No problem, houserocket, sorry I wasn't clearer. That was an interesting interview with LE - I can understand her suggesting it, though it always bothers me when there are these real life actor's connections to a character. The line gets very fuzzy between the actor & the character (& its an issue for me with House drawing on so much of HL's interests as well as the whole JS/JMo- Chase/Cameron thing). Is it just me or does it feel like this show does it more than most??

Jouse, you wanted spoilers, here you go (thanks marykir!!). Promo photos for ep 4, Guardian Angels here Digging up a body, what next??

But this writer's reading of the episode really does make me wonder if TPTB have underestimated the appeal of the 3 subordinate characters. I know alot of folks on this board are thrilled with the notion of all House/Wilson/Cuddy but I have to be honest and say that that trio--when given such heavy emphasis last season---resulted in episodes diverging the farthest from what the premise of House is all about. I have alot of trepidation going into this season, actually, though I do recognize the necessity of finding some logical way to get the ducklings into more realistic roles after 3 seasons. I think they're just doing what you say at the end there bailey...not underestimating the ducklings but trying to figure out how to place them after the fellowships. The premiere's getting some really solid reviews too so keep thinking positive!! I'm so excited though so I'm probably just trying to keep you from feeling underwhelmed!! I don't see how this episode can be anything but underwhelming. Personally, the most exciting thing to me about the season premier being this week is that it will be over in 25 hours and we'll be closer to the 2nd episode when Chase, Cameron, and Foreman return. If you're only watching for the ducklings I can see where maybe it would be underwhelming but I think it's definitely an exciting season premiere for most of us who watch House for House! I can't wait and can't believe I've managed to wait for four months. And blacktop I totally agree with your whole post. I couldn't quote it cause I would've quoted the whole thing...but that's pretty much how I feel!

I fucking love that they're doing an exhumation. I'm also happy with the choice of actor for the PotW. Azura Skye has done a number of significant guest spots and character roles, and I've always been impressed by her.

I don't watch ONLY for the ducklings, but I do think they're important and am just not happy with the idea that they could be shoved away for replacements. I could be wrong, but I really don't think that many people watch House solely for House. Most of us are interested in his relationships with the supporting cast, whether it's Wilson or Cuddy or Chase or Foreman or Cameron. Even House isn't an island.

I have to admit, the more I read about the ep tomorrow, the more I don't care. It's defenitely about POV. Those watching only for House and wilson and Cuddy are no doubt going to be thrilled with the ep and this season. For those of us ME who watch for the Ducklings CHASE, I have no interest in the ep and very little interest in the new season, even with the promise of Chase still being around. Just seeing pictures of the newbies makes me ill. Having been so excited by the end of season 3, it really sucks to hate the season 4 premiere so much. and no, I don't have to see it to hate it and all the new people. Hate hate hate.

I have to say that the newbies looks completely uninteresting to me, just looks wise that is, maybe they are interesting in some form though. Holding out judgment on them until I see them. I can't wait for the new season , but most of you know why I watch the show and I hope to get plenty of that in the first few episodes. I agree with extra_cat on the not watching the show just for House thing. I don't watch solely for House either. If that was the case I probably wouldn't be around anymore, for me the most important and entertaining thing about the show is House, Wilson and their stupid screwed-up friendship.

I think the supporting characters actually make House bearable. They ALL play a part in that. And I agree with merlin--seeing the pictures of the newbies makes me ill. I feel like I'm waiting for December for the show I love to actually come back and I'm just not quite able to kill the last ember of hope I have that the show I love will return--eventually.

I don't watch ONLY for the ducklings, but I do think they're important and am just not happy with the idea that they could be shoved away for replacements. They're being replaced as fellows though and not characters. I could be wrong, but I really don't think that many people watch House solely for House. I can't speak for the millions of people who watch the show...obviously I can barely speak well for me (':wink:')...but I have to say I think quite a few people do watch just for him. He's the main draw and the show's always been plugged that way. Most of us are interested in his relationships with the supporting cast, whether it's Wilson or Cuddy or Chase or Foreman or Cameron. The relationships are important to me too and I watch pretty much for House. But I think if anything the idea of this season is to expand House's world and his relationships with people old and new to him. There's probably gonna be lots of time to explore that stuff with everyone as the season plays out. Maybe you'll like it when we get over the one episode no duckling hump?? I hope you do!! I'm not trying to be anti-ducklings...I'm just saying. Don't lose hope. Even House isn't an island. He so is though...in a lot of ways. But that's part of why I love him and I'm obviously biased so I'll shut up now!

I certainly started watching House for HL, but that's not solely what I watch for. I'd have major issues if Wilson disappeared, as I suspect many would, & the same goes for the kids. If hey had suck to the idea that they were on a two year fellowship & we'd seen fellows rotate in & out maybe not so much, but they've become fixtures that I enjoy (to varying degrees) watching. I do want to see Foreman get his comeupance, I don't want Chase's growth to have been for nothing in terms of seeing it impact people at PPTH (though I admit I'd be quite happy if Cameron disappeared). That I know the kid-less state is only one ep is helping, I'm curious to see how their roles evolve, the idea of new characters to open up the universe is nice, but I'm also not on board with any idea that the newbies replace the cottages & there's a straight swap with the cottages disappearing completely. That doesn't accomplish the evolution of the original characters or opening up the group dynamics for me. My nervousness is because I ssuffered through early s3 & Tritter & the whole disrupting the H/W thing & it (for me) didn't really work - and I'm worried we're in for another big mistake.

Exactly, saara. I think Vogler was a mistake. It wasn't necessary to set up a bad guy to make House look better. Tritter lasted so long it just got ridiculous and outlandish. Then, boom, it was like nothing ever happened. If it takes 7-9 episodes for this arc to work itself out, I think we could be in for another Tritter. Only this time there are 40 of him.

As long as that mistake revolves around the kids and not the H/W relationship, I don't care that much. I know that's a minority opinion. The relationships are the main reason I watch the show but the relationship between the ducklings or their relationships with House have never really grabbed me.