(S02E24) Wow. The second season of House, unfortunately, came to an end Tuesday night, and shocking isn't even the word that should be used to describe it. Most weeks, I really have a good handle on what's actually happening in-episode. This week, I gotta say that I was lost, found, lost, found, and lost. And that's a good thing.
When a man walks into House's office after he and the team are trying to diagnose a patient, asks who he is, and then proceeds to drop a pair of bullets in him, it almost looked for a moment as if it could be the end for our hero, er, favorite obnoxious doctor. But as the episode unfolded, we were shown a House that not only was able to walk without pain in his leg, but was so thrown off by his actions that he was trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. That got worse once he found himself hallucinating, with the first instance being his "meeting" with an attractive woman outside the room of his current patient. As it turns out, not only was that woman not really there, but she was actually the now-dead wife of the man who came to shoot him.
I'm forseeing some complaints from TV fans after this show, because it's not every show that successfully pulls off a bit of a dream sequence, or in this case a hallucination, Jacob's Ladder-style, that showed a matter of days or so taking place in what was probably minutes. What was most important, and yet again proves how absolutely brilliant that this show's writers and creators are, was that House - not unexpectedly - uses that time while he's en route to trauma care to figure out how to fix his leg. This plays off something that many people have probably experienced at one time, that it's possible to "figure things out" while dreaming or sleeping. Of course, most people don't have to be shot twice in order to do this, but it's all the same in the end.
Seeing what can only be described as an internal battle between the parts of House's personality and conscience, all played by the cast members of the show, was outright fantastic. In some ways, they played the same characters that they do normally, although this time they were all speaking to the doctor. Wilson was, as usual, the logical one - even pointing out how House was logical with him when he was slugged in the face - in trying to get House to figure out the case at hand, which was on hold in "reality" right now, presumably. Seeing someone figure out that they were hallucinating was one thing, but it's a whole other thing to see them try and remove themselves from the dream (pinch me!) in such a graphic way as what House did, using the robotic surgeon to slice up the patient. Although, I've got say that the robot had its merits, as House had some fun slicing buttons off Cameron's shirt. Did anyone ponder back to when the patient-to-be was answering whether or not he had seen enough after House uses the scalpel to cut one button, and he said "No?" Considering now that we know House was saying that to himself, that's kind of curious.
Immediately after the show ended tonight, I had to say I was struck a bit that it would close that way, with House asking for Ketamine, which he was told in his dream about dreams (or was it just one dream?) was used by the surgeon working on extracting the bullets from him would put him in a coma, but wouldn't require anesthesia to do the surgery. The coma, he found out, was used by "German doctors" in order to let the brain "reboot" itself. He feared this in a big way when he found out from the dream Cuddy that this had happened, but when he uttered those words on the hospital gurney, it was almost as if he had made some sort of peace with himself.
As far as predictions go, I'll definitely be disappointed if our doc isn't quite the jerk he's always been, but there's no way that that hitch to the show would ever be kicked out. If he can walk normally when we reconvene, however, that'll be shocking enough. And hey, as long as we don't have any "Who shot J.R.?" things to worry about over the Summer, I'm happy.
I most certainly didn't think that this show could top itself after the first season, and I think it definitely did that. As "big" as it was this year, it's still underrated as far as overall programs go, but the Summertime reruns will probably add to the viewership, just as they did last year, giving people a taste of what they were missing all year. I don't think we'll have any cast changes, although the return of Stacy could always happen, right? Kudos to FOX and the folks behind House on another huge year, and we'll catch you Housephiles back here next Fall.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-24-2006 @ 2:16AM
Walt said...
I loved this show.Then I hated it. Then I loved it. Then I hated it again. Frustrating, to be sure. By the end I was so confused I wasn't sure House wasn't actually Jack Bauer on some tanker ship on its way to China.
Oh yeah, and I have to remind myself never to schedule dinner during House episodes. Ew.
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5-24-2006 @ 2:19AM
Marilyn said...
I love House. I don't like the low voices and a lot of the technical/medical talk that goes over my head. The girl in the group is the most lack luster person I have ever seen in such an incredible show. She never smiles and mumbles all her words. The English guy talks with such a thick accent he, too, is difficult to understand. Which brings me to another point. Since Hugh Laurie is English, why do they make him speak with an American accent. I'll never understnd that about TV producers. You are what you are. Who cares if you have an accent. Just speak clearly and talk up so no one has to strain their ears. But mostly, if you're going to talk medical terms, make it so the audience can understand what is being said and why that particular test is being given.
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5-24-2006 @ 3:54AM
Linda from AZ said...
What a show! I lost track of time tonight (Tues.) and made my husband fix his own dinner!! I dashed to my easy-chair by just seconds to spare. Then, I didn't want to budge from my chair during the show, so I didn't get any dinner either! Fina;;y, hubby brought me a piece of apple pie with Cool-Whip on it so I wouldn't faint from starvation.
But, no one has said anything about the guy with the bloated tongue. What's that all about?? And this is why I enjoy the show. Even the man who shot House realized that the Doc is a genius. Can't wait to see all the re-runs as I entered late in this season.
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5-24-2006 @ 5:18AM
Matt said...
I read somewhere, and I know not where, that:
oh, wait, this might be a spoiler, so if you don't like that, skip to the next comment now!
...Hugh Laurie is developing real back pain from walking with House's cane. It puts strain on his back because of the positions it puts him in, since Hugh Laurie did not have an infarction in his leg and, well, doesn't need a cane.
The same article said that Laurie's doctors told him that he had to stop walking with the cane, even during filming, if he wanted to heal, so they were trying to come up with some way that House could stop walking with the cane. Ketamine may be the answer.
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5-24-2006 @ 5:26AM
24 Fan said...
#2, if I had to guess I'd say Laurie speaks without an accent because the part was written that way before he was cast. I have a hard time believing Fox came up with a high-profile drama as a Hugh Laurie vehicle in the first place (maybe on his strong work on Black Adder).
Another English guy that shocked me when I found out was Damien Lewis in Band of Brothers.
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5-24-2006 @ 6:34AM
lp said...
#2 - the "English Guy"?
Do you mean the Australian?
Strangely enough, being English I have no problems understanding most variations of our language.
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5-24-2006 @ 6:37AM
Manda said...
I heard that the limp has been causing some back problems for Hugh Laurie, and he asked the show's writers to come up with a way for it to be disposed of. I bet he'll be walking just fine next season, but like you, I wonder how this will affect the grumpy House we all know and love.
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5-24-2006 @ 6:57AM
Lisa said...
RE: Stacy's possible return...! Please, NO! Thank goodness for TiVo so I could zip past those excruciating, pointless scenes. One episode would have sufficed to get across House's angst over their "break-up".
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5-24-2006 @ 7:21AM
Chris W said...
What an awesome episode! Delightfully disorienting. The scenes of conflict between House and other doctors were really intense, and I love that he got a little humility. I think House has began to understand that he may know his s**t, but that he wouldn't be able to do what he does (cure virtually everybody who comes in) if it weren't for his team. How awful was that eye popping out? And need I mention a balding Casey Jones (Elia Koteas) shooting the good doctor?! At first I thought it was Kevin Polak, but something he said in that first scene reminded me of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and it was confirmed by the guest credits.
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5-24-2006 @ 7:41AM
Peggy said...
I really enjoy HOUSE but that finale was really a mind blower. I like the ensemble cast members. House is very grumpy, but he ends up getting the job done. I do think it is underrated and under promoted, but a very good show. It will be interesting to see what happens next fall....
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5-24-2006 @ 7:53AM
Dania said...
rs old daughter loves him! There is no age range for his fan club. KEEP IT UP HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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5-24-2006 @ 8:16AM
sharon said...
Last night's show was terrific. As usual the writing and most of the acting was well above the norm. I have to say that 3/4 of the way through I realized that I was seeing a variation of The Sixth Sense, and was thrilled that the writers had taken that route. This show is consistantly well written and entertaining. I agree that it is underpromoted, and hope that Fox will continue to air it to allow the fan base to increase. Hugh Laurie is a joy to watch, and I agree that Sacey wasn't a character that should be permenant. The episodes were enough to fill in the blanks on his past, now he has to deal with the future. Finally, it is hard to accept that a hospital will knowingly allow a doctor with his addiction to continue to practice (at least for television) so it is possible that they will ease up on that issue next year.
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5-24-2006 @ 8:34AM
Sam said...
You know, with all the medical dramas that have been on TV over the past few years (including the ones that were canceled), you'd think one would get used to something like a man's eyeball magically popping out, or the insinuation that someone's testicular sac exploded. But after last night's House, I can safely say: Nope. Not used to it. Still gross.
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5-24-2006 @ 8:51AM
Nikki said...
LOVE THIS SHOW!!! it is by far one of the best shows on tv.
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5-24-2006 @ 8:57AM
DAN said...
MY WIFE AND I GOT ADDICTED (NO PUN INTENDED) TO HOUSE THIS SEASON. AS A PERSON WHO DEALS WITH CHRONIC PAIN FROM A SEVERE BACK DEGENERATION I CAN RELATE TO HIS MOOD SWINGS. GOTTA SEE PREVIOUS EPISODES! WHAT AN ENTERTAINING HOUR OF TV FOR A CHANGE. THE WRITERS ARE INSPIRED AND THE CASES DIVERSE. THE SEASON FINALE WAS GREAT. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF HIS RUDE, COMPASSIONATE REASONING.
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5-24-2006 @ 9:14AM
Becky said...
#2, you had mentioned that there is "a lot of the technical/medical talk that goes over my head" in House. Maybe you should consider using House as education show and consider keeping your medical dictionary near by--> at least that's what all my professors say in PA school. I am now a second year student and my professors encourage us to watch House because the writers are obviously well educated in how to diagnose a patient as well as all the crazy things in the world that can cause crazy things to be wrong with the human body.
I enjoyed this season finale and am anticipating House's return in the fall. I did hear something similar to what #5 was saying. Also, I agree, will no limp take away from our grumpy hero? The limp reminded us as viewers that he is in fact human. That even though he's arrogant and "grumpy" his limp is his "thorn in the flesh" if i may. Seeing him uping the morphine reminds us of those bad days we need a drink. I hope the writers are able to overcome this, but being as brilliant as they are, I have faith that they will.
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5-24-2006 @ 9:45AM
Miguel said...
The part of House was written as an American. The producers apparently were getting frustrated by English actors auditioning for the part, but blown away by Hugh Laurie when he came in. He does "do American" better than most British actors (i.e., Mark Addy).
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5-24-2006 @ 9:56AM
patrice said...
What no House on the Fall Line-up???
Thats right folks not until SPRING!!!!!
We need to somehting about that
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5-24-2006 @ 9:57AM
Aric McKeown said...
As much as I was delighted by House's struggle with reality, it took a backseat to the escalating issues experienced by the swollen tongue patient. You know that when he is asked, "Do you want to try and pee," it is time to shut your eyes tight.
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5-24-2006 @ 10:31AM
Jen said...
Hey #15 - why do you think there will be no House til the spring? I am under the impression they will be re-showing season two through the summer and picking up with season 3 in the fall.
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