relationship.
It is interesting to me that so far House has resisted his former impulses to rush into living with the object of his passion. Stacy said that they moved in together five days after their first date. Even in the throes of his delusion in "Both Sides Now" House wanted to move in with Cuddy after a single (imaginary) night together. Why is he holding back now that it would seem his dream is realized?
Delia_Beatrice said that Cuddy is IT for him. I agree and I believe he knows it too. This profound knowledge makes him uncharacteristically cautious at the moment, but for how long is anyone's guess.
44 - MamaShante
What did House say about wanting to live in the mansion? Did he say "we" or "I"?
45 - Michele1L
Grace#38 - House's leg still hurts because when it doesn't,(as shown in the episodes, "Meaning" and "The Softer Side" he walks without the limp. He is just better able to cope with the pain now because he is less focused on it. In previous episodes it has been suggested that some part of House's pain was psychological -- which would explain why, now that he has his ladylove, that it bothers him less. It was also suggested that his addiction to vicodin only intensified his feeling of pain because as its numbing effects would wear off the pain would feel even worse. His now being off vicodin for a year, combined with his happiness I would think, all things considered, would make the pain a lot more manageable.
46 - Kristin
I honestly believe that I have been witness to some of the best scenes I have ever seen on House this season thus far. The scene with Cuddy telling House that they have an "Uncommon" relationship will forever be one of my favorite scenes. It seriously spoke to my heart. I think that too much is made of having "things in common" which can also lead to predictibility and boredom.
It was a perfect message for a couple I believe could be the most realistic ever written and acted for the TV screen.
47 - Jay
I initially didn't like this episode, but after watching it a couple of times, I started liking it a lot. I think it did a lot to neutralize Huddy by showing the relationship in a very quiet and subtle way.
I think that the POTW was very interesting because she represents what House was like in past seasons and seeing her and House together, side by side, in their scenes was astonishing. Their scenes together show how much his pestimistic outlook has been toned down just by being with Cuddy, yet at the same time, he remains the same person that he essentially is at his core. I feel bad for the person that House used to be (and still is in some ways). I loved Cuddy's speech at the end and she's right, she has changed him without directly trying and this episode shows that.
Amy Irving was a fantastic actress and I loved the parallels between House and Jack (the fictional character). I really like Sam also and I would like to see more of her.
Also, is it just me, or does Hugh Laurie just seem so much younger this season? It could be that he's smiling a bit more. I also think he just dyed his hair prior to the start of this season and he also just looks healthier. Good for him!
48 - Leodie
I am surprised not to have seen mentioned anywhere Harry Potter.
A very succesful "old fashioned" woman writer.
Teen novels driving crowds of teen-age girls fans.
A mystery solving boy hero with a scar on his face.
Not being a great fan, i don't know that much about Potter and didn't mention it before, but didn't the similarities strike anyone ?
49 - Leodie
Or it was so obvious that noone bothered to mention it...
50 - Delia_Beatrice
@Blacktop (#43): Your interpretation on beaver vs. penguin is imaginative:) I see no reason why it can't be accurate - on that subconscious level on which we make our choices, based on piles of information, symbols and reference, House might have very well undergone the same reasoning.
On the moving together thing: i think that the reasons they are taking it a bit slow on that one are multiple.
There is the caution - House more than Cuddy (or more openly) has a lot on his mind, many areas of concern and worry that he is preoccupied about. Moving in together - with Rachel, obviously - adds major complications into an equation that is already overwhelming for House.
Further on, the issue of Rachel hasn't even been brought up yet. I mean, we don't see the three of them together at all, yet, which points to another reason: they are still in the fusional phase, still so absorbed by each other and submerged in their passion and delight, that they are not yet taking into account more practical and mundane aspects to their relationship and they are not ready for the third party (the child) in the midst of their crazy-in-love haze.
I don't know what House was like back when he met Stacy, but i do know what he was like in BSN, when he asked Cuddy to move in with him (just like you, Blacktop, i do think that was a real proposal - he meant it, it wasn't just a test or merely the drugs speaking). His mental state was very fragile, his reason far from his best. His powerful delusion of salvation had thrown him into a state of confused, blurry happiness, but his psychic at the time didn't allow him to reach full awareness, let alone expression of what he was feeling. His approach of it was deeply imature and even superficial, even if, we all know, his feelings weren't.
Season 7 House is a million miles away from
BSN House. His level of self-awareness, in regard to who he is and how he loves and needs Cuddy, has developed tremendously. His level of maturity has reached a healthy point in which he is capable to actually take her needs into account and try hard (very hard...) to fulfill them. His acceptance of her role in his life (i, too, believe that he is fully aware that Cuddy is IT for him, which is precisely why they have a grand chance at making this last) is deep and complete - which makes him overwhelmed by caution and concern, because he knows and accepts that he is betting his life and his one, grand chance at some normality and happiness on this relationship.
So it makes sense that he isn't rushing into things this time. It makes sense that he is cautious as much as he is drowned in happiness. It makes sense that he really takes the issue of her child seriously and that he is considering Cuddy's needs and her difficulties in adjusting to the situation. It makes sense that he wants to be as careful and take as many precautions as he possibly can, in order to make it work.
In regard to your question about how long his caution can last: my opinion is that it will diminish in time, as it is replaced by the confidence and trust she inspires him. So far, Cuddy did her job beautifully. It's his turn very soon (i hope this doesn't count as a spoiler, i haven't really said anything) and i hope he does as good a job as she has been doing since "Help Me".
51 - Delia_Beatrice
@Leodie: i am a major "Harry Potter" fan. The connection is obvious, in regard to the woman author and the tremendous success of the series that is centered around a teenage boy.
But i didn't refer to Harry because it didn't fit the situation in more meaningful ways. It would be very hard for me to attempt the smallest of identification of Alice with JK Rowling, who is an incredibly positive and generous woman.
Also, the essence of the characters is different. Harry is not a mystery solving hero, even if he does do some "detective" work, that is only one of the many means he uses in order to reach his goal - which bares much larger and important significance than mere puzzle solving.
There were many references to Harry in "House" over the years, but i wouldn't go to Harry if i wanted to draw a parallel between House and another fictional character. They are very, very different in many essential ways.
52 - barbara barnett
The parallels, as others have said are obvious. You could however, take other children's book authors and perhaps make the same parallels (my kids and we have equally loved the Lemony Snickett characters) with the central characters and author.
House has always been an all-or-nothing guy. He was already hearing life-commitment after sleeping one time with Stacy, giving her a choice to "have a life with (him) or a life with Mark"--not an affair (which is what she seemed to want at first). Now, the moving in together thing, I agree as well has an air of caution that goes along with House's urge to look beyond the initial and try to forge something real and lasting. It would be in character to be more focused on "when is she going to dump me" than lets move in together.
His comment in BSN, while serious, also wasn't. I think he was testing the waters of what believed was happening (from within that blurry, unreal happiness). House was not in reality, his mind had made up a beautiful lie for him that simply didn't exist. Why not move in?
This is real for House. He knows the risks, the stakes and he wants it to work. This is an enormous step for him.
53 - Susan
Jay #47 - House looked awful in most of last season's episodes - gaunt and with that cropped prison-type haircut. He looks much better now with his hair grown in a bit. And the happiness and smiling do make him look younger.
54 - DebbieJ.
@Flo #18 - I couldn't agree more with your assessment. Lisa has said that Cuddy's relationship with Lucas is what she thought "looked good on paper". A conventional, convenient relationship. But like she told House in Unwritten, what they have is so much more complex, so deep, so uncommon. I've always gone back to her date with the Eastern Lube guy in Insensitive. He saw the woman Cuddy truly is when she interacted with House. She was the woman much more alive, passionate.
I enjoyed the go-kart scene, even though I thought is dragged on a little longer than needed. I enjoyed it more for the House/Wilson dynamic than the House/Cuddy or the H/C-W/S dynamic! (BTW, did anyone else hear House channeling Dr. Cockroah, PhD. with a maniacal laugh around the race track?!) I enjoyed it when House realized he and Sam have more in common (besides Wilson) than he first thought.
I loved how the show got back to basics with a solid POTW. Medical mystery, ethical and moral dilemmas, parallels between the patient and House. And I love how they've gone back to House's tried and true adage, Everybody Lies. I especially loved how he proved his point by writing it on Taub's back!
55 - Andrea
I did notice the "white board" but I did feel a bit sorry for the team when House swept their lunches into the garbage can with his cane and wrote "Everybody Lies" on Taub's back like he was the class dunce. House really is the boss from hell, even when he's in love. On the other hand ... the new team members never really caught on with me and Foreman was my least favorite of the original group, so I'm not interested in whatever Thirteen's latest crisis is or the travails of Taub. Half the fun of watching House is seeing him say what no one else would ever get away with saying out loud. I'm glad they haven't curbed his sharp and wickedly funny tongue.
The parallels between the Harry Potter series and the fictional Jack Cannon series are pretty obvious, though I have the impression that the Jack Cannon series is different. I'm picturing something more along the lines of Philip Pullman's young adult Sally Lockhart mystery series or like J.K. Rowling's final Potter book, which is more adult and quite a bit darker. The posters for the fictional series suggest as much.
As for why House hasn't moved in with Cuddy, I think it's because he definitely knows this is "it" this time. He's not a young man anymore and he's been through absolute hell in the last 10 years. He's finally arrived at some level of maturity and self awareness through giving up the drugs and going into therapy. I'd love to see his sessions with the therapist and whatever advice he's getting about what to do next. He's using Wilson and possibly his therapist as a sounding board for his fears and is really trying to do this the right way.
As for what he was like as a young man, House is definitely inclined to be impulsive and passionate and make wild romantic gestures when his emotions are engaged, though he apparently wasn't ready to settle down at any point until he saw Stacy. He was attracted to Cuddy and they ended up in bed when he was in his twenties but he wasn't at a point in his life where he was ready to take it any further than that. He's quite a bit older than Cuddy too, so his immaturity probably delayed his graduation from medical school and the start of his career. He'd have been in his late 20s to her early 20s when they had their little one night stand and he failed to call her back. Greg House took a LONG time to grow up. A few years later he apparently saw Stacy and persuaded her to move in five days later. He would have been somewhere in his thirties by then and more ready to settle down, but he was still more interested in his work than in Stacy, by both their accounts. I didn't have the impression that it was a perfect match temperamentally even before the thing with his leg. His problems in his relationship with Stacy may explain some of his fears about what could happen to end his relationship with Cuddy.
So far Cuddy has done a lot of things right, which I hope bodes well for the health of the relationship. She's stood by him consistently for over a decade, gave him a job when he couldn't get hired elsewhere, protected him professionally and personally and has been as much a friend as Wilson in many ways. She ended it with Lucas BEFORE she came to House to start the relationship, something Stacy did not do, and she isn't lying to House about the important things. She's avoided introducing her child into the mix because she probably wants to solidify the relationship first for House AND Rachel's sake. They both want to make this work and they're both taking it slow because they want so much for it to work.
56 - DebbieJ.
I just realized something. The boy hero in the book, who parallels House in so many ways is named Jack "Cannon". The writers here are genius! The whole idea that this episode was written in "canon" by way of the parallels of how the show might end, either without a cliffhanger or worse. And how House spars with others in the fandom online as what should happen to the character. Just genius!
57 - Michele1L
Jay#47 - They had shaved Hugh's hair down really short last season, which made him look sort of "Middle-aged-inmate-like", and now his hair is back to his more "housian" length. I also think his sort of more haggard look, especially toward the end of last season was deliberate, because it represented how increasingly depressed he was becoming.
Just a note -I find that Hugh, when he is on talk shows, looks a great deal younger than he does on "House" for some reason. ???
58 - Cara
@Jay #47: I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about the contrast between old House and how he has grown. I never thought of it like that but it's pretty cool. You're right about him being different but still his intrinsic personality remaining the same. He and Cuddy getting together this season has freshened his character up and made him interesting again for me.
59 - simona
@MamaShante "What did House say about wanting to live in the mansion? Did he say "we" or "I"?
I think he said "I should live..." but I'm not sure
@BarbaraB "House is insecure about a great many things. The parading about is a part of his personality designed to put people off. You're right. He's not a classic romantic, but he is incredibly romantic--and a romantic figure."
And about the moving in together thing "This (relationship with Cuddy) is real for House. He knows the risks, the stakes and he wants it to work. This is an enormous step for him."
Really an enormous step, this is why it can't be a wasted opportunity.
@Andrea "So far Cuddy has done a lot of things right, which I hope bodes well for the health of the relationship. She's stood by him consistently for over a decade, gave him a job when he couldn't get hired elsewhere, protected him professionally and personally and has been as much a friend as Wilson in many ways. She ended it with Lucas BEFORE she came to House to start the relationship, something Stacy did not do, and she isn't lying to House about the important things. She's avoided introducing her child into the mix because she probably wants to solidify the relationship first for House AND Rachel's sake. They both want to make this work and they're both taking it slow because they want so much for it to work."
I totally agree about their deep need to make the relationship work and about the fact that they need to go slowly, although I fear that sooner or later House will press heavily the foot on the accelerator, because this kind of challenges belong to him and are part of his nature.
About what was written by @DeliaB (some comments ago) "in comparison to House himself, Jack had something House has always needed and never had: a mother who cared for him so much, that she dedicated painful years of her life to keeping him alive by her writing"...
I think that House needed to give an 'absolution' to the POTW for the damage caused to her child (irresponsible mother behavior), because he really needs to absolve his own mother to go on with his life. IMO House was already somewhat emotionally reconciled with his father (not the biological one) after the funeral, when he tells Wilson: "my dad is dead".
I see more problematic, and then open, the nature of his relationship with his mother and I'm curious to see how (and if) this will be addressed by the writers.
60 - Delia_Beatrice
@Simona: I think you had a great true intuition on this one:)
House's therapeutic journey is partially blocked because of the lack of closure on two very important and profound levels of his inner structure: the paternity - identity issues and his mother's duplicity and lack of proper protective response.
So it makes perfect sense to interpret his gift towards Alice as a symbolic absolution of his own mother, an attempt at a partially artificial reconciliation with his childhood wounds.
I think that the reconciliation and closure in regard to John House were even more visible in "The Tyrant" than they had been in "Birthmarks". House being convinced by Wilson to try and make peace with his memories of his legal father, by pretending to talk to the inner representation of John House that he carries with him, are obvious attempts at closure and at finally reaching acceptance in regard to his childhood and personal history.
I hope the mother and biological father issues are addressed this season. Both these issues have a major impact on House's damaged sense of self worth and his deep, unconscious belief that he does not deserve to live, to be loved or to be happy. They function as barriers against the healing power of Cuddy's love and i hope some sort of closure and acceptance are reached.
61 - Cyndi Tessler
This season has been amazing. Each week is better and better. The writing is so good, so fine, so touching. A big thank you to the writers for letting us get to know the characters on a deeper level.
I'm so glad they are not just brushing by House and jumping to make him miserable again. He deserves a this happiness and contentmant. Although, you know he will never be content. Can't wait to see how he handles Rachel. Hope he loves being a Dad.
62 - saif
your friend is very annoyed accordinghis poor perception about people and relationship and that has carried alot of friction between him and his fiancee,we want to improve his relationship and has asked for your help so what you will do to help him in this matter?