mirror(un)mask
Speaking of fierce preoccupied men, House was such a gigglefest last night.
I was mildly distracted but managed to follow the episode enough to be chilled by Mirror Syndrome Guy. I love how this show can leave you a little --- or very in terms of season premieres and finales --- off balance in the few minutes after closing credits, then quietly ferment in your head overnight until the next day an idle thought will suddenly throw the whole episode into new shocking awesome light.
Today I was marvelling at how each episode will set you up, induct you into the intricacies of the condition and the characters reacting to it, winds and winds all that medical jargon and subtextual contradictory characterisation tighter around you until you're fully reacting like House or whoever your favourite character is, thinking you've got a pretty decent hold on the issue, totally immersed.
And then it goes to another level, some fiendish twist of approach by usually House or sometimes other people. In any other show --- *coughsupernaturalcough* --- that would be the final denouement. Mildly clever but fairly predictable once you've watched a few seasons. They could leave it at that.
But they don't. There's always a sort of fourth act or what I like to think of as a final back kick that can sometimes overturn the message they've been pushing through the entire episode. Sometimes it'll overturn House himself. But pretty much always I end up mildly stunned and wondering if I really did understand what just happened.
That aside, god it was truly wonderful to have Foreman back. The last time I was this aware of what a great character he is was during the whole isolation death scare double or triple episode. Happily, no such drama this time but oh we didn't need that. I love their dynamic so much! They love their dynamic so much! You can just tell. It was like House came alive again, not just going through the snarky motions.
And omg the WILSON line! The whole alpha male situation and Mirror Syndrome Guy snorting. "I am the one in control of this relationship." And he said it so straight, all deep and matter of fact, didn't even need to swagger. I practically screamed and fell off the bed. CANON! CANON! THEIRLOFFISSOCANON! *sits down and cries with laughter* Oh god, I love this show.
It's going to be very interesting to see how far they develop this UST tween House and the mysterious lady doctor. I mean, the eww!possibility of Cameron is well and truly put to death now, right? God, I hope so. I fully appreciate her dynamic with him, the humanising effect she has on him and even more so the hardening effect he's had on her. I just cannot stand another scene of Cameron cooties. Eeeyyyeurrk!! It's far more interesting to watch her relationship with Chase develop. So yeah, totally checking out the possible sexual interest in the form of cat eyed mysterious lady doctor. Cos, yeah, she's fucking hot. Were I not completely in love with Cuddy ... *nods nods*
I have to admit my feminist sensibility screwed up its nose at that particular denouement. Even though it's true and she does have magnificent breasts and yes I do accept that technically he holds the power in that relationship, it irked me a little. I prefer a much more nuanced interpretation of their relationship, that she knows exactly how to manipulate him and is smart enough, secure enough in her own abilities that she can let him get away with thinking he's won whatever battle. It suits her to let him think that.
That's what I like to think, anyway.
Oh House. Thou hast reinvigorated my Wednesday nights and filled them with joy and intellectual stimulation once again.
*le sigh*
I was mildly distracted but managed to follow the episode enough to be chilled by Mirror Syndrome Guy. I love how this show can leave you a little --- or very in terms of season premieres and finales --- off balance in the few minutes after closing credits, then quietly ferment in your head overnight until the next day an idle thought will suddenly throw the whole episode into new shocking awesome light.
Today I was marvelling at how each episode will set you up, induct you into the intricacies of the condition and the characters reacting to it, winds and winds all that medical jargon and subtextual contradictory characterisation tighter around you until you're fully reacting like House or whoever your favourite character is, thinking you've got a pretty decent hold on the issue, totally immersed.
And then it goes to another level, some fiendish twist of approach by usually House or sometimes other people. In any other show --- *coughsupernaturalcough* --- that would be the final denouement. Mildly clever but fairly predictable once you've watched a few seasons. They could leave it at that.
But they don't. There's always a sort of fourth act or what I like to think of as a final back kick that can sometimes overturn the message they've been pushing through the entire episode. Sometimes it'll overturn House himself. But pretty much always I end up mildly stunned and wondering if I really did understand what just happened.
That aside, god it was truly wonderful to have Foreman back. The last time I was this aware of what a great character he is was during the whole isolation death scare double or triple episode. Happily, no such drama this time but oh we didn't need that. I love their dynamic so much! They love their dynamic so much! You can just tell. It was like House came alive again, not just going through the snarky motions.
And omg the WILSON line! The whole alpha male situation and Mirror Syndrome Guy snorting. "I am the one in control of this relationship." And he said it so straight, all deep and matter of fact, didn't even need to swagger. I practically screamed and fell off the bed. CANON! CANON! THEIRLOFFISSOCANON! *sits down and cries with laughter* Oh god, I love this show.
It's going to be very interesting to see how far they develop this UST tween House and the mysterious lady doctor. I mean, the eww!possibility of Cameron is well and truly put to death now, right? God, I hope so. I fully appreciate her dynamic with him, the humanising effect she has on him and even more so the hardening effect he's had on her. I just cannot stand another scene of Cameron cooties. Eeeyyyeurrk!! It's far more interesting to watch her relationship with Chase develop. So yeah, totally checking out the possible sexual interest in the form of cat eyed mysterious lady doctor. Cos, yeah, she's fucking hot. Were I not completely in love with Cuddy ... *nods nods*
I have to admit my feminist sensibility screwed up its nose at that particular denouement. Even though it's true and she does have magnificent breasts and yes I do accept that technically he holds the power in that relationship, it irked me a little. I prefer a much more nuanced interpretation of their relationship, that she knows exactly how to manipulate him and is smart enough, secure enough in her own abilities that she can let him get away with thinking he's won whatever battle. It suits her to let him think that.
That's what I like to think, anyway.
Oh House. Thou hast reinvigorated my Wednesday nights and filled them with joy and intellectual stimulation once again.
*le sigh*