'House M.D.': Buy furniture or admit you're empty inside
This season, I've tended to be more intrigued by the interpersonal doctor drama on "House" than by the actual patients they're treating. However, tonight's episode, "Black Hole," introduced a genuinely interesting patient for the first time in a while.
Abby and her boyfriend Nicholas are on a high school field trip, sneaking sips of vodka at a planetarium, when she suddenly seizes and literally foams at the mouth. After some time in the hospital being poked and prodded -- and tested for an allergy to her boyfriend's semen -- all of her vital organs begin to fail her.
Is it just me, or does that happen to every patient on this show? The one thing about Abby that stood out, though, was the hallucination she had of herself as a child, hissing at her about a secret that could kill her.
House uses the hallucination as an opportunity to try out some fancy new equipment. They measure her brain's reactions to certain images, and then use their findings to build images from her brain. When she says she's thinking of her (completely smitten) boyfriend playing baseball, a clear image of a guy throwing a ball appears on Foreman's computer screen.
From there, the doctors can tap into her unconscious thoughts. First they see a sky, and then an image of a girl with an older man, who they assume is her long-deceased father.
House has one of his typical "eureka moments" while he's talking to Taub, and realizes that Abby's system is being attacked by a parasite typically found in the Middle East, where her boyfriend's father often travels for work. It's not Nicholas' semen Abby is allergic to -- it's "the Egyptian parasite swimming around in [his] dad's semen." According to House, there's no need to explain: "Technically, she was legal!"
Nick manages to forgive Abby. He realizes, as Taub says, that just because she slept with his dad doesn't mean she doesn't love him.
Taub is projecting more than a little bit when he says it, though. Throughout the episode, he's weathering yet another fight with his wife -- this time, apparently, about yoga, but really about whether or not he's cheating on her.
He tries sexting her from work and inviting her to stop by the office for a quickie in the car, but neither assuage her... possibly because House interferes both times. What finally satisfies her is when he gets down on one knee and proposes -- yes, again. With a bigger rock this time.
Despite the promise of renewed vows, though, it's clear that while Taub might not actually be having an affair, he certainly wants to. House watches knowingly (and a little creepily) as Taub cozies up to a blond at the hospital after the case is closed.
Of course, my favorite part of the episode featured House and Wilson wrapped up in a bizarre furniture metaphor. I guess that explains why they were living in a giant condo sans furniture for so long -- apparently, Wilson didn't want to buy furniture because it would cause him to feel his inner pain or examine his inner loneliness or... something.
House gets a little too caught up in the deep, meaningful significance of ottomans, stubbornly refusing to let Wilson hire someone else to choose the furniture. In the end, Wilson does just that: He hires Cuddy's decorator to fill the apartment.
The one item he does buy is an organ for House. "I like what this says about you, Wilson," House tells him, and the moment is so sweet that I was half expecting them to make out. Actually, now that I think about it, that's been a recurring theme this season.
What'd you think of tonight's episodes? Did you find House's and Wilson's adventures in furniture shopping amusing or childish? Were you startled by the patient-of-the-week reveal? Do you find Taub as boring as I do? Let me know in the comments below -- and don't forget to come back next week for more on "House"!
House has one of his typical "eureka moments" while he's talking to Taub, and realizes that Abby's system is being attacked by a parasite typically found in the Middle East, where her boyfriend's father often travels for work. It's not Nicholas' semen Abby is allergic to -- it's "the Egyptian parasite swimming around in [his] dad's semen." According to House, there's no need to explain: "Technically, she was legal!"
Nick manages to forgive Abby. He realizes, as Taub says, that just because she slept with his dad doesn't mean she doesn't love him.
Taub is projecting more than a little bit when he says it, though. Throughout the episode, he's weathering yet another fight with his wife -- this time, apparently, about yoga, but really about whether or not he's cheating on her.
He tries sexting her from work and inviting her to stop by the office for a quickie in the car, but neither assuage her... possibly because House interferes both times. What finally satisfies her is when he gets down on one knee and proposes -- yes, again. With a bigger rock this time.
Despite the promise of renewed vows, though, it's clear that while Taub might not actually be having an affair, he certainly wants to. House watches knowingly (and a little creepily) as Taub cozies up to a blond at the hospital after the case is closed.
Of course, my favorite part of the episode featured House and Wilson wrapped up in a bizarre furniture metaphor. I guess that explains why they were living in a giant condo sans furniture for so long -- apparently, Wilson didn't want to buy furniture because it would cause him to feel his inner pain or examine his inner loneliness or... something.
House gets a little too caught up in the deep, meaningful significance of ottomans, stubbornly refusing to let Wilson hire someone else to choose the furniture. In the end, Wilson does just that: He hires Cuddy's decorator to fill the apartment.
The one item he does buy is an organ for House. "I like what this says about you, Wilson," House tells him, and the moment is so sweet that I was half expecting them to make out. Actually, now that I think about it, that's been a recurring theme this season.
What'd you think of tonight's episodes? Did you find House's and Wilson's adventures in furniture shopping amusing or childish? Were you startled by the patient-of-the-week reveal? Do you find Taub as boring as I do? Let me know in the comments below -- and don't forget to come back next week for more on "House"!
-- Carina MacKenzie (follow me on Twitter @cadlymack)
Top photo: House (Hugh Laurie) and Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) argue over furniture. Bottom photo: House examines his patient's body scans. Credit: FOX
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Taub boring? Hell, YES!!! I wish they'd get rid of him and bring back Cameron. I really can't believe I'm saying this about the show I fell in love with almost 6 years ago - but wow, the show is by far not as smart and entertaining as it used to be. I find myself bored by this Huddy (sorry for the hard word but that's what I hink it is) crap, annoyed by the new team, even Wilson is not as awesome as he used to be - which I blame on the script, because RSL is adorable as ever... Well, and the cases (one of the reasons I love the show: medical zebras are so interesting!) are not as exciting as they used to be either... Which I blame on research and script too. Someone should tie the storylines together, too many independent authors working together without proper supervision doesn't work obviously.
Quick question though: next episode (the first in a while I'm really excited for because a) Cameron is back and b) HUGH LAURIE DIRECTED IT!!!!) airs when exactly? March 22nd or April 12th? I've read both dates more than once and am a bit confused now.
Posted by: Sally | March 16, 2010 at 07:55 AM
Taub is so far from boring in my mind. You just have to pay attention to his little golden moments. ;)
I've been waiting for House and Wilson to make out for as long as I've been watching, hahaha. Seeing that in a legitimate newspaper article made me smile like nobody's busniess!
Posted by: pomegranate_md | March 16, 2010 at 09:35 AM
I don't think Taub is boring, I think more attention needs to be paid to his situation and how it acts as a parallel to Wilson's character. At the end of the episode, House noticed that Taub seemed a little too friendly with an attractive nurse, and looked on with a sad, thoughtful expression because it makes him think that, despite all that Taub has done for his wife, he's still cheating. Similarly, a certain Oncologist seems drawn to these pretty nurses.
Taub's inability to "keep it in his pants", his almost contradictory generous nature, along with his quirky sarcasm and even his Judaism, is certainly some sort of parallel to Wilson's character. I didn't exactly notice this before. Bringing up the subject of "cheating" in this episode is a wise concept because it will become quite an issue in House and Wilson's lives very soon.
Also, hell yeah, on with the making out! I'm just going to continue to wait. Best relationship on television. It's absolutely believable and touching.
Posted by: Vincent | March 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM
I love that David Shore and Company aren't afraid to show genuine affection and love between two males that isn't sexual in nature. Our culture sexualizes everything, but having worked in hospitals for 30 years in critical care , I've seen the strong bonds of affection that bind people together that come from deeper place within. Qudos to House md for braving the mockery inherent in today's world for showing two male friends who unabashedly love one another. House's and Wilson's realationship actually makes the show for me and many other viewers......and "No" , we don't expect them to 'make -out'.
Posted by: Celia Perri | March 16, 2010 at 02:27 PM
The furniture story was amusing but might have been more interesting if Wilson and House went shopping together. I'm thinking a complete Lazyboy living area would have been perfect. It was a terrific patient mystery. The special effects were great and the concept thought-provoking. As for the Taub storyline it was given too much time. More is less in his case. Should Cameron return? Absolutely (and the sooner the better).
Posted by: Amy D | March 16, 2010 at 02:42 PM
Let's keep in mind, folks...
1) It's the script, not Taub or his proclivities. Yes, it didn't move the Taub story along very well.
2) House and Wilson are Holmes and Watson. They are in the process of becoming permanent roomies. Shore and company are returning to the roots of the series. When will Mrs. Hudson come in as their landlady?
3) Foreman's part was mishandled. The writer didn't know what to do with Chase and 13 had no lines after some fine writing for her after Cameron was ditched.
4) I hope Cameron reappears with a sledgehammer. It could be one of Morrison's finest moments. I was watching some episodes from the first two seasons and she has built Cameron into a first class character over the years.
Posted by: Steve G | March 16, 2010 at 04:20 PM
I miss Cameron and love Taub. Interaction between House and Wilson over organ is just House saying he appreciates wilson's thoughtfulness, nothing more nothing less. At least I hope so. I really want to see House fall blindly in love with a woman who has her own preservation in mind, a gold digger type. Not happy with his constant interference in the lives of his co-workers. That's weird. Give Chase a life! Love him, bring back Cameron. I loved the wedding segment.
NOTE TO PRODUCERS: IT'S OKAY TO DELVE INTO THE LIVES OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS. I loved the Cuddy episode.
Posted by: buny | March 17, 2010 at 01:51 PM
The titles are usually the metaphorical key to connecting the various storylines in each of House's episodes, and this one could refer to the densely gravitational black hole of astronomy, the unlivable living space in Wilson's condo (a la Black Hole of Calcutta), the emptiness Taub seems to feel despite his wife's affection, Taub's wife's continued lack of trust in the midst of her love for him, or the repressed memories of the POTW that can't be released. And I think that big rock that Taub gave his wife was mirrored by that gorgeous organ Wilson got for House; and I think both of them were using the gifts to compensate for something they feel guilty about, though exactly what, in Wilson's case, we have not yet learned.
This wasn't their greatest script, but it was pretty good, and consistent with the way the show continues to show layers of related thematic material. The fangirls don't notice this stuff, but if you watch (and listen) carefully, the skilled dramatic structure will be revealed.
Posted by: Rewriter | March 17, 2010 at 01:58 PM