6.15 - Private Lives

I really, really enjoyed this episode! Gong to gong, I've watched the speed-dating scenes so many times, I should be ashamed -- it's just so crazy funny! An episode with this much House, Wilson and Chase would be hard for me to fault anyway, but I loved the balance of humor and deeper insight. Considering that this season began with Dr. Nolan encouraging House to make meaningful connections with people, it seems appropriate, as the season starts to wind down, to devote an episode to communication, connection, secrets and sharing. I loved how really every character was somehow tied into the theme, and I was very intrigued by the reintroduction of House's bio-father.

I rewatched the ep, then rewatched it again, FF through the POTW parts. Without the commercials it's almost like a different show. The porn, on second and third look, was so insane (and what the hell did it mean that House had a manuscript of it saying 'A Gregory House Production'?) that it really amused me. And Chase's "Hi" when House came in and found them all with the book. I also loved Foreman's remark about "coming to the Lord." Also, forgot to mention one scene I loved: House obsessing in his office about the case. YES! It's been so long since we've seen that, it feels like. And playing with his toys. I was so happy...maybe they'll bring back the whiteboard. I agree with the others that mention how much better House looks w/ more hair. Also less beard. He was starting to look like Grizzly Adams. ETA: I wonder if the longer hair/less beard means less "institutional look"(as HL described it) which would in turn mean he's starting to come apart slightly again.

Also, forgot to mention one scene I loved: House obsessing in his office about the case. YES! It's been so long since we've seen that, it feels like. And playing with his toys. I was so happy...maybe they'll bring back the whiteboard. Seconding that. I was really happy to see him fetching the ball with his cane. SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!----->And I heard (thus I can't remember where) that the whiteboard was coming back, at last for one episode. <---------SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER!! Mod Note: Sorry, I couldn't help busting your chops. Spoilerphobes, I sincerely hope you aren't upset to hear this news about the whiteboard. If you really don't want to know that sort of thing, please let me know and I will white it out. -Fid. :lol:

Also, forgot to mention one scene I loved: House obsessing in his office about the case. YES! It's been so long since we've seen that, it feels like. And playing with his toys. I was so happy...maybe they'll bring back the whiteboard. Seconding that. I was really happy to see him fetching the ball with his cane. And I heard (thus I can't remember where) that the whiteboard was coming back, at last for one episode. Yes it was good to see House in obsessive diagnostic mode again.

Ooops, I am so sorry! I didn't realise when typing that it was a spoiler. Apologies to anyone I gave a heart attack to :oops:

I'm thinking that no one is going to mind that one, vicpei. I was just teasing you. But for future reference, ANYTHING that hasn't been aired in an episode is considered a spoiler, even promos or episode titles, so technically the return of the whiteboard is a spoiler, but I'm thinking that most people won't mind being spoiled about the return of a prop as I don't believe it's return reveals anything about the plot of the show. Mod Note: Updated. People DO mind so spoiler tag anything that hasn't been aired. Thanks. And I apologize to the spoilerphobes for breaking our own rule.

Also, forgot to mention one scene I loved: House obsessing in his office about the case. YES! It's been so long since we've seen that, it feels like. And playing with his toys. I was so happy... Me too! It's almost scary how much that scene stood out to me, that's really sad and reflects badly on the show and how it has developed since the early seasons. That scene felt "old-school" and I loved it, and what's even more significant, watching that kind of scene makes me respect and appreciate House (the person) again. Another thing that felt old-school: "Can you write a book, so I don't have to talk to you?" now that sounds like the show that I fell in love with, it's this kind of humour that I expect from the show, snarky and witty. Sadly, over the years, I feel like there has been less and less dialogues of this type. They'd rather replace it with pranks and slapstick elements *sigh*... I just remembered another positive thing about this episode: Wilson was genuinely enjoying House's games with Chase when they were out speed dating, he was smiling the whole time! It feels so good to see scenes like that, so that we get a sense that Wilson actually values House's company and isn't just constantly rolling his eyes at his friend. The POTW reminded me of Dakota Fanning, and this kept bugging me the whole episode, but I couldn't quite put a finger on what it was ;). I agree with the others that mention how much better House looks w/ more hair. Also less beard. Of course, how could I forget about the beard! Really, this should be a rule, House's beard must not be longer than his hair ;). I wonder if the longer hair/less beard means less "institutional look"(as HL described it) which would in turn mean he's starting to come apart slightly again. I think it's pretty obvious that TPTB are using the haircut as a metaphor for House's state of mind. Now, I'm not sure about the "institutional look", I have been under the impression that the short hair simply looks trim and neat, and was meant to contrast his usual scruffy appearance, that used to emphasise that he doesn't make an effort to fit in society. I think they also showed us that when he feels bad physically or emotionally, he doesn't have the strength and will to keep up a groomed appearance. In the beginning of season 3 his clothes were light and neat, but as he deteriorated, so did his wardrobe. And I'm not sure I like that, I've always preferred the idea that House is more of a freethinker who chooses not to obey society's norms, regardless of his emotional condition. And that he's above impressing people with his appearance.

Now, I'm not sure about the "institutional look", I have been under the impression that the short hair simply looks trim and neat, and was meant to contrast his usual scruffy appearance, that used to emphasise that he doesn't make an effort to fit in society. I think they also showed us that when he feels bad physically or emotionally, he doesn't have the strength and will to keep up a groomed appearance. In the beginning of season 3 his clothes were light and neat, but as he deteriorated, so did his wardrobe. And I'm not sure I like that, I've always preferred the idea that House is more of a freethinker who chooses not to obey society's norms, regardless of his emotional condition. And that he's above impressing people with his appearance. I think it was Hugh Laurie who said that the reason for the short-short hair was to give him an "institutional look." And he's rarely looked well-groomed, say the way Chase does (Wilson is too obsessive for comparison!). One of the few times he actually wore a suit and ironed shirt, etc. was "The Softer Side." That was only because he was going to a job interview.

one scene I loved: House obsessing in his office about the case. YES! It's been so long since we've seen that, it feels like. And playing with his toys. I was so happy...maybe they'll bring back the whiteboard. After the Wilson, H/W, House obsessing in his office was absolutely my favorite. It was like having the old House back - eccentric, mature, focused. And I loved his praying posture when Wilson walked in. That was great. I've already rewatched my fav parts of the episode so many times I've lost count. Wilson trying to distract House in their opening scene was so funny. The give away was Wilson asking House to join him at the speed dating event. I loved House and Wilson's speed dating scenes. I imagine Chase's SD scenes were harder b/c JS had to pretend to be and not be Chase at the same time. It didn't work for me. His acting felt like acting. I've watched the H/W+Chase scene many many times and I liked the way it felt to me, a couple out for the evening with a friend. My number one H/W scene starts with House yelling down the hall to Wilson that he can't find his porno and the aha moment at the end when House realizes somethun's up with Wilson. Well maybe it's a tie. I loved the H/W scene when House drops the bombshell to Wilson about porn!Wilson. OMG!! Well maybe it's a three-way tie. Wilson dropping his bombshell about House's sermon reading. During that scene we learn House and Wilson have some trust issues. Okay I think it's a four way tie. Wilson coming back later to let House know he knew the sermon writer was a minister who also happened to be House's bio dad. House has an epiphany while talking to the wife. Wife thinks husband ran out of office to get out of a tough conversation. But Wilson is like most wives, he's not giving up. Mabe a five way tie. I also loved the ending H/W scene reminded me men are from Mars and women are from Venus; and House is right. Wilson really is a girl. a six way tie. House looks better with more hair. Now if they'll just bring back Wilson's floppy hair. I miss it so. :cry: This episode has to be savored. The POTW and BF parallel House and Wilson. House handled Wilson's secret more like the POTW, while Wilson handled House's secret more like the BF. Wilson realized the importance of the discovery. Also, they must find some way to bring Wilson's assistant into every episode. I loved, loved that moment. It was perfect. 13 was great too. She rocked all her scenes. I wish Taub had had more to say. There was just the right amount of Foreman and Cuddy, especially - "call maintenance to take that down" And to St. Doris I say "be not afraid" give us as much H/W as you possibly can.

Ahem. I'm not tooo distressed about the whiteboard spoiler (really I'm not), but the whole reason I'm a spoilerphobe is so I can be as surprised as possible with whatever treats (not just plot treats) the House folks come up with for the first time on the show itself. So yeah I'd prefer the joy of seeing the whiteboard back on the show during the show, just cuz it's more fun that way for me. I know I'm nearly the strictest of s.phobes and most of you don't run that way, so I really appreciate the strict spoilerphobe policy you normally keep. Anyway you may consider my chops well and truly busted, fid. :-) (I do love the strict spoilerphobe policy here though. But if this is a one-time thing, cool.) ETA For example I managed to not be spoiled that House was going to shave (in TSS?) and it was such a huge thrill when I realized what he was going to do: it never would have been so exciting if I'd known that in advance. Of couse, now I feel very weird that that was such an exciting moment for me, watching a man shave, but dang it really was!

My sincere apologies, Boffle - you're right - I shouldn't have broken our own rule no matter how minor the spoiler. I've whited everything out and from now on people EVERYTHING that hasn't yet aired is a SPOILER and please tag accordingly. Also, I wasn't trying to bust spoilerphobe chops - I was teasing vicpei but it seems I screwed up on all accounts. Mea culpa.

ETA For example I managed to not be spoiled that House was going to shave (in TSS?) and it was such a huge thrill when I realized what he was going to do: it never would have been so exciting if I'd known that in advance. Of couse, now I feel very weird that that was such an exciting moment for me, watching a man shave, but dang it really was! Be not afraid: that scene was amazing for me, too. When they cut away I was like, "No! I want to see him shave!" It's hard to avoid spoilers; sometimes I seek them out, and then I feel oddly disappointed in myself because I've spoiled, pardon the pun, some of the fun and surprise. They must have had to CGI the hell out of that wood nymph scene to make RSL look college age!

(I do love the strict spoilerphobe policy here though. But if this is a one-time thing, cool.) Second time. We decided it was impossible to keep the lid on the fact that House was in Mayfield in Broken. :) My guess about the shaving was that they made 100% sure that they got every shot they needed with the beard, including his starting to lather up. Then they shot him shaving but, if the scene didn't work, they couldn't do a retake.

You guys rock! No worries. :-)

Queenzulu reminded me of this over elsewhere, but for those of you familiar with it .... I can just imagine Frankie's blog being hit with charges of Pseuicide. Not familiar with it? The link above has details but it's basically when people create fake accounts which they then kill off for attention reasons. Classic examples use people who go to the hospital, are somehow still able to have Internet access even in ICU, get worse and then have miraculous recoveries, then get worse again, and there's always some "friend" who visits them in the hospital and claims that everything is true. I'm just imagining Frankie's blog entries. "I'm in the hospital, but don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine. BTW, I have one doctor who's a condescending jerk." "I guess I'll be here a few days, but isn't it cool that I still have WiFi?" "OK, this is getting more complicated. Turns out I'll need surgery. Pig or plastic?" "No, why would I be faking this? It's a legitimate question, people. BTW, send lip gloss" "Look, ask Laura if you don't believe me. She was here." "No, Laura is not a sock puppet." "Wow. Bad news. Docs say it's cancer and I have less than a year." "Now they're saying it's just a few days. I'm trying to deal, but isn't it great that I have WiFi at the ICU?" "No, I really am in the ICU. Why won't you believe me?"

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