6.21 - Baggage

Can you explain the whole needing to get beat up? I need to rewatch, because I'm not sure I understand where that is coming from.

I was expecting House's relationship with his dad to come up, and surprised it didn't. That to me is the root of his "I screwed up, so I must be punished" mindset.

I remain, slightly in love with Dr Nolan. I kept thinking we'd see the actual bar fight. What kinda jerk knocks a drunken, crippled man down and then kicks him? (Wouldn't it have been cool if it was Lucas?)

Remember how back in, what was it? Season 1? That House was supposed to pick a bar fight but we never saw it? Was that a discarded idea, foiler or what? I'm glad they brought the idea back - it makes sense to me.

filmlover House is in pain, but it's predominantly mental, so if he concentrates on it he has to work through why he's hurting. That's not something he wants to do (hence walking out on therapy), so he has been doing things that will lead to physical pain (getting drunk, getting in fights) so he can blame those things on his bad mood.

Remember how back in, what was it? Season 1? That House was supposed to pick a bar fight but we never saw it? Was that a discarded idea, foiler or what? I'm glad they brought the idea back - it makes sense to me. That was on the casting pages. Someone who had contacts within one of the casting agencies had access to the pages they were using to cast guest actors, and she posted it. She also posted the revelation that the third patient in "Three Stories" was House -- which is why I remain wary of spoilers -- and the original opening scene from "Three Stories" of Mark at a high school basketball game where he fills in for the mascot and then faints. David Shore referenced that scene when he picked up his Emmy by thanking the person who talked him out of it in one of the last re-write stages. So that bar fight scene was probably written, but never shot.

Yes, that's what I was thinking of, the bar fight that never was. The writers talked about House picking a fight in a bar after Stacey comes back into his life and then leaves again. I believe they even shot the bar fight scene but then decided for the quieter, more introspective scene of him testing his bad leg without the cane, then popping a vicodin. When Nolan noticed the bruise I thought we might see the fight that caused it. But it was more effective just having House talk about it.

I was expecting House's relationship with his dad to come up, and surprised it didn't. That to me is the root of his "I screwed up, so I must be punished" mindset. That crossed my mind too. This whole thing with being hit goes back to his childhood and is a whole session in itself. filmlover House is in pain, but it's predominantly mental, so if he concentrates on it he has to work through why he's hurting. That's not something he wants to do (hence walking out on therapy), so he has been doing things that will lead to physical pain (getting drunk, getting in fights) so he can blame those things on his bad mood. Thank you, radio, for your answer.

That was seriously intense. I liked the fourth wall crumbling here and there, and really getting into House's head - the most Three Stories-ish ep since Three Stories, IMO. Nolan coaxing answers out of House is still pretty cool. It was fun to see Alvie again, especially because that relationship is so different from House's other relationships. Liked the PotW and her husband, too - it's such a soap opera idea, but I thought they handled it really well. House's tunnel vision was also interesting to me - EVERYONE is happy? Really? Last I checked his team wasn't exactly living the dream. But then he also doesn't consider them his friends, and I think that was where he was focused. Wilson, Cuddy, Alvie, that's a different level of relationship for him. Poor Alvie. That's not the best timing for going to Arizona, LOL.

I was expecting House's relationship with his dad to come up, and surprised it didn't. That to me is the root of his "I screwed up, so I must be punished" mindset. Or conversely the "I got hurt; I must have deserved it" attitude House exhibited when Nolan pressed him. That's not unusual for someone with a history of being abused, either. Any speculations on what Wilson said when he came to House's apartment during the nerf football game (did he do that in reality, or was that just House's deflection?) He looked like he was in full lecture mode, complete with pointed finger, but that was probably just an illustration of House's perception. I feel badly for Wilson in this episode, but I admit I kind of liked it when House bit him back.

Any speculations on what Wilson said when he came to House's apartment during the nerf football game (did he do that in reality, or was that just House's deflection?) He looked like he was in full lecture mode, complete with pointed finger, but that was probably just an illustration of House's perception. I feel badly for Wilson in this episode, but I admit I kind of liked it when House bit him back. Apparently based on the detailed spoilers that came out when the episode was being filmed Wilson goes over to see House because he was worried about him. The spoilers didn't say what Wilson said, but he was supposed to be very concerned about House. But House was supposed to talk to Alvie, and totally ignore Wilson and act like he wasn't even there. I don't want House to be mean to Wilson ever. I certainly do not think Wilson did anything wrong, he was being very caring for House, but I would have loved to see Jealous!Wilson. I wish they had gone with the whole scene.

I was expecting House's relationship with his dad to come up, and surprised it didn't. That to me is the root of his "I screwed up, so I must be punished" mindset. So was I, especially with Nolan talking about the past. But I loved this episode. For me, it was everything "Broken" wasn't. Alvie's skittering mind off his meds was so dead-on, as was House's stomping out of therapy. I knew a crazy person who did the exact same thing (although it was after three months, not a year). My husband is a psychotherapist and he's also seen variations on that theme. The fact that it all took place inside House's head, and that the refracted points of view dovetailed beautifully, made me wish that even half this season had been as well-written. The Wilson/Cuddy and Wilson/Sam scenes were great. ETA: I do the "everybody's happy but me" thing so that rang absolutely true as well. And I looooved seeing the old apartment again. My only criticisms were that I half-expected, when Nolan asked House, "why are you friends with Wilson" was that House would say, "I love him!" :) and the Cuddy thing kind of came sideways. And that the "past" stuff didn't go back far enough. When I saw the old-fashioned lawnmower I was hoping it was a scene from his childhood.

Wow! What an excellent episode. I love the way the story was told almost completely from House's point of view. I have always loved the episodes that give us windows into House's mind. It is very sad how House views himself as just a problem to be solved for Wilson and Cuddy. Sadly in many ways I think he is right. Poor House Wilson kicks him out, Cuddy is moving in with Lucas, his fellows will only go out with him if they are paid and now Alvie abandons him too. How depressing is that. No wonder he is at his ropes end. I am really worried about how this bodes for House next week. :shock: Alvie was great and I loved him in the scenes he was in but it does make me anger that he just dumped house once his problem was solved. And for once I wish Wilson would stop and think before he acts. I absolutely hated the pawnshop owner and the guy who bought the book. I am so glad that Alvie stole it back from him he deserved it. Nolan continues to impress me. I hope House will reconsider his decision to quit therapy or that Nolan will show up next season at the very least in the form of a friend for House. A lot to think about.

Best episode since Broken. I loved it. Really kept me engaged from beginning to end. I cared about everyone and loved the Three Stories transitions. I was surprised how well it worked since it was so clearly that same storytelling style, but it was terrifically well done. Loved that he stood by Alvie (and in the end Alvie painted his apartment in proper colors and he got his coffee table back). Cuddy's grandfather's book? That was cool. It's such a wrench for him to admit he's not with her. Nolan was brilliant, low-key where House is strung so tight right now. But his patient walked out on him. He failed. What's next for House? So compelling. Only one more week! If only we could have a whole year of episodes like this. Oh my, I would be in heaven.

Episodes like this one remind me of why I like House so much.

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