House 3x07 - "Son of a Coma Guy"

[bironic]

That is some damn fine television. I don't even know where to start. Recap tomorrow probably.

ETA: Well, no, that's a lie. I'll start tonight with the smaller stuff. Not touching the patient storyline or the bucketloads of House/Wilson or House's personal revelations or the cover-up yet.

Very glad everything from the preview occurred by the second commercial break and that the rest of the hour went in a completely unpredictable direction. I could hardly believe it when House and Wilson (and Former Vegetative State Guy, hereinafter FVSG [I'm getting to be as bad as House at names the first time 'round]) hopped in the car and headed for Atlantic City. Very glad also that references were made straight off to Awakenings and Terry Schiavo so those could get out of the way.

I wrote down, "Well, that's our argument; at least this time it's cut short by a patient's kid instead of a page" after Wilson confronted House about the stolen and forged prescriptions in the teaser, figuring that'd be the end of that -- but, uh, happily proven wrong there.

Tritter continues to parallel Vogler by cornering each of the Fellows and trying to weasel useful/harmful information about House out of them, and possibly sow seeds of mistrust in the team in the hope that it will benefit him later, by determining and then exploiting their weaknesses. Most interesting to me was his comment to Chase about being forced to cover up something he didn't want to do. Boyd asked a similar question about why Chase does things he doesn't want to in "House vs. God" (also written by Doris Egan), and I was as intrigued then.

Tritter also continues to parallel House by investigating and coming out with stunners like "Everybody lies." Too bad he almost certainly picked that up from someone he interviewed and used it on Foreman for a reason. You know, as opposed to Tritter being just that similar in his beliefs and methods.

House lies a second time about how he and Stacy met. First a strip club, now paintball. Unless they were playing paintball at a strip club. What will he come up with next, I wonder?

Wilson! Love! All the time, everywhere! Snapping at House, cracking jokes about human asparagus, ditching work as the head of a critical department to go joyriding, popping Twizzlers while watching House and FVSG parry verbal attacks in the front seat, ordering people around on the phone to get a sandwich made, holding incredibly intimate eye contact with House, flirting badly with a married woman on purpose, looking amused and impressed and curious at FVSG's questions, trying to stop House from doing whatever his "rat maze of a brain" had come up with to kill FVSG, then caving and covering for him -- Wait, not going to get into the substantial stuff right now. He was wearing my favorite brown outfit. Tie and shirtsleeves and slightly mussed hair and leaning back against walls and mantels and God. Not to mention more new locations to admire him in -- the back of his car (with seatbelt! I find that weirdly attractive), the hotel room, the casino.

...And the rest has got to wait till my brain's processed it all.


* * *

Okay -- Here's more.

* * *

Commentaries - noydb666, Diane Kristine, Pru, ***Doris Egan (episode writer), usomitai, firestorm717

Comments

[theninth.livejournal.com]

I laughed so much during this episode. They are really writing House/Wilson so very well. Come on... how is it not obvious to everyone how much they care about/for each other?

[firestorm717.livejournal.com]

Haha, I agree. The episodes just keep getting better and better. Best moments were definitely the background on House's relationship with his father linking with his need always to be right (but really, could anyone doubt that he has a serious father complex from the moment we met him?) and the relationship with Wilson, how he asked his friend to leave at the end, and Wilson still ends up covering for him. I was almost hoping for a bit more of Wilson's background as an enabler at the very end, but of course, boy wonder dodged the question and then we go back to the Tritter arc *shakes head*

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I laughed, I think I gasped a few times, and there was ogling (on their part and mine). And I was on tenterhooks waiting for Formerly-Vegetative-State Guy to ask whether House was in love with Wilson. I really thought they were going to go there, especially when he got to pop a question once Wilson had left the room. Not that I'm sorry about the outcome -- those were some fantastic revelations about House. But oh, the H/W love.

[stephantom.livejournal.com]

*is wicked jealous*

Why for the love of god do I not have a TV in my dorm??

[nightdog-barks.livejournal.com]

And I was on tenterhooks waiting for Formerly-Vegetative-State Guy to ask whether House was in love with Wilson. I really thought they were going to go there, especially when he got to pop a question once Wilson had left the room.

*nods*

I so thought they (the writers) would have the courage to go there. I was expecting "Do you love him?" or "How much do you care about him?" or even "What does he mean to you?"

*is sad at lost opportunities*

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Well, of course -- we aren't watching Wilson M.D., we're watching Everyone Deconstructs House M.D., Even Detectives And Recently-revived Asphyxiation Victims. *facepalm* Yes, more on Wilson's family with all the father-talk and more on his enabling (not just a handful of hints and one overt reference) would have been appreciated.

Loved, loved, loved the whole part with the alibi, from House's attempt to protect both of them and Wilson's resistance & capitulation and immediate plan (grabbing the cane on his way out) and then waiting in the hallway. God, the looks those two exchange. We've been starved of those glances and stares and other subtle nonverbal gestures/expressions for so long that to have them return in such quantity was almost overwhelming.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

*cries for you*

So good. So very good.

I'm sure that's not helping, so I'll shut up and wait till you've had a chance to see it.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Ya, meant the writing team (or Doris Egan specifically) when I wrote "they." So damn close. It was right there for the addressing. Wilson had to answer that question from the patient in the series pilot, but I don't believe House has ever been asked, let alone answered.

Sigh. Conveniently, there were scene cuts in the car and the hotel room in which we can imagine conversations that may have occurred...

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

I... was floored. Am watching it again at 10 to catch what I missed (grrr grumble bloody phone call in middle of very important revelation scene). Because--oh House. Oh WILSON.

[elynittria.livejournal.com]

House would have found some way to dodge the question. After all, in the car House was asked if he "ever loved anybody else" after Stacy, and he refused to answer. (I think, of course, the answer is yes, he loves Wilson.) Wilson was looking very interested to hear what House would say, and seemed disappointed when House managed to deflect the conversation.

[firestorm717.livejournal.com]

>_> As much as I like the background, and the fact that this patient at least wasn't too overt (though lots of none-too-subtle parallels were employed the entire time), it seems like they were made at the expense of everyone else. I had thought there would be more background on the ducklings with Tritter's investigation, as well. And come on, given what happened to Wilson's brother, once the cop starts digging, he's got to go into that. Or we shoot the writers.

The alibi was pure love <3 <3 At first, I was laughing too hard at Wilson's rather awkward attempts at talking up the woman (and I ADORE the way his hand shakes when he's nervous), but then I caught on a bit later with the alibi. I think it's interesting how...natural it came for him to do it once he decided to; my little mental history of Wilson tells me that he's had much more experience in this than he lets on >3 especially regarding the brother that shall not be named *headdesk* and no doubt, other pranks by House in their younger days. *loves* The ending with them staring at each other across the corridor could've made a good ending for the episode, actually, to some soft music in the end *sniff* I miss the music.

[synn.livejournal.com]

dead daddy,
sad house. *single tear*

okay, not really, but it had to be said.

Great hallway moment. That's the kind of quietly poignent (sp?) moment I'd like to see more often, as opposed to the ones that are obvious about wanting to rip your heart out *coughdeadbabycough*
The alibi bit was, as has been said, great.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Oh House and Wilson! So much love and so much angst.

Enjoy your second watch. Sadly, I can't watch it again until tomorrow (healthy bedtimes and all) after a full day of work. But in a way I'm glad, because I'll be able to mull things over without spoiling the power of the first viewing.

Looking forward to discussion!

[bironic.livejournal.com]

(reposted for coherence)

House did dodge that, conspicuously. That was the moment when I felt sure they'd come back around to that conversation and something would be implied about one's feelings for the other, whatever those feelings might be. Something House wouldn't admit to Wilson's face, even beyond the deeply personal information he revealed about his decision to become a doctor. Alas.

[elynittria.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I see what you're saying. I too thought that FVSG would ask House about Wilson after Wilson had left the room. Alas, it was not to be...

[jadesfire.livejournal.com]

I would just like to state, for the record, that I hate you all. Not being able to see this for six damn months (if we're lucky) is starting to get annoying...

but not reading spoilers would be worse, so therefore I love you all for keeping me updated :D And half the fun's in the anticipation, right? This sounds like it's worth waiting for. can't wait for the full version.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Love you too. :) This is one of the greatest episodes of the show, ever, and a whap on the back of the head to everyone who doubted the series' quality when Season Three started.

Not being able to see this for six damn months (if we're lucky) is starting to get annoying...

'Course, there are (*cough*) ways around that. But I respect wanting to wait for the season to air.

[jadesfire.livejournal.com]

'Course, there are (*cough*) ways around that.
Don't you start! Have already had a colleague point out that he's got 11% of this episode already....but am determined to wait....I think...no, I'm determined. Kinda ;)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Heh. How close of a colleague? If you happen to be around when he watches the episode, and you happen to see the whole thing over his shoulder.... Never mind that you'd be starting with #7....

[kabal42.livejournal.com]

And true to form, I answer with a comment about my current 1st season ep :-)
This one was "Detox" and was mainly good for Wilson again, since he shows a new side of himself there. Good one, Wilson!

Also, my SO, who's sometimes more perceptive than I even think, noticed something I hadn't thought of but I'm sure you must have. I'm going to be a nuisance and point it out anyway.
"House" is a very good "Sherlock Holmes" parallel. As he started to tell me why, I added more substantiation. Right down to a few details:
Holmes = "home" in pronunciation = House
Wilson - Watson?
Addiction, anyone?
Bad violin playing - bad TV series.
The Holmes/Watson vs. House/Wilson dynamics is almost the same.
And of course the overall idea of solving unsolvable mysteries and spite other professionals with it.

To me it sounds like the third season by adding an acutal detective to parallel House in the show itself is playing up this parallel.

[fallen-arazil.livejournal.com]

Really, you ought to just get bittorrent and DL the eps ... I shudder to think of you having to wait so long! rivers_bend lives in the UK too, but since I got her to DL bittorent, she gets to say all the eps the day after they air in the US, at the latest.

You should really consider getting it! ('tis free, of course) I've neevr had any probs with it. *nodnodnod* I will stop sounding like an advert now.

~Djinn

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

Hee - that's right, Wilson really has nothing better to do, does he? I thought he was in full caretaker mode for VSG this ep, which was interesting.

[fallen-arazil.livejournal.com]

Weeee!

I was so pleased with all the Wilson in this episode, and also the ducklings/Tritter bits. They seemed to focus a bit more on Chase--or at least, Tritter seemed to lean on Chase harder--and I'm wondering if this is going to be a prelude to a Vogler-esquq betrayal on Chase's part? The whole thing resembles the Vogler arc in a lot of ways, except insofar as David Morse is hot and therefore we can write slash with him in it. (shudders at thought of Vogler/ANYONE) We've been seeing Tritter/Wilson, after this ep I hope to see some Tritter/Chase.

... just, not written by me. I'm not writing it. No matter how much I can see it happening ...

~Djinn

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I'm still not comfortable enough with the producers & writers to know whether they're going to rehash the Vogler arc right down to a Chase-House backstabbing or if they want us to suspect that they're going in that direction and are instead planning something quite different. The latter, of course, would be preferable.

except insofar as David Morse is hot and therefore we can write slash with him in it.

Best phrasing of that idea I've yet to see. :D And of course, sadly, it's true, or there would've been an explosion of Vogler/whoever non-con back in S1 and after.

I've seen one Tritter/Chase so far, pretty much PWP... let me see... http://simmyschtuff.livejournal.com/10200.html

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Cuddy so would have been pissed at both of them about playing hooky without giving her notice. Good thing House basically killed his patient, giving her something else to be (outwardly) pissed (but secretly approving) about when they got back.

I thought he was in full caretaker mode for VSG

Yep, sandwich- (mask-) making and all. Really, really need to watch a second time; was so exhausted last night, I feel totally unqualified to comment on half of what went on.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

"Detox"! You're on a roll. I love, love, love the twist at the end in that one. Wilson's manipulative side resurfaces a few times in the following seasons, and the question of whether House is an addict never (ever ever ever) goes away. Very important episode, and fantastic acting all around, but especially Hugh Laurie, wouldn't you say? I think that's the one that won him a Best Actor Emmy, or maybe it was a Golden Globe.

And yes indeedy, House's connection to Holmes goes way back. Executive producer David Shore likes to talk about it all the time, or at least he did in the last year or two: House the caustic, brilliant medical-detective, with a piano instead of a violin and Vicodin instead of cocaine (rumor has it they chose Vicodin as the drug of choice because the real pills say "Watson" on one side), and James Wilson as John Watson, only as Robert Sean Leonard is fond of arguing, Wilson has transformed into the plain old friend while the three Fellows have become a collective Watson. There's stuff about it in various interviews, in most newspaper articles, and on the housemd-guide site. I don't know much about Holmes or I'd talk about it more with you. Well, except I've now seen half a dozen episodes of the Jeremy Brett TV series thanks to synn, and it's uncanny the resemblance between the two, right down to the way Holmes & Watson and House & Wilson interact, smirks and stares and sarcasm and complementary habits. And, you know, slashiness.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

The single tear really makes it. :)

I thought most of the House/Wilson interaction in this one -- at least, after the initial stolen scrip confrontation -- was subtle, wonderfully so. Or at least, more subtle than usual, with actual subtle moments sprinkled liberally throughout. But I can seriously hardly remember it, I was so wiped after class last night. Got to watch again. Then coherent comments.

[kabal42.livejournal.com]

I have indeed been on a roll! :-) And "Maternity" was on last night in the Danish continuity. I'll soon reach the point where I catch up to myself and get each episode twice ;-)

Ha! The SO will be thrilled to hear that! We had a lot of fun doing parallels. I'm an old Holmes-fan and own a collected works. I grew up on English crime novels to a large extent; Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple were childhood favourites - probably due to the lack of sci-fi and fantasy around ;-) So we might have some of the show's appeal to me hidden there as well!

[bell]

That is some damn fine television.

*beams* Yes. Yes it was. And the constant Wilson did not hurt.

Good to know what I wasn't the only one who had a JALDFADF NEED MORE TIME TO COMPUTE reaction. XD

I think the paintball is the real answer, since House was answering honestly (most of the time) the other questions. I think he got into the spirit of the thing. Am sad about the strip club not being true, though-- maybe that's where they went for their first date. Maybe that's why she didn't want to talk to him afterwards!

ost interesting to me was his comment to Chase about being forced to cover up something he didn't want to do. Boyd asked a similar question about why Chase does things he doesn't want to in "House vs. God" (also written by Doris Egan), and I was as intrigued then.

Am intrigued, and there probably is something behind it, if they brought it up again. So... why do they keep waving all these tantalizing Chase characterization bits if they never come back to them? I wanna know what's Chase being forced to do! He seems so genuinely happy to go along with House's wind otherwise!

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Love of an episode ~= Wilson screen time. I'm totally taking tonight to watch it a second time and get my think on.

I think the paintball is the real answer

He was being honest most of the time (other than some obvious false starts in the 'why I became a doctor' part), but it seemed flippant somehow. Will need to see his face and catch his tone on second viewing to make a judgment as to whether he was deadpanning.

I wanna know what's Chase being forced to do!

My gut reaction is that it has something to do with Chase's career choice. That his heart's not really in medicine, which may help explain his generally laid-back attitude towards it. Probably daddy issues involved.

[bell]

Love of an episode ~= Wilson screen time.

I hate to admit it, but I think it's the same with me. Even if half the time I'm feeling embarassed for him, the more screentime the better.

My gut reaction is that it has something to do with Chase's career choice. That his heart's not really in medicine

I'll buy that. :D But that's hardly House's fault. Tritter made it sound like his boss was forcing him into bad things like prescribing him too much vicodin or killing patients that want to die.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Tritter made it sound like his boss was forcing him into bad things like prescribing him too much vicodin or killing patients that want to die.

That's what Tritter seemed to be implying, and I'm sure Chase doesn't appreciate being ordered around all the time, but I think that question struck something deeper in Chase, and *that* has more to do with what Boyd was asking about last season, whatever vibe that kid picked up off him when they interacted.

[simple--man.livejournal.com]

I love reading your recaps, but am mostly just commenting to agree with the seatbelt!Wilson love. Am I crazy, or does he chew more cutely than any man should ever do?

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Woo, not just me then. Munchy!shiny!seat-belty!Wilson is definitely in the top 20 list. (Is it the light bondage thing? The kind-of-like-a-kid thing?)

*uses H vs. G icon because Doris Egan is a godess*

[thirdblindmouse.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I find I have little left to say that you haven't said in this post or the next. While Tritter is truly hateful, he certainly does not have the contrived feeling of the Vogler arc debacle. Vogler's reason to have it in for House, his methods of doing so, and his general villainhood were sadly unconvincing. Idiot network high command.

House lies a second time about how he and Stacy met. First a strip club, now paintball. Unless they were playing paintball at a strip club.

There's a grain of truth in each. They were playing strip paintball. Fun? Yes. Sexy? Sure. But oh the welts it leaves...

(with seatbelt! I find that weirdly attractive)

Funny, during the car scenes I kept checking to see if they were wearing seatbelts, for fear of not!coma-guy failing early. Plotwise I knew it to be unlikely, but I couldn't help myself worrying.

I’ve seen a few people laugh about House’s Hannibal Lecter impression, but I laughed at his little “I can outdraw you, mysterious stranger” quip in the PVS ward.

House is winning on the impressions front this season. First he did Casablanca, now he does Silence of the Lambs. We're starting a run of episodes here where I'm enjoying House as a character instead of despising him as I was starting to earlier this season. (All this criticism is tempered by the fact that I have only seen ...three? ...four? episodes of it.)