How did I not notice this until now?
...how did I not realize that House is Sherlock Holmes? I mean, ridiculously brilliant extremely rude drug addict House/Holmes can piece together mysteries from the tiniest clues that he notices with his hawklike eyes, and is made accessible to the viewer/reader through the eyes of the friendlier, less brilliant but socially able Wilson/Watson.
I feel like an idiot for not noticing that before. Hrm.
OK, back to your regularly scheduled business.