Picspam/Recap: House 7x08 Small Sacrifices - part 1
708 Small Sacrifices
Part 1 of 3
I'm skipping a few episodes because, well, I needed to ease back in, so what better way than to ease in with tuxes and gowns and Kuno Becker? (no real-life politics or fictional deaths; in other words, awesome). With that in mind: prepare for a very, very shallow review.
Is the champagne flowing as freely as the badinage? Are there elegant men and beautiful gowns?
The men are in tuxes.
*And* beautiful gowns, I said, not *in* beautiful gowns.
Happy thoughts, people. Happy thoughts.
Well... this is an interesting opening, that's for sure. I guess when the last episode had "slave ship run aground," it's go big or go home.
Hola, Kuno Becker! Okay, the time has come for me to admit: My name is echo, and I watch telenovelas. When I saw that Kuno Becker was guest starring, I was very excited, even though I couldn't remember where I had seen him (the ads for Sonadoras don't really count :) and so I checked imdb and OMG he was in El alma no tiene color, which was my first novela, ever. Very cool. (It was for class, okay? In Spanish class, our teacher showed us clips of novelas for listening comprehension...and a few of us started watching them on a regular basis...solely for a better grade. Uh, yeah, that was it.) And I loved the temas from Te sigo amando and Mujeres enganadas, which he was also in. Yay!
Ahem. No one cares. Moving on.
HOUSE: We can't even talk about it?
CUDDY: You can't apologize, we can't talk. And puncture wounds--
HOUSE: I'm not apologizing for doing the right thing.
CUDDY: Lying to me was not the right thing. Puncture wounds are from a crucifixion.
HOUSE: I lied to save my patient's life. And I didn't lie to you, I lied to my boss. Either of those arguments working yet? I guess that means I don't have to go to the wedding on Saturday.
CUDDY: The hospital's Chairman of the Board. I'm not going to stand him up -- and neither are you.
HOUSE: I loathe weddings and their seven levels of hypocrisy. But you do seem awfully hissy, and there's an outside chance that I could get you drunk and score, so as long as you don't take this as an admission of guilt, sure, count me in. Bit too much honestyy?
CUDDY: You're also going to the rehearsal dinner Friday night. Dressy casual.
"Give me a little credit, I know what gets you off." She also does the walk away very well, doesn't she?
Hello, you two. Still arguing over something ridiculous and expected, I see? Okay. Talking might actually not be a bad idea (why does the lying bother you so much, Cuddy and...I'm sorry, is House's argument "he did the right thing?" Curious role-reversal; he's also the one who wants to talk). But look at what Cuddy's wearing, House; she can't be *that* mad. Or, at least , she knows her opponent very, very well.
"Everybody lies." I'm trying to remember over the years the times when Cuddy has lied to him. She told Cameron to lie to him. . . there was her leg experiment in Skin Deep. There have to be more, despite House hallucinating an entire conversation about Cuddy never lying to him about anything, except how they met (and he only gets a fuller picture of that later). House has lied to her over the years about his patients. This time, she knew he thought he was right and she knew that he would do anything to get that treatment. If he had told her what he had wanted to do (I'm testing the Senator; if (1) he agrees and (2) tests positive, then the POTW gets the same treatment), would she have said yes? I don't know. I'm not even sure if she knows. And isn't that another explanation? If I had told you, you still would have said no, and the patient would have died. Ohhh. Well doesn't this tie in quite nicely with Masters's and "If you had told me he would have died, so why do I still want to tell the truth?" Nicely played, Show.
"Dressy casual." Sigh. I wouldn't want to go for that reason alone. And Cuddy really wants to bring House to this rehearsal dinner? I would think the Chairman of the Board would be more than okay with House standing him up. You know, when I heard about them going to a wedding, I thought part of the issue would be Cuddy keeping a barrier between the bride and groom--and House. I sort of assumed that she wouldn't want to deal with his complaining (quietly mocking? :), especially at a rehearsal dinner (at least at the actual wedding he can complain out of earshot).
HOUSE: Housekeepin'! Either you're crazy or you're atoning for something naughty *and* you're crazy.
Masters: He's a doctor.
KUNO BECKER: I'm not atoning for anything.
HOUSE: That answers that. Thanks.
I really do appreciate that they've kept Chase's religious background a constant. It's a nice layer.
HOUSE: Why are you late? Your next dental appointment isn't until January and you saw your GP eight days ago. [medical question about the POTW's daughter]
WILSON: I had a flat tire. [medical stuff]
HOUSE: Your tires got less than 5,000 miles on them. [medical stuff]
WILSON: I hit a piece of rebar near a construction site. [medical stuff]
HOUSE: There's no construction site between here and your home. [medical]
WILSON: But there is one between here and my dry cleaner. [medical interlude] Why would I lie about this?
HOUSE: I don't know yet, but you would have dropped off your tie. It's got a mustard stain.
WILSON: I was buying an engagement ring. I'm going to propose to Sam at the wedding.
HOUSE: That's the second stupidest thing I've heard today. And I'm surprised how close you came. You don't need to buy her a new ring. Isn't the first one good for all you can marry?
WILSON: I assume you haven't apologized to Cuddy. Your stupidity demands equal time.
HOUSE: Nothing to apologize for.
WILSON: Pretend to apologize.
HOUSE: You want me to lie?
WILSON: There's a lovely symmetry to it. A lie got you into it and a lie will get you out of it.
HOUSE: Everybody lies. I'm sure Cuddy . . . . Just need to give her a chance.
WILSON: Yeah, that must have been what I meant.
Oh, you two and your sublimation. Wait, what?
Sigh. First, House? Don't go to Wilson for advice. Second, Wilson? Don't do this. Just don't. Seriously. Just, wow, this is a really, really bad idea. And third, Wilson? STOP GIVING ADVICE. YOU HAVE BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES AND ARE ABOUT TO BE DUMPED BY YOUR FIRST EX-WIFE. Oh, and fourth and finally, House? STOP. LISTENING. TO. WILSON'S. RELATIONSHIP. ADVICE. No good can come of it. He's the Siren of relationships. Listen to him and you too will slam into rocks and drown. Just stop.
If only Wilson were a bit more unpredictable, House wouldn't catch on when something's up. Same with Cuddy. The answer is in the anomalies, people. Or, actually, they do know and continue to do things that catch his attention because they want his input, whether or not they admit that to themselves. Wilson arriving late, Cuddy and her quick knowledge of NJ family law, Wilson locking his office. He stalks out of love...but really what else to Wilson and Cuddy expect after all this time.
FOREMAN: Have you seen the bride-to-be?
CHASE: Gorgeous woman half his age. He's a lucky guy.
Foreman: Yeah, for awhile.
MASTERS: My father's nineteen years older than my mother and they've been happily married for thirty-two years.
FOREMAN: I'm guessing your father wasn't on the Forbes 400 and your mom didn't look like a swimsuit model. [Masters gives him a look] Sorry, that didn't come out right.
MASTERS: My father was the Classics Chair at Columbia and my mother was his student. His gorgeous student.
TAUB: What's it mean when somebody takes their cell phone into the bathroom when they're taking a shower?
FOREMAN: It means they don't want you to check their calls, emails, or texts.
CHASE: If you're talking about your wife, it means the chickens are coming home to roost. [Masters looks at him] Taub has been known to dabble. Used to be.
MASTERS: Maybe it's just a habit. I do that with my cell phone and I live alone.
TAUB: She has a meeting today at 1:30. At a hotel.
MASTERS: Or the chicken thing.
And here's where I get to mention my Amber Tamblyn story, because they mentioned Classics, too. Well, it isn't really about her, but she was mentioned. One of my all-time favorite professors taught a "Art History of the Cinema" course. And every year he'd invite someone famous that he knew to come talk to the class. The Dixie Chicks came one year (the stories this professors has could fill volumes; he's had such an amazing life with so many incredible experiences, and he's a great guy to boot). Anyway, the year I took the class, he got Russ Tamblyn to come in. "Once you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way" Russ Tamblyn, father to Amber. He had great stories and was a really nice guy and answered all of our questions. At the end, he mentioned that his daughter, Amber, was acting, too, and that we should look for her (this was pre-Joan of Arcadia :), so it's fun to see her doing so well.
Answer's in the anomalies. Oh, Tiny Taub. His observational skills -- and cynicism -- have appeared to have increased exponentially. Odd that Rachel would do that, because Taub had no reason to check her calls, emails, or texts. She wants him to find out, on some level.
What does Rachel do, exactly? Have we ever found out? Maybe a meeting at a hotel isn't that unusual.
I do like Chase's little "if he's not actually sleeping in a manger." Keep the theme going, guys.
HOUSE: Heavy metal it is. Do a home search and a peripheral smear. (??)
TAUB: Can't. I have a personal errand to run.
HOUSE: Want to catch your wife cheating?
TAUB: Wh-why would you say that?
HOUSE: Missing mojo, posture slumped, expression defeated. You didn't try to back up your theory. And Chase told me. Go. Find your mojo.
Oh, Foreman, try not to be so smug. Not that smugness pays off for you in the end. See, e.g., the wedding where you're left with three other guys, alone, at the bar.
I kind of love the fact that Chase is gossiping (to a good end, though!) with House, particularly since Chase went with Taub to the patient's room, so when exactly did Chase tell House? DId Chase call him after the tooth thing? (assuming House went to Wilson's house to get clothes.) Aww, Chase called House after the tooth thing. Oh, Chase, you do love your entertainment.
HOUSE: Shopkeeper, I need a patient file.
CUDDY: Ask records.
HOUSE: Not one of our patients. My patient's daughter.
CUDDY: Ask your patient.
HOUSE: He thinks I only want it to debunk his faith.
CUDDY: And why would he think that?
HOUSE: 'Cause he's strangely perceptive for an idiot.
CUDDY: And I'm going to violate patient privacy laws just to keep you happy?
HOUSE: You keep me happy, I return the favor. Think of it as tat for tit.
CUDDY: When we're at work, we need to focus on our work thoughts. Why are you wearing that?
HOUSE: It's my dressy casual. What do you think?
CUDDY: You look like WIlson. It looks weird. But you knew I'd think that so it makes me wonder why you look disappointed.
HOUSE: If you prick me, do I not bleed?
CUDDY: You knew I wouldn't like it but you thought I would say I did, that's what this is about. You're trying to trap me into lying to you.
HOUSE: You sure? 'Cause that sounds so juvenile.
Was "Innkeeper" too on the nose?
Oh, that outfit is nowhere near as weird as when he was clean-shaven, suit and tie, and no cane (The Softer Side?). That freaked me out. Every time I watch that episode, I'm thinking, Hugh Laurie, stop using your American accent. And where's Stephen Fry.
And, heh, way to crush my Cuddy/Wilson fantasies. And that's all they are, fantasies, since the two of them haven't had A SINGLE SCENE TOGETHER. Except when other people have been there . . . and, don't get me wrong, those were great scenes, but we need a scene with those two, alone, together. Is it really too much to ask? And Show keeps referencing all these scenes that they're having, together, off-screen, which is really just pouring salt in the wound.
WILSON: Maybe you haven't heard. I'm kind of busy.
HOUSE: With what?
WILSON: Sudoku. What do you think, I'm the Head of Oncology at a major hospital.
HOUSE: And yet, these files are not from this hospital. These are from "Where My Fiancee Works" Memorial.
WILSON: Sam's boss is doing a clinical review of all of her files and she just wanted to make sure everything's in order before he starts on Monday.
HOUSE: Which explains why Sam is too busy to look at my file.
WILSON: If I don't help her she can't go to the wedding and we fell in love at her cousin's wedding which is why I want to propose to her at a wedding and now you have sixty seconds to berate me for that and for helping my girlfriend with her homework.
HOUSE: You don't want to propose at a wedding. Emotions running high, people on edge, you might want to try somewhere like a Buddhist temple. Or an aquarium. Or a Buddhist aquarium. That only took ten seconds; you can spend the rest of the time on my file.
Wilson, sweetie, you lock your office door and House will think something awesome is behind it. Like weed. Or really good food. Plus, you clear your desk yet say you're "busy"? Amateur mistakes (like you planned).
And setting aside Sam having Wilson review her patient files (can't she just do that herself? or is she just fully aware of how little the Head of Oncology at PPTH actually does during the course of a day), let's talk about proposing at a wedding.
Don't do it. Just don't. It's weird. It's like wearing white to the wedding; it draws attention away from the people the day is supposed to be about (you know, the people who bought your dinner :)). Oh, hey, look at that, House is giving some good advice (namely, don't propose at a wedding). And how does one "fall in love" at a wedding? Falling in love, really falling in love, takes time. If they met at a wedding, that's one thing, but in that case Wilson's just being a ridiculous romantic. I'm sure nothing bad can come of that. (Did anyone have a split-second double take at "her cousin's wedding" and think it was *a* cousin's wedding? Opening up a whole new can of worms).
We learn later that Wilson and Sam haven't even talked about marriage...for a second time. What was Wilson thinking?
Part two (of three)