“There’s got to be a better way to call off a wedding … a Tweet, for example.” – House
I could write about how compelling and controversial and sad the case of the week was (or how Freudian the mute groom was). Or, I could spout on about how amazing it is that the writers of House can keep producing such innovative and entertaining material after six seasons. But in this post, I choose to write about how awesome the character of Gregory House is.
We’ve seen him evolve over the six seasons, but he hasn’t lost himself or changed in any way that’s unauthentic. That’s a major accomplishment that not many TV shows can do (though I’ll posit that Supernatural does it the best). He’s been through therapy, but he’s still an ass (though I think we’re getting to the heart of the ass this season, which I love). He’s seen his share of heartache, but he’s still funny:
Once an addict, always an addict: I totally thought he was going for the Vicodin at the end of the episode — c’mon, you thought it too — but it looks like waking up the morning after in the neighbor kid’s bed was a little foreshadowing that House’s addictive personality (or is it escapist?) is now glomming on to the booze. I feel a little like the cat that caught the mouse, because I recently wrote that I didn’t think House’s pain was from his love lost with Lydia — it’s Cuddy all the way, and I think tonight’s episode proved that. I love being right:
“I just want us to be friends.” – Cuddy
“Funny. That’s the last thing I want us to be.” – House
Are you completely in love with the complex character of Gregory House, or is it just me?
Sadly, I’ve removed house from my TiVo (also removed The Mentalist – can’t take the totally miscast Robin Tunney but that’s another post)
House has gotten repetitive and boring, I know when “huddy” go for the bedroom/desk/elevator/autopsy table the cheers will be deafening but really, enough is enough. The cases are boring, the same stories he does, she won’t, thirtee, fourteen whatever teen.
Hugh Laurie is a great actor, it’s time to let him do House they way they did in the first few seasons.
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If I let myself go there, I would also completely hate Robin Tunney. I just love the rest of the cast so much that I barely notice how horrible she is! ;-)
I agree that we’re finally seeing the heart of the ass. Last season the writers built House’s bad attitude up and up until I was ready to bail on the show because his annoying tendencies were reaching critical mass. But just when I thought it was too much along comes rehab. For me it was a cathartic moment when the layers of his psyche were finally peeled back to reveal the true heart of the character. House is realizing that he can trust and that he can show some fragility, even if it’s just tiny hints, but it is a very natural process and one I’ve found to be immensely entertaining.
I would love to see regular moments of sessions with Andre Braugher’s character. Laurie and Braugher together was always fascinating and having more of that to further explore the frightened mind of Dr. Gregory House would be awesome.
Great article, Debbie and I agree 1000% (yes, that many zeroes) with everything you said! House did, and still does to some degree, repeat the same formula over and over, but this season is really steering a lot of focus in the direction of “diagnosing the doctor” and it’s a wonderful sight to behold.
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Thanks Lenny! I totally agree about Andre Braugher and the previews for next week have me very excited!
I loved this episode, one of the best of the season. It was fun, funny, serious, sick and 13 was actually… go..goo… good… in this episode!
“I’m as straight as the rest of you!”
*13 looks around*
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I agree … I liked 13’s role in this episode, and Florian, I too loved the shaking hand nuance.
The last scene between House and Cuddy made me shake. That was intense and heartbreaking.
Great post!
I agree, that House is finally shutting down some of his defenses and this benefits an already great character even further.
But in the end it´s the little touches, that make this show awesome. I especially liked the sad little look House gave 13, when he noticed her shaking hand at the lesbian bar – Hugh Laurie is a fantastic actor!
I LOVE HOUSE NO MATTER WHAT