(S06E10) "They're all dying. They're all your friends." - House
Episodes like this are why I've faithfully stuck with House after six and a half seasons. Sure, more often than not, House can get stale -- it's the same thing, week in and out, and even something shocking (like Kutner offing himself last year or Cameron saying good-bye two weeks ago) isn't enough to take away from the fact that it's just another episode with another wacky case. But episodes like "Broken", and now "Wilson," are proof that there are so many more layers that need exploring in the world of Princeton Plainsboro.
Turning the tables, breaking the mold -- call it what you will, but tonight's episode posed a drastic change to the House formula we're used to. Focusing on Wilson is arguably something that needed to happen a while ago and considering the list of demons floating around in Wilson's head (Amber's death, his paper on assisted suicide), it seems appropriate for his outlook on life to finally start changing. He just needed one more good push and the return of his friend Tucker (The West Wing's Joshua Malina) was literally just what the doctor ordered.
Wilson saved Tucker from leukemia once before by giving him his own blood in a transfusion when a match couldn't be found and now, five years later, a similar situation has presented itself. Tucker needs a liver and Wilson is the only match. The core of the situation, though, is a theme that's been explored heavily since the beginning of the series -- Wilson's style as a doctor. Does he care too much? Does he become too personally invested with his patients? House made the best point. Yes, Wilson has elevated all his patients to friend status, but that doesn't mean he needs to (or should) feel guilty when one of them dies as a result of Wilson's treatment choices.
Wilson has always tried to see the good in someone and even though Tucker's fried liver was a direct result of the double chemo Wilson gave him, I still couldn't help but think of John Locke and Anthony Cooper in Lost. You knew there would be something unsettling about Tucker once he got a third lease on life thanks to his doctor's generosity and that's exactly what happened. Instead of choosing to be with his wife and daughter, the very people that created the emotional base fueling much of Wilson's guilt, Tucker chose to go back to his floosie girlfriend because the people you want to be with when you're dying aren't the same people you want to be with when you're not. All in favor of House's "self important jerk" diagnosis, raise your hand.
Overall, it was brilliantly done and the final scene between the two of them, when Wilson finally stopped being a doormat and told Tucker "my name is James, not Jim" was really just a sheer pleasure to watch. Wilson grew up a little there and that in turn translated to his decision to screw Cuddy over by outbidding her on the condo she wants for her and Lucas. Why? Because Cuddy hurt House and House is Wilson's friend. Wilson knows who matters now and hopefully it stays that way.
A few more thoughts --
- While Wilson played "House," seeing the real House and his team in the periphery, running around with patients (like the fatty tennis pro who ate ten bags of popcorn a day to shed pounds) was fairly amusing. Does it always seem that comical when viewed from the outside?
- All the aspects of Wilson's "House" were really well done, from his evaluation of Cuddy's motives, to running the differential with the team, to that smirk of satisfaction at the very end.
- I would totally download the Greg House single of "Faith" from iTunes. Someone get on that...
House returns on January 11th with new episodes.
[Watch full episodes and clips of House over at SlashControl.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-01-2009 @ 1:01AM
ac parker said...
I hate to admit it, but even though I was enjoying the show tonight, I carb-nodded out after Wilson refused to share his liver. Exactly what did Cuddy do that made Wilson, of all people, willfully and deceitfully, act so maliciously? Could it be as simple as taking revenge for his friend, House with whom the bonds became stronger in this episode. Is this how it's going to go? The boys join forces against Cuddy? Is she using new guy to fool herself or protect herself from House? I’m loving this show!! Regarding Cuddy and House getting together: Oh god please no. Too boring. TV work romances are deadly. That is why I stopped watching Bones. The only thing worse than Cuddy and House getting together is House and Wilson getting together. Cuddy should spend the rest of the season driving House crazy. All season should be about Cuddy and House fighting and losing the battle to resist having fiery, hot, spontaneous, mad sex every chance they "almost" get. House is never as sexy as when he stands gazing helplessly mesmerized by Cuddy. The only thing he can't control. A SEXY, SUPER WOMAN. Yeah Baby!!!
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12-01-2009 @ 1:14AM
Toolman said...
Cuddy hurt/pissed off House off by dating Lucas.
12-01-2009 @ 1:14AM
Toolman said...
I thought Cuddy told Wilson that her bid had been rejected and that she would put off moving. So essentially when Wilson put the offer in he was getting a free credit form House.
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12-01-2009 @ 1:52AM
Josh said...
Her bid was rejected because Wilson put in a higher one after finding out what hers was. The call at the end was Wilson letting Bonnie (His ex-wife/realtor) know that he'd take the loft after his bid had been accepted by the owners.
12-01-2009 @ 1:29AM
Parl said...
Yeah, seeing the team run around was enjoyable. Really fun episode.
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12-01-2009 @ 4:37AM
Roque said...
I thought the same thing about House singing "Faith". The mp3 version is already on my ipod!
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12-24-2009 @ 5:19AM
Kate said...
I LOVED THIS EPISODE....WILSON!!!! I was REALLY getting tired of all the Huddy stuff. This is NOT a soap opera, but sometimes it feels like one. I want the show to be about medicine first, personal life last. It was sooo
nice not to see the ducklings, although Chase is ok.
ALL of the scenes between Hugh Laurie and Robert Sean Leonard was FANTASTIC. I wish the show could be just about them and their cases at the hospital. That would be the ideal HOUSE for me. And House would end up with Stacy (Sela Ward) at the end of the series....several
years from now. And I wish RSL wasn't going back to New Jersey because I'm going to miss him. And Hugh will go back to England and I will be sad.
THANK YOU to everyone involved with making WILSON such an AMAZING episode! I really appreciate good tv.
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12-01-2009 @ 6:24AM
Lisa said...
Despite the longevity of this show, I just began watching it in earnest this season what with the brilliant Broken which got me hooked. I am a huged\ fan of buddy stories and none better than the dysfunctional/functional relationship between Wilson and House. Every show tackles the male/female dynamic, it's nothing new but few explore friendship better than this show. I adore Wilson and Sean Leonard's depiction of him. House's look down aat Wilson from the viewing theater was artful and lovely.
Being a people pleaser like Wilson, Josh Malina's character (and I like Malina a lot) disappointed me along with Wilson which brings up my absolute favorite line, "disappointment is anger for wimps."
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12-01-2009 @ 9:00AM
Randy Mc said...
Robert Sean Leonard deserves an Emmy for last night's episode. He is continually a joy to watch. He has had a long, underrated career on stage, TV and film (Swing Kids, anyone?) and deserves some respect.
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12-01-2009 @ 9:35AM
mj said...
I've never thought that the case was the focus of the show. House just wants to know WHY, and will do anything to get the answer. He's ruthless in that. One thing that has always kept him grounded was Wilson, not Cuddy. He knows Wilson is his friend, that's why he was there for the surgery, and why he was down on Tucker. House is a good judge of people. I think Wilson is growing, and letting himself be a person, not a saint. Good for him. And I'm glad he bought the loft. Cuddy is really a cold person, in some ways, more than House. Her adjustment to motherhood is a good example. She wanted instant motherhood, and was ready to give the baby back because it didn't happen right away. Cuddy uses House for the reputation of the hospital, and for her own. She's the doctor who 'controls' House. She wants that honor. Wilson now sees that, and voila. And he needed a new place with room for House.
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12-01-2009 @ 9:41AM
Karen said...
I disagree with the choice of the word "floosie" just because the girlfriend was younger... We saw no evidence that she didn't truly care for Tucker. In fact, she looked truly hurt when he opted to make his ex-wife the medical decision maker. It was his choices that were shallow, she was a pawn as much as the ex-wife/daughter.
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12-01-2009 @ 10:27AM
Kristi said...
I thought this Wilson-centric episode was a much welcomed break from the norm. Although we got the same basic underlying plot (dying patient, wrong diagnoses, epiphany, patient lives) we got to watch it with Wilson being the main man, and got snippets of what House's antics look like from the periphery (very funny). Any 90's movie buffs out there? Ashley was a lead in a teen movie in 1994 and Sandy (Wilson's nurse) was a lead opposite Michael J. Fox in a 1993 movie. . .
Answers? http://www.orble.com/teevee-house-1130/
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12-01-2009 @ 8:25PM
Adam said...
This was a great episode.I loved the scene when Wilson asked House to be there with him during the surgery. I loved House's response.
The early seasons of House I was always bothered by Wilson's character, and the way he let everyone walk all over him, especially House. I have really enjoyed the way the writers have developed his character, from his relationship with Amber and the aftermath of her death.
I also don't totally agree that Wilson outbidding Cuddy was only to punish her for hurting House. I feel that it was also sign of Wilson being a little selfish, in a good way. The old Wilson would never have outbid her, hell he probably would have covered her closing cost. He wanted the apartment so he bought, without worrying about anyone else, finally putting himself first. This is the new and improved Wilson and I like it.
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12-01-2009 @ 10:27AM
Pamela said...
Excellent episode! The House/Wilson relationship is one of only a few reasons why I still watch the show. The House/Cuddy relationship is not. I am so tired of it and wish it would go away.
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12-01-2009 @ 1:41PM
James said...
Wow, I guess my wife and I were watching a different show. Although I enjoyed the focus shift to Wilson, it was WAAAAAY over dramatic. Why would he give him part of his liver? My only reasoning can be that he will be sick in the future because of it. Also what was up with Wilson's nurse? She was like Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch. Not a horrible episode but no where near the praise that I am reading from you all.
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12-01-2009 @ 2:43PM
Malren said...
"But episodes like "Broken", and now "Wilson," are proof that there are so many more layers that need exploring in the world of Princeton Plainsboro."
YES, yes yes, a thousand times yes. I felt like I was watching a new show last night. Not that the show felt new, but I mean that _I_ was excited about it like I was when I first saw House. It was a fresh way in to familiar characters...I LOVED watching Wilson interact with the support staff we never meet. I want more SassyNurse.
They're really taken a show that was getting stale and freshened it up well. This season has held some of House's best episodes ever.
Great ep. Good character dev, excellent distillation of the real 'ship on this show (House/Wilson...House/Cuddy is just a distraction). Two thumbs up.
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12-01-2009 @ 3:16PM
Kiona J. said...
Minimum Huddy is always good. Less Cuddy is even better. Her character is repititious and annoying, and the pairing is boring.
That said, this episode made me a very happy fangirl indeed. The wonderful character development of Wilson. The forgotten Hilson dynamic. Random ducklings flying all over the best. Even Taub was on his game. This will go down as my favorite episode, unless someone can hurry up and outdo themselves :P
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12-02-2009 @ 10:34AM
C C said...
This was the kind of episode that could turn around an entire season. I feel like it's been uneven, disjointed, and a little too "down" so far this year. The premiere was excellent, but since then, it has lacked focus. On one hand, I do think they have tried to mix things up. But the execution hasn't been strong. Last night was much better, setting up promising storylines for House, Wilson, and Cuddy. We'll see how it goes from here.
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12-02-2009 @ 10:34AM
The1337 said...
I liked the episode and it was much better than some of the crap we've gotten this season, but you have to remember, it's just one episode. We'll go back to the same pattern next week, and "Wilson" will be an afterthought. Review of the episode on my blog.
http://th3tvobsessed.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-house-season-6-episode-10-wilson.html
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12-02-2009 @ 10:34AM
James said...
EXCELLENT REVIEW.
The Wilson episode was definitely one of the best ones this season, the show has always been pretty good at breaking the format, specially when it includes our favourite bromance, and last night proved that.
I agree that it was high time for Wilson to get explored as a doctor and his style as such, since he's one of the most interesting and relevant characters on the show (if not THE most after House).
Wilson screwing Cuddy in everyway but the literal one? It was mean and childish, and funny and exactly what Wilson needed at the moment. It was exactly the point that House had made earlier in the episode when Wilson asked him if he was OK, House said 'no' but he was being mature about it and then pointed out that being childish was more fun. And Wilson giggled, because there's a small part of Wilson that agreed, it's the part of him that attracts him to House and made him screw Cuddy over at the end. It wasn't right, but Wilson was standing up for his friend. I liked it very much :)
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