House Ep. 5.22 A House Divided
In the beginning, I had my doubts about this episode, but by the end I understood what Doris Egan meant when she said earlier that this episode by Matthew Lewis and Liz Friedman would be amazing. It was, but I also think it was a complicated episode that will require me to rewatch at least a couple more times before the whole thing sinks in. Right now, I’m finding it a little bit hard to believe that House, even in his subconscious, would really try to kill Chase. I’m rationalizing that his subconscious also knew that there would be a lot of doctors at the party (and that someone would have an epi pen?) so Chase wouldn’t die. And it doesn't really jive with Wilson's opinion that House gave Seth a cochlear implant "to be nice"...
And then, of course, TPTB HAD to use this (and Thirteen and Foreman’s discussion, earlier in the episode) to resurrect YET AGAIN the House/Cameron possibility. Please, PTB, I beg of you: LET. IT. DIE. It’s been five years and it’s simply not very interesting. Ditto for Foreman who, once again, was put in charge as the responsible one, and, ONCE AGAIN, incorrectly doubted House. That, too, is OLD. [My wish for next season is that Cameron and Foreman are gone and some interesting characters - like Amber - get House fellowships. Hey, maybe Amber really isn’t dead! ;-)] But I digress...
The House/Wilson scenes were terrific, though poor Wilson really does have issues - how sad is it that he was found "walking home" from his own apartment sans pants? The House/Amber scenes were also amazingly, though not unexpectedly, good. It was a nice continuation from House’s conversation with Amber/himself on the bus at the end of "Wilson’s Heart" last season to have Amber again be his own mind with which he converses. Anne Dudek rocks! It was very poignant to watch House try to keep a grip on things while knowing he’s slipping, and it is an interesting parallel to "No Reason". I felt his pain when he told Cuddy that he hadn’t slept since Kutner committed suicide.
The PotW story was a good one that held my interest, though I think more could have been done with regard to Seth’s ambivalence about cochlear implants. I see House’s point about deafness being a disability, but it is true that deaf culture goes beyond that, and it’s completely understandable that Seth wouldn’t want to lose all he’s ever known for something he’s never experienced. I think a lot of the bachelor party planning/shenanigans could have been cut down to allow more room to explore these issues.
At least there weren’t any House-and-Cuddy-being-childish shenanigans, for which I am grateful. The promo for next week showing Cuddy asking House if he wants to kiss her and House saying he always wants to kiss her was hot - though I really, really DO NOT want House and Cuddy to end up in a romantic relationship. At all. It just doesn’t ring true for me, though I realize it does for many.
In the shallow end, Hugh looked lovely in his disheveled state (but when doesn’t he?) and I was impressed with his ability to juggle a lit torch. He also was gorgeous in bed at the beginning and in the footed bathtub with the bottle of wine at Chase’s bachelor party. ;-)
I enjoyed when Wilson, urging Chase to forego House’s bachelor party, asked him if he’d seen Caligula, and House saying a particular stripper is the one who got him “hooked in with Madoff”. I also thought it was hilarious that House threw the bachelor party at Wilson’s house to trick him into attending.
Side note: I noticed that director Greg Yaitanes, who directed this episode I believe, is now listed as a co-executive producer. Good for him. :-)
Sorry the above is rather disjointed. I'm tired. :-) I might have more to say later/tomorrow and/or after watching again, but, in the meantime, I'm anxious to read others' thoughts!
And then, of course, TPTB HAD to use this (and Thirteen and Foreman’s discussion, earlier in the episode) to resurrect YET AGAIN the House/Cameron possibility. Please, PTB, I beg of you: LET. IT. DIE. It’s been five years and it’s simply not very interesting. Ditto for Foreman who, once again, was put in charge as the responsible one, and, ONCE AGAIN, incorrectly doubted House. That, too, is OLD. [My wish for next season is that Cameron and Foreman are gone and some interesting characters - like Amber - get House fellowships. Hey, maybe Amber really isn’t dead! ;-)] But I digress...
The House/Wilson scenes were terrific, though poor Wilson really does have issues - how sad is it that he was found "walking home" from his own apartment sans pants? The House/Amber scenes were also amazingly, though not unexpectedly, good. It was a nice continuation from House’s conversation with Amber/himself on the bus at the end of "Wilson’s Heart" last season to have Amber again be his own mind with which he converses. Anne Dudek rocks! It was very poignant to watch House try to keep a grip on things while knowing he’s slipping, and it is an interesting parallel to "No Reason". I felt his pain when he told Cuddy that he hadn’t slept since Kutner committed suicide.
The PotW story was a good one that held my interest, though I think more could have been done with regard to Seth’s ambivalence about cochlear implants. I see House’s point about deafness being a disability, but it is true that deaf culture goes beyond that, and it’s completely understandable that Seth wouldn’t want to lose all he’s ever known for something he’s never experienced. I think a lot of the bachelor party planning/shenanigans could have been cut down to allow more room to explore these issues.
At least there weren’t any House-and-Cuddy-being-childish shenanigans, for which I am grateful. The promo for next week showing Cuddy asking House if he wants to kiss her and House saying he always wants to kiss her was hot - though I really, really DO NOT want House and Cuddy to end up in a romantic relationship. At all. It just doesn’t ring true for me, though I realize it does for many.
In the shallow end, Hugh looked lovely in his disheveled state (but when doesn’t he?) and I was impressed with his ability to juggle a lit torch. He also was gorgeous in bed at the beginning and in the footed bathtub with the bottle of wine at Chase’s bachelor party. ;-)
I enjoyed when Wilson, urging Chase to forego House’s bachelor party, asked him if he’d seen Caligula, and House saying a particular stripper is the one who got him “hooked in with Madoff”. I also thought it was hilarious that House threw the bachelor party at Wilson’s house to trick him into attending.
Side note: I noticed that director Greg Yaitanes, who directed this episode I believe, is now listed as a co-executive producer. Good for him. :-)
Sorry the above is rather disjointed. I'm tired. :-) I might have more to say later/tomorrow and/or after watching again, but, in the meantime, I'm anxious to read others' thoughts!