Thoughts On S4 and House's Choices

[nitcrt1]

I like to check out what people are saying about the show this year. Much to my surprise I am disheartened over the lack of faith that fans have in the show. Viewers tired last year of the predictable formulaic content of the show. So, the writers changed up the cast. Now, everyone wants the old ducklings and the formula to return. I guess you're just not going to be able to please everybody. Personally, I like to be entertained and I consider "House" a terrific show that is still different from other dramas you see right now. Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard and Lisa Edelstein are amazing talents who balance each other well. With that being said, I would like to offer my views on the pros and cons of the season so far and would like to know what you all think.

First of all, I thought it was a brave move to change the dynamic of the cast. As has been said in interviews with cast members and producers Katie Jacobs and David Shore, a fellowship only lasts about three years. Therefore, the cast realistically had to be changed. Since viewers were complaining over the predictable format of the show, I considered this move to be a good one. I have enjoyed the "Survivor-like" story arc. Did it go on a little too long? Yes, I think it did. Nevertheless, it was a great way to breathe a different life into the show. Oddly though, I have felt that through the course of this "game" that the character of House seemed "dumbed down" a bit. I don't know how to explain it, but it didn't seem that House's brillance was shining very much. Yet, in the same breath, sometimes I felt that House was frustrated with the new players lack of knowledge and easy answers.

I think expanding the cast opens itself to fresh storylines from all angles. Keeping the old ducklings and the new may make for some interesting interaction. I think the balance of the scenes between all of the characters could be better, but that may iron itself out now that the new ducklings are in place.

I am enjoying the growing friendship of House and Cuddy and their interactions with each other. I think linking them romantically for a long period of time wouldn't fit their personalities. However, a quick fling or an unplanned one-night-stand would make for a fun after the fact. An interesting twist would be, after all this time of trying to have a baby, if Cuddy got pregnant after a one-night-stand with House. Yet, she'd keep it a secret or lie. Everybody lies. Think about it. When Cuddy was looking for sperm donors and House was helping her, without her permission of course, he emphasized that she should know genetically what kind of sperm she was getting. Cuddy interviewed an oblivious Wilson. House told her she should find a donor she liked alluding to the fact that he would not be a good choice, since he felt she didn't like him. Yet, towards the end of that same episode, Cuddy came to talk to House. She gave you the impression that she wanted to ask him to be a donor, but she chickened out. She just thanked him for helping her out with her injections.

As for the new ducklings, I like Kutner. I think Taub is a little stiff and 13 is a little flat. CTB was interesting but she was a little too much like House. Well, she was a bit worse especially since she hated to lose and not be right all of the time. Even House admits when he's wrong.

Well, those are my thoughts for now. I'll be interested to see how the season plays out now that all of the cards are finally in the deck.

Oh, one last thought....Hugh Laurie is brilliant! He's got great comedic timing, great facial emotion and a remarkable ability to "speak" with his eyes.

[nitcrt1]

I had to run and eat, but I would like to quickly finish my thoughts.

I had wished last night that House's argument with Wilson lasted a bit longer than it did. I find it interesting that Wilson is always lecturing House about his actions. But when House tries to prove a point to Wilson, Wilson gets defensive and angry. That's the great dynamic of that friendship. That's the acting that I've been missing a bit this season.

People wondered why House gave 13 102 points after she said something to House like people use drugs to mask something else. I can't remeber what he said exactly, but he deemed her statement completely untrue. He smirked when she left, because he felt it was a true. Remember House's mantra, "Everybody lies." 13's remark proved to House that she could read a patient much like he does. That impressed him. I don't think that he's at all attraced to her romantically. I think he's attracked to story. She is an enigma to him.

Cuddy's role in the episode last night didn't make her dumb, when she realized House's plan. Think of it this way. You have a friend who's a prankster. You know they're a prankster, but you don't know when they'll pull one over on you. It's random. Cuddy gave House those names thinking he'd never pick those two guys. (Although I think she had to know Kutner would be picked, since she tried to get rid of him last week.) House caught her unexpectedly, by turning the tables and picking her suggestions. (That devil.The wheels are always spinning in his head.) Knowing she could face a discrimination lawsuit, she gave House 13. In a sense, Cuddy owed House after she hired Foreman. Also, Cuddy respects that House is still the head of his department. That's why she didn't override him. I think she knew he had a reason for fighting for his new team.

If the writers are at some point planning to give House a love interest, my suggestion would be to make her age appropriate, not involved with the hospital, and someone who could balance his personality. Stacy was good, but I think she manipulated him more than he could manipulate her when she returned. 13 and Cameron are too young for him. House has shown his lack of interest in Cameron several times. I don't think the producers are interested in that pairing either.

In terms of peeling away at the layers of House, wouldn't it be interesting if House had to try and solve a medical puzzle dealing with one of his parents?
If his father had a mysterious illness, House would have to put aside his contempt for his father and deal with the issue at hand. How would he do it?

If his mother had a mysterious illness, House would have to deal with his father without his mother's support. How could he do it?

Sorry. I have so much to say and this is the only place I feel I can say it. I just feel that people are giving up on the show. So, let me end my feelings with a bit of a simplified House metaphor. If you're a die hard fan of a sports team like the Yankees, do you give up rooting for them just because they allowed Joe Torre and Don Mattingly to go to the Dodgers? I hope the answer would be no, because you have to take the good with the bad. You can get disgusted over the change, but that doesn't mean you love the team any less. You may not like what's happened, but you root for Joe Girardi to do a good job, hope for the best and support the team. (Can't tell I'm a Yankee fan, can you?)

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.