'House M.D.': Chase and Cameron face the fallout

Well, "House" fans, it seems that the other shoe has officially dropped.

At the beginning of tonight's episode, "Teamwork," Cameron is ready to forgive Chase for his murderous misstep, on the condition that they both resign from Princeton-Plainsboro, effective immediately.  Of course, those of us who have been following news from the "House" set know that Chase won't get off the hook so easily.

Foreman pulls the "I covered up a murder for you" card and drags Chase -- and, with him, Cameron -- back in for one last case: a porn star with a squeaky-clean medical history, essentially going into total system failure. Like the team, I was distracted from the diagnostics case by the personal drama going on within the hospital.

Dr. House spends the entire episode trying to wrangle his team like they are a bunch of kindergarteners gone missing at snack time, instead of adults capable of making their own decisions. His schemes are manipulative and immature in a way we haven't seen this season. It's safe to say that Cuddy's relationship with Lucas has set him back quite a bit on his journey of self-improvement. The compassion we've seen House develop over the last seven weeks all but disintegrates in this episode.

Wilson observes that House's stubborn unwillingness to seek out new fellows to work with has nothing to do with Chase, Cameron, Thirteen and Taub being the best people for the job. Instead, Wilson believes that House is trying to hold on to the familiar faces as a way to ease the pain of Cuddy's rejection.

This seems like a bit of a stretch to me, and despite the fact that I am a fan of Thirteen (not so much of Taub), I think the show could use a new face. I was quite frustrated by Foreman's cool treatment of Thirteen during the brief period when he was her superior. It surprises me that she's willing to work with him again, especially since she seems to have a newfound self-worth.

I do wonder if I would have found this episode more effective had news of Jennifer Morrison cleaning out her trailer not leaked in advance. I really appreciated the "old team" reuniting this season, as, I think, did most longtime "House" fans. If they had to let Morrison go, I'm glad it was on the end of a solid storyline and a string of episodes in which she was more than just background noise.

That said, Cameron's behavior in this episode doesn't seem true to character, and her decision to leave doesn't feel particularly organic or natural. This week, Cameron projects her frustration with her husband onto her patient. This is similar to the way she accused the comic-book author of being a liar in last week's episode when, really, she should have been talking to Chase. It just didn't seem like the natural course for the always-compassionate Dr. Cameron.

Cameron's goodbye scene with House is Morrison's best performance in years, but again, she misdirects her feelings.

"You did kill Dibala," Cameron tells House, "by playing God and teaching us to do the same. Motives do matter. Lives can't come second. You ruined [Chase], so he can't even see right from wrong. He can't even see the sanctity of a human life anymore. I loved you, and I loved Chase. I'm sorry for you both, for what you've become, because there's no way back for either of you."

House has always been a rather reckless doctor. He's taken extraordinary risks, and he's often disregarded the humanity of his patients in favor of "solving the puzzle." However, he's never made a calculated decision to kill a patient based on that patient's moral code. House doesn't care about his patients' morals, just about which of their actions has led them to the hospital bed.

Cameron's accusation is off-base and unfair. Chase did the opposite of what House would have done in that situation. House wouldn't have cared that President Dibala (played by James Earl Jones) could go off and incite genocide in his country, because once the patient is out of Princeton-Plainsboro, he's no longer House's problem. He'd have shrugged, made a witty remark about how awesome it is not to live in a third world country and promptly forgotten about it.

It's important to note that Jennifer Morrison is still under contract as a series regular, so David Shore and Katie Jacobs still have the option of bringing her character back. I won't be holding my breath, though, as tonight's closing montage (set to "Where Did You Go?" by Jets Overhead for you soundtrack junkies) made it seem very final.

So, for those of you keeping track, House's team now includes Chase, Foreman, Thirteen and Taub. The hospital really should spring for a revolving door for his office at this point.

Time for my favorite part: Tell me what you thought of Cameron's final episode!  Will you miss her as much as I will? How do you feel about the return of Thirteen and Taub to the diagnostics table? What were your thoughts on the porn-star patient?

Sound off in the comments below and be sure to check back next week to discuss how Chase is handling the breakup.

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

Photo: Top, Cameron (Jennifer Morrison) and Chase (Jesse Spencer) discuss their relationship. Bottom, House (Hugh Laurie) interrupts Thirteen's (Olivia Wilde) workout to tempt her into returning to the hospital.  Credit: Fox

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Comments

[anderson]

It's idiotic to drop one of the characters that got most of the guys interested in the show. House stopped being a must-watch in season 4 when the producers decided it was better to shake up the team and I almost stopped watching it altogether when Cameron was just made 'background noise'.
I think House loyalty was built mostly on Cameron and that's why this move is 'idiotic'. Of course, will follow her to whatever show she might appear in in the future.

[Katharine Saavedra]

I desperately wish that Jennifer Morrison's planned departure from the show had not been leaked. The degree to which the impact of this episode was undermined by that information cannot be overstated. I do think her performance was top notch. I don't think that Cameron acted out of character. She tried to live with what Chase did but, ultimately, her uncompromising devotion to what she believes is right couldn't be overcome. It was also very cameronesque of her to completely disregard her own flirtation with killing Dibala "for the greater good".

Far more interesting, I thought, was Chase's disapproval of the patient. He actually says, out loud, that people can not just make up their own rules. In addition to the obvious hypocrisy, this begs the question of whom, exactly, he believes should make up the rules. Him?

In other plot lines, I like Taub and am glad he's back. First off, it is a relief that there is at least one good doctor in New Jersey who cannot moonlight as a supermodel. Second, I love that the writers consistently use him to illustrate that plastic surgeons are, in fact, "real" doctors with unique insight. Third, by breaking out of the "young doctors in love" mold, Taub's interactions with House have an utterly different dynamic as compared to everyone else's. He provides a needed compliment to the rest of the palette.

House was infuriating in this episode which was a welcome return to the good/bad old days. I loved seeing him act this way while simultaneously wanting smack him into next week. It was consistent, if annoying, and I place a high premium on that these days.

[Sandra]

I'm disappointed. Like you said, Cameron was so OOC, even though her final scene with House was so emotional. But once again it showed why I adore the interaction between House and Cameron so much - Jen and Hugh have such an amazing, unique chemistry, it was heartbreaking! I will miss her so much.
I didn't really need House and Cameron to hook up, House hooking up with anyone is not good for the show (and Huddy is the worst of all options, implausible, "lack of continuity" does not even begin to cover it, no matter how many reasons they try to provide), but I was hoping to see House and his old team reunited. The only character from the new team I liked was killed off. Old team plus House on the other hand rocked the world! Now there's nothing left but Huddy (which I don't like, as I've already explained), Wilson playing Armor for Huddy (even worse, I would have liked him and Cuddy together, because after Amber Wilson is more mature and would be perfect for Cuddy), Thirteen/Taub and even worse Boreteen. My conclusion: as much as I love(d) the show (or better said: love the show like it used to be), I don't want to see THAT. So until Cameron comes back (which I highly doubt) and the Huddy arc ends I'm done with the show.
Thanks for the review!

[Dee]

I think Cameron was/is an important character and her leaving is a gaping hole. I can't stand Taub, maybe his voice or just his character is annoying. Thirteen is okay, but they need new blood! But the final shot of House looking down at Cuddy and Lucus leaving for the day happy was distrubing. House is going to do something bad/wrong and get in trouble again you can bet on it.

[Jae]

The final scene with Cameron so was unbelievable that the writers and executive producers deserve a spanking. Morrison did the best job possible with such garbage material, but it wasn't true to the character or the situation.

On the other hand, I'm really glad Taub is back. He greatly improves the show.

[TV Obsessed]

The writing on House has gone down the drain. That was confirmed by the ludicrous exit of Cameron which made absolutely no sense. And then there's Cuddy and Lucas. And then, and then, and then... Full review of the episode.

http://th3tvobsessed.blogspot.com/2009/11/review-house-season-6-episode-8.html

[Valerie]

I agree with what was said in the article. I thought Cameron's accusations were off-base, unfair and simply wrong. House influences those around him, but he certainly had no part in what Chase did. In the end, despite all of House's manipulations, Chase is his own man. I would have like to see him get back in her face, but he was definitely pre-occupied. I thought Cameron had grown in S4 and S5; that final scene seemed to have shot that growth down. Too bad.

I like Taub and 13. These characters are beginning to be fleshed out and there is some potential for some different and interesting interactions with House. Have some difficulty following the medical side on a regular week; this week it was even more difficult. I advocate for the return of the whiteboard!

[jts23]

The writing on House has gone anywhere but down the drain. This season has been the most refreshing and innovative spin on a show that was drilling the same well of miserableness in the main character over and over again. The old team being reunited and House improving himself were some of the best episodes ever made, and the show needs to continue to explore a nice House. This is one of my least favorite episodes because of all the inconsistencies. House went from being accepting and genuine straight back to his former ways.... I'm not too upset about Cameron seeing that it was Jennifer Morrison's choice to leave the cast... Here's to House looking up for Thanksgiving

[jackie]

I thought Cameron's projecting her own issues on the patients this week and last was exactly in character for her, as was her judging others harshly and not particularly fairly, while exempting her own behaviour. Not only does House specifically not advocate judging his patients' morals, Cameron does--and she was advocating murder herself in the Dibala episode. That she could only incite others to do it rather than do it hands on herself doesn't take her right off the slippery slope that did Chase in. She was far more culpable of influencing Chase in that episode than House.

Cameron really hasn't changed much in six years. I don't have an issue with her going and look forward to House and Chase dealing with the fallout.

[Nikki]

I agree with Jackie here. Camerons exit was so awkward I was barely able to watch. In fact, I fearfully thought it was too bad to be her definite farewell, although I wouldn't mind having her off the show. Her hypocritisism is a major turn-off.

Chase - I really came to love him in season 6. I do hope they're not going to allow the Dibala case to execute him, too. He's such a great character, but I fear he's not going to be very happy for a long time. Burdening a regular cast character with murder seemed just wrong. I hope he'll stay on the show and House will help to get him over this, then I can continue watching and have a little spark of hope that things will come out as OK as they can be.

I thought House was pretty mean and a little out out of character, too. His motifes were not all wrong, but he handled the situation more like a season 5-House than the Past Mayfield-House. It did feel like a step backwards. I must admit I was more comfortable with mellowed House. Hope we'll see him soon again.

[Belen]

I'm starting to think the writers and producers have never heard of ratings. No fan was happy when the team quit after season 3. No one particularly cared for the new characters (at least not as much) and their lack of chemistry, especially the Foreman/Thirteen relationship (BOOOO-RING and unlikely)... and wasn't 13 voted somewhere the most hated character on TV?
Seriously, the producers need to get a clue and start making the show FOR THE FANS again!
Cameron's departure (although beutifully written and acted) is one of the worst moves, her character was a perfect contrast to House's.
Now we're stuck with Foreman the robot, 13 the whiner, and Chase the little girl.
What a mistake.

[Imcfarlin]

I agree that Cameron's actions seemed out of character. She is a forgiving person and she loves Chase!

It doesn't make sense. I hope Jennifer M. will return. The character is needed, I believe.

[Imcfarlin]

I've read that she IS coming back at some point...

[Charles Langen]

Did hate to see Cameron leave but the Chase character has developed this season to fill the gap. I wish Wilson was featured more. At least we weren't treated to the almost mandated breast view of Cudy this week.

[Jeff]

Does anybody the song title and artist for the last song of this episode?

[Katharine Saavedra]

Jeff,

The song is "Where Did You Go?" by Jets Overhead. Thanks Carina.

Kat

[pink]

m really sad abt cameron's departure..:-(..d romance between cameron n chase was always so sweet n refreshing..on d oder hand,i hate 13 n dat was an awfull episode..:-(I really do hope dey take cameron back..!!

[pink]

i really hope dat she cums back..:-((

[Amanda]

Ok, I might be the only one, but I'm really glad Cameron is gone. I never liked her character. She was whiny, judgmental, and naive. The whole House/Cameron romance never made sense to me, I never saw the connection and House never loved her the way she did him.

Cameron and Chase was a wonderful couple, but Chase was the one who screwed up, not House. I think Cameron just wanted to find a way to blame House because she feels guilty for having loved House and still really loves Chase but doesn't want to see him as a murder.

The Cuddy/Lucus relationship isn't great but it does add great drama since House obviously wants to pursue a relationship with her. I love Huddy, I don't see how people cannot see it, house act childish with her which is how most men act when they really like a women.

As for the old/new team, I love both teams with the exception of Cameron and Kutner. I honestly loved the new team a bit more than the old, but again I loved both.

[Paula]

Late commenting but I agree with most of what you said.

I thought this was a very badly written episode done with the purpose of getting Cameron off the show rather than something that made sense in terms of the characters or the plotting. If they wanted to show how Chase is affected by her leaving, it would have made more sense to keep her on the show and turn up occasionally to emphasize Chase's pain, not get rid of her altogether.

Not only were Cameron's accusations off-base and unfair, they were as unrealistic given who the character of Cameron really was. She was always more open minded about sex than either Foreman or Chase, and she was never as judgemental as Foreman and only when someone hurt an innocent third party. The only part of that speech that was Cameron was the part that held House accountable for the toxic atmosphere he had created. Now that she's gone, there is no one left on the show who will do that.

There is also no one left on the show who cares about ethics, or (other than Wilson) who cares about the patient first and puts their own needs second.

I was put off by the idea that House is doing all this because he's upset that Cuddy is with Lucas. He's had over 5 seasons to do something about it if he cared about her and all he did was insult her and demean her professionally in front of her staff. It's the worst "romance" on TV.

I don't know why the producers want to turn the show from a medical procedural into a soap opera. I haven't a clue why they got rid of a popular character that people have been asking to come back since the end of season 3 instead of Foreman or Thirteen or Taub, all three of whom are less well liked by the audience.

Jennifer Morrison is still under contract but I don't expect that she will be back any time this season other than for a single guest appearance. They didn't use Cameron when they had her; why would they bring her back now that she's gone?

I won't be back to find out how Chase is handling the break-up. With Cameron gone, Thirteen and Taub back on the team with Foreman, and Huddy still going strong, you'd have to pay me to watch this show.