So House being so kind and amenable all season is over and now he's pulling back from all that with a cold rage. He did everything he was supposed to and none of it has worked. Yet. He had to have that book. Token of Cuddy. Like the desk. Loved that Alvie stole it from the jerk and that House got Alvie's citizenship for him. House does so much good in this episode for the patient's life, for her marriage, for Alvie, even for Wilson and Sam by going quietly. And Nolan, the one person trying to help him, makes headway, but in the end, gets cut off. House can take any kind of physical abuse because where he lives is in his mind. "What am I?" he asked back in No Reason. "I'm my mind," he answered. And so he is. If you start getting into his head, he can go along with little bits but when you get near the sore spots, he can't cut them out with a surgical knife, he can't even look at them straight on in the light of day. He sees them obliquely, in the dark. His father. Wilson. Cuddy. People who he cares about can hurt him in a way that he can't fix. If it's physical he can fix anything, so it's not a real threat. But get in his heart, in his mind and he shuts down. He's afraid of pain, truly afraid, because he knows how intense physical pain can be and how much more intense emotional pain, heart pain can be, and then, most especially, how painful the subsequent abandonment. Oh, House, I love you. Doris and company, you are a genius in my eyes yet again.

It was intense, awesome, and beautifully told. The best epi. since Broken...and I don't know what else to say. I should rewatch it now. Just a few words before going: I loved the intensity between Andre Braugher and Hugh. I felt like I saw an excelent 40 min. play. Was it Doris Egan? She's great. Glad to see Alvie again!! He's a joy. :) and Glad to see the old apartment, too. :)

As soon as House called Nolan a faith healer and said the answer would not be found with him, I thought of the oft-used Zen Master quote about therapy from the '70s..."If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." Meaning, of course, that one should not trust external guides alone--such as therapists or well-intentioned but misguided friends--to guide one's life, but to reflect on one's own self as guide--the only true Buddha is the one within. That's overly simplistic, of course, but perhaps in some way, House's losing or dismissing all the things he thought--or had been told--would lead him to meaning and happiness--therapy, working at relationships, his mind/work, etc.--will get him to the place where he will finally realize that the substantive answers are within himself. Of course, that journey may very well take more than Seasons 7 and 8. We can only hope... :)

Wow, that Three Stories structure made the episode so much more compelling to watch, as if therapy with House wasn't intriguing enough on its own ;). And since I'm mentioning it, why oh why couldn't they show us more of House's therapy sessions throughout the season?? Even though he's quitting therapy, House has still made some progress over the past years. He openly admits that he's miserable, remember how he used to deny that whenever Wilson accused him of it in earlier seasons? I wonder if he's still taking anti-depressants, now that he quit therapy? I loved when Nolan pointed out that House's actions contradict his words, concerning his alleged indifference towards people! LOL at that scene where House describes a ddx session with his team and they all look at him admiringly and Foreman's "Brilliant!" ;). Despite being a rather sad and depressing episode, it really stood out to me that there were many scenes that had me genuinely laughing at something, the same way old episodes from past seasons used to do. That on its own makes the episode a notable one. House does so much good in this episode for the patient's life, for her marriage, for Alvie, even for Wilson and Sam by going quietly. Yeah, I think it's remarkable, that although House is not happy himself, he isn't trying to destroy other peope's happiness/relationships. On the contrary, he helped Taub with his wife last week, and as you said in this episode he helped the POW's husband, Alvie and Wilson/Sam. The only complaint I have about that is that they're trying to paint House in too much of a good light, as someone who helped the people around him and got nothing in return. I mean, of course I secretly enjoy feeling bad for poor and misunderstood House if you know what I mean ;), but from a storytelling point of view the writers shouldn't give us that satisfaction, it's too much of an idealised tragic hero version of House.

The only complaint I have about that is that they're trying to paint House in too much of a good light, as someone who helped the people around him and got nothing in return. I mean, of course I secretly enjoy feeling bad for poor and misunderstood House if you know what I mean ;), but from a storytelling point of view the writers shouldn't give us that satisfaction, it's too much of an idealised tragic hero version of House. Forgive me, Bea if I've got the wrong end of the stick here-I'm just going by the discussion thread as I've not seen it yet- but wasn't the episode seen through House's eyes? I suspect he does see himself as a tragic hero sometimes.

I thought it was a pretty phenomenal episode. Nolan's remarks and desire to find the connection between House and his patient's case reminded me of this forum and how we, like all fans, try to “therafy” him. The episode's structure was extremely enjoyable. Like for many of you, it reminded me of Three Stories in that it is House narrating his own life, which gives us great hindsight into the way he (and incidentally, Nolan) perceive his reality. It is quite interesting to see that, in House's view, being a “non-belligerent” (not trying to interfere with other people's lives and/or happiness) is equated with being victimized... House, besieged by happy people ! The end was, of course, a bummer. But one could hardly call it unexpected. Given House's general lack of patience, his therapy's failure to bring him any substantial gain in a “reasonable” amount of time was bound to frustrate him and awaken some of his most pessimistic sides. Nevertheless I cannot quite see it as House going back to square one : it is both much better and much worse. Much better because he has been living without drugs for a year, something he had never done since the infarction possibly because he thought he couldn't do it. Much worse because House is now disappointed : I suppose that, before the hallucinations/drug abuse/etc., he used to think of therapy/professional help as his last resort, the one thing he would do when he'd hit rock bottom, his last chance so to speak. He has just tried that and, rightly or not, found it inefficient. Could it mean that House now feels like he no longer has any backup plan and that it can only get worse ? I cannot wait for the season finale. PS How adorable was Taub when Nolan all but told him to p*ss off the first time he (Taub) tried to get into Cuddy's office ? His facial expression (or lack therof) made me laugh, a lot.

On rewatching, I kept thinking that even with a brilliant script if you weren't watching two of the finest actors (HL and Braugher) bring it to life it would have been just mediocre.

I could probably watch this several times and get something new out of each viewing. I was just struck by House's unusually visceral reaction (even for him) to the PotW's husband (... the idiot who wanted to risk the *life* of someone he loved, for the sake of a *relationship.* No, that's not about Wilson at all.) Nolan is just the perfect blend of compassion and open warfare. I hope he keeps pushing.

What a brilliant episode! I loved that the structure of the therapy session perfectly mirrored a standard episode of "House." Nolan started with a handful of symptoms (late to session, distracted), came up with a preliminary diagnosis, which was then modified as more clues and symptoms emerged. Nolan was probing, relentless, harsh, and determined to dig down to the truth, just as House is with his patients. The final reveal of the meaning of the antique book was particularly well done and searing. Andre Braugher was just terrific at ratcheting up the tension and driving the scenes. I wish we had seen more of House's sessions with Nolan throughout the season to counterbalance the fluff that prevailed in so many episodes. And like his patients, House resisted his doctor's inquiries, offered partial truths to cover up the deeper troubles, and complained when Nolan didn't display the expected compassion. Hugh Laurie, folded in on himself in the chair, drawing his brows down lower and lower as his eyes darted around the room seeking escape from the unveiling of his bruised soul, was absolutely mesmerizing. I loved that while House was confident in the enduring nature of his friendship with Wilson, he was shaken by the impending loss of his hope for a relationship with Cuddy. As Nolan observed, synchronization of desires was the problem facing the POTW and her husband, a direct comment on the issue that has plagued House and his fitful relationship with Cuddy for years, highlighted by their current painful estrangement-- they are continually on different pages. As a result, House coaching the POTW's husband in how to nurture and renew his challenged marriage was a marvelous touch and paralleled House's twisted rescue of Alvie: House can save everyone but himself. Give great actors a strong story and a compelling script and they will work wonders. I can't wait for the finale which looks to be astounding.

Hugh Laurie, folded in on himself in the chair, That reminds me, I think it's kind of mean that Nolan's chair is higher than the chair for the patient, so that he gets to tower over them ;). He certainly doesn't need that little trick to give him authority. the idiot who wanted to risk the *life* of someone he loved, for the sake of a *relationship.* No, that's not about Wilson at all. But Wilson risked the life of one person he loves for the life of another beloved person, so I'm not so sure about that parallel. I thought of Stacy, authorizing the surgery so she'd still have him even if it wasn't what was best for him. But didn't she actually sacrifice her relationship for the sake of House's life? She knew he wouldn't forgive her, so she was prepared to lose him as a partner, if it only meant that he survived. Therefore it's actually ironic that House holds that against the POW's husband, unless maybe he secretly admires Stacy's strength? ;) How adorable was Taub when Nolan all but told him to p*ss off the first time he (Taub) tried to get into Cuddy's office ? Whereas I was (well, actually I'm still giggling) extremely entertained by his reaction to Alvie. He seemed so overwhelmed with his personality, his wary "Hello" was hilarious! PJ is brilliant. He gets one line with only one word and still manages to make an impact. Just noticed something: While he's recounting what happened at the patient's home, House is rubbing his arm, and I remember I noticed that the first time I watched the episode, and that I assumed it was just HL portraying an uncomfortable House. But watching it the second time I realised that House is rubbing the bruise on his arm. Nice detail! So, no one's commenting on the fact that House allegedly owned that book for years, exposing to us that he has actually had feelings for Cuddy for that long? Because many on here complain that the writers try to construct a Huddy love affair and ascribe House a long-standing affection for Cuddy, that many feel wasn't there in early seasons, and that book seems like a prime example of that. Not that I personally mind, I think it's sweet ;). ETA: Forgive me, Bea if I've got the wrong end of the stick here-I'm just going by the discussion thread as I've not seen it yet- but wasn't the episode seen through House's eyes? I suspect he does see himself as a tragic hero sometimes. Maybe secretly he does ;), but he never portrays himself that way, on the contrary, he's constantly denying all the good things he's doing or his motives for doing them. Nolan had to drag every single good deed out of him.

Alvie's leaving him was terrible, but realistic. Bipolar people, esp. low-function ones, tend to walk away from relationships without a second thought. Because they are the whirling center of a very dramatic universe. When they are there, they are THERE, but then they lose interest or whatever. That's why I loved him in this episode. The whole "bright shiny object" perspective, as with the donuts. In "Broken" he was this lunatic who would have been force fed his meds (and who paid his medical insurance?). God, poor House. Realistically he could have stayed with Wilson until he found a new place. But he himself made the choice: better the devil you know than the devil you don't know. And by LEAVING Wilson so abruptly, he could cast himself as the victim, as he usually does. Classic abused child choice. Again, better the devil you know...

Good thing I don't have to grade this episode because honestly I wouldn't know how. I loved most of it but the last 10 minutes or so, when it was clear it was all about Cuddy... :/ but it was great to see HL and AB in so many scenes together and I really liked the format of this eppie - the way Nolan kept popping up in various scenes and questioning what House said: fantastic! not to mention Foreman's and the team's reaction to House's suggestion :D Foreman: Brilliant! Nolan, ever being the killjoy: Did he really say that? House: Subtextually... :lol: I wasn't fond of Alvie in Broken but suprisingly I liked him now. This game they were playing was fun and it looked like House was actually enjoying himself. That's why I'm bummed they got rid of Alvie so quickly and it's my biggest complaint right now :/ I get that he probably wouldn't fit into the finale but couldn't he just go to visit his family for a few days and come back? I absolutely adore House and Wilson but it would do House good to have another friend and not be so dependent on Wilson (and no, I'm not happy that he tossed House out but decided, for my own sanity, not to dwell on it). I know it's all building up for the finale but it really seemed like they dumped all possible disappointments on House at once. I am rather anxious about the finale. House has worked so hard to be a more social person. I cannot believe the writers would let him begin the downward spiral again. Right now House thinks that all his hard work has been for nothing. I don’t want House to be a little ray of sunshine, but I do like that he has been more willing to let people glimpse his more empathetic side occasionally. As long as he continues to be brilliant, quick witted, and brutally honest, House will be the House I love. The House writers have explored many avenues with this character and have always managed to keep his behavior believable. I will continue to have faith in the entire House crew. I'm also afraid, I don't want to see House totally miserable and addicted to meds again. He's worked too hard to end like that. Obviously, they cannot make him totally happy as that would be the end of the show :wink: but I hope he won't be back at where he started.