My interpretation of the scene? House originally blurts out "I wish" because he aches to be able to actually go to the washroom. But, because he doesn't want his subordinates to know about this weakness, he quickly covers up by tacking on the Wilson comments to try to make sense of his unintentionally candid comment. In other words, he prefers that they think he is fooling around with Wilson rather than know he has bladder issues. Well, I agree that the whole line was a joke but the point is I don't think the joke is about Wilson's um, bowel movements. I believed it to be something sexual, but yeah he did just throw it out there because he didn't want them knowing about his bladder issues.

I like your interpretation Saphron. I'll adopt it, if you don't mind :wink: Personally I prefer subtle hints and little clues about H/W than a "very special episode" about them. It wouldn't matter if they were a het couple, either. I'd still prefer subtext. I fear that what I love most about them - that intriguing, screwed up relationship - would be destroyed just for ratings. And no, I don't trust TPTB to do it right...

I want to clarify that my previous post has nothing to do with our feelings towards the characters or our shippery preferences. It's like you can't control who you fall in love with. I deal with gay representation in the media in the university and my activism work, and it's always on my mind as a factor.

I think you have a perfectly valid position, Jouse. And you're right, it's time we can see all kinds of couples being represented in the media without the stereotypes. If they decided to do this with H/W I just want they do it right, I don't want a "very special episode" because for me it wouldn't feel "organic". They would be using their unique relationship to shock the audience, to create polemic and depending of the people responses it could destroy the characters (Wilson, specially). If the relationship just exists, without any big revelation, it would seem, for me, much more real.

Thanks, Jouse! And just to add my own two cents; the reason I luuurrrrve the idea of the canonical subtext relationship is simply because I find it so much FUN. I luxuriate in the obvious subtext, and spend far too many hours seeking out the less obvious subtext (& writing in those missing scenes...) And like Lully I suspect I'd feel much the same if they were a het couple. (At least, I know I'd have preferred Mulder & Scully to stay subtext, all those years ago...)

Yes Shipper, as you I was thinking about Mulder and Scully. How disappointed I was when the subtext was suddenly text! And they are not my only example: Maddie and David from... - which was the show's name again? - were so much fun to watch and then the canon ruined all their interactions . Now if I think about it, all my slash couples remained in my memory because their relationship was never destroyed by the canon.

Thanks GG The show was so, so bad after they got together that I completely forgot the title :roll:

ITA - actually that's what made me stop watching Moonlighting. How long have Wilson and House been friends for? House and Wilson have been friends since shortly after House started working at Princeton-Plainsboro. Their lockers were next to each other and they had the same lunch period. I think that's obviously fake. I have a theory about how the H/W LLB and Hector storylines could be reconciled which I posted in the spoiler Discussion Thread. I have always thought that Wilson met House when he was fairly young - between 16 and 18. We saw how emotionally invested Wilson was in the relationship when he was willing to sacrifice his career, money, car, and freedom. In MLC, Wilson told Cameron he would have kept on doing without the above if House hadn't almost cut a little girl in half and decked an employee - Chase. House betrayed Wilson when he stole and then forged his scripts. That would do it for most friends no matter how long they're known each other. The relationship Wilson seems to be the most intense, important, and enduring. Even his wives have always played second fiddle.

I'm sorry but I just can't see that one. That's too young. I like the idea of them knowing each other that long, but it doesn't feel right. We're not sure how much older than Wilson House is but let's say it's at least 5 years. I think it's more, but we'll be generous. Even if Wilson was 18 when he met House, that would mean House was 23 and was in med school, having finished college already. At those ages and with that difference between them, and given they're both studying to become doctors, I'm pretty sure House would take on the Big Brother role with Wilson tagging along as the kid brother. A dynamic like that doesn't go away. You might not see it in everything they do, they might not act like it all the time, but in the end they'll still be Big Brother House and Little Brother Wilson. Their dynamic on the show suggests something different, even if you're not a H/W slasher.

I'm a hardcore H/W shipper. Hmmm. I guess I was thinking more in terms of Thorn Birds. I can't imagine self-centered House playing big brother to Wilson. Just doesn't compute, especially since both House and confirmed that he's been a narcissistic, manipulative bastard pretty much all his life. Maybe mentor/mentee but the BB/LB - nnah - doesn't work.

I also fiercely resist the idea that H&W have a 'brotherly' relationship which is partly why my personal canon timeline is that they met as grown-ups. Wilson in med school, but both through college at reasonable ages. Which is not to say Wilson's relationship with his two brothers hasn't influenced his relationship with House. Or the fact that House is an only child ditto with Wilson. But that's a different set of points altogether...