* 20. "Love Hurts" (A) — With Cameron back in the fold, House has to make good on their date. As the socially awkward House prepares for the evening, wondering if the corsage he bought is “lame, Wilson responds gently, “I think she likes ‘lame.’” Ladies’ man Wilson also has advice for him about panty-peeling repartee and antibiotic condoms. In fact everyone seems to have advice for House. But Wilson’s warning to Cameron is unexpected, as he explains that she should be very certain before becoming involved with the emotionally fragile House. “It’s been a long time since he opened up to someone, and you better be absolutely sure you want this,” he warns her. “Because if he opens up again and gets hurt, I don’t think there’s going to be a next time.” Picking up on a thread from “Sports Medicine,” we learn that House was deeply hurt in his last relationship, five years earlier. But House believes that her interest results only from pity, explaining over dinner that the reason she’d be interested in the older, unattractive (in his opinion) man is that he’s “damaged.” And, he continues, she wants to heal him, like a wounded puppy. But his scathing words say more about his self-esteem than her motives. The episode ends as House sits in the dark of his office, digging into the back reaches of his wallet until he finds a small photograph. He stares longingly at it as the melancholy lyrics “Don’t break me… I’m broken…” play on his turntable.
* 21. "Three Stories" (A++) — House is talked into delivering a lecture on diagnostics to second-year medical students. On his way, House is startled by a familiar voice. It is Stacy, the woman referred to in “Sports Medicine” and in “Love Hurts:” the woman with whom House lived for five years. Having married, her husband Mark exhibits symptoms that no one has been able to diagnose; she asks House for his help. Clearly shaken by her presence — and her marriage — House appears less than moved by her plight, coldly refusing to treat Mark. We soon learn why.
As he weaves the diagnoses of three anonymous patients complaining of only leg pain, House slowly reveals the story behind his own disability. As he relates his personal experience to the students, his colleagues, and his staff, perhaps for the first time publicly, we learn that a botched diagnosis and an abuse of his medical proxy by Stacy led to crippling damage to his right thigh. In a poignant flashback, House lies gravely ill in his hospital bed. Stacy sits beside him, believing that unless he allows his doctors to amputate his leg, House will die. She pleads tearily, frustrated by his stubbornness. "You don't think you deserve to live? You don't think you deserve to be happy?" These are questions that will come up again in the three seasons to follow as more of House's personal history is revealed. But we also begin to understand a little better why House is such a fierce patient advocate; why he believes in a patient’s right to choose (once the diagnosis is made) and why his ethical code has more to do with doing the right thing than with things “by the book.” And as he teaches the roomful of students and colleagues, he also learns. House’s self-exploration causes him to change his mind about Mark, agreeing, ultimately, to help Stacy.
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Article comments
1 - cad
Sorry Barbara, but I feel you´re too much of a fan to be objective here ;-)
I expected a MUST-WATCH-Star at some of the recommended epis such as Three Stories etc. but you´re just too kind to the writers.
I mean, WE as fans know that all the episodes are brilliant, right? But someone who´s just longing know what episode to watch to get a foothold in the series won´t be helped much by that many A´s and B´s.
Anybody reading this:
She´s right, you know. A "C" House episode is still witty and profound as hell.
However I enjoy your reviews much much more than the nearly rude TwoP-dismantling.
2 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks for your comments, CAD. My grading system is admittedly subjective. I explained it at the beginning of part 1, by saying that I watch House for to a large extent for House. So the grading does reflect that. I actually had a numeric score for each episode--ranging with a top score possible of 80. I included factors such as what was revealed about House, his interactions with patients, the music, comedy, moodiness, use of secondary characters and the patient mystery. I didn't include technical issues like the level of the medicine or lack of realism. There were extra credit points available for things like writing, particularly compelling "A" story, etc.
The grading might be skewed high, because the score is an average of all factors against the highest possible score--in a straight 90%=A curve. The grades are not relative to each other as some guides have been. And, yes, I am (admittedly) a fan of the show. An addict.
One thing I've tried not to do either in this column or in this guide is to just give a recap. Those are available everywhere, including on the Fox site.
I'm not a fan of the Television Without Pity recaps either.
3 - Ann
Great articles. Three Stories needs two **. That remains my all time favorite episode of the series so far. Mostly because it was packed with House reveals and explained the most about House's character in one single episode. I love the entire series, but I doubt that the magic of that episode will ever happen again. They having amazing writers, so who knows, maybe it will. I'm looking forward to your seasons 2 & 3 guides, too!
4 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks, Ann.
I originally gave it two stars, and then took the second star away, just because it didn't fit the format. It is the only one with an A++ (it had the highest score of any episode ==in any of the four seasons. All three remaining seasons are scored and graded and sitting in an Excel spreadsheet. I hope to finish posting everything before the season resumes at the end of April.
5 - Claire
What super recaps! I totally agree that "Three Stories" was an A++. It had everything--even the kitchen sink (Carmen Electra playing miniature golf). It included House as teacher (one of his great gifts), a House/Wilson heart-to-heart, a confrontation with Cuddy that she wins, the curious ducklings coming in to listen, and a room of 50 people (us, perhaps) held spellbound by this guy. I am not a big fan of Stacy's, but I think I have more sympathy for her decision than you do. She probably saved his life--to great risk of her own relationship with House. (I don't think Stacy really understood House. Of course, "we" do. Those nasty, manipulative, very clever writers set that up of course. Oh, they wicked!)
You also gave me my new T-shirt design: (it's almost never Lupus)
Cheers!
6 - Barbara Barnett
When I wrote the article in January (I think it was January) calling House a Faberge egg of a series (even though I was quoting the insightful Mr. Laurie), "Three Stories" was exactly the type of episode that embodies the metaphor. Intricate, and deep writing, humor, multiple stories that weave in and out of each other like fine silver filligree (which I collect).
I actually do have some sympathy for what Stacy did. I know why she did it, and from her POV, she was saving his life. On the other hand....
I'm delighted that you like the recaps. Season two is coming ;)
Barbara
7 - ann neimer uk
Stacy right or wrong ? One of those ( many ) moral dilemmas to which there are no right answers.House is a gambler-he has to gamble on his diagnosis in every case. Here he was gambling against death, Stacy thinks he would have lost.The question is, would he have rather died than live as a cripple?He is fiendishly proud, so he might think so.
8 - Barbara Barnett
ann--
Ah...the Stacy question. The fiercely proud (and probably athletic House might have preferred to die than live life with a disability. I believe that his self-esteem was (even then) probably an issue. I'm sure his dad made sure of that. Part of it, too, was House's insistence that that leaving his leg alone would have resulted in a better outcome for him, despite the risk. Look what happened when they did the less risky procedure. His outcome was poor and he lives a life in pain, unable to walk well--and addicted to pain killers. House is self-aware and probably knew that was a risk as well. His choice was to try it his way and perhaps, as Cuddy indicated, regain full use of the leg. It was his right to choose among the options before him. It was an informed choice and a risk, but he was pretty sure it would work. So, depending on your POV: Stacy, House, the Hospital and its doctors it was either right or wrong. As House said in 3 Stories. There is always a right or wrong answer--but sometimes not even you as a doctor can know which one is the wrong choice. But it still does not change the fact that there is a right/wrong. As he was trying to teach the med students--it's a difficult game, so live with it and the knowledge that sometimes you'll be wrong or "find another profession."
Barbara
9 - Phillip Winn
Simply magnificent work, Barbara. When I read your articles, I feel that my own obsession with House is not an obsession at all, but a mild interest. By comparison, anyway. So thanks for that. :-)
10 - Barbara Barnett
Happy to oblige, Phillip (I think ;)
Thank you for very kind words. This show takes far too much time from my "real life," which can be a problem since I'm completely passionate about that as well (if not moreseo).
Barbara
11 - ann neimer uk
Hello Barbara,
Although Hugh Laurie is totally convincing as an American, I cant help thinking that the character itself ( House , I mean)is a very British one. That persistent irony, the black humour and cynicism , the distrust of religiosity and sentimentality,all very recognisable from Blackadder. And I notice that when Hollywood wants a really evil character like Hannibal Lecter, they often choose a British actor like Anthony Hopkins or Alan Rickman.And ,after all,
David Shore is a Canadian! Just a random thought....
Looking forward to your comments on the second series. Ann
12 - Barbara Barnett
Ann--And its an interesting thought. I agree that there might be something essentially British about the character.
Barbara
13 - Grace
What about an A++ scene?? I LOVED the scene when House goes into Stacy's office to tell her that things will never work out between them. SO perfectly done by both Hugh and Sela....down to the facial expressions of both. Yep, I give that scene an A++. It really got to me.
Another Gregory House addict here......
14 - maria
im going to miss house
ill see it next fall.
your fan maria