First and foremost: apologies for not filing a review last week. I was a bit overwhelmed finishing a large project and dealing with Thanksgiving. I promise to catch up with it during the House hiatus (no more new episodes until January).
I watch House because it’s about House (the ever-amazing Hugh Laurie). I like the other characters; I enjoy them on screen and in their interactions with House—and with each other. But I don’t watch the show for them. They aren’t written as central characters, and although they all have interesting lives away from the House-universe, they are never as interesting to watch as House. I also love Robert Sean Leonard (who plays Wilson). He has a fantastic deadpan comedic timing, and he and Hugh Laurie have great chemistry.
So, I wasn’t sure how I would like a House episode focused on someone other than House.
After finding myself too easily distracted during the first half hour of “Wilson” (to me, that’s never a good sign), I realize in retrospect how much I really loved the episode. No, I wasn’t riveted—breathless with anticipation during the commercial breaks as I’ve been with some episodes--at least not until halfway through it.
But I realized that "Wilson" not so much furthers Wilson’s narrative, although it does that, as it provides us insight into House’s current state of mind nearly halfway into season six. In seasons past, when life-altering events occur to House, they have been long-since forgotten within several episodes. They don't affect him long term because "people don't change," and House always reverts to type.
We also, since “Known Unknowns,” haven't really had access to House’s inner life. Having been rejected by Cuddy—and humiliated by Lucas, House reverted to a more destructive sort of meddling mode. As Wilson noted in “Teamwork,” what happened had to have devastating to House, but House has insisted he’s OK. We, like Wilson, knew that was impossible. But we got no clues—no access to House’s inner thoughts or his emotions. And after "Teamwork" and "Ignorance is Bliss," I began to wonder if House was slipping back into a more defensive and destructive posture.
It is early morning at the episode’s start, and House has clearly been up for hours. Overnight, he has moved several musical instruments and many of his trinkets and books to Wilson’s apartment. What is late-sleeper House doing up so industriously at the crack of dawn? Is he not sleeping? Is that a clue? Or is there some greater purpose in annoying the Felix Unger-esque Wilson with his mess? (And the Felix-Oscar motif reflects nicely in House's reference to the "Pigeon sisters," Oscar and Felix' upstairs neighbors.) Or is House simply being annoying?
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RobF
I think the big change this episode was that Wilson, who has always remained neutral while caught in between House and Cuddy, finally took a side.
The decision to boot Cameron off the show now makes some sense to me. With her around, Wilson knew there was somebody who would often see and support the House behind the grumpy façade, which is something House desperately needs. With her gone, House needs Wilson to back him up, which means he can no longer remain neutral.
Wilson doesn't really want to "punish" Cuddy, but he knows that's the way House plays it.
As for the changed point of view for this episode, it was nice to see just how ridiculous House's team's antics appear when you look through the eyes of the other hospital employees.
2 - barbara barnett
Rob--great perspective and you are correct. House needs his advocate and it can't be both Cameron and Wilson.
Catch the monty python reference?
3 - NancyGail
Wilson gets a backbone! Nice. I just wish it could have been with Tucker rather than Cuddy. Okay, Wilson doubled the chemo. Tucker was well aware of the risks though. If Cuddy was turned down by the owner, she has no right to be mad at Wilson.
4 - barbara barnett
exactly the point NancyGail. She offered and didn't up the offer (at least that's what's suggested)
5 - RobF
I had a feeling Wilson used his influence with his ex-wife to make sure he got to out-bid Cuddy. Even if he didn't, Cuddy would understandably be mad at him for bidding against her.
I didn't get the Monty Python reference, nor the Odd Couple reference, even though they were said in a way that made it obvious he was refering to something.
I wonder if there was anything to House not wanting 13 to come into the room when she came to tell him the test result. It might just have been a throwaway, showing that there's always some drama on House's team.
When Wilson used House's team behind his back, it was funny that Chase was the one to mention that the correct diagnosis was cancer. In the last episode, House had mocked Chase for offering only "predictable" input in the brainstorming sessions, but maybe he's on the team because he persists in seeing horses instead of imagining zebras.
6 - Reba
Hello Barbara,
Thanks for the review. I am so glad you got the time to do it, I know how a day full of other work and commitments can make enjoyable tasks another chore.
Anyway, I really liked this episode. I didn't know what to expect, but I found that it both told me more about Wilson, a huge deal about House and tons about their relationships. It offered a development and an insight into their friendship that was most welcome. Of course I also enjoy that Wilson is seriously irked by Cuddy rejecting House.
And as RSL said in the interview. Wilson is perhaps not such a nice guy that everyone thinks.
Interesting that Cuddy did not up the offer on the loft. I agree with RobF that Wilson played a role in her not getting it. But it may also be a sign of being hesitant, as House actually pointed out.
7 - Amy B
What a great review. I loved this episode (as with some of the episodes this season--not so much the previous two before this one.) Loved when House said to Wilson that he was proud of him and then says "baby steps." I can't wait until January and hopefully a resolution to the Lucas/Cuddy relationship and well, you know..HUDDY. ;-)
8 - Jo (housian daze)
Thanks for the great article.
I think the most telling line was Tucker saying to Wilson - the person you want when you dying is not the person you want when you're living.
That's the point at which Wilson realises that House is exactly the person he wants in both situations.
One thing - it didn't seem obvious to me me that House was hiding out in the clinic shower to save Wilson's liver. It seems more likely to me that this was another example of some 'House radical' plan to show the flip side of what we usually see.
And it seemed odd to me that Cuddy would want to move into an urban loft with Lucas and Rachel and not stay in her perfectly sized suburban home with a garden.
9 - Val
Nice review Barbara.
There's not much I can add to the review or the comments so far. They seem to be spot on with my thoughts.
Though, I have to say I liked 'Wilson' from the very beginning. This episode had all the elements that I love about the show...and as we all saw it came back to House in the end.
I could be just me, but one thing I felt was not only showing an Felix/Oscar side of House/Wilson (didn't notice that reference), but also felt more of the Holmes/Watson dynamic which I think had been missing the past couple seasons. Doyle told stories from Watson's POV and I really got that feeling with this episode (particularly since I am in the midst of reading a collection of Holmes tales,lol)...using Housian methods of observing with his own patient and seeing that he does have his own patients outside of consulting and supporting House.
I was quite impressed with Wilson's purchase of the flat and didn't see it as any planned malice toward Cuddy. Simply something good for he and his friend (finally he's out of Amber's apart) and annoying Cuddy in the process to help House. A win-win situation for House and Wilson! and a great way to go into the LONG hiatus.
10 - KMC
While I too realize that House is the main character, Wilson is my favorite supporting one, and it was a nice change of pace to see a "day in his life", so to speak. To see that he has a department and an assistant and staff and patients, and to see him function as a doctor on his own...not just as a sounding board for House. Also to see the sometimes craziness of House's team's behavior which we don't usually notice, since we're looking at them from the inside. And finally, to truly see the depth of House and Wilson's friendship. Those scenes of the two of them during Wilson's recovery were worth the price of admission.
11 - katie
What an amazing break from all the Huddy drama. Loved the episode. I could watch Wilson and House all the time.
12 - Liz
I think it is very interesting how often the ER is mentioned in this episode. Wait a minute, who worked there again? Oh yes, the person I still miss most! ;-)
I like Luddy btw, and the break from all that annoying Huddy stuff was good too. I'll never be a Huddy fan, so more eps like that. And Wilson-centric is even better.
13 - Orange450
Barbara, it's good to have you back on the beat! I really depend on you to help me see the many delicate shadings that I often miss while watching an episode, and this one is no exception :)
While I still don't think that this episode was as "deep" or complex as some of the more recent ones of the season, I certainly agree that some specific angles of the House/Wilson dynamic got a good airing. I thought that some of the more dramatic moments were fairly predictable - although it's possible that they were meant to feel that way. For example, I knew perfectly well that House would indeed stand vigil at Wilson's operation, even tho' he'd refused when Wilson asked him. And I was also pretty sure that Tucker would go back to Ashley at the end, no matter how his attitude towards his family seemed to have changed. And I was expecting Wilson's "milk of human kindness" to curdle over Tucker at the end.
I must admit that I feel somewhat vindicated, seeing even more evidence that House is indeed growing and changing since Mayfield. I've seen strong evidence of that growth even in the most recent episodes - which were so emphatically disliked by so many vocal viewers! One aspect of his personality that may have changed somewhat is that he seems to be better at biding his time and knowing when to pull back, rather than push. IMO, that's what he's doing with the Cuddy/Lucas situation (having planted that seed in "Teamwork", with :"I got help. And she got Lucas, who bought me a ginger ale...")
More than pain and loneliness even, I think House fears the loss of his emotional center, i.e., Wilson. I mean, Wilson is the only person who even comes close to providing the unconditional love that House craves so deeply.
Anyway, thanks for a great review!
p.s. I thought that the whole "House's case that we only see obliquely through brief intercuts" was really well done. The singing patient was silly, and I don't think House has ever treated such a ludicrous PoTW when his case has been the episode's focus. I guess PPTH only has the capacity for one intense and character-revealing PoTW at a time!
14 - MRose
Lovely review, Barbara. I was so proud of House for 1) admitting he's not OK and 2) straight up telling Wilson how much their friendship means to him. Even if he still thinks it's more fun to "be a kid" as he put it, I guess he's learned that he can't take it to such a dysfunctional level without undermining himself. Well done! On a related note- wasn't House prescribed antidepressants, or did I dream that? If so, should we assume he's been taking them properly?
I loved this episode. I couldn't stop smiling after "If you die, I'm alone." Warm fuzzies all around. I wonder how long House has been thinking that- if he's just realized it recently, or if he had just been taking it for granted. I agree that the new apartment will be good for both of them, and hopefully for their friendship. Bright future for these two?
Lucas still makes me uncomfortable but I've come to accept their relationship as an indispensable stepping stone to Huddy. That is, it would have been too easy for House to detox and then win Cuddy over right away. This is a huge test for House and so far he's passing it. As obnoxious and awkward as it has been, this obstacle is necessary for them and for the show. Yes, House and Cuddy are both "moving on" but everyone knows the pre-Huddy tension isn't going anywhere.
15 - Epiphany
This episode, which felt like a welcome breath of fresh air, had me from the moment I recognised the opening chords of George Michael's Faith. Ah, Hugh - is there nothing you can't do?
I loved the insight we got into our Boy Wonder oncologist - so caring and dedicated (like we expected anything else).
In addition, what a hoot looking at House's world through everyone else's eyes (soaking wet House, the running gag of the running gag and Taub's dry delivery of House's "jazz fusion" dance from Cuddy - I'm still laughing at that one!). Not to mention the hilarious TV references too (Room 12a, the Pigeon sisters).
Such a welcome touch of humour after a couple of uneven episodes revolving around the annoying Lucas/Cuddy/House triangle.
One thing's for sure, we won't forget this POTW in a hurry: Josh Malina struck exactly the right note as the "self-important jerk" and the way he elicited first our sympathy and then our disgust is a testament to his acting and the writing.
I am so glad the interminable Cuddy/Lucas quotient was low (urgh!) because it would've just cheapened this episode permeating with real emotion ("If you die, I'm alone" - "She hurt my friend") and yes, true love. House and Wilson's relationship will never cease to be this show's USP.
16 - Eve K
Very good review this time, Barbara. It all makes more sense now. I thought this ep. was rather slow paced. I read about this astonishing scene RSL was supposed to do, but it never happened. (I must stop reading Yaitanes tweets) HL was amazing though. I loved the Monty Python reference, one of my favourites!
About Cuddys move, I do think she is testing the relationship by moving to an appartment first. A house is the next step, no pun intended.(-;
17 - Eve K
I always wonder if HL like to use the Monty Python references, because they were sort of competitors back in UK. (I know HL and co. came later, but still) But then again, maybe it is his idea? Monty Python are more known in the states than any other English comedians i guess.
18 - Flo
Barbara, it's so great to have you here again! I was really looking forward to your review. I hope your other project went well.
I guess this break from your articles made us realize how important and even essential they are for all of us (at least for me).
I don't have too much to add to your review or to the comments, you all pointed very well the important moments.
I watch the show as a whole and I think this episode was an interesting new way for the writers to talk about House by talking about someone else. Through Wilson, we learn what friendship means to House, why the one with Wilson is so important to him and how House truly is as a friend, now that he is out of Mayfield.
The Wilson/House dynamic has always been good (mostly) but in this one, it was great because it was in Wilson's point of view and it was interesting to know more about him and to see House through his friend's eyes.
To develop House as a character you have to know more about the person who are close to him and after five years, I think it is a good idea to change the formula for one episode and just do that.
I think Wilson is wrong when he thinks that House would have doubled the chimio but it is a constant in their relationship. Wilson may be House's best friend, he is wrong about him a lot.
I agree about the "wow" moments from House. I think it is the first time in the entire series that we see him playing no games and being totally honest to another person in a whole episode.
The "if you die, I'm alone" scene really was one of the most import scene in the show.
On another note, Wilson has weird taste in friends but Tucker is actually worse than House! what a douche! As a "West Wing" fan I must admit that it was great to see Josh Malina. He was good. His character was a total real jerk here. The way Tucker used his family is undefensible.
House is a much better person. At least he is honest and I like that, in the end, Wilson recognized that with the "actually it's James" and the condo thing.
Speaking about the condo, on the cuddy/Lucas/House front, I don't have much to say other than I think the "Cuddy mid-life crisis" comment by House is very interesting. He knows her very well and it sure wasn't idle talk. I'm with Reba (#6) and Jo (#8) on this. I think the whole condo thing may be more revealing about Cuddy's state of mind and her emotional state than we might think right now.
All in all, a great interesting episode that I think deserves multiple viewings to really get appreciated.
I like the fact that the writers are not afraid to shake things up and try new things. I must admit, this new new way of talking about House seems like a really good opportunity to see him in a new angle.
19 - PH
Great review as always BB.
As soon as I saw the 'garbage and guitar' mess in Wilson's living room, I recognized the Housian tactic. (Remember the subtle pup-tent scene in Brave Heart? LOL) This was House's method of getting Wilson to make their living arrangement more permanent. House needs his musical outlet and has been without for too long (the viewers included). The clutter would force Wilson to recognize their need for a larger place. I also think it was House wanting Wilson to finally move on from Amber.
HL's ability to have me on the verge of tears, with just one word, is astounding to me. His emotional "No" to Wilson's request was absolutely perfect!
I have noticed the last few years that TPTB have cut away from HL's emotional deliveries far too quickly, unlike the previous years! Yet they transfix on lesser actor's deliveries. I'm guessing they want to 'spread the wealth' a little, trying to have a well-rounded show/cast. Problem is.. none of the other actors are as proficient as Hugh in the emotional display category. Instead of cutting away so quickly from his close-ups, let us have a mere 2 seconds more. It helps us relate and the episodes would not seem as cold as they have been.
Bravo to Wilson for choosing his friend over Cuddy. I do like Huddy, but I gotta say she deserves it. They should have a House-warming party (pun intended LOL), with Cuddy at the top of their invite list.
20 - bluehue
PH - I like your point about House wanting Wilson to move on from Amber...thus connecting with those "whispers thru the vent" scenes a few eps ago as well as motives for the guitar clutter and invasion of the frozen jello shots...(I was trying to make sense of all that). Also, I like your House warming notion..I too thought not that exactly..but a loft warming present for Wilson, a doormat that says-"I am not a doormat ! "
BB: Good Review here per usual, MANY good points. I do think House has changed, however..so far, as House emerged from Mayfield to his former life... Wilson seems to be the only one to actually recognize and appreciate that he has changed. This aspect of S6 has been frustrating to me. I would have expected more visible support for what House went through - especially from Cuddy. But then, I guess that is how it is for people who go through some kind of hell or rehab...meanwhile life just goes on for everyone else. Considering that, House has been strong and steady as he goes...but does seem to be leaning a bit harder on the cane this ep.
21 - Celia
I want to comment more on RSL's performance in this episode. I always expect HL to rock my world, but I especially love it when HL & RSL get to play off each other.
I think Wilson's alcohol fueled fight with House was terrific. RSL speech had just the right amount of slur to it and his gestures were just a little too expansive. Wilson's propensity to throw things when really angry came down on Houses' shooters & books. Wilson telling House to get out scared me for a moment as I didn't know if House would act on it or not. RSL sounded really fed up with his friend.
The acting moment I loved best from RSL was the pause outside House's office after House had refused to be with him during surgery. Wilson turns & leaves the office & in a moment we all know House must have seen too from his desk, Wilson stumbles to a small halt like he's been kicked in the stomach and staggers a little before regaining his balance & normal pace. You didn't even need to see RSL's face to know how devastated Wilson was by House's refusal ( and House knew it too).
The eye contact and smile from Wilson to an uber tense House up in the OR Gallery as Wilson slips into the anesthetic had to be one of the other most touching moments.
And finally Wilson avenging his friend's humiliation at the hands of Cuddy & Lucas by purchasing the desired condo (which I assume Cuddy summited another bid on)...the devilish smile that showed Wilson's mischievous & manipulative side (the House relates easily to) was cool. We found out Wilson is a caring guy, but he is no Mr. Rogers.
22 - Amanda
To your question as to whether House has really changed/is really changing, or not:
I think that the doctor at Mayfair did for House what House does for his patients--what you articulated in this review that House did for the sister of the potential liver donor. The doctor (and I'm totally embarrassed that I forgot his name) gave House an out: a way to accept, or to consider valid, those impulses, thoughts, reactions, and actions that he had previously discounted or internally overridden. It's not that he's having new thoughts; he's just able to access, accept, and act on them from a new frame of reference, a frame of reference that--thanks to the doctor--he is able to reconcile with his internal code, beliefs, whatever.
So is he changing? Yes and no. Because of an enabled perspective, he is now free to act on a wider range of behaviors and impulses than his previous, limited set of self-destructive ones. He's not been changed, so much as *augmented.*
I love this show. Pulled me in from years of not watching TV, and now I can't miss it and my husband accepts this other love in my life.
:)
I can't wait to see where they take us all next.
~Amanda
23 - barbara barnett
My husband is equally indulgent and is resigned to share me with my weekly obsession. I agree House hasn't so much changed as accessed heretofore deeply buried parts of himself. He's only changed insofar as recognizing and acting upon a new reality. House is being adaptable.
24 - nno13
Favorite parts: House singing in the begining, admiting if Wilson dies he's alone(SO powerful my jaw dropped), House being by Wilson's side during/after surgery, and the final scene where Wilson buys the place out from under Cuddy.
I agree that it wouldn't be good if every episode was like this, but I very much enjoyed the brief change in perspective. I cracked up when the team went wizzing by Wilson with the patient on a gurny saying it wasn't what they thought. Funny. What that team would look like to outsiders! House and Wilsons friendship is really beautiful. Did Doris Egan write this one? She's very much the House/Wilson writer.
The worst part about this one, knowing it's about 6 weeks till the next...sad.
25 - nno13
PH (#19) laughed hysterically about your House warming party idea. Cuddy is acting like a punk lately, I think it would be perfect! (although I love huddy too...but seriously woman?? What's up?!)