4.05 Mirror Mirror

The more I think about it, the more it seems that House really was happy and well in this episode, certainly more than we've seen him in any other episode. And why shouldn't he be? He's reconciled with Chase off-screen, and has a new friend in Scooter. Cameron is staying at a distance he seems comfortable with, within his sphere but no longer being sexually stalkerish. He seems to enjoy all his new fellows, even if we don't. The Foreman return that could have been hellish turned out not to be, since Foreman actually got a clue and was being positive toward House by the end. I'm still not sure where he stands with either Cuddy or Wilson, but there's enough circumstantial evidence for shippers of either sort to assume he's been getting laid recently. And there's no recent medical problems to trouble him, and no Evil Bad Guys (or Evil Exes) to harass him. Have we seen him this relatively trouble-free any time since early first season? Agreed, peggy06, that the childish House/Cuddy feud was the worst part of the episode, especially Cuddy's role. Not only was the laxative thing beneath her and dismal evidence of her failure as an administrator, but it wasn't even original as a prank. some kind of twisted power ploy Hmm, you've reminded me. Wilson in the OR, the first thing he says is that House should ignore the power play. That confused me a bit -- which power play was he thinking of? Cuddy over House, or Foreman over House? I'm sure Wilson is glad to have Foreman back, but what does he think of Cuddy's reasoning? Was she even thinking of the power play, or just doing what she thought was right?

Was she even thinking of the power play, or just doing what she thought was right? Since she made sure to humiliate House in front of his fellows instead of doing the Foreman introduction thing in private, it was definitely a power play.

What did everyone think about information that 13 is very scared of something?

Last season she took several strong stands against House (most of them on Wilson’s advice) and the results were disastrous. She tried to take strong stands but then gave in, which in the end makes it weaker than if she had never tried at all. Once she proved herself willing to commit a felony to shield House from any consequences for the crime she knew he committed, I think it was game over. If he can't be fired for showing up at work strung out and taking Oxy from a dead patient and forging then I think he knows he's never getting fired for anything, much less a refusal to play nice with Foreman.

I just need more time to think about it, oh but why bother. It's not worth a rewatch. That episode sucked. The idea was great, the execution sucked. The only part I liked was Chase smiling at the end. This show used to captivate me ever week. Now I'm bored. Maybe because it's episode five and nothing is settled yet. I hate how Cuddy has been reduced to uselessness, and I wonder why Chase and Cameron are even there. Foreman didn't thrill me or bother me, but then again, he's always been that way with me. Okay, something positive to say, something positive to say... um, I liked Wilson tonight. Did anyone else think House looked cartoonish in next week's previews?

So Cuddy didn't offer Chase the position she offered Foreman in 'Resignation'. I'm starting to lean toward the Rowan-called-Cuddy theory, in which he made a donation to the hospital (one of the directed ones she mentions to Vogler) in return for Cuddy convincing House to hire (or at least interview) Chase. This might have led Cuddy to dismiss him as a daddy's boy before they ever met, and she just never got over her negative first impression of him. It's the only explanation I can think of for her continued obliviousness to Chase's skills while favoring Foreman. I think her offer last season was real, though I'd like to believe it wasn't. What would she have done if he'd accepted last year, if she hadn't meant it? She wouldn't have had the blackballing excuse to explain changing her position. And because she'd tried to keep him then, I think she would have tried to get him back now even if the electrocution stunt hadn't given her a new reason to think House needed a babysitter. Hmm, maybe if there is offscreen Huddy happening, that contributed? If Foreman could take on some of the House-wrangling duties, it would reduce the amount of conflict of interest complicating any relationship between Cuddy and House. she made sure to humiliate House in front of his fellows instead of doing the Foreman introduction thing in private Ugh. Knew there was a reason to dislike her that I was forgetting.

Once she proved herself willing to commit a felony to shield House from any consequences for the crime she knew he committed, I think it was game over. I think she did that because she felt guilty about her earlier actions of withholding his meds. (I guess we should move this to the Cuddy thread)

This ep wasn't bad. It didn't blow me away, but had some cute stuff. That picked up in the second half. I just loved the balls line. Anytime I can hear Hugh say balls is a great day. I lol'd for several seconds. LOVED the scene with the potw saying how hot 13 was. Finally we get some indication that House thinks she's hot. Cause, duh, she's drop dead gorgeous, and that hasn't really been referenced yet. Dear House writers: For the love of God, GET A THESAURUS. THINK OF A WORD OTHER THAN MISERABLE. I think they said the word miserable 89 times. They've done that in past seasons too. Also, think of another word for Jerk. Dick, a-hole, prick, anything. If you can say balls, can't you say another word for jerk?

Oh, that scene with House and the patient at the end (even though he was dressed like my grandpa) reminded my of why I love him. Some episodes, I forget, it's nice to be reminded that I do love House (the character) and there's a reason for it. I loved that scene, too. Loved the hairstyle H was sporting. Awww. I agree that this ep wasn't too compelling. I thought using the potw as a device to learn about the new kids was a good idea. A lot more interesting than straightforward stuff. Cal is growing on me. 13 is still dry as toast, though. Guess looks and charisma don't always meet. No, cole didn't have any mirror moments. There were opening credits.

Ok, before the opening credits, two kids were about to mug a guy. Then as they were mugging him (the potw) he started to cough and got down on the ground. One of the kids felt guilty and called 911.

What happened before the opening credits? There was an earthquake here and an emergancy news announcement came on just as the "viewer Disgression is Advised" thingy came on and lasted until the opening credits. Also, did Cole have any mirror moments with the POTW? Taiga described the teaser -- third post from the bottom on page 4. Cole was sent to find POTW's car as his wallet was missing so his car keys were the only way to ID him. 13 volunteered to go with him. House figured out that 13 just didn't want to be mirrored by POTW so he had her meet him anyway, but we've had quite a bit of exposition about Cole's character in previous episodes so he didn't meet the patient.

I'm apparently in the minority here, but I loved this episode. I mean, really loved it. As in I'd watch it again right now if I had recorded (or if I had Tivo, but that's a different story). I thought it was incredibly funny—I was actually screaming with laughter more than once—and developed many of the characters, both old and new, in ways I found quite interesting. Maybe the difference is that I don't go into each week's episodes with the same level of expectation that others here seem to. It doesn't matter to me how much air time any given actor gets compared with any other. And I don't care if I'm getting juvenile, goofy House or angtsy, philosophical House... or angtsy goofy House or juvenile philosophical House, or just a manipulative bastard. I figure it all balances out over time. That's what's great about a television series—each episode is a part of the whole. It doesn't have to tell the whole story every single week. So this week we didn't see House in a lot of pain. Maybe we will next week. So Cuddy's a wuss. Maybe next week she won't be. I'm just along for the ride. What I care about is the story and what it tells me about House the character, how he sees the world and what happens around him. And whether or not I'm entertained for an hour. This week I was mightily entertained. For me, and obviously YMMV (and does), this was one of the best episodes of the entire series. I liked it so much I'll pre-order the Season 4 DVD set the second it's available, just so I can own this episode. Chacun à son goût.

Word to Peggy and fellow "worders." I heard "Walter Reed" today and it brought me back to the motorcycle stop last season, a feeling of suspense, caring, and interest that has yet to come this season: pining for the Tritter arc, oh my god. Random thoughts on first viewing: Foreman changing? Too much of him, don't like him figuring out House/Chase scam, don't like him becoming buds with House: where are they going with this? Will House join further with CCF to scam the newbies? Can they please have a medical mystery that doesn't tell us a damn thing about any of the doctors, but does tell us an interesting story about, oh I don't know, the Patient!! What is thirteen scared of? Boring us to death? Then she's right to be scared. OW has shown no skills. Bland. Off with her job! We've seen all of Cole's character, not much more to know about him, he's ok but no reason to keep him. Kumar is silly frat boy, likes pranks, he's a beevis and butthead doc: no interest in keeping him. Amber and Taub have faults but might have some room to grow. Brennan has tons of room to grow, but his leaving would be ok by me. ITA Olivia720: Ban the word MISERABLE just like they banned Niiice. Ban jerk as well. The word. Not the guy. Clearly House is the alpha in all cases. Wilson just whines louder in his head ;-P And finally, I've never seen Hugh look so British (or at least not!American) as he does in that baseball jacket with his hair combed. Loved how he took off the jacket and messed up his hair as soon as he got his answer, and was instantly back to fitting in. It still seems to be true that I can't not love House/Hugh, so will have to watch again for the bits of brilliance. Keep posting, guys, I'm trying to feel like I hope I'm going to feel later in the season, that this is preamble to something great and it will all make sense farther along...

View Full Version: 4.05 Mirror Mirror