House, M.D.

[yournamehere]

Dec 2, 2009 9:21:59 GMT -4 crankykate said:

I really can't stand that guy, but I swear I was relieved to see him if only to halt the House/Cuddy crap.

Okay, THIS. I don't follow this show as closely as I used to -- Hugh Laurie has pretty blue eyes but life is too short to watch so many unpleasant people be so unpleasant to each other on a regular basis -- but I'm fascinated by The Phenomenon That Is Huddy. Are people serious about this? Is it true that not only do people care whether this angry, mean man and his needy and under-competent boss hook up, but they're even actively rooting for it to happen? Seriously? I mean, I love a good ship as much as anyone, but I just can't wrap my mind around this one. Is it because they're both attractive people? Do people hate Cuddy so much that they WANT her to be with a man who lies to her, undermines her at every opportunity, plays stupid petty games with her, makes inappropriate sexual comments to her in the office, and has been known to -- more than once -- heap outright scorn and abuse on her head? I find the whole thing depressing, to be honest, but who knows -- maybe I'm missing something. Help me understand! What is so special about these two people that they've just GOT to be together?

People often mistake a volatile relationship for sublimated feelings of sexual desire. Cameron pointed it out on her date with House (wayback machine time): she thought he picked on her because she thought he had feelings for her.

And this isn't the only time in pop culture people have shipped on that.

Recently, it's Twilight. Back in the day, it was Labyrinth, and Moonlighting. As long as the dude is good looking and has charisma for three people, does it matter that he treats you badly or openly disrespects you? If he's paying attention to you, and showing strong feelings (no matter how those strong feelings present themselves), and does a nice thing here and there for you, there must be some sort of attraction, right?

Add to the mix: common environment, can't get away from each other, hell, even the idea that Cuddy early on made him stay in the hospital longer in early seasons (more clinic hours), it must mean that she likes the game as much as he does.

If it were two men, at least a number of years ago, it might not have been looked upon that way. It might have been territoriality. When men and women go at it, they must be attracted to each other.

[ijustworkhere]

And this is the first time I've seen Nick Chinlund and not seen Donnie Pfaster.

Oh, I still shrieked aloud when his face came on the screen. And not even his face--that voice. There's nowhere to run, girly girl... *shudder* If I ever met Nick Chinlund in real life, I'd simultaneously want to run away, and congratulate him on one of the single most effective guest starring roles in television history. Guy's a terrific actor.

This might be the first time in years I haven't been annoyed by a Foreman subplot. The look on the other three's faces when they realized they'd fallen for his Batman Gambit, and his subsequent glee, were priceless. Serves them right! That was a nasty trick.

The rest of the episode... meh. The House/Wilson bits were cute, but I miss seeing House obsessed with the medicine. He sort of just strolls through the medical plot and casually tosses out diagnoses these days, in between trying to bang Cuddy and trying to out-prank Wilson. It's not interesting.

[dentalgoddess]

House and Cuddy, sitting in a tree, k*i*s*s*i*n*g...

The whole thing would have been more interesting if Cuddy's other love interest had been in any way remotely plausible as a possible long term mate for her.

[ijustworkhere]

The whole thing would have been more interesting if Cuddy's other love interest had been in any way remotely plausible as a possible long term mate for her.

This, definitely, but I still really loved the episode. Great acting as usual from Hugh Laurie. The woman stuck in the rubble was also great, and the end of that story was a punch to the gut.

As for the House/Cuddy ending, I liked that Cuddy's admission of love wasn't like she was surprised about it. More like, "Yeah, I love you, obviously." It felt very natural.

Everyone over at TWOP is doing their usual "OMG JUMPED THE SHARK/WHALE/BABY" song and dance routine, but I thought the episode was really well-done and was very entertained.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised by how well they handled the last scene, kudos to Hugh and Lisa on that one. I just hope they don't get all schmoopy next year. ::sigh:: Now I'm going to be even more annoyed than usual when Hugh doesn't win the Emmy this year. He knocked it out of the park the entire episode, the scene when he convinces the woman to let them amputate was brilliant. I'm just constantly amazed by his ability to elevate such crappy material.

[Mutagen]

May 18, 2010 14:01:24 GMT -4 @roisin54 said:

the scene when he convinces the woman to let them amputate was brilliant.

God, yeah. That scene utterly broke my heart. What really amazes me is that I've been watching House for years at this point and Hugh Laurie's acting still feels as fresh as when I first started. For all the weaknesses that have crept into the show, I still feel like he and the writers have something new to show me about House.

I have to say that House/Cuddy is something I'm neutral on as a concept, but in execution? I really enjoy Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein's chemistry. Even during episodes when I know the writing for them (Cuddy in particular) is terrible and I kind of hate myself for it. So even though it might end catastrophically next season, I was really happy to see a non-hallucinatory kiss between them.

[Casino Bride]

I was enjoying the episode a lot, even though the parallels between House and the patient were too obvious and heavy-handed. And Hugh Laurie, hell yes - truly magnificent.

But then... at the last minute:

I had to look away, it was just so horrible and embarassing. I don't want no schmoopies!

[proper stranger]

I finally saw this last night. I can't believe I managed to avoid spoilers yesterday!

May 18, 2010 14:01:24 GMT -4 @roisin54 said:

Now I'm going to be even more annoyed than usual when Hugh doesn't win the Emmy this year.

Jeez, would the Emmy voters finally relent and give Hugh his damned statue? I hope he submits this episode for his nomination, because he was fantastic. I can never get over the expressiveness of his eyes. The actress playing Hannah was wonderful, too.

May 18, 2010 15:12:27 GMT -4 Mutagen said:

I really enjoy Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein's chemistry. Even during episodes when I know the writing for them (Cuddy in particular) is terrible and I kind of hate myself for it. So even though it might end catastrophically next season, I was really happy to see a non-hallucinatory kiss between them.

Same here. I love the understated way the scene was played, too. Call me a sap, but it was beautiful seeing that disbelieving hope and happiness play across House's face. The final shot of their clasped hands was gorgeous.

[yournamehere]

May 18, 2010 17:23:21 GMT -4 Casino Bride said:

I was enjoying the episode a lot, even though the parallels between House and the patient were too obvious and heavy-handed. And Hugh Laurie, hell yes - truly magnificent.

But then... at the last minute:

I had to look away, it was just so horrible and embarassing. I don't want no schmoopies!

I finally just saw this and I have to agree.

First off, I've only seen three eps this season: the premiere, the episode with the lockdown and the finale, and frankly, if all three were as miserably contrived, am I to understand the rest of the season was as well?

Second: Cuddy, you're rejecting a relatively normal, sane guy over a wrecked, irritable drug addict who's taken vicious personal knocks at you when the outcome doesn't benefit him? You said yourself you were 'done', so you vindicate his behavior by telling him you love him? You think you can build a decent, satisfying relationship with a guy that you wish you didn't love?

Ugh, what an infuriating turn of events.

[bklynred]

I haven't been watching this regularly but this last ep made me teary. The woman in the rubble, Cuddy saying she'd broken it off with her fiance... it was all too much. Great acting.