Sara M's recap of "Broken" captured PERFECTLY everything I felt about that episode. I tend to wait a few months, then read her recaps. BB's entries I usually read as soon as they're up. Really good stuff. Oh dear, redundant comment is redundant. But part of it's not.

I don't think critics are bad, it's just when I hear a poor review about an arc/episode/character/season I go in with the notion that it really is as bad as they say. I notice when I ignore everyone else's opinons (good and bad) and watch an episode using my own judgement I enjoy it a lot more. I love when people civily analyze the show no matter what they say, but then you get the critics that make you wonder why they still bother to watch it. Yet again I'm probably just bitter towards critics since I'm a gamer and have seen some horrible critic drama with game reviews over the years. But this is the satisfaction thread so I'll leave it at that. And "Miss Radfafa?" I've heard many stories of the TWOP critics and their recaps.

I love reading Sara M's recaps, I think they' re absolutely hilarious, although I can see how some people may find her too harsh, but I personally enjoy her dry humour. Sara M's recap of "Broken" captured PERFECTLY everything I felt about that episode. Oh my god, yes!! I actually wanted to mention that, but you beat me to it ;). She knows how to hit the nail on the head and in the case of Broken she said everything I had thought (which was very uh, satisfying for me, to stay on topic *g*). One line (well, paragraph actually) specifically stuck in my mind, so allow me to quote it: "Meanwhile, there's a guy in a cowboy hat sitting in the background. Of course. Where's the guy dressed as Napoleon? Behind the corner, no doubt. Let's see how many other mental hospital clichés this show can fit in."

Just wanted to say how much I still love this show and how well acted and written it is.

I think that I stuck with House because of Sara M. I kept watching a few episodes every now and then and every time I decided to watch from the beginning, I kept stopping. Then I started watching so I could read her recaps without getting spoiled and that's how I made it through the first season. I always hate them for some reason. I might be the only person on the planet who does. :P This year I kind of stopped reading them, though. I don't know if it's the show or her recaps... I do remember that in the beginning I thought she was being too harsh because she hated Broken so much...

Sara M's recaps are hilarious, which is why I stopped reading them about four seasons ago. I found that she increasingly seemed to be writing simply in order to set up her clever word plays or sharp-tongued gibes. I found that I never learned anything new about the episode, only frightfully cheeky ways to knock it and call attention to her own cleverness. I am most satisfied when I can find well-crafted, inventive, and thoughtful insights presented in a civil tone and lively manner. Reading those kinds of critiques (from professional TV critics, bloggers, or from fans writing in) increases my appreciation and understanding of the show immensely. I find it easy to leave the other stuff behind.

But aren't you supposed to read her so you can laugh and learn all about how many times she puked that on time that she got food poisoning after eating that thing? :P At first I was trying to understand what exactly she was doing, since it's more like she's describing the episode to someone who hasn't watched it than a review, but then I read that she was trying to fill pages so she can make moar money. She's still funny, albeit increasingly irritating, though.

The only time I get annoyed with Sara M is when we completely disagree. She does not see the awesomeness of the Hilson. Otherwise, I find her satisfying. Can anyone else suggest satisfying critics besides BB? I love to read in-depth, intelligent analyses of the show.

I like AV Club, even when I don't agree with it, because they at least aren't all caught up in trying to make lame jokes to amuse themselves. They actually talk about the show and what works and doesn't work for them. Not certain if this is the best thread for this discussion, though. I think this is supposed to be a thread pointed toward satisfaction for the show, not about the media writing about the show. Perhaps the discussion should move to the media thread?

Yeah I didn't mean to turn the topic around. I was curious of the relation between critic reviews and satisfaction levels of viewers. Everyone enjoys House for different reasons. I have to say, recent posts from this thread opened up my mind on critics. Back to House I can't wait for season 6 to come out on DVD even though it got delayed. I love watching the bonus content. My mom and I were hystericaly laughing over the "Angry Valley Girl." scene takes from earlier seasons. Not to mention how they did the bus crash scene in season 4 was very interesting.

With the EMMY Fail last night, I want to focus on something positive. YAY! Less than a month before House premiers! I'm so excited for this new season. We get to see House in a situation that we haven't seen before. Just imagine what we will learn about him. We are going to see him take a step that he had been afraid to take before. I for one can't help but be excited. Yay, for a new promo last night! Yay for House/Cuddy photo shoot! Hugh is one of the best actors around. "House M.D" is still one of the best shows around with a great cast and writing. And...I think I'm done.

Totally agree. Can't wait for the new season. Plus Hugh got best dressed from Esquire last night for his gorgeous midnight blue tuxedo. ETA: May I also suggest that new peeps read the first page or two of this thread so they understand its purpose and what is appropriate to post here?

I have to admit, I am not only looking forward to this season, I have the date marked on my calendar! Whatever my reservations, House is still the ONLY show that is appointment viewing for me--and where my husband is not allowed to talk if he gets home during an episode! (And yes, I can hold two opposing thoughts in my head...I live in a constant state of cognitive dissonance.) And it made me very happy to see HL on the red carpet, his witty interview, and his Sharpie Cam kiss. Want.

I love the way that they manage to keep showing us new aspects of the character that is House. If he was the same guy we first met in the first season, he'd have grown stale, but instead we've seen him dealing (reluctantly) with change, with trying to improve, with loss, with bitterness, now with the potential of trying to be happy and in love. (For what it's worth I think that what we saw of him with Stacy was him moving on, not "new" love.) He's far from the misogynist who isolated himself from patients that we first met in the pilot, and House's gradual move from that to the person who really wants to be "better" has been a fascinating watch -- yet still retains that innate "Houseness" of a man who drops the facade on occasion, from the pilot when he tells the patient that he wished he'd died to "Help Me" when he admits that he should have let them amputate.