It’s the pacing. I finally figured out what’s been (ever so slightly) bothering me during this season of House. It’s the pacing. Okay, so I didn’t figure it out myself. A sage poster over on a House, MD forum (House's House of Whining) figured it out. Every episode this season (except perhaps the first episode, "Alone") has sped along at a hugely fast pace. Lots of characters, lots of fun, very enjoyable. But slightly lacking (for me) in those quietly reflective moments: House alone pondering a problem or the meaning of something; House at his piano, playing some melancholy tune; House deep in conversation with a patient.
We’ve had bits of that (well, except the piano part) scattered amongst the eight episodes we’ve had so far this season. A (quick) moment of reflection as House contemplates risking his life for an experiment on himself in “97 seconds;” a brief scene with the young patient in “Ugly;” the scene in last night’s episode with 13, where she tells House that his quest for answers can’t stop because if it does, he’ll run out of hope. (More about that one later.) But the moments have been scattered, brief, and with little long-term impact, like echoes of a bygone era. And I’m really sorry to see them sacrificed for lighter, fun moments, as fun as those are. But I really miss those poignant, provocative, thoughtful scenes, which seem to be so fewer this year.
It’s not that I don’t like this season, and it’s not that I don’t like the episodes themselves, because I do. A lot. I hope (with only four more pre-strike episodes to go) that this changes in the last few as the new team is established and things get back to a new normal. And I hope the WGA strike is settled next week, and the show, itself, has its full fun of 22 episodes to share with us this season with lots and lots of character exploration as interpreted by the wonderful Hugh Laurie.
That said, on to "You Don't Want to Know" (which I thoroughly enjoyed). I love magic. I love trying to figure out magic tricks (and never can); and I appreciate the sleight of hand and dexterity it requires to be good at it. House likes magic too, despite his protestations to the contrary. He’s done magic tricks before — for his own amusement and to have something to do with this hands (I’m thinking particularly of his disappearing poker chip trick in “All In”). He’s told Wilson that he can make a quarter emerge from any orifice (“Top Secret”). I also think House loves to demystify magic tricks. He likes to know how pretty much everything works: things; people; the human body (which is why I think he really became a doctor, by the way); the natural world, etc. So combining magic, magicians, and House is pretty much playing to my weaknesses. Add to that a couple of (way too brief) scenes where House is vulnerable or quietly compassionate and you’ve got a pretty happy camper. So it is with "You Don't Want to Know."
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Article comments
1 - me
dude, the episode was "You Don't Want To Know".
2 - Barbara Barnett
OK. So that's embarassing. "You don't want to Know" it is. I'll will change that. It's official. I am an idiot.
3 - bliffle
Monday night was a rerun of an old House episode "Control", where Voegler was introduced, which was much better than the new episodes. It reminds one of the reasons we all started watching House. Go back and watch it and you'll see how the program has degenerated.
4 - Barbara Barnett
Monday night was a rerun of an old House episode "Control", where Voegler was introduced, which was much better than the new episodes. It reminds one of the reasons we all started watching House. Go back and watch it and you'll see how the program has degenerated.
Control was absolutely one of my favorite episodes. And it holds up well in comparison to episodes from all seasons, no doubt. I don't think the show has degenerated or gotten worse in any way. I do think that the rhythm is different this year. I'm not saying that it's better or worse, just slightly different. The writing is sharp and the performances are still excellent. For me the only real lacking thing are big reflective moments. I think that has a large effect on the pacing of the show, and I long for their return.
5 - Ann
Oh, Barb, I absolutely agree with you. I love the show and Hugh Laurie, and I won't ever stop watching. The first season definitely had a different flavor. I, too, miss the introspective House, and the piano, and the motorcycle, and his quiet thoughtful moments. May the strike come to a successful and fruitful resolution for the writers so we can see a full season. Love your reviews!
6 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Ann. My daughter is home from school for the Thanksgiving holiday. She doesn't get the chance to watch the show at school, so we use these opportunities to catch up. We've watched the first two episodes of the season: "Alone" and "The Right Stuff." Both were a pleasure to watch; both were densely packed with both serious and very funny moments. The moments are there, but I think that because of the pacing and the density of the episode, you have to let them find you. If that makes any sense, that is. I'd forgotten how much I liked The Right Stuff with its theme of dreams and hopes--and how difficult it was for House to kill either the patient's or Scooter's dreams.
7 - Gertrude
Hey Barbara,
Another amazing dissection of the episode. I actually really enjoyed this ep, and I have to say it's the first this season that I honestly have. I wasn't sure if the show had returned to form or if ti was just my natural aversion to change and that I must have finally reached "acceptance" in the change curve! ;-)
But I actually think it was more along the lines of what you've said above - a throw back to some of the reflective, thoughtful scenes, an insight into the characters rather than pure action that really warmed me to it. You're absolutely right, House loves magic like he loves puzzles - he always wants to see behind things to how they work.
I've even gone so far as to decide I quite like 13. I don't know why they have to make every female character a possible romantic match for House, but I'm starting to think I wouldn't mind that particular pairing. (Apart from the whole why can't he go out with someone over 35? He is nearly 50 for heaven's sake!) Perhaps it's just because am SICK to the back teeth of the waning Cameron love-interest story line that they seem to keep perpetuating - next please!
When I look back at previous episodes the main thing that stands out is how much Hugh Laurie has aged since it started. There aren't many actors in shows where they're involved in nearly every scene that have done it for four years. I think it's starting to show. Not in his acting at all, just that, well, 'haggard' is a strong word, but...
Although I dread going without House eps if the writers' strike continues, part of me does wonder if a bit of a rest for Hugh wouldn't be a good thing?
Cheers,
G
8 - Barbara Barnett
I've had the opportunity the during the last couple of days to re-watch all of the episodes in order. As I've watched them with my daughter, who is a more casual fan of the show, who is seeing them for the first time, I've found it interesting that she really loves the season. She feels that House's soul is out there (although not in the same way we would get glimpses of House's soulfulness in previous seasons); she does see a bit more lightness, which she attributes to House simply not being as sad as he has been (and thinking about season 3, he has far less reason to be sad and hurting). If he hurts less inside, he'll hurt less outside as well.
I've found the season (upon re-watch) to be enjoyable, with some excellent drama, wonderful acting, etc. I still think that the pace has been a little too frantic (with all of those new characters) and a little too fast. But with the perspective gained from already having seen 8 episodes, watching them over changes my expectations (not lowering them, but just changing them) and altering my perspective.
Barbara
9 - Louise
Barbara,
I like this season--I am willing to adapt to the change because it enabled this series to continue without wearing out the formula. I wondered if you would note the continuation of the visual perception theme in this one. It was there again, this time, with the sleight of hand. When House looks reality directly in the face to find an answer or solve a puzzle he often sees only the darkest outcome. That way if he will be prepared. It won't surprise him--he can find a way around him if he is warned. He protects himself that way. Many times it comes off as quite courageous to look that dark reality in the face. But there is also a lack of courage in that (e.g., the situation with Stacy). What I liked about 13's situation was that some dark truths are indeed hopeless. There is no clever, smart way out. Sometimes, sleight-of-hand, not knowing, is the braver, smarter way to go on. But, House, once again, showed that his saving grace is empiricism and the humility to be wrong. Looking the dark truth in the face was almost his dogma. But, with a real situation with 13 he saw the exception and changed his mind.
I do think this is a strong season, but it is so dense I can only get my head around all the themes on a second or third viewing. Are they writing for the post-broadcast television era? Seems like it to me.
Louise
10 - marie
Hi Barbara ,great review as ever , its funny but during the week I was saying to one of my friends how, whilst I loved the season and the comedy of it ,I still longed for those reflective moments and the serious moments that we used to see , this episode brought those back and it seemed more like the first and second seasons , I also love to see him show the quirky little things he does without thinking like ,the magic chips in 'all in' the juggling, the cane tricks etc , just one more note , could you have just walked out of the room had you been 13 and he looked at you like he looked at her just before he said "you drugged me " ...... I could'nt lol.....
11 - rtlemurs
As always, a lovely review and great insights Barb. I have noticed the pacing as well. I think it is deliberate and has to do with the whole pendulum swing of House's mood/personality. After the ending of season three I thought we would see a happier more light House in the beginning of season four. We have. And I think the pacing shows that contrast well. But it still hasn't lost that edge, that dark shadow creeping around at the edges of each show, each scene.
When House is down/depressed/hurting I think we get those introspective moments because, to a degree, to be depressed you have to be somewhat introsepective. But as House gets happier I think he picks up speed in a subconscious effort to outrun the sadness/depression.
But, he still needs to keep his mind busy, in fact, busier than ever. Less pain, less Vicodin, less to slow down that frantic thought process of his. And this is why I think we are seeing the risk taking behavior.
It also may be a combination of this and what 13 said. Maybe he is running out of questions and is desperately seeking more. It certainly would explain his actions in "97 Seconds". He had two previous near death experiences. Did he do it to confirm his beliefs or to raise more questions that he could seek answers to?
And this is why I love this season and these first episodes. On the surface they are quick and light but with even more layers and subtext than the previous seasons.
I too hope the writer's strike is settled soon but if not I know these first episodes will continue to reveal new insights with every viewing. Which is fantastic writing and the reason why the writers should get what they are asking for!
12 - Daniel
Hi,
What was the song played at the end of the episode. I cant recall the name of it. Thanks.
13 - Barbara Barnett
Thank all, for your comments. I do agree that these first episodes (is the season already a third over?) are so very densely packed. I also wonder if these episodes aren't constructed for people with the ability to re-watch the episodes. Something is there for both the casual viewer and the more focused fan.
Marie--I totally understand where you are coming from with your comment. I could not have left him lying there. It's interesting for as often as he is accused of avoiding work at all costs, he gets out of bed, ignoring his own illness to finish the case. He does this often.
Rtlemurs--how very true. The writers have done a great job of writing complex layers (and the wonderful threading of the themes) into each episode. Great care was taken in constructing those scripts. I'm jarred at the number of negative comments I've heard about this season in certain fan communities.
Daniel--To my knowledge there was no commercial music played in You Don't Want to Know. Any music was (again, as far as I know) was composed by the series' music staff.
Barbara
14 - Mary
Hi Gertrude: I was interested in your comments about how tired Hugh Laurie is looking, and became even more so when I read a recent interview with Lisa Edelstein in which she commented "If I were Hugh Laurie, I would be dead."
Week after week of 16 hour+ days will not contribute to anybody's health; I'm hoping that the current writer's strike will at least give him time to get some sleep.
But it is also possible to make an actor look good, or bad, with makeup and lighting. (Regarding the latter, the lighting on "House M.D." is consistently wonderful.) As I've been watching the "Survivor: Princeton-Plainboro" shows, I've been detecting what I suspect is a new theme - that House's more than eight years of Vicodin addition are starting to take their toll on him.
15 - Barbara Barnett
Hi Mary,
I think you're correct in thinking that House's appearance has declined over the survivor weeks. He's almost electrocuted himself and used himself as a test-tube, suffering a transfusion reaction. The stress from all of the candidates will have taken its toll. So I do think they're headed somewhere with this.
Photos of Hugh taken away from the set show him wonderful well, not haggard at all.
BB
16 - Grace
WHY is Hugh still in the U.S.???
WHY doesn't he go home until the strike is over?
Anyone know???
17 - Barbara Barnett
I can only speculate. But I believe that they were filming until just before Thanksgiving. So he may actually be home by now. I'd also heard that he was going to an American boxing match early in December, so maybe he's here until that's over. He could also be doing additional work on The Night Watchman; talking to people about any number of other potential projects. But my guess is that he's probably either already back in the UK or will be there shortly.
And a well deserved break it is.