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« Roush Dispatch
House's Head Trip Is Must-See
Hugh Laurie in House by Peter Jacobson/Fox
House is never better than when it breaks formula—which the show does brilliantly this week, in the first of a two-part season finale that may blow your mind as you go inside Dr. Gregory House’s (a tour-de-force performance by Hugh Laurie). For an entire hour of surreal entertainment, House himself is at the core of the medical mystery: concussed in the wake of a bus accident, plagued with retrograde amnesia, and desperate to piece together his memory of what happened on the bus and during the four hours he can’t remember. “Someone is going to die,” he insists, if he doesn’t.
Visions, seizures, hallucinations (many in eerie black and white), and of course the random naughty fantasy (involving Cuddy, naturally, in a schoolgirl costume) all play into this dazzling episode, as House self-medicates even more than usual as he sets his crew, old and new, on a search for answers. “What’s going on in there?” Wilson wonders, and so will you.
This hasn’t been my favorite season of House—still having trouble adjusting to this new team that marginalized so many of the original core cast—but I’ve loved the episodes that went beyond the norm, most notably the post-Super Bowl episode featuring Mira Sorvino as a South Pole scientist House diagnoses (and is drawn to) from afar. “House’s Head” (originally conceived for the Super Bowl weekend, but shelved because of the strike) is even better, with sequences as mystifying as they can be hilarious, including amusing but appropriate references to Altered States—which Thirteen is too young to remember—and, in one barroom flashback, House griping, “God, I hate Beer brand beer,” tweaking a classic generic TV staple.
It builds to a spectacular finish that recreates the crash and presents a stunning revelation and cliffhanger that will make all House fans madly impatient for next week’s episode. If you have yet to rediscover House on its new night (in an insanely crowded time period), now’s the time.
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May 12, 2008 11:38 AM
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I stopped watching because i don't like the new team. It's not as good to me anymore. I think I'll dvr it tonight (workout time) just because you made it sound so good.
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May 12, 2008 12:33 PM
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Oh, thank you for the preview, Matt! I've been very excited about this episode since I first heard about it and all the previews and articles I've seen in the past week have just added to my excitement. I'm glad you made it sound as excellent as I had hoped. 
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May 12, 2008 12:44 PM
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I'm in the minority but I actually like the new team and it was nice to see things change a bit. I haven't watched House this religiously each week since forever..
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May 12, 2008 1:43 PM
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Like you Matt, I have not enjoyed some of this seasons episodes. However they have been getting better and better since the SB episode. I totally can not wait to see tonight and next weeks episodes. My gut says that these are not only going to be season best but whole series best episodes. People are going to miss some great TV tonight if they dont watch the brillance that is Hugh Laurie.
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May 12, 2008 2:34 PM
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I think House is as good as it's ever been. And I get some Cuddy/House face time?? Wow - what else could a girl ask for??
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May 12, 2008 5:52 PM
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I'm all about the House/Wilson so I've loved this season so far. I like the new team - much better actors are filling those slots. But I don't care about either team. I'm only interested in Wilson and then House. I am soooooooooooo excited about the 2-parter especially Wilson's Heart.
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May 12, 2008 6:04 PM
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The episode just finished and I'm still at the edge of my seat-figuratively. However, for the last ten minutes of the show, I was there literally. Absolutely amazing episode with one of the greatest reveals I've seen in a long time coming at the end. The reveal's even better because it raises so many more questions.
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May 12, 2008 10:14 PM
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This episode (and probably next week's) was one of the series' bests! Your review was right, I cannot wait for next week's episode... Too bad I'll be on my way to France and will have to wait another two weeks!
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May 12, 2008 10:24 PM
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That episode Blew. My. Mind.
Wow.
(and the "beer brand beer": Repo Man, anyone?)
Just.. wow.
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May 12, 2008 11:10 PM
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This episode is hands-down the best episode of the series. It's also the best hour of TV I've ever seen. Like many others, I've found Season 4 middling. But tonight's episode makes up for the other S4 episodes 100 times over. Hugh Laurie is simply amazing, the story is so engrossing, and I cannot wait for next week's finale.
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May 13, 2008 12:08 AM
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I am amazed that House can still give us an episode that blows the mind. At first, I had my doubts; however, the whole thing turned out to be brilliant and - surprisingly - heartbreaking and shocking. I am actually anxious about the second part of this Season Finale because I fear it will shake down the foundation of this show a little too much, and that would be sad to me.
Kudos to everyone responsible for what is arguably one of the best episodes of the entire run of the show. Excellent!
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May 13, 2008 12:58 AM
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abbeyroad21:
I don't think those of us who like the new team are in the minority. I don't see the ratings crashing! Some people just like to raise a stink is all...
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May 13, 2008 3:52 AM
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I also like the new team. This season has been my favorite so far. This week's episode is definitely one of the best of the series.
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May 13, 2008 6:12 AM
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I have actually liked this season; the new team has spiced it up a little. But I do like that they have kept the old team in the show.
Last nite's episode was fantastic! There were several reveals, including Thirteen's name, well at least her last name. And I like how Amber has been woven into the storylines. The way they filmed the bus crash was great, definitely Emmy worthy. Can't wait for next week.
If Jorja Fox doesn't return to CSI, this is my new favorite show.
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May 13, 2008 9:29 AM
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