I haven't read or heard anything from Jesse Spencer that makes it sound like he might leave. He seems incredibly laid back and willing to put up with the storylines. There was one interview with JMo where she sounded a bit more disgruntled, but it was in print, and I learned a long time ago to not put much faith in printed interviews. But, at this point, who could blame either of them for leaving--aside from the fact that if they did leave, it would be after taking a massive hit to their careers and public images. Doing THIS to JS and JM was like career sabatoge. They went from being pretty high profile characters/actors on one of the biggest shows on television to not appearing/not speaking in several episodes despite having their names in the title credits. What TPTB have done to them as professionals borders on cruel. They didn't let them go, but didn't use them either. Any momentum they would have had for getting movie roles/other TV roles at the end of Season 3 was nearly destroyed by Season 4's lack of screentime. I think they'll both stick around because TPTB keep feeding them the same lies they feed the audience. Jesse did say he heard they would have a bit more to do in Season 5. Either he was being coy about it to not give too much away or that "more to do" hasn't kicked in yet despite the fact that they're already filming Season 5.

Chase and Cameron...I think we'll see them more. I have a distinct feeling (especially with 13's diagnosis) that we'll see them return to House in some capacity. Maybe not as his fellows, but maybe somehow returned to the diagnostics department. Maybe they return if House is incapacitated for a while. I don't know but I doubt 13 will be hanging around forever...Taub either. We've heard how unhappy he is throughout season 4 and if his wife did find out about his affair, he'd have no reason to stay. And I agree with extra_cat 100%. What they've done to both JS and JM is just cruel. They deserve to have more prominent roles, they helped build this show. I don't know. Re: the spinoff...the article mentions the new PI will either become a regular or have a spinoff. Isn't the cast of House swollen enough? I don't think it could really take another character. There's not enough time to explore the ones we've got already.

I have a feeling that the strike crippled whatever plans TPTB had to help reintegrate them more into the show. Something tells me not to judge S4 until we see it fully play out...halfway into S5.

I have a feeling that the strike crippled whatever plans TPTB had to help reintegrate them more into the show. Something tells me not to judge S4 until we see it fully play out...halfway into S5. I suspect you're right. I think House's Head and Wilson's Heart were supposed to air on Superbowl Sunday, and that would have left five months to explore whole new character arcs we never got to see.

I think Wilson and Amber would still have been a couple--there would have been time to air even more eps than we got between an Xmas ep in December and the Superbowl in early Feb.

And I think we're giving to the strike much credit

I think the strike had a huge impact on the season. The writers had 8 less episodes to develop relationships, and KJ said in her Princeton interview that they absolutely would not get to do what they had planned because of it. DS said they had to cut storylines and they wouldn't be able to focus as much on the new and old teams. In addition, the strike meant a reshuffling of what they had, meaning emotional beats didn't get hit when they were planned (we'd have had peeks into House and major angst much earlier if all had gone as planned). The major lulls between eps just when the writers wanted to build momentum also didn't help the emotional beats. I think the writers had a wonderfully well planned season in mind, and managed to bring most of it off despite the obstacles. The major themes were hit and develped, leading to the tour de force finale, House and Wilson's relationship went from its most fun to its most strained and we learned a lot about House. The part that didn't work out as well was the integration of the new and old teams, and I think the lack of eps impacted that. I think the show is really nicely set up for next year.

the article mentions the new PI will either become a regular or have a spinoff. Ugh, I like Michael Weston a lot. I think he's adorable, but come on, a regular? What place does a PI have as a regular on this show? Heck, they can't even find places for all of the doctors on this show. Spinoff, fine. Do what he's gotta do then let him leave, please don't try to shoehorn in a PI into every episode of a medical show. This is my plea.

What TPTB have done to them as professionals borders on cruel. Perhaps, but just dumping them would have been more cruel IMO ... very few actors get the opportunies JS and JMO have. They have been on a top show and well paid for a few years. There are a lot of starving wannabe's in Hollywood... JS and JMO an OE are very lucky. And even if you are on a top show and leave, there is no guarentee you are going to get movie parts or another TV role. I am sure they know this. Even very well known actors can drop off the face of the planet for the most part. Gillian Anderson? Used to be all over the cover of TV mags. Daniel J. Travanti? Eriq La Salle? Noah Wylie? Brent Spiner? They may be sitting tight because although under utilized, at least they ARE working and getting a steady paycheck - which puts them way out ahead in terms of would be actors in the field.

...very few actors get the opportunies JS and JMO have I think that's right, and I'm sure that if great opportunities were being offered to them elsewhere, TPTB would be happy to let them out of their contracts. Their situation may not be ideal, but they're still employed and still being well paid.