Let’s face facts. The end is near, and House, the series, may need to step up and provide a little “change.” Interestingly enough, tonight’s episode addresses some of the audience’s burning questions about whether House considers changing. He’s has been a cynic for as long as we’ve known him, and that didn’t change even when he was in love with Cuddy. He may have been happier, but he remained cynical. However, throughout the series, House has had a romantic streak. With Stacy, he wooed her with a cute note, with Cuddy, he brought her back her medical school desk.
While House might not believe in the good of people, he does know how to bring a smile to a woman’s face. So why is this important? Throughout last night’s episode, House watched from the sidelines as yet another one of his patients was duped. This week’s House was about how the idea of hope may change your outlook on things. If House and Thirteen had been more positive about the outlook of the patient’s love life, might things have turned out better for the lottery winner? What about Foreman? Even though he’s stressed out, at least he’s in control of it. Should he accept that he is who he is or have a more positive attitude about his life and attempt to change?
POTW
Anyone think of Lost with this week’s patient? He certainly seemed as lovable as Hurley, trying to find love the best way he knows how. Cyrus, the millionaire, was as optimistic as we’ve seen on House, knowing and trusting in his heart that once he found the woman he was supposed to be with, it would make him the happiest to be with her and support her financially. Does the patient’s trust in everyone around him make him a happier person or an ignorant one? Remember the genius patient in “Ignorance is Bliss”? He deliberately made himself dumber to be with the one he loved. Is this man doing the same thing in order to remain just a bit more hopeful about love? In the end, he may have found the right woman, but her morals could be just as questionable as the fake Jennifer’s. More food for thought: Was his brother just trying to make Cyrus happy? Or was he solely hoping to get away with some cash?
Foreman and Chase
Finally, a little recognition that these two exist. And not only that, the same questions that I keep throwing at my television were actually addressed! Why is Foreman so boring and stressed out about things that shouldn’t matter after his lengthy tenure under House? Why is Chase reduced to being a simple womanizer? In “Changes,” we actually address these two things and … nothing seems to change! Well, I suppose that’s not entirely true. In the end, both Chase and Foreman become fully aware that they might want to change.
Foreman can only be alone for so long, and Chase’s womanizer playboy gig might be getting a little stale. Interesting when Taub of all people mentioned that the fewer partners someone has, the happier one will be with their current partner. Although Chase seemed to take this idea to heart, in the end, he was right back in bed with the nurse. But it was Foreman’s frustrated question that intrigued me the most. He asked his team, “What difference does it make what’s inside of me if I know how to control it?” The answer to that question will most likely be addressed throughout the rest of the season.
Does it truly matter what we have within us if we’re capable of controlling it? Wouldn’t it just not be within us if we could control it? Too philosophical? I immediately thought of House after Foreman said this. House knows his cynical side exists. He knows his addiction side exists. He’s been able to control both if forced, and yet they remain within him, plaguing him. So even if he does have the ability to control them at times, does it even matter if they exist to begin with? I digress.
Thirteen and House
Ah, our two cynics. The more parallels between these two character are drawn by the series, the more intrigued I am. Thirteen refuses to change and think positively. I realized while watching her throughout the episode, she wanted to be proven wrong about the patient’s long lost love coming back out of the blue, but in fact, she realized she was right. When Thirteen first came on the show, she berated House for having a lack of hope. That conversation was before her diagnosis, before her failed drug trial, and before she had to euthanize her brother. Thirteen’s hope appears to have run out.
And House of course, notices. Throughout the episode, he pulls her aside, attempting to see if she’ll mirror any hope back to him, but all his efforts are thwarted, some to a comedic effect (like her ex-boyfriend, whose sister she slept with).
House wants to be hopeful, and I think this episode could be a tipping point in either direction. What struck me was his reaction to finding out Cyrus had been fooled. He wasn’t excited about it. In fact, he seemed disappointed and rejecting of the prospect of an unhappy ending. This to me, indicates that perhaps House does wish he wasn’t right all the time. The priest in “Unfaithful” told House he wasn’t waiting for patients to prove him right, he was waiting to be proven wrong. The patient’s story along with Thirteen’s complete loss of faith and hope proved House right. What will the emotional and physical cost be?
Huddy and Arlene
Well, I almost got what I asked for in last week’s review. Cuddy and House finally did have a discussion about their relationship that consisted of Cuddy telling House he deserved to be broken up with. Fantastic. I’m so glad they’re flippant about this. Meanwhile, House is clearly still in love with Cuddy and, throughout the episode, appears to hope that there may be some reconciliation coming. Boy, were his hopes dashed by the end of the episode. Interestingly enough, Arlene and House were on the same page. It’s no wonder Cuddy knows how to deal with House so well; growing up with Arlene was training for House’s tricks. And as a manipulator, House recognizes one of his own.
Solving the puzzle of Arlene’s motives for the lawsuit was House’s first major light bulb moment of the episode. If someone like Arlene can remain hopeful about her daughter and House getting back together, should House? Nope, Cuddy claims. They’re through. But are they? Is Arlene right to tell Cuddy that she’s an idiot with impossible standards? I have to wonder if House has been trying to cling to the smallest hope that Cuddy will change her mind and come back to him. Are those hopes completely dashed? Or will House have an ending this season much like “Help Me”? The difference being, that there is no one left to save House except for himself.
Notes:
- I’m nervous about the end of this season. We have three episodes left and I literally have not a clue what direction this season is going.
- It was nice to see House and Cuddy interact during this episode, but it did still frustrate me that now their relationship appears to be completely a thing of the past for Cuddy.
- Wow, Omar Epps. You are flexible.
- Are lotteries stupid, Thirteen? Or are you just waiting to be proven wrong too?
- If getting back together with House takes more than a common enemy for Cuddy, what exactly would it take? A couple suggestions could be more than helpful for House.
- So can House change? Does he want to? It’s debatable, but I’m not sure I want to see a completely destroyed House yet again three weeks from now.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
