I can't count the number of times I've been sitting in one of my nutrition classes, and a topic comes up that I'm already vaguely familiar with because I watch House. I figure I have already earned my medical degree after five seasons of "House." It is hung on the wall right next to the JD degree I have from "Law & Order!" The attention to detail has always been spectacular on this show. Not only the carrying through of plot lines over years (Chase's dad's death, Blue the Janitor, Wilson's LLB and on-going Amber trauma, Cuddy's baby quest, House's fear of strangers shooting him in his office), but the meticulous approach to the set design and wardrobe choices for each character. I adore that Thirteen's apartment looks vast, moody and uninhabited or that Cuddy's home is warmed in domestic yellows, a color she never wears herself but reserves for her private side in her bedroom and the one she decorated for her baby. House's apartment is, of course, a marvel of layered imaginative high-priced design casually arrayed, just like his trademark clothing. Each character's story is told through their wardrobe in a thoughtful and thorough-going manner: Foreman's uptight insecurity about his status in an alien world is conveyed in his impeccable formality. Cameron and Kutner dress younger than their actual ages, as if they are afraid to step into the roles they have prepared themselves for. The highs and lows of Cuddy's necklines tell us (and House) exactly how she is feeling that day. (Her blouses were particularly forbidding in "Greater Good" this week.) Thirteen wears suspenders and tank-tops, but fancy needle-nosed pumps peek out from under her floor-dragging slacks. I love this sort of detail as it enriches every re-viewing of every episode. (I also love this thread!)

I love that after five seasons of this show, I still feel passionate about the characters and inspired to write about House's ethics, woes, pains, insecurities, joys . . . I've never lasted this long with a show, ever, before the interest trickles away. Of course, I've adored Hugh Laurie since Fry and Laurie, so I should have guessed he'd reel me in the duration. I also like that David Shore determinedly tells the story he imagines for these characters, even when he drives me bonkers. If I'm still here, he's doing something very very right.

Even though I didn't start watching until S2, I still can't believe it's S5, and I'll always be grateful that Fox gave it time and the right lead in to build its audience. They could have easily canceled it during the first season and I would have never seen it. Thanks to David Shore and Katie Jacobs. I may not agree with every decision you make, but I'm in it for the long haul, and I'm happy for the opportunity to go along on the journey. Oh, and because his continued brilliance never fails to astound me week after week, with every word, gesture, and facial expression, I just want to say: James Hugh Calum Laurie, oh how I adore thee. :)

in your head
Some lines from the show just stick in my head. Then I go about my day, working, and ponder on the sentences as if they were gnostic utterances. House: "Be good, get good, or give up. You picked option D. Why?" Foreman: "You were wrong, House." House: "Then tell me to my face! You never had a problem with that before. The Board has made you into a coward." House: "There's no such thing as unconditional love. There is unconditional need." I guess that's how much I like the show--I actually take it in, think about what is said, grimace at the painfully honest parts. Count me as satisfied. Season 5 has shaped up to be good, despite some bumpy parts.

Then I go about my day, working, and ponder on the sentences as if they were gnostic utterances. I love this! I do it too, even occasionally uttering them just to see how people react. Usually, they stop and think for a second. House's take on the world is an interesting one, cleverly phrased, and worth thinking about, worth flipping oer to see if the converse is true as well. Just gets under your skin, I suppose...

Quote: Agreed. Any wishing for 13 to be hit by a bus, train, ferry, pony cart, milk float, etc. belongs in the Bitterness thread. I should really stop skimming this thread, for a moment i really thought you said kitten in your list of things hitting 13......i mean how much damage would a kitten do I actually get great satisfaction from taking the mickey out of House because it is so outrageous. That's the fun of it. I find it hyper-realism. And thanks for that comment. It sent me imagining all sorts of silly stuff. Right now I am imagining an enraged Cameron throwing her kitten at Thirteen. This causes her to fall into the road, narrowly missing the pony cart and the milk float - only to stumble into the path of an oncoming train. Mod Note: Again, satisfaction only please, not 13 damage. Take the whimsy to the crack thread. Thanks, Fid.

She'd probably survive being hit by a train ... only for it to miraculously cure her Huntington's! :lol: I'll be honest, I've actually grown to somewhat like Thirteen in the last few episodes. I wouldn't quite call it satisfaction, but if she keeps her recent cheery disposition and didn't have so much screentime in future, I could definitely become used to her character being a member of the cast. Happy Thirteen is quite likeable. If she keeps up that attitude (and stops hogging screentime) I could almost see myself being a bit sad if she leaves/dies. Almost. As for the things I'm VERY satisfied about .... Wilson! More Wilson! God yes we got more Wilson screentime! I'm glad that he hasn't forgotten Amber- I was a little bitter that he seemed to have gotten over her so easily this season... I was starting to think that the entire Amber arc had been swept under the rug. Bu no no! It hadn't been. I could almost kiss the writers for keeping that continuity and showing us that Wilson is still very much NOT over Amber. Just his facial expression alone while washing the dishes broke my heart. (I just hope it isn't something that was brought up for only one episode, then totally forgotten about by the next).

"I'll be honest, I've actually grown to somewhat like Thirteen in the last few episodes. I wouldn't quite call it satisfaction, but if she keeps her recent cheery disposition and didn't have so much screentime in future, I could definitely become used to her character being a member of the cast. Happy Thirteen is quite likeable. If she keeps up that attitude (and stops hogging screentime) I could almost see myself being a bit sad if she leaves/dies. Almost." I really agree with this. I think that what we have seen this season is Thirteen at her absolute lowest point: she is under the extreme stress of taking on a demanding new job with a rude, erratic boss. She has confirmed her worst fears about her life-shortening illness and is now forced to relive the traumatic circumstances of her mother's drawn-out decline and death. Any one of these crises would have undone a weaker person. Thirteen is reeling from all the blows and trying to figure out how to survive the uncertainty of a future that shifts on a daily basis. The fact that Thirteen is not a ray of sunshine is understandable and OW has effectively portrayed the way all of these crises have shut down what must have been a vibrant, buoyant, and bohemian personality. The monotone, the abrasive quips, the brooding, all fit well I think. Now, with the openings promised by a new love affair, Thirteen may be reverting back to an earlier version of herself, one that is lighter, more optimistic, softer and even a bit cheery. Again, this progression seems perfectly understandable to me and OW is doing a good job with the transition. I am definitely satisfied with the way that the Thirteen storyline is being developed ( I also love all the evolving insights and parallels to House's own situation which is of course the real point of Thirteen anyway). And I am impressed with the performance delivered by OW in a challenging and complex role. I find the continuing griping about Thirteen to be both boring and disheartening. Edited by Fid to remove stray tag and add quote box.

After reading Boffle's post in the episode thread it reminded me of another reason why I really love the show. I always like that the writers make us think hard, but they never seem to preach or tell us what (they think) the right or wrong answers are.

I agree very much with this, spicyride. It's one reason why I've had a love/hate relationship with Boston Legal. They always seemed like they were preaching to the audience. House doesn't. Another reason why I love House: I get to read posts by/chat with people from the US, Canada, UK, Holland, Brazil, Japan to name just a few countries, and we have something in common. Makes me feel like the world is much more united than it is.

Sacrelige To21be! I'll have to get Denny to shoot you with his paint gun. :wink:

I'm happy that you included Japan, and I'm happy that my English is passable here! (yes, everybody is so kind!) ...and nothing to do with House, but watching the video of SAG, I noticed for the first time that Denny in Boston Legal is Willian Shatner...Captain Kirk!! :shock: He has changed! :D