HOUSE: Let Them Eat Cake
December 3, 2008 by Kath Skerry
For my money, live music is the single best way to escape the painful monotony of the work week. Legendary performers such as The Rolling Stones or Madonna have accumulated massive fortunes by giving fans a chance to forget about their troubles for an evening. No matter who your favorite artist may be, or what style of music most frequently appears on your iPod playlists, experienced live acts swear by the science of creating a great set list. After opening with a few hits, it is essential that things slow down a notch, in order to sustain the energy in the room for the rest of the night. Some bands fill this gap with quiet ballads, while others simply perform new material in order to rest the weary vocal cords of their enthusiastic fans. The very best live acts can use this ebb and flow throughout an evening, for the purpose of taking their audience on an emotional journey.
In the aftermath of an emotional hostage crisis, the House band gave their audience a chance to catch our breath and crack a few smiles this week. By delivering an hour packed with playful asides and absurd flirtation, the good folks behind our favorite medical drama earned an enthusiastic encore.
The Huddy saga moved ahead a few chapters, with a number of playful scenes between Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein. Cuddy’s temporary move into House’s office was fodder for a number of adolescent pranks, though the payoff to those antics was unsatisfying. After a strong opening scene in the elevator, where both characters projected an affectionate civility toward one another, and their amusing exchange about the whereabouts of House’s spherical toys, the Huddy dynamic took a wrong turn. Dr. House remained true to his narcissistic roots, smashing Cuddy’s toilet into oblivion with a sledgehammer and manipulating the construction crew into replacing that toilet with a solitary bidet. Cuddy, on the other hand, took an ill-conceived leap at intimacy with her speech to House in their empty office. There was a logical fallacy in having Cuddy, who is supposed to understand House’s single-minded desire for control, tell him, “I think we’re supposed to kiss now.” That sequence brought to mind Julia Roberts’, “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy,” monologue from Notting Hill. In the land of House, that is not a good thing. House’s perverted response, both in words and cupping deed, seemed to be written to make the audience sympathize with Cuddy. On that note, it fell flat. The delivery of Cuddy’s medical school desk was a far more believable step forward, and the type of gesture that I hope we see more often in this unconventional courtship.
Speaking of unconventional, the highlight of the episode was the Dr. Gregory House Online Medical Advice saga. First, it allowed Kutner and Taub to have some fun with one another while handling the apparent crisis. Next, the entrepreneurial venture gave Chase and Cameron an excuse to be on camera without consulting with Foreman on a depressing pediatrics case. Finally, the patient’s “reawakening” was a hilarious payoff that reinforced House’s omnipotent presence throughout his underlings’ lives. I do not know if anyone was doing the math, but I hope Kutner realizes that his online consulting will now be earning him somewhere close to minimum wage! Did anyone else notice that House appeared more pleased with the discovery of this online scam than he ever seems to be around Cuddy?
Thirteen’s struggle to deal with the memories of her mother’s illness was obviously the more emotional lynchpin of the episode. The flashback sequences tied in beautifully with Thirteen’s hesitation to interact with the other clinical patient who had more advanced symptoms. Fortunately, the melodrama did not overwhelm Olivia Wilde’s performance or the contrasting style of Omar Epps, who embraced the concept of putting Thirteen on notice that she needed to start living, rather than simply wait to die. Even with those darker tones present, writers Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend were wise to include the two young doctors in the pithy consultation with House in the stairwell, where the first concrete evidence of Thirteen’s growing attraction to Foreman was revealed in her body language.
If I were judging this episode as if it were a concert, I would certainly deem it worthy of buying a ticket in the upper level. There were enough familiar favorites that would be fun to sing along to, but nothing compelling enough to require a floor seat.
Where did this episode rank on your list of House favorites? Did you enjoy the lighter approach to this week? Where do you stand on House and Cuddy after seeing them finally discuss their situation? Were you waiting for Wilson to pop his head in for more wisdom? Would you ever pay $500 for online medical advice? I am looking forward to your comments. We had a fantastic discussion last week, so let’s keep it going!
— posted by Erik
How does Erik stay grounded from his luxurious life as a substitute teacher? He keeps it real with ALF DVDs & Fantasy Football. On weekends, the GMMR HOUSE & SURVIVOR guru spends quiet time imploring the TV gods to bring back Sports Night & Ed. Erik resides in South Florida and spends his summers following Dave Matthews Band.
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Filed under House, House Recap
I enjoyed the fake on-line patient plot. I don’t think Kutner is quite as bad off financially as you do since I believe Taub will now get nothing. He was just getting paid to keep from telling House – no need to pay for that anymore.
I was less thrilled by the House – Cuddy story. Mainly this was due to my belief that no one would actually want a personal relationship with House.
The Thirteen stuff was very good.
Oh I agree the online scam thing was hilarious. I did figure that the woman was planted by House to cause some havoc, but I didn’t figure out it would play out quite like that 🙂 (and you did notice well he was more enthusiastic about the scam then Cuddy). And I’m really warming up to Taub and Kutner they are funny together. Even 13 is getting more likable.
Which brings me to the whole Huddy thing – is it me but it looked more like a pissing contest then flirtation? I know it should have come off as playful however that was not the impression I got. I find it ironic (and beyond silly) it is the same woman who accused House of acting like a teenage boy on a number of occasions.
Cuddy as a character started to really grate on my nerves – I don’t see any point to her anymore (which is funny because it was House who was getting on my nerves at the beginning of season).
Oh and about the desk, I read a theory that it was probably Wilson who did it (which when you think about it would be something he would do).
I would probably buy the costliest ticket available, provided I could pay for it. This sums up my situation now. I came home, to watch this show, and I wasn’t for even a minute disappointed in the 2nd half hour of the show (was literally ‘high’ on ‘Houseed’).
Both House and Cuddy’s (I refuse to toe the Huddy line) antics were more childish than anything, but that fits somehow in this jigsaw puzzle of House. Each trying to outdo the other and the final few scenes led me to believe that House might be trying to get his heart in the right place.
The empty room scene, till where the ‘logical’ step, steps in follows the usual pattern of House trying to get emotional, but then stops bang in the middle of it. I doubt House could have actually planned for the table, more so the way Cuddy and Wilson talk about suggested it might be the latter.
But seriously, I wonder how longer would the writers propose to entice us with this ‘budding’ relationship.
Btw, do you think Christmas time would spark for any ‘specials’ on House??
John: Great catch on Taub’s cut of the online revenues being tied to keeping House out of the loop. I did not take a second glance at that scene, and you are absolutely right. As for the storyline itself, I am hoping that the virtual clinic comes up again down the road. On a program that needs to take itself less seriously on occasion, a referral from cyberspace would serve to provide both a humorous B-plot and a nice callback for loyal viewers.
Bertas: I am sensing a backlash against both the House & Cuddy characters in reference to their interactions. In some ways, it resembles the Democratic Primary contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Whether you support a Huddy relationship or oppose it, you will likely continue to tune in each week. However, the payoff to the relationship, no matter where it leads, is bound to disappoint a large chunk of viewers. As for me, I remain a Huddy independent. I find them both incapable of maintaining a relationship.
Geebs: I am extremely curious if Cuddy’s desk is referenced in the next two episodes (last two before the holiday break), as it appears to be a VERY significant development. It would be a shame for such a bold gesture to be ignored by the talented writing team.
Nice collection of wedding cake. They are looking very nice in picture after seeing the cake images i love it.Thanks for such a beautiful wedding cake.