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December 12, 2006: Merry Little Christmas
Viewers have been vocal about their dislike of the Tritter ( David Morse) story line, pointing specifically to his seemingly unlimited powers. "It's unrealistic," they scream. In real life, there's no way a cop would be able to freeze bank accounts and impound cars and whatever else Tritter has done. But that's the kicker, isn't it? And that's why I haven't been all that bothered by Tritter's boundless powers. If we are going to hold dramas to the standards of reality, then we'll all end up watching documentaries. I’m open to suspending reality in my entertainment viewing. It's what kept me tuning in to shows like 24 and Alias. However, I am growing a bit tired of the Tritter arc, mostly because it forces me to recognize the unrealistic elements that are the cornerstone of this series. I have to step back and say, like so many others, that's so unrealistic! Tonight's episode, featuring Abigail (Kacie Borrowman), an apparent dwarf with multisystem failure, and her actual dwarf mother (Meredith Eaton-Gilden), provided the perfect opportunity to do so.
First off, what is Cuddy's problem? She's pissed at Wilson because he took action to end the Tritter-House standoff? Cuddy's priorities are as self-centered as House's. She is so wrapped up in turning a profit for the hospital that she repeatedly opens up said hospital to litigation by allowing a known drug addict to practice medicine. Now that she has no choice, Cuddy pulls House's privileges until he accepts the deal. If there were some degree of concern for House then Cuddy's actions wouldn't bug me so much, but as it stands her sudden hard line rings false.
Then there's the annoying Cameron and her petulant approach to standing on her principles. She disapproves of Cuddy and Wilson's methods of persuasion, yet she's so disrespectful of her superiors in expressing that disapproval that it's a wonder she still has a job. In the real world that would be a whole different story. I'll cut Cameron some slack because her actions stem from true concern for House, and because the pair did share a nice moment at his home where she discovered him cutting himself to relieve his leg pain. But still, her sourpuss needs to lighten up.
Despite his shortcomings, House has good friends. But I have to ask: Is there really a friend as loyal and caring as Wilson? How much will this man go through to save his friend? Wilson first betrays House to Tritter but then decides not to testify, risking the possibility of jail because "statistically, House is a positive force in the universe." So tell me why Wilson would then find House on the verge of an overdose and leave him collapsed on the floor? Does this make sense? Not to me!
Miraculously, House gets it together enough to accept the deal before his time runs out. Or so he thinks, because not only can Tritter make these deals, but he can also take them off the table. Who needs a DA?
On top of all of these oh-so-realistic happenings is the medical aspect of the show. Patient Abigail has a team of doctors who may as well be the three stooges because without House — the Vicodin addict — none of them can come up with anything that resembles a diagnosis. Why are these doctors so inept? House, in his own withdrawal haze, can "out-diagnose" Wilson. It's unclear to me why there's even a staff of doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro when they only need the one.
On the whole, it was disappointing to see the depths to which House had fallen. He's the hero of the show. We don't want to see him with foam oozing from his mouth or just being plain old nasty to characters we like. I knew that at some point the show would have to address the addiction — and it is doing a phenomenal job of illustrating that problem. But I for one am missing the crackle of the medical drama as it used to be. Tritter's presence has turned the show into a soap opera, filled with extremes that make me long for a guest star that we'll only see once.
Questions: Was House's call to Mom a goodbye before a suicide attempt? Did Tritter ever intend to let House take the deal?
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Dec 13, 2006 12:25 AM
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Yes. I'm a little bit sick of the arc. I realize that houseis pretty unrealisitic, but I think it's the job of a tv show that, if it's going to make it unrealistic that it makes it either A. in keeping with the 'universe' of the show, B. done in such a way that it's not particularly noticable (for instance, I don't notice the medical things, because I, like most people, am not a doctor.) or C. entertaining.
And I find they are struggling with the characters. They are having trouble making the characters true to themselves but also true to their actions. They are trying to hard to reconcile what the characters do with what they say (and in issues like this, they seem to be conflicting with values/ideas that they previously had) and they just aren't consistent. Or maybe they are just so constantly (especially w/ Wilson and Cameron) trying to convince themselves that they are morally in the right that it is impossible to tell what their actual values are. And Cuddy! She is so confused. All these characters are trying to be morally responsible but they can't just stick to one thing and it's a bit tiresome. Sure, it illustrates the grayness of moral superiority or any morals at all but I don't need all of these characters. I need more Foreman and Chase. Foreman was kind of fun in this episode.
I enjoyed the House/Dwarf mom thing...It was entertaining how House kind of respected her because he saw himself in her and how she talked to him, how she got sarcastic and defensive. And I liked how she didn't want her kid to take the pills but ultimately recognized that sometimes it's just better to be normal, it's not worth it. I liked the 'How much strength do you want her to have, really?'
And I don't really get Tritter's goal here. Apparently it is to get House in jail, if he can...I don't understand why he doesn't just want him to get better. It seems needlessly vindictive to be this harsh about it. And anyone with as much experience as Tritter, I feel like, would recognize there are worse crimes, and if he can get this person to take rehab as House agreed to, instead of ruining his life, than I don't understand why Tritter wouldn't want to do that.
I'm just a bit sick of all this, too.
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Dec 13, 2006 12:46 AM
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I think the Tritter arc has reached its conclusion. They should have ended it tonight. Why oh why must they drag this on further? I would have been satisfied with House going into rehab for a couple of months.
I believe Cuddy was more pissed at Wilson because he made this deal without consulting her. I thought she made a good point about that. And Wilson knew that House wasn't in any danger with him on the floor. I couldn't see Wilson just leaving him there if he thought House was going to die. And I don't see House calling his mother as a sign that he was going to attempt suicide. I think it was a sign that he came to the realization that he would take the deal. I really don't like that Tritter pulled the deal in the end. Just not cool. Let it go Tritter. You have successfully made your point!
I did like the conversations that House had with the mother tonight. He seemed impressed that she wouldn't back down from him. Good point by House to her about the pills that would make her daughter grow normally.
The Tritter storyline has been decent, but it does need to end soon. Hopefully they won't drag this out for the full season.
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Dec 13, 2006 12:48 AM
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So tell me why then Wilson will find House, on the verge of an overdose and leave him collapsed on the floor?
Very good question! I get that he was totally disgusted by House's actions at that point, but would you really leave your friend to possibly vomit again and suffocate on the floor? I thought he might at least make an anonymous call to 911.
And, yes, I wish they would make Cameron likeable again. She seems so bitter and uptight all the time I can hardly stand to be around her.
Overall, huge props to Hugh Laurie for some amazing acting tonight. Mr. Emmy better not skip him next year!
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Dec 13, 2006 12:51 AM
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Look, Tritter-haters... it's almost over and then you can get your routine back!
Rhoda, you are wrong about Cuddy. She really does care about House but Wilson tied her hands.
The reason Wilson was so disgusted with House at the end of the ep was he saw his name on the prescription. He knew House was in no real danger so he left. That little bit o' puke was not an overdose.
It was nice to see Cameron stand up to Wilson. And rightly so. The reason she wasn't fired is she did not go hysterical and the whole thing happened behind closed doors.
Loved the "There's Jesus... better go tell the Romans" bit at the beginning.
Don't worry... House will get the best of Tritter yet. Have faith.
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Dec 13, 2006 1:22 AM
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i also hate tritter. i want him gone asap. i really dont think he was going to let house take the offer.
anyway i loved the dwarf mother in tonights episode. for some reason i thought that her and house had a little chemistry. i kept thinking that those 2 were going to make out. what can i say im a little bit insane.
but i still want tritter gone. lets hope something happens to him in the next episode.
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Dec 13, 2006 5:11 AM
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Y'all are forgetting how this all started. House wounded Tritter's ego severely with that whole exam/thermometer gag. And it would appear that Tritter is a vicious and vindictive jerk who IMHO has no business being in the police force. He is using his position of authority for personal revenge, a clear abuse of power, thinly veiled by his stated concern over House's addiction.
Found myself wishing this show could borrow from another hit, Showtime's Dexter. Tritter would suddenly find himself on a slab while House carved him up into chunks. Amazing talent for an actor to get you to hate his character so much.
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Dec 13, 2006 6:16 AM
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It is VERY possible for law enforcement to freeze accounts when drug trafficking is suspected. And drug trafficking is what Tritter was using to go after House. Don't forget, House DID forge prescriptions. Wilson's name WAS on them and Wilson DID cover for House initially.
This episode continued to prove to me how House's own co-workers and so called friends have been his enablers. I am glad that Wilson has taken a stand to try to put an end to the destructive path that House was on. It doesn't matter that he may have been motivated by his finances being frozen. I think that deep down, Wilson would have continued to go to bat for House until House went over the edge and punched a colleague (which by the way would have been grounds for dismissal in any real business I know). Cuddy has selfish motives to cave in because she wants her star diagnostician back. Foreman doesn't want to fail at a diagnosis so he helps House break in to Cuddy's desk. Cameron just has no backbone and thinks that in principle House should have his meds because he's "in pain" (quotes to signify that we really don't know how much main he's really in). Chase, I think, is just glad someone else (Wilson) is the fall guy.
Tritter has House pegged, as evidenced by the fact that he was on to House's stealing of a dead patient's meds.
Sometimes I think that the fans of House (the show) and Hugh Laurie are confusing their "love" for the actor with House himself. House does have a major drug problem. He may have some pain, but also seems to medicate himself for reasons other than pain. He gets his "best friend" in trouble by forging prescriptions to feed his habit. He is insulting to patients under the guise of helping them. And most imortantly - HE'S NOT ALWAYS RIGHT. How many times has House made a diagnosis that turns out to be wrong? In every show, more than once. All House is is a good educated guesser, who often puts his patients through hell while he continues to throw diagnoses up against the wall to see what sticks, all while self-medicating. Not the kind of doctor I want treating patients.
He is not a hero in any sense of the word. He needs help, and sadly, I think he had to hit rock bottom as he did in order to get it. Somehow, though, as evidenced by the previews, I think he will use the "rehab" as a tool to get out of being prosecuted.
I don't hate Tritter. I think he's doing the dirty job that House's colleagues should have been doing a long time ago.
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Dec 13, 2006 6:22 AM
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House wounded Tritter's ego severely with that whole exam/thermometer gag. And it would appear that Tritter is a vicious and vindictive jerk who IMHO has no business being in the police force. thanks for reminding me about that uncle lar. i wish house would remember why tritter is doing this to him....and call him on it.
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Dec 13, 2006 6:47 AM
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I agree this Tritter arc should have ended weeks ago. He is awful. Its unrealistic and its dragging the show down. Also, I don't see how you can send a person to rehab to get them off vicodin when that is the only thing that makes REAL pain in his leg subside. How can you force someone off of that. Tritter needs to go so this show can return to the levels of excellence it was once at.
Also, how awesome is Meredith Eaton Gilden. She is making the rounds this season. She steals every scene shes in and is a fantastic actress. I wish she would stay on Boston Legal permanantely.
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Dec 13, 2006 9:00 AM
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I too agree that Wilson being a doctor knew that House wasn't in real danger of suffocating or dying. The fact that he left him probably helped House realize how far gone he was.
As for House calling his mother, I think it was just because he knew he was gonna be in rehab for two months and wanted to get in touch with them so they wouldn't be trying to call him.
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Dec 13, 2006 9:32 AM
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I'm so over the Tritter story too. My big question is if House does rehab from Vicodin, what will he take for pain? He did quit the Vicodin when he was better but when the pain returned, he needed the pills. So, what's he gonna do? Isn't it common for people with chronic pain to be addicted to pain pills for life?
I'm probably the only person who is liking Cameron a little more with her pissy attitude. I hated it when she was a doormat.
What I'd really like to see is Sela Ward do a guest appearance and kick some Tritter a$$. Of course, the most likely storyender will be Tritter or a family member or fellow cop getting sick and need House's help.
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Dec 13, 2006 9:46 AM
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Tritter: Merry Christmas.
House: And a 'Happy Go-to-He11' to you.
Me: AMEN!
I used to think that House was a drug addict, but lately I've come to think that he is just drug-dependent, which is different. He is in chronic pain; he needs his meds. Period.
He might not need to take AS MUCH as he has been taking; he might need to change his prescription periodically so as not to become accustomed/immune to the Vicodin; he might need to explore other methods of pain management, but he definitely needs his meds. After all, remember that when he was not in pain for a few months, he did NOT take any meds.
If they send House to rehab, he would still need some type of meds (for chronic pain management), and if they weaned him off of Vicodin and gave him something else, he would just end up becoming dependent on whatever other drug they gave him.
At this point, I say just let him be. He was doing a great job before anyone started messing with his meds; rude-yes, but competent.
I have a love/hate thing with Wilson. He makes me furious one minute; makes my heart melt the next. Hated him leaving House there on the floor in his vomit, but it's obvious how much he cares for House. It'll be interesting to see how their relationship plays out after this ordeal is over.
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Dec 13, 2006 9:48 AM
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iliketowatchtv - good comments. Why is always alright to abuse a friend, but turnabout is never fair? House did forge Wilson's signature. He slugged Chase. He is doing destructive things and his friends turned their backs or helped him. If that isn't classic enabling what is? The realistic part of this show is finally happening - consequences to actions. Tritter is on a crusade and there are only several options. 1- he will need House to rescue him; 2- he dies [season finale maybe with House accused]; 3- Hugh asks for more money and there fore must go to the "Big House'; 4- New DA is elected and looks into Tritter's case and decides its not worth it; 5- Some writer's crazy combination.
Other than Tritter, has there been a continuing character besides the basic cast? Reason I ask is the Little Person/House angle. Would like to see House go off at the mall on someone snickering at his squeeze.
Posters seem to get confused too often. This is TV and imagine how hard it is for the writers to have to come up with 2-4 obscure, unimaginable disease/illnesses every week. Think they call Michael Crichton?
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Dec 13, 2006 10:25 AM
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There has been a few continuing characters over the first couple of years. There was Stacy Warner (Sela Ward). Of course her husband appeared in a few as well. And the great Chi Mcbride in the first season as Edward Vogler. He tried to buy the hospital and get rid of House. Now that arc was a lot better than this one.
As I have said previously, I agree with the poster who said that House isn't necessarily a drug addict. He didn't need them when he had no pain. He just needs to manage it a lot better.
I just hope Tritter is gone soon. There is a thing called probable cause. Tritter definitely didn't know that word and wouldn't have a case.
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Dec 13, 2006 11:48 AM
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