House is "Moving On"

     FOX's House season seven finale cannot be said to end on a boring note. With a framework story of Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) and Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) talking to the cops, the story builds to a big finish. House (Hugh Laurie), a patient himself after attempting to do surgery on his own leg, directs his team to treat a performance artist (the great Shohreh Aghdashloo). As the doctors research the artist, they discover she knows she has a terminal illness, and is faking symptoms to make her case more attractive to Dr. House, all the while filming the procedure to make another artistic piece. House is fine with that, but when he diagnoses the artist with something non-fatal, and she decides to do risky brain treatment because of love, House grows angry. He takes her choice personally, feeling all that he has is his work, and he thinks he has a kindred spirit in her. Soon after, House sees Cuddy with another man, and drives his car full speed into her dining room, hence the frame story.


     There is much speculation as to if House really did drive his car into Cuddy's home, or if it is another Vicodin-induced hallucination. After all, Wilson comments that House takes almost a month worth of the medicine in just three days, and House has visions because of the drugs before. But there do not seem to be any hints or clues in the episode that point to the stunt as not being real. Hence, for now at least, it appears to happen.

      What is most surprising is House's utter lack of concern for people he has previously shown to care about. He does order Wilson out of the car beforehand, but doesn't pay much attention as Wilson hurts his arm getting out of the way. When House last looks through the window, Cuddy and her guests are sitting right where he plows his car. What if they didn't move? He would have killed four people. House is self-destructive, but rarely shows so little regard for life, and especially for Cuddy.

     But is it really out of character? This might just be the result of the good doctor finally snapping. Pressure is building, and with feeling betrayal first by Cuddy, then the patient, House may not be able to take anymore. He has done some crazy things in the past, and while this may be a new level for him, he does have pent up feelings and a drug problem. Those two elements might explain why he would act in this manner.

     Is there a hint when Wilson tells House to let out his anger so he will feel better? House is shown at the end sitting on a beach, having a drink and smiling. Could this be a result of letting his emotions out, finally finding relief, rather than keeping them bottled up? Is he "Moving On," as the episode title suggests? Is he smiling at the fantasy of driving a car into a house? The House that has delighted TV audiences for the past seven years is not so cruel as to delight in others' pain. The whole situation is very confusing.

     Which is why judgement should be reserved. The House writers have proven themselves time and again over seven seasons, and the series always manages to come up with something exciting and true to the characters. With such an unfinished ending, there is obviously more to what happens than seen at first glance. I, for one, trust the scribes to come up with something plausible and satisfying as the story moves forward from this point.

     As this season is already announced as Lida Edelstein's last, the car stunt may be a convenient way to write her off  the series. After being assaulted so directly by House, it is no wonder the character would not want to stick around. By the time next season begins, she may easily have moved away to put some distance between her and this crazy man. Their relationship, a long time coming, is sadly over, probably for good. She will be "Moving On," too.

     The patient of the week is a gripping, though not unusual, story for House. Aghdashloo takes the acting to a higher caliber than most guest stars because of her immense talent. But the mystery, while contrived, a neat twist ,is no greater than many other patients'. As such, the actress at the center of the story can be credited for much of the wonderfulness of the plot.

     As usual, the patient speaks to what House is going through. Dr. House has an uncanny ability to pick the patients he needs, not just the patients that need him. When choosing the performance artist, he needs justification for his life, the way he is, and his inability to change, as he sometimes wants to do. The fact that the patient completely surprises him sets him off. Perhaps there is more going on here than surface. Maybe House really does, at least subconsciously, surround himself with those who match his mindset or the situation his personal life is in, or help or fascinate him in some way. He thinks he has the perfect candidate here, and after she tricks him, he doesn't trust himself anymore. His judgment is skewed.

     The only subplot of significance is that of Taub (Peter Jacobson), who the writers have been especially generous to lately. Taub avoids Rachel's (Jennifer Crystal) calls, as she is his soon to be ex-wife, whom he is still very fond of, and isn't sure how to break the news to Rachel that the object of his fling is now pregnant. And that is all this new girl is to Taub - a fling. She may be carrying his child, and that may make Taub determined to force a relationship that isn't there for the sake of the kid, but he is not shown to especially care about her in the series at this point. By contrast, Taub cares a great deal about Rachel, and while his avoidance may seem cowardly, he genuinely does want to spare her feelings.

     And then Rachel shows up to drop the bombshell. She, too, is pregnant. By the look on her face, a baby makes a difference in her relationship with Taub, and she is there to take him back. Despite all of the things the pair have gone through, they are going to be parents, and that matters more than the rest of it. That tune may quickly change when the other woman enters the picture. Taub can't keep one of his children a secret. If he has to choose, he will pick Rachel. But he can't just abandon his other kid, either. This is a messy, complicated situation that guarantees Taub continued focus next season.


     House will return for its eighth, and likely final, season next fall on FOX, sans series regular Lisa Edelstein. Be sure to tune in!

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Article first published as TV Review: House - "Moving On" on Blogcritics.

House #7.18 "The Dig"

     So much is going on in last night's 150th episode of FOX's House, that's it's hard to know where to begin. The episode is entitled, appropriately enough, "The Dig." Each of the various stories, some large, some small, many intersecting, deal with layers. There is always something beneath what is being talked about and obviously going on. Many of these layers deal with emotions and relationships. Some deal with disease. Some with morality. All allow serious insight into the characters of House.

     Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) are absent in this episode, strange for a special 150th entry to the series. Yet, there is just no room for them. Too many stories are happening, and the episode is bursting at the seams as it is. Yet, who they are pervades other storylines, even though at this time, they are not on the journey, so they are present in some abstract way.

     Cuddy has broken House (Hugh Laurie), as he has been seen with even more erratic than normal behavior in recent weeks. She also had begun to heal him. House has been in a bad state for the entire run of the series, especially emotionally. This seems to all stem from when he first hurt his leg, and what he went through with Stacy (Sela Ward). He has occasionally shown compassion, mostly for strangers, but rarely lets his team feel valued. This week, House actually expresses some real tenderness for a member of his staff, which will be dealt with more thoroughly later in this review. That shows House is becoming more of a well rounded person. Perhaps it's a slow change, but it's there.

     The worrisome thing for friendship is that Wilson does not know how to deal with this new House. Wilson has been able to assist his friend through many issues in the past. Wilson has been shown to have a weakness for women that need fixing, but isn't his friendship with House about the same thing? When House goes off the deep end, jumping from a hotel balcony, Wilson backs off, having reached his limit. Even the always helpful Wilson can only deal with one type of person, not the now baffling House. Wilson tries to get involved again, as House returns to work, and then House gets married. Wilson retreats, siding with Cuddy, who is the type of broken he can deal with. As House takes his road trip to a spud gun competition, he doesn't bring Wilson along. Is this simply because House has ulterior motives for the trip, or is it a sign of a growing chasm?

     Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) might just be the replacement friend that House needs. She is almost as messed up as he is. Despite making a go in a serious relationship with Foreman (Omar Epps), Thirteen mostly cannot allow herself to get close to people. It's part of why she and Foreman ended. Instead, she seeks comfort from random strangers in bars and clubs. How is this different from House's preference of hookers? She takes party drugs. How is this different from House's addiction to Vicodin? She can come across as cold and calculating, like House. But when the chips are down, as they were with her brother, she comes through. As House will do for her.

     This rekindled kinship, not romantic, but made through commonalities and a sort of friendship, may be necessary very soon. In a recent interview, Robert Sean Leonard raises the possibility of leaving the show, should House be renewed, which it has not yet been, but is expected to be. He is heading to Broadway, and would like to get away from series television, at least temporarily. This would rob House of the one real friend he has, for a few episodes minimum, and House cannot possibly take losing Wilson so soon after losing his relationship with Cuddy. Unless Thirteen is willing to serve as a replacement best friend. Wilson is invaluable, but it's intriguing alternate path should the actor decide to depart.

     Most of this episode centers on House taking Thirteen on a road trip. She is released from prison, having served a six month sentence for excessive prescribing, and he waits to pick her up and make her accompany him to a spud gun competition. At first, it appears that House is just pulling another stunt to figure out where she has been for the past year. As things play out, the stunt element fades and does not return, unusual for House. He actually opens up to her a little bit about Cuddy, with whom he would be celebrating a one year anniversary, had she not dumped him. He also shows real interest in what happened to Thirteen, and not just as a puzzle as he first frames it. While she may take his silence as a lack of emotion after she confesses the full story, House is processing and wants to help. He does not mock her.

     While House stands there stunned, Thirteen having admitted she killed her brother, who was suffering mightily from Huntington's, it seems he might open his mouth and offer to do the same for her, when the time comes. Instead, he doesn't. But why would he? That is not the kind of act House would normally offer to do. It seems strange that that course of action fit so neatly in the scene, when it is a bit out of character. The writer's hold off on it, though, until the very end of the episode. That makes sense, as House really is stunned by the depth of pain he gets from Thirteen, and needs time to fully consider such a drastic promise. He comes through for her in the end, and that's what's important.

     Masters (Amber Tamblyn) becomes fascinated with a puzzle of her own. The team treats a hoarder and her husband, and Masters can't wait to dig through the mess of their house and sort out what is behind it all. She has shown an aptitude and interest in strange behavior before, and so it makes perfect sense for the character. It is regrettable that she will soon be leaving the series for a new one, though if that gets quickly canceled, it would be nice if she returned. Despite a rocky start, she has staked her right to work among the other strong personalities, and brings a unique perspective to the team.

     Is it possible that Masters has a little crush on Chase (Jesse Spencer)? It seems odd, as Chase is a pretty boy, and tends to go after traditionally hot women. Masters does not fit that category. She is a woman of substance and intelligence, who probably could look more attractive, but has more important things on her mind. She is likely drawn to the puzzle of Chase, more than his good looks. In the time she has known him, he has stumbled a bit, still a little shaken up from his divorce. She can see the genuine sweetness buried within, something it took awhile for Chase to show anyone else, and he has kept hidden ever since. So her feelings may not be out of line. The real question is, could he ever be truly interested in her? If she leaves permanently, we will likely never find out.

     Foreman is still cocky and judgmental. After all the things that have happened that could have humbled him, he still thinks he knows better than anyone else. At first, he can't believe Taulb (Peter Jacobson) has landed a young hottie, and tries to figure out what his roommate's secret is. Then he catches Taulb with separated wife Rachel (Jennifer Crystal), and scolds him for messing with a woman's heart. It seems Taulb can't satisfy Foreman, whether he is playing the field with great success, or returning to his life partner. Is Foreman jealous of Taulb? That may sound far fetched, until you spend just a moment pondering their interactions as of late.

     Taulb is showing serious growth. His reconciliation with Rachel has been long and winding, but thankfully is back on track. No matter how many times they call it quits, they feel so natural together. Taub is ready to put Rachel first, wondering if Foreman is right about Taulb messing with Rachel. So he does the right thing, willing to set her free so she can be happy, despite his unhappiness with being away from her. She denies him release, glad to be working things out. These two are built for the long haul, even if their marriage is still currently very much on the rocks. They have shared history, and it's not hard to see what brought them together in the first place.


     House continues its stellar seventh season Monday nights at 8 p.m. on FOX.

 

Article first published as TV Review: House #7.18 - "The Dig" on Blogcritics.

 

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House "Small Sacrifices"

***There are spoilers below. If you have not yet viewed the episode, please do so before reading.***

     Most episode of FOX's House are great, but sometimes an episode so superb comes along that I can't not write about it. This week's entry, "Small Sacrifices" was one such episode. There was so much going on, from religious debate, to major character developments, that I will likely miss some important aspect in this review. However, I'll try hit all the highlights. For more information on it, I recommend you check out Barbara Barnett's take. She is also a writer (and editor) on Blogcritics, as she delivers excellent, weekly in depth coverage of the show.

     The main medical case this week involved a patient named Ramon (Kuno Becker) who annually has himself nailed to a cross (through his palms, not his wrists) as part of a deal he believes he has made with God to make his daughter cancer free. House (Hugh Laurie) wants to offer Ramon treatment he believes will heal his patient, but Ramon refuses to accept it, thinking it would break his pact. As House doesn't believe in God, a standoff between the two begins, with House only eventually winning by lying to Ramon, making him believe that his daughter is not cancer-free, calling into question his faith.

     Is it ethical to call into question a belief system to save a life? Of course House thinks so. Ramon isn't upset with House for his deception, thinking it only proves god all the more real. So was anyone really hurt? Well, yes and no. Ultimately, House's goal of saving his patient's life was met, but at what could have catastrophic costs. Ramon could have sued Princeton Plainsboro, got House's medical license revoked, and made all sorts of trouble. Luckily for House, Ramon is a forgiving guy.

     But is it ever ok to lie to a patient, even in a life and death circumstance? After all, Ramon has a right to choose his treatment (or lack thereof), and House went against Ramon's known wishes. For the audience, there is now a character to bring life to that very question, as well as a whole slew or moral and honesty issues, in the newest doctor on the team, Martha Masters (Amber Tamblyn).

     Masters has already appeared in three episodes, and been given an "Also Starring" opening credit line, putting her in the same league as House's second team these past few seasons. Meaning, it looks like she is here to stay for the foreseeable future. I don't like her. I don't know if my distaste is about her, or about how she is getting in House's way and making doing what he does that much harder. I also think my distaste for her is far from universal, so I'll try to break it down.

     House likes Masters. He likes a challenge. Masters has already carved her niche in the team, which admittedly, has gotten more accepting of the way House does things. Complacent, even. For that reason I should welcome Masters, as House has, in his own way. But I can't help but feel the patients would be better off without her, and if she does get kicked off the team this year at some point, that will be the reason for it. Even Masters was the first to admit this week that if House had let her in on the plan, she would have spilled the beans and the patient would have died. Yet, that is not enough to make her rethink her beliefs. She is like Ramon in that even why her way defies what needs to be done to save a life, she will stick to it.

     That certainty should make me admire her, as I would most people with such strong convictions. It makes her a truly unique character on the series, and an interesting addition. Somehow, though, I don't. I think in this case, her inexperience is coloring her work, and it's not helping anyone, least of all her. In order to be the best doctor that she can be, she has to start seeing the world in shades of gray. Honesty is a virtue, but not an infallible one.

     Which kind of brings me around to the House-Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) relationship, which I am enjoying, even as I worry about the blow it recently suffered. For weeks, House has maintained that he did the right thing by lying to Cuddy to save a patient's life. While Cuddy may have accepted that before they became a couple, she cannot separate her personal and professional lives, and so has forced House to resort to self pleasure.

     By this week, it felt like make it or break it time for the pair, as Cuddy seemed tired of fighting with him about it. Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) kept telling House to lie and apologize the save the relationship, but instead, House was determined to prove to Cuddy that lying is sometimes necessary and beneficial. It was classic House, and of course he succeeded. But it didn't fix anything. In fact, it made it worse. Because Cuddy wasn't ever debating the positives or negatives of lying. She was upset about a lack of trust and openness that the two of them need to make it work. In the end, House took Wilson's advice. While I would have called this uncharacteristic of him a short time ago, it reflect the new House, who really cares about someone other than himself, and it looking for a new balance.

     Will Cuddy ever find out about this latest deception? Will it change the way she feels about him? Surely, she knew going in that she couldn't change House. Not fundamentally. The audience is quickly learning, though, that if anyone could shift who House is, it's Lisa Cuddy. I like the growth. It looks good on House, and I hope that we've seen the end of this particular fight. It would serve no purpose for her to know he was lying when he apologized. In fact, that he was willing to speaks volumes.

     Sadly, House and Cuddy were the only strong couple on display this week. I was very disappointed to see Sam (Cynthia Watros) leave Wilson shortly after his proposal, even though her reasons were solid. Maybe the patient files were forged, but it doesn't seem to me that Sam did it. She was pretty consistent in her statements. It may even have been a manipulation by House to undermine them, and if so, it worked. Wilson missed the point by thinking if he told her he was proud of her for lying, she would be happy with him. Again, it wasn't about the act or the words, it was about some fundamental communication level in their relationship, and Wilson sailed it. But I was enjoying Watros, having been missing her since her way-too-early departure from Lost, so I hope that a reconciliation is in the cards, even though it felt like her leaving was final.

     Taub (Peter Jacobson) also faced martial woes. His wife, Rachel (Jennifer Crystal), who is seen too infrequently for my taste, as Crystal does such a bang-up job, is having an emotional affair. That it is with a guy who lives across the country and exists only in email is immaterial. Taub is right to ask her to stop it, because as long as she has someone else to open up to, she won't ever do it with him again, a necessary step if their marriage is to survive. Yes, Taub cheated. And unlike Taub, I didn't think that Rachel had moved past it. But to see her so blatantly defy him to speak with another man was sad. They had a lot of work if they're going to make it. My money regrettably is on a divorce by February sweeps.

     Chase (Jesse Spencer) is embracing the single life, having hooked up with three women at one wedding (two were part of a threesome, if that makes it any better). No one could have been sadder than I when he split with wife Cameron (former cast member Jennifer Morrison) last year. I guess I should be glad that he's getting some, and beginning to get over for her. However, the behavior is destructive, and will not lead to anything good.

     Foreman (Omar Epps) is on a long dry spell, and just when Chase was helping him get over it, his co-worked abandoned him. I think Foreman still pines for Thirteen (Olivia Wilde), but as that doctor isn't coming back soon, it will be sometime before a resolution is in sight.

     All of this points to a major erosion of House's core team, with each member (except Masters) on a path that could lead to self-destruction. Could it be that once the titular character finally gets his own life under control, those around him have theirs come crashing down? It makes a twisted kind of sense. And gives us fans plenty to look forward to as the season continues to unfold.

     House airs Monday nights at 8pm on FOX.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as TV Review: House - "Small Sacrifices" on Blogcritics.