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Episode Recap: No More Mr. Nice Guy
Hey all! Thought I'd introduce myself before jumping in to the goodness that is House. My name is Gina, and I'll be taking over for Nina/Erin on the remaining four episodes of the season. Ok, good. Now that we've gotten those introductions out of the way, let's talk shop!
So as most of you may remember (or may not considering it was almost three months ago), we left off in February with the big news being that sweet, innocent Wilson was secretly dating Cutthroat Bitch/Amber. When we stopped to think about the situation, she is, after all, House in a woman's body, so it explained a lot as far as Wilson's interest. But her motives are still a bit unclear (we hate to jump to the obvious, so we'll wait and see if she truly has softened up a bit).
Now, tonight's episode. We have to note how fitting it was in the first few minutes, the location where the patient falls ill just so happens to be a picket line. Well played, House writers, well played indeed.
The episode begins when this particular patient piques House's interest when he stumbles across him in the ER while hiding from Cuddy. Why? Because this man in ridiculously nice. Clearly House can't accept that this is just the way the man is, so he rallies the troops and off they go find out what exactly what horrid disease could possibly be causing this "niceness" symptom (even though the team isn't buying it).
Meanwhile, as his minions are off running tests, House hits up the bowling alley with Chase — a fill-in for his usual partner, Wilson, who's now off with C.B. somewhere. The whole scene seemed a little forced in trying to work Chase into the script, but either way, their conversation served as the catalyst for what would become the House-C.B. face-off for quality Wilson time.
House demands "joint-custody" of Wilson with C.B. but they can't settle upon the terms of the agreement. So who resides as judge in this custody battle? Cuddy, of course! But she strikes up some terms of her own when she says she'll only make the call if House finally gets performance reviews of his team done — but ultimately, everyone gets what they want out of this new "contract."
Meanwhile, House and Co. continues to try to get to the bottom of what's ailing Mr. Nice Guy, but to no avail. But wait, they finally make some progress when the patient tests positive for syphilis which could explain his disgustingly happy persona. Kutner has an interesting rationale about the situation: In order for someone to be suffering from a disease that causes niceness, there must also be one causing jerkiness, aka House. Then there it is — the light bulb moment! Could House also be suffering from syphilis? Turns out there's a vial of House's blood that proves Kutner correct. House is genuinely speechless when confronted by his team about his little STD. But more to come on this.
Prior to the team's discovery, House's man-date starts off on the wrong foot when C.B. drops Wilson off 16 minutes late. But he gets back at her by getting Wilson liquored up on dirty martinis so that he won't be able to ... ahem ... perform for her when he gets home. Needless to say, she's less than thrilled about it.
Now, back to the syph. So House finally reveals to Wilson his personal secret — but it's not what you think. Turns out he switched his blood so the tests would be positive and he's started acting nicer to his team because they think he's taking penicillin to treat it. Love how he messes with them so! But Wilson isn't able to keep the secret quiet and winds up telling C.B. — and let's just say that after dropping Wilson off wasted, she isn't into playing along and squeals to the team.
Things aren't all that bad because House's little ploy sparks light bulb moment number two in Kutner for the evening, and this time he manages to figure out that the patient is suffering from a disease that tests positive for syphilis, Shagas disease. The disease causes brain swelling which is what has altered his personality. The patient is treated and will be fine ... gold star for Kutner.
But it's not over just yet. Judge Cuddy has deemed both parties in the custody battle in breach of the terms of agreement. Punishment? Both House and C.B. are faced with adult diaper duty.
So that wraps up this returning episode. All in all, I thought it was pretty good. They actually had me going for a minute that maybe, just maybe, House's jerkiness was all because of a disease. And I'm not going to lie, the thought of House getting cured of his bitter sarcasm made me shudder a little. The only thing about this episode that I wasn't big on was the fact that I felt they were really forcing Chase and Cameron into the script more so than organically writing them in. As far as the custody battle for Wilson, I'm loving the showdown and want more!
What was your take? Do you think the episode delivered after all that time off? Did you believe that House's heartlessness was symptom of syphilis? Or did you know from the get-go that there was no way? Do you feel C.B. is using Wilson to drive House nuts? Let us know!
Get previous recaps of the season here.
And don't forget to watch more House videos in our Online Video Guide.
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Apr 28, 2008 11:27 PM
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I think I came away with exactly the opposite impression. I wasn't thrilled with this episode because (a) I saw the syph setup coming from a mile away and (b) my anticipation was so high after 3 months that anything short of a great episode was a let down. This episode wasn't great (though it wasn't bad either)
The one part I did like was Cameron and Chase in that I felt the writers were finally finding a way to fit them into the overall dynamic. I'll agree it felt a little awkward but putting the new team in was a stupid idea to begin with and there's almost no way to dial it back so I think we'll have to live with awkward.
I still don't like the new faux-team but as long as we still get to see Chase and Cameron I can live with them.
The more I think about it I think this episode proved just how deep a hole the House writers have dug for themselves. They have to juggle so many people (House, Wilson, Cuddy, Chase, Cameron, Forman, Talub, Kutner, 13, CB) that finding a way to service them all takes away from the episode itself.
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Apr 29, 2008 2:33 AM
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I really enjoyed the episode tonight--maybe the 3 months away wetted my appetite for House and crew but I really missed the gang. I really love the action between CB and House with a bemused Wilson in between. And Cuddy's brand of punishment for the two of them breaking their agreement--classic. I did feel for the wife of the sick patient at the end--when he said out loud that he didn't care for catsup--and wondered what else he didn't like. The look on her face spoke volumes. Welcome back House--you were so missed!!
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Apr 29, 2008 2:47 AM
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haha house has the clap- i for one found it very hilarious especially when house revealed his plan to wilson. it was great that one of the groupies had the epiphany in this episode as house mentioned.
chase and cameron- it is very rare that the writers put anything about these two, together, in the episodes. i liked how we got a glimpse at their personal life outside of work. although i did think chase jumped the gun on cameron a little bit. she was completely high the first time they hooked up and it wasnt like chase turned her down... oh and who says that was the right place to discuss something like that. chase is lacking some serious tact. although for some reason watching him bowl was extremely awesome.
is it just me or is the former plastic surgeon really annoying. i am all for house berating the gang but when they do it to foreman it kinda pisses me off. being forced into a job because you made on life changing decision for a patient that makes other hospitals afraid of hiring you or because you cheated on your wife.... um im going w/ the professional validation of being forced back to house.
it was very sad to see the patient at the end of the episode. while it is important to be somewhat realistic about the world, it is sad when the childlike view of it is gone. i really felt for his wife -"i wonder what else i wont like." it wasnt the happy campy ending.
house and ctb- ITS SO ON!
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Apr 29, 2008 8:24 AM
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I have to admit the highlight of this episode for me was the very amusing 'B' plot of Amber vs House's custody war over Wilson, and Wilson on the sidelines, letting them duck it out together.
Also on a different note, I liked how the writers inserted House's soap/Jason Lewis into this episode especially since he will be on the show next week as the patient.
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Apr 29, 2008 8:58 AM
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Thanks for taking on the blog Gina, but BTW, the word you wanted was 'shudder' not 'shutter' in regards to House getting cured of his sarcasm. And I think it's a facet of his personality honed through many years of dealing (or not) with his life and not a symptom of an illness. Why is it so hard for anyone on staff to fathom that House is just naturally an SOB? Beyond that, love the two dogs (House and Amber) fighting over the tasty bone that is Wilson. Always loved the peculiar friendship between the two men and even more so now that it's threatened--apparently Wilson's three marriages were much less of a problem. And I also didn't care how the writers squeezed Chase into the storyline as long as they did. Not so interested in the patient of the week plot but then I rarely am.
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Apr 29, 2008 9:47 AM
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So did Cameron sleep with House? Her refusal to answer Chase's question intially made me think "yes" because she didn't want to admit it, but Cameron also doesn't believe in discussing something like that infront of people. Hmmmm...
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Apr 29, 2008 10:13 AM
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I just wanted to point out a little editing goof. At the bowling alley with Chase, when House suddenly leaves, Chase had just bowled a strike, but in the medium shot where Chase is looking around for the now-absent House, the machine in the background for his lane is lifting up 4 pins. Whoops 
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Apr 29, 2008 10:21 AM
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So did Cameron sleep with House? Her refusal to answer Chase's question intially made me think "yes" because she didn't want to admit it, but Cameron also doesn't believe in discussing something like that infront of people. Hmmmm...
I think she did, but my brother thinks she IS. Meaning, she's sleeping with him NOW and not some time in the past. I said, "Nuh-uh, no way, that's so not Cameron." But he made a good point when he said, "Please. Why else would House invite Chase to go bowling with him? It's because he's totally screwing his girlfriend!"
I was at a total loss for words...because I think he might be right!
LOVED the episode last night. My favorite part was when House and CB were fighting in Cuddy's office about the "custody arrangment" and Wilson was just standing in the background munching on some chips or popcorn or something, looking amused yet bored at the same time. LOL! His face was priceless! And then Kutner came in, and in the background, you could see him grab a chip out of Wilson's bag! Hee!
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Apr 29, 2008 11:44 AM
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I think the episode was brilliant. Hugh Laurie continue to deliver and the writing yesterday was outstanding. Bravo! I was laughing my head off and House exchanging his blood with someone else making his team and us as an audience think he's sick, was brilliant. I can't wait to see what's coming up. Thank God for a great series, among the lousy ones that are on right now.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:44 AM
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So did Cameron sleep with House? Her refusal to answer Chase's question intially made me think "yes" because she didn't want to admit it, but Cameron also doesn't believe in discussing something like that infront of people. Hmmmm...
That was my question too! I have to think that she was just refusing to answer a personal question, but then again...........?
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Apr 29, 2008 11:46 AM
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I think she did, but my brother thinks she IS. Meaning, she's sleeping with him NOW and not some time in the past. I said, "Nuh-uh, no way, that's so not Cameron." But he made a good point when he said, "Please. Why else would House invite Chase to go bowling with him? It's because he's totally screwing his girlfriend!"
VERY interesting theory. However, if that were true, would House still want Wilson to "split time" between him and Amber?
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Apr 29, 2008 11:51 AM
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FYI - it's Chagas' disease not Shagas disease.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:53 AM
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Finally!! It's great to have something on TV to look forward to again-at least for a few more episodes anyway. The POTW plot wasn't their best story ever, but it wasn't the worst either. The triangle with Wilson, Amber and House is beginning to look interesting. She looked like she was in it for the long haul, too.
It was good to see Chase and Cameron involved in the show again. But I have to admit, I was kind of ticked at Chase for going for Cameron's throat like he did. As someone else stated, his line of questioning in front of everyone was quite tactless and I wouldn't have answered him either. I think the only reason House invited him to go bowling was because he didn't have Wilson, and he needed someone to sound off to and become "inspired" by new ideas. That's just House. Besides, I figured that he was just free when everyone else was working. I really don't think Cameron would cheat on him. Although, maybe it got Chase wondering as well and that helped precipitate his aggressiveness and accusations.
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Apr 29, 2008 1:05 PM
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All I can say is WELCOME BACK HOUSE, I have missed this show so much, and last nights eppy did not let me down. Loved the way they used the writers strike in the begining, good use for all those strike boards!! Hugh! brillant as ever,(PLEASE give him an EMMY this year!) House and Cameron sleeping together? Hmmm I bet it did happen, but before she started dating Chase, maybe it was when House took her to the truck rally way back in S1! Wilson, I just loved him drunk, he is just having too much fun watching House and Amber fight over him, as am I. New team, I really love Kutner, but 13 and Taub, I just do not care for at all. Lastly I just love House and Cuddy together, there is just so much chemistry when these two are in the same room.
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Apr 29, 2008 1:21 PM
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