'House M.D.': The morality of murdering a murderer

For the second week in a row, we got to see House work with his original diagnostics team of Foreman, Cameron and Chase.  The longer these four sit around that table together, the more I sense impending doom.  It's been so nice having the old gang back together -- so I'm sure when they inevitably fall apart, it's going to be explosive.

Monday's episode, "Instant Karma," found Dr. Chase facing the music for his decision to swap out President Dibala's test, intentionally causing a misdiagnosis that killed the genocidal dictator.  As expected, the team can't sweep this one under the rug -- it wasn't Joe the Plumber who died on their table, after all.  Foreman is expected to present President Dibala's case for the morbidity and mortality conference.

Chase seems awfully blasé about the whole thing at first.  He flippantly tells Foreman that they don't have time for "a lively debate about the morality of murdering murderers."  The blood that he swapped out for Dibala's was not only tested for the disease, but it was also given a full work-up, and the numbers didn't match.  Chase is nonchalant.  "So the numbers were off. It's weird. Who cares?"

Foreman cares.  With House still unlicensed after his brief sojourn in a mental institution, Foreman is the one responsible for the team.  Chase attempts to weave a web of lies, saying he's trying to get Foreman off the hook.  Really, though, he's trying to cover his own butt.  If he were trying to help Foreman, he'd confess.

Look, I like Chase.  I always have.  And I can't say what I would have done if I were in his position because that's just ... not a normal position for a person to find himself in.  Still,  if he really felt like it was worth "murdering the murderer," then he should be willing to face the consequences.

Jesse Spencer's performance this week was once again fantastic. We're only five episodes into the season and he's already shown us his best work yet.  He's been subtle and sincere; you can really feel Chase start to get desperate as he searches for an exit strategy.

The ever-observant Dr. House may have found Chase a way to save face at the academic conference, but I doubt he'll be able to cover for Chase after Cameron puts the pieces together. I can't wait to see how she reacts when she finds out what Chase did, especially after he chastised her last week (calling her sociopathic!) for her disgusted attitude toward Dibala.

This story line is, unfortunately, paving the way for Jennifer Morrison's much-discussed exit from the series.  Like most fans of the show, I'm sad to see her go, but if she absolutely has to leave, I'm glad they're giving her a strong exit with a powerful storyline.  She's been phased out so much over the last few years that the writers probably could've taken a quieter way out and just had Cameron fade away until she disappeared. 

The feeling of trouble brewing was only increased by the serious lack of comedy in the episode.  House, it seemed, was too busy over-analyzing his coworkers to slip in many good House-isms -- though I did enjoy him finding the Virgin Mary in his patient's fluid collection.  I suppose it's hard to find something to joke about when the patient of the week is a child who seems to have an incurable illness.  Nothing kills the funny more than a terminal diagnosis, a desperate parent and an adorable little boy with a tube in his skull.

Speaking of which, I could've done without the close-up on the little hurricane of skull fragments when they drilled into the kid.  Scattered head crumbs: Reason #293,847 I would never, ever want to be a doctor.

House claims to like Foreman being in charge.  Now that he's in counseling, he seems slightly less power hungry.  Plus, he doesn't mind having "all of the responsibility and none of the liability" -- but let's face it, he never really accepted much liability even when he was in charge.  It was a rare occasion when he actually faced a consequence he couldn't talk his way around or manipulate to suit him.

I liked when Chase finally told House what we've all been thinking.  "Whether you want to be in charge or not, you are. And you always will be."  No matter how many back-and-forth power games House plays -- be they with Foreman, Wilson, or even Cuddy -- when it comes down to it, House is always in charge at Princeton-Plainsboro.

Last but not least ... we have Thirteen.  I know I'm in the minority, but I've always enjoyed her character.  I know, I know -- you all think she's boring and wooden.  I really like seeing her relationship with Foreman play out, though.  She's kind of the wild child, and he's so rigid and focused.  Still, I want her to get back to work, because without the structure of the diagnostics team to back up their relationship drama, it's all starting to feel a bit juvenile.

I will say that I was seriously turned off by her behavior in the taxi.  She's on her way to the airport with a Middle Eastern cab driver, mentions that she's going on vacation ... and is instantly worried that he's going to rob her apartment while she's gone.  I understand that the writers were trying to emphasize her monumental trust issues, but mostly it just made her look like a narrow-minded, elitist snob.

Take it to the comments.  Do you guys think Cameron is going to figure out what Chase did, or will he come clean on his own?  Do you think she'll take the fall for him? Let's discuss Chase's issues with dodging responsibility.  Let me know what you think of Thirteen's possible return to Princeton-Plainsboro.  What did you think of Wilson covering for House when it came to her plane reservation?

Don't forget to check back next week -- the preview promised one of the "most bizarre twists in 'House' history."  Can't wait!

-- Carina MacKenzie (follow me on Twitter @cadlymack)

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Photos: At top, Chase (Jesse Spencer) searches for a way out of responsibility.  At bottom, House (Hugh Laurie) confers with his original team (Spencer, Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison).  Credit: Fox

Comments

[alex]

The longer I watch House and the original team back together again, the more I remember why TPTB brought in a new team in the first place. Foreman is just as boring as he ever was, Cameron is... well, Cameron, and as much as I like Chase, he can't make those scenes enjoyable on his own. I'm probably in the minority, but I'll be happy when House is in charge again and the old ducklings are once again regulated to the background.

[Sandra]

"Like most fans of the show, I'm sad to see her go, but if she absolutely has to leave, I'm glad they're giving her a strong exit with a powerful storyline. "
So true, I hope that too. I'll miss her so much, she's my favorite character and honestly, House isn't House without all the six of them :-( I wish they'd rather get rid of Thirteen instead of trying to make her the new Cameron *sighs*
Thank you for the great review!

[Edi Yang]

I believe the writer would make everything more dramatic between Chase and Cameron. Either she finds out first and confronts Chase for not being honest with her or Chase confess' to her and Cameron is hurt and probably leaving Chase ?

I somehow agree with what Chase did. What he did wasn't easy as a human being. It's like seeing a man with a knife trying to kill other people and you ask yourself you wouldn't do anything to stop him ? Well, killing was the only answer for Chase's case.

It seems weird, but I like thirteen better when she is not in the hospital or diagnosing patients. Her profile doesn't suit as a doctor. If the writers want to keep her, they should give her another job.

Wilson, i would love to have a buddy like him. He's a rare thing.

Nice review again Carina. I have been following your reviews. This time you gave Chase more credit. I liked it. :)

[tish]

I'm also enjoying the Chase plotline, but I kind of wish that how it's going to affect his relationship with Cameron wasn't already a foregone conclusion. It's spoiling the tension a little for me.

[Sofia]

Man, Chase is in a difficult position for sure, but I absolutely agree with you - if he thinks he was right murdering the murderer or, at least, not helping save him, he ought to face up to the consequences.

And I like Thirteen, too! I mean, she's tough sometimes, the taxi scene was definitely snobbish and annoying, but I do like her character and how she interacts with the others.

[Nikki]

I am truly honestly and deeply disappointed and depressed by the way things are running for Chase. This is soap opera style, not House-worthy. There must be more to this than tortouring Chase for (half?) the rest of the season with guilt and angst. Heck, who wants to see an abandoned husband who spared the world an evil man, is therefore left by his hippocrite wife because she didn't have the guts to do it herself? It was so obvious that Cameron would have gladly let Dibala die. Chase would do it on her behalf, and she's upset and is running away from him? I mean, hellooo? Makes as much sense as a pig on a dustbin.

Jesse Spencer is an extremely fine actor and is always a joy to watch. I love the chemistry between him and Hugh Laurie. The last scene was just so honest and heartfelt. If Chase now goes down because he's haunted by what he did, he might as well be a goner as Cameron - who IMHO acted way more suspicious in The Tyrant. I would have liked to have her actually put Dibala to his death, Chase finding out and covering for her. It would make sense, considering his fear of being left. Also, he has a background which should prevent him from taking decisions such as killing a man, even if it is for the sake of others. That would be so much more Cameron-like.

With all due respect, it makes me sick to think how they ruin the Chase character, and if he turns out to be guilty, he'll be doomed and will likely leave the show, too. Consider me gone by then, because I won't watch the show without way-too-gorgeous Mr. Spencer anymore.

[Katharine Saavedra]

I am trying to avoid jumping to conclusions about where the Cameron /Chase relationship is headed and how it will play out. We do not yet know how Cameron will react to what ever she finds out. We do not yet know the exact circumstances of her exit from the show.

Expecting Chase to confess to murder is a stretch. Seriously, it isn't going to happen until he has absolutely no options. Also, at this point, Foreman is in it up to his neck. He isn't getting out of this cleanly.

Thirteen has potential. She needs more time. I dislike her being dismissed as simply "the new Cameron". The only things the two characters have in common is their gender and their beauty. Regarding the latter, did we expect them to cast an ugly actress? This kind of generalization of female characters bugs me. Thirteen is is entirely her own character. As to the bit with her and the cab driver, it had nothing to do with the cabby's ethnicity. She realized, too late, that she had let slip to a complete stranger that her apartment would be empty for some time. He could have been a Latino mailman, a black barrista, or a white waitress and her behavior would have been the same.

Lastly, instant karma? I must say I was a little disappointed at the implication that some magical force may have been responsible for the kid's recovery. Atheists/ skeptics are few and far between on TV. Fortunately, House isn't buying it.

[Carina MacKenzie]

Thank you guys for commenting! I love hearing what you think.

Nikki, I don't think this has ruined Chase's character! He's definitely guilty of murdering Dibala intentionally, but I doubt he'll face actual consequences with the law (or with the medical board). I don't think this says much about his abilities as a doctor. As House said, it's doubtful that they'll ever be faced with this situation again.

[SamIam]

Enjoyed the show. Especially loved House's omnipotent nature. Helping out Chase with those test results- showed his usual intelligence AND a bit of his warm fuzzy side (it IS there). Somewhere in there is a human. I am enjoying seeing that side of House this season. He may not be as biting as previous seasons but there were times it became annoying. Plus, I think the writers are gearing up to hit us with more one liners, as House becomes more "whole" (or perhaps less, as the case may be). Liked Nikki's other option with Cameron having been the "despot-killer" but it is too late now! Thought the last scene with Thirteen in the cab was dumb-- not sure what we were supposed to get out of it. Carina, I think you gave the writers more credit than was due, in terms of Thirteen's trust issue-- it almost felt like filler. Great review-- enjoyed it.

[Brian C.]

It's just a matter of time before House gets his personality back and the real zingers start flying again. That's what has been missing over the last 3 years. The new team just didn't click with me. I was happy to hear the old team would be back together but now with Morrison leaving things are up in the air again about who's staying and who's leaving.

[Dana]

I have to say I'm not a big fan old team. Don't get me wrong, there all great actors, but its just a strange shift. In my opinion Chase and Cameron where just slowly disappearing into the background when they both ultimately left the original team and now all the they come back because House is "all better now." To me Chase and Cameron have switched from two similar but separate characters into one almost identical character. This episode was a perfect illustration of that because Cameron wanted Dibala dead but didn't have the guts to do it herself, so her new husband does it for her. (Similiar to what Nikki already said) That being said, I don't think Chase considered the consequences of his actions and now he is trying to find anything to make it look more and more accidental. My guess is that he will reluctantly take responsibility and not let it all fall on Foreman but I guess we will find out. As far as the new team characters go I strongly disliked Taub's quick exit after he figured out that house wasn't going to be in charge right away. Thirteen was at first a questionable character to figure out for me, but I liked the mystery of that very predicament. I agree with the majority on Thirteen and the Taxi scene, I just don't really see how relevant that was to the episode. What it did do was cast light on her possible emotions around being fired and ending her relationship with Foreman. I would be incredibly disappointed if she didn't return to the hospital, because I too enjoy her character. I also don't feel that she has really had enough time on the show.

[Casha]

I totally agree with the first post by alex. New characters mean new constellations and House has to catch up with them in a new way. The old team is just too worn out. Can't there be a totally new team to the new House?! Pleeease!