Picspam/Recap: House 7x01 Now What - part 1
At the end of The Graduate (and yes this has spoilers for The Graduate but, honestly, I'm not sure if I've ever seen the movie all the way through and I could still give you a general plot outline), the couple had just left the church, she's still in her wedding dress, and they sit together on the back of a bus. The story is that the director kept the camera rolling after the scene was supposed to have ended, and so instead of a fade to black of a happy couple, you get the "moment after;" unease and uncertainty, more of a "what the hell did we just do / what are we going to do now? This is, of course, after a BIG ROMANTIC GESTURE but now they're in the real world and all they can think is "Now what?"
Needless to say, when I heard the title of the seventh season premiere, that bus scene is what immediately came to mind. But not in a bad way! I was actually looking forward to it because that idea of exploring the "moment after" feels more "real" and more "them" than anything else I could imagine. "Banter's easy; relationships are hard" (thank you, Leverage writers).
So, last season had the BIG ROMANTIC MOMENT. House dropped the pills, Cuddy broke off her engagement (still ridiculous no matter how often Show repeats it). But now what? They've known each other for decades; they've seen each other at their worst; they've done horrible things to each other. She's his boss. He's a drug addict. She has a kid. Plus, this is David Shore's world and we just live in it; and things in his world tend to go "pear-shaped." Their "now what?" moment would have to be incredibly intimidating; no wonder if took them until now to do anything.
Indeed, the very idea of them actually attempting a relationship is probably the most terrifying thing either one of them has ever done. I'm a West Wing fan and I often find that bits of dialogue that seem ingrained in my head (I'm so sure I could use that space for something productive, but what can you do) often pop up on occasion with other shows. This episode was no exception. Actually, this isn't (entirely) my fault. I wrote "Game On" at the end of my liveblogging flail post because of TWW connection; had no idea until rewatch that the phrase was actually in the episode (when House suggests they play . . . Boggle?). Total mind meld, obviously. And although the following doesn't come out of quite the same situation:
I'm halfway though my life and I'm never quite sure if I'm doing anything right until I'm completely done doing it wrong. So this may come out wrong. Incrementalism is not an option. I'm forced into a heroic posture. . . .. So, if I'm going to jump off the cliff and you're going to get pushed off the cliff, why don't we hold hands on the way down?
Actually avoiding the games and the sarcasm to say they have feelings for each other? Actually trying a relationship? Actually making that relationship public to their friends and colleagues?
Get ready to jump off a cliff.
(Why, yes, I will try to find connections in everything; just wait until I get to the Sleeping Beauty / House & Cuddy dancing motif. That's right.)
They did "previously" scenes without actually saying "Previously on House." Thank you, Show. I appreciate the fact that you can let me make that obvious connection on my own. Also a return to that creepy, wonderfully atmospheric music.
CUDDY: Let me see. It's okay. It's going to get infected.
HOUSE: H-h-hey, you're not going to? You are. Don't, don't.
CUDDY: It's okay. I love you.
...
HOUSE: So, now what?
They've moved into his room, framed by the doorway. I love that when we first see them again, they're still holding hands (thumbs!) but we're further away. This is their moment, we're just (lucky) spectators. The music is...in tones. I love the little things; she's the only one to talk so far, and she's doing so so quietly. I love the pat on his chest before she goes to get water. I love that he still looks stunned and overwhelmed and after she leaves he looks at his hand as he moves his fingers; first vicodin, then Cuddy.
Where is that bucket from? And he has a sponge? No, it's just a wash cloth; never mind. You know what room has water and bandages already? The bathroom. Where you two were. Okay, whatever, you two are pretty and the light's better in his bedroom. Also, is this only the second time she's "actually" been in his room/apartment, right? The first being House's Head, yes?
Oh, his face. Her face. Music is not helping me keep it together. And she goes right for the pants; way to go, Cuddy. And he speaks! And it's funny! While still being emotional and serious.
The scar. Was this seriously spoiled for people? I was not expecting it at all but was like, way to address the elephant in the room in the first few minutes, Show, thanks. He's so scared, so embarrassed of it and by it. You know, he's the one that talks later of all the horrible things he's done to her. And he has done horrible things; just like he's done horrible things to Wilson. But Cuddy was the one that suggested that procedure in the first place and was the one to go along with Stacy's medical POA argument (which is iffy; yeah, he was in a coma but his wishes had already been made clear, it wasn't like his situation changed and necessitated someone to make a decision AHEM why am I fixating on this of all things?). So, to sum up: they've both done things to each other. Her face when she says "It's okay. I love you." And she kisses it. And he's just--his brain is broken by this point, I think.
Now it's his turn to help her up. Piano music, still, with strings, tones. Beautifully simple; this moment is the centerpiece. She doesn't help him take off her scrub top like he didn't help her take off his shirt. He just marvels. She bites her lip! He lifts her up! He closes his eyes as he holds her! The snuggling!
Montage of sexiness. So many of the scenes were in promos, so the part where she's on top, and their faces are hovering, like magnets? (penultimate row, far left cap) Was completely new for me. Absolutely gorgeous. And HOT.
"So, no what?" And her cute eyebrow raise.
This is just such a beautiful scene. So many things I wasn't expecting just made it so much better and so gorgeous and completely serious. I . . . kind of love that it was a montage. We get to see stuff! but it also feels like the characters get to have this moment for themselves; this is big for them, too. Show took this important moment for these two incredibly seriously and it shows. Amazingly done.
And.... new credits! Hi, new credits. I like you. I like you more that you kept the old music and the old images/placards for the actors. I don't particularly like how the order is confusing me, although I appreciate that RSL's name card placement is still right when the music changes, so there's that.
CUDDY: Everything's good. We don't have to talk through it all.
HOUSE: No, I meant it literally. Now what? We can make breakfast, we could go bowling, we could stay here.
CUDDY: I have to go home, get dressed, go to work.
HOUSE: So that's it?
CUDDY: I'm hoping this is the beginning of it.
HOUSE: Yeah.
*phone rings*
HOUSE: Your assistant's new. It's a fifty-fifty chance he just can't find the light switch. Hello?
NewPA: Dr. Cuddy?
HOUSE: No, this is Dr. Cuddy's nanny. She's, uh, feeling a little under the weather now so she won't be coming in today.
NewPA: Ah, I hope she's alright. Would you mind asking her if--
HOUSE: No, can't do that, I'm afraid she's locked in the bathroom. Terrible bug going around. What's the problem?
NewPA: Well, I'm sorry to disturb her but it's Dr. Richardson. He must have the same stomach flu. He threw up in the OR and I'm not sure how she'd want me to handle it.
HOUSE: Hold on a sec. I've talked to Dr. Cuddy and she would like you to do three things. One, send him home. Two, sterilize the OR. Three, use your own brain. See ya. It was about puke. That's what was so important. Puke.
CUDDY: Well, I guess I don't have to rush back in. But whatever now what we do decide on, comes after you take a bath.
THEY'RE STILL SNUGGLING. They look so comfortable. HE'S STROKING HER ARM.
Ahem. Oh, right, they're saying stuff, too. He's just completely insecure isn't he? But what's Cuddy doing, acting like, oh, this is normal, everyday occurrence. She had just been up for work all night; taking the morning/day off would be out of the question?
"I'm hoping this is the beginning of it." Ah, there we go. Same emotional page. The way he says, "yeah," so softly? LOVE.
Heh. And we're back to their usual dynamic. I love that they're both holding the phone (or, she's holding her phone and he's holding her arm) and they're trying to read the screen as she debates whether or not to answer it. AND THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION FROM BACK IN THE CHOICE, SHOW, AS TO WHAT "PA" ACTUALLY STOOD FOR. And way to bring that back. I like it (although Cuddy said "she." I guess she wasn't that great after all . . . after a matter of days).
HE ANSWERED HER PHONE. HE ANSWERED HER PHONE. And she doesn't really get upset about it; her protest is half-hearted at best. Has all the sex addled her brain? Or does she really agree that her assistant's new and/or an idiot. The whole conversation's amusing. And the assistant is a total "Hey, it's that guy!" for me.
And "puke." First word to cut through potential syrupy sweetness. And yes! He needs a bath! They both need baths! They've been awake, crawling over rubble for a ridiculous amount of hours! Good plan!
NEXT PART HERE (OF 10! it is now 10 parts! That's not obsessive).