(S06E05) "I understand you're a fan. I'll have my guys send over a signed glossy." - House
We're getting deeper into the fall TV season, so it was only a matter of time before even the good shows started to falter a little. Not every episode is going to be an instant classic, and House is no exception. You know it's not a good sign when the only thing you find enjoyable is House comparing himself to Kobe Bryant, which, by the way, is dead on -- especially since he's no longer in charge. Foreman is the Phil Jackson to House's does whatever he wants and still wins #24.
Unfortunately, that might be the problem now. As much as I've loved this season thus far, House's pill-free winning ways have created such a rift in the show that things are starting to feel really disjointed. It's different from when Cameron and Chase moved on and Thirteen, Kutner, Taub, Amber and the rest of the fellowship wannabes showed up. That was smooth and logical. This time around, it's starting to feel messy.
It goes without saying, and I know I'm not alone in this gripe, that I didn't even care about the case of the week this time around, and it's mainly because President Dibala's death is clearly the only case that's going to matter for the time being. Lee Tergesen did a great job here as the troubled dad, but once he used his son's illness as proof that he's getting some sort of karmic smack for his billionaire status, it felt just too in your face, especially considering what Chase and Foreman are going through as they cover up Dibala's death while accounting for consequences. Having the patient so closely mirror the doctor's issues like that is bush league. I expect to find that on Grey's Anatomy, not House.
Dibala's death is obviously going to echo for at least a few more weeks, and I assume it'll culminate with Jennifer Morrison's exit from the show. How that will play out, we don't know, but I can't see Chase being able to keep it bottled up and I can't see Cameron accepting his choice. It will get out, though. House knows and now he's complicit in the cover up since he found those old medical records to help mask Chase's choice. Plus, Cuddy almost found out since Chase seemed ready to spill in her office. Even though he didn't come out with it, if House can figure it out, she can, too.
This would also explain why Thirteen is being kept in the story but very much on the periphery. Shit is gonna hit the fan and she'll end up being one of the first to come in and help shore up the ship. That being said, I can't imagine she'll agree with Foreman covering it up either.
A few more thoughts on "Instant Karma" --
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Any guesses on why Thirteen was heading to Thailand? I'm betting she's signed up for some wacky new treatment for her Huntington's disease.
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Remember the conversation between House and Cuddy where he talked about puzzles and power? He used to have both, but with Foreman in charge, he's only got puzzles now. What's the point? Seems as though House has finally attributed not all, but some, of his pill addiction to the stress that came with being the boss.
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Why would Wilson bother lying about canceling Thirteen's plane ticket? Wouldn't it just have been easier for him to make his case to Thirteen about staying instead? In some regards, it almost seems selfish. Thirteen keeps House in check and that in turn makes things easier for Wilson, right?
Not much else to talk about. For the most part, I feel like I only discussed last week's episode, but again - nothing else really matters right now. Maybe that's karma, though. House is too good so it has to suffer now and again?
[Watch full episodes and clips of House, as well as other shows, over at SlashControl.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-13-2009 @ 1:41AM
bruce said...
Now that the DEA won its complaint and got Fox to remove all vicodin use by Dr. House, I just can't watch the show in the same way. Knowing the DEA has final script approval over each episode, knowing the network/producers caved in despite the First Amendment... watching this show just stinks now. The show started as an affirmation of the fact that not all people who suffer from chronic pain and require painkillers are incompetent sloth-like criminals with a one-track mind. Now that the DEA complained about that, the show has evolved into the most hostile show on television to the notion of chronic pain. Vicodin causes you to see dead people? Only the DEA could have come up with that one. So if the DEA isn't actually writing the House scripts, they're nixing things they don't like and they've totally recreated who the character of Dr. House is.
The idiots and ignoramuses among you will call this "character development" but that's just because you refuse to see this for what it is - your taxpayer dollars being used to ruin what was once a great TV show.
I'll probably watch a few more episodes, but tonight's episode was like sitting through an episode of Heroes (which I quit watching). And as bad as Heroes is, it doesn't have the stink of government censorship.
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10-13-2009 @ 2:33AM
Bryce said...
Where the fuck did these nutjobs come from whining about the DEA taking final script approval on House? Go back to WND or whatever shithole you guys came form.
10-14-2009 @ 10:52AM
tcc3 said...
How about you do us all a favor and go ahead and stop watching now.
10-13-2009 @ 1:46AM
bruce said...
Incidentally, the DEA's interference with "House" should be the biggest TV story of the year. Do a freedom of information act request for all letters/correspondence from the DEA to Fox (or whomever) regarding ending the "flaunting of prescription drug abuse" (namely Vicodin) on the TV show "House" - you'll see what I mean. These letters are NOT privileged or otherwise restricted per FOIA.
This correspondence exists. Incidentally the same thing happened to Showtime's "Weeds."
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10-13-2009 @ 12:44PM
scott said...
bruce, how about you file the FOIA and then scan the pages and post them. until then, maybe just comment about the episode itself. it's just too much, dude, let it be or show us that you're not just making this shit up.
10-13-2009 @ 2:03AM
Marc Morrison said...
I figured Thirteen was going to Thailand for a sex tour. It seemed obvious to me.
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10-13-2009 @ 12:16PM
David said...
I agree, but then, we're guys, so ...
10-13-2009 @ 2:10AM
hermes said...
actually the DEA article was just the imaginative ramblings of a bored writer. None of it was true, based on one of House's producers. With regards to the episode, I enjoyed it, not the best House episode ever, but it was good! Too little House, too much side characters.
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10-13-2009 @ 2:35AM
Bryce said...
Actually, the Bruce fucker is as far as I can tell literally the only source for this bullshit story.
He believes fluoride is being used to control his mind too. And that tooth caps are being used to read his mind. Kid has got fucked up dental hygiene.
10-13-2009 @ 3:42AM
bruce said...
Do a FOIA request and you'll get the documents. The DEA complained that House portrayed "drug abuse" in a positive light and the network caved in and changed the plot and character of House. How can anyone actually be surprised by this? This is no "flouride in the water stealing our bodily essence" communist conspiracy. It's typical DEA drug war media control. I doubt the DEA would even bother denying it if you asked them if the agency "gave its input" as to issues it had with the TV show House. It's not a conspiracy, and if you really think the DEA wouldn't complain about a TV show that shows drug use in any way other than horrendous, criminal, debilitating and life-ruining, you're incredibly naive.
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10-13-2009 @ 4:06AM
tacoburrito said...
Bruce, no one in a million years will believe your theory about the DEA. You are the only source of the story. Like you said, even if it is true, DEA will deny it. So bascially, it is your word and the DEA's. I think I'll trust the DEA.
As for tonight's ep, I thought it was quite enjoyable. It is nice to see Foreman trying to help out CHase even though he doesn't have to. The Foreman from Season 1 would have let Chase toss in the wind.
10-13-2009 @ 6:07AM
tingrin87 said...
wait, how is Weeds still on the air?
and Dexter... it portrays gratuitous use of murder in a positive light...
10-13-2009 @ 12:44PM
scott said...
it's not up to us to produce the documents, it's up to you. until then, LET IT GO!
very damn annoying every week.
10-15-2009 @ 7:53AM
Dan Buckley said...
Why do we have to prove your case? Maybe you should watch some Law & Order repeats instead.
10-13-2009 @ 4:36AM
evie said...
I really liked tonight's episode. And I don't miss the drug-fueled House at all. He's still the same jerk.
I am dreading the whole murder-coverup unfolding, though.
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10-13-2009 @ 5:38AM
bruce said...
tacoburrito:
"I think I'll trust the DEA."
Wow. Dumber words have never been spoken.
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10-13-2009 @ 6:11AM
tingrin87 said...
I thought wilson lied to cover for House canceling the ticket...
and i think 12 is going overseas for a drug trial.
(Interesting that, of the 5 fellows, cameron is the only one that looks to be in a position to stay - Taub quit, 13 was fired, and chase and foreman might lose their license over the dibala incident...)
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10-13-2009 @ 7:59AM
Christian H. said...
I don't know if it really is of any importance, but the airplane-door said "Malaysia" and not "Thailand". But since it is right next to it, it might be nothing ;)
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10-14-2009 @ 10:38AM
btarlinian said...
That's the name of the airline, not the destination. I can fly American Airlines to Singapore if I want. Besides, I don't think there's a Thailand Airlines.
10-15-2009 @ 1:43PM
pt said...
But the female flight attendant was wearing Thai traditional costume.