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I don’t know about you, but I was happy to see the return of a new episode of House. FOX is really getting on my nerves lately by delaying all the new episodes…but I digress.
This episode dealt with House’s return to the hospital after his stay in rehab. Cuddy made him work for three days in the clinic because she told him, "I own you." Has it occured to anyone else that House owns her to a degree too, since he knows she perjured herself? (Just a thought.)
During his first few patient visits, he had to treat three people seeking tests for sexually transmitted diseases. Only one of the three actually had one, and when he started to discuss it with her, he realized that she had been raped. The episode quickly changed to deal with her issue and the fact that she only wanted to be treated by House. (I think people in pain can recognize other people who have pain. There seems to be a common bond sometimes. Perhaps that’s what was happening here.)
House got the hospital’s psychiatrist involved and after working with her for about an hour, the patient attempted suicide. As a result, she was admitted to the hospital and House did have to treat her. Here’s where I have some of my own observations to offer.
Personally, I spent four years on the Board of Directors of St. Louis’ oldest and largest non-profit agency that helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. It’s something I am proud of and I learned an extraordinary amount about the subject while I was on the Board. So these comments come from that experience.
I found the show to be totally unrealistic in one respect, in that in the real world, a rape victim would have been offered a hotline number, several counseling or advocate contacts and sent on her way. They would probably encourage her to report the incident to the authorities too. The fact that every doctor on the show got involved in giving House advice and suggestions for helping her is a great idea, but not very realistic.
For one thing, unfortunately, there are many more rape victims than anyone would like to admit and hospitals simply can’t take that kind of time to work with each so closely.
Anyway, back to House. The episode included a lot of interaction between the rape victim and House. He ended up revealing the fact of his own childhood abuse to her.
I love this show because it not only deals with the amazing diagnostic abilities of this unusual doctor, but it also shows his flaws. Now we can see a possible reason why he became such a misanthrope. It gives us a possible explanation for the gruff, difficult exterior he shows us and perhaps even why he turned to pills to self-medicate. It also gives some background into why he resists change so vehemently. (i.e. the blood stained carpet in his office after he was shot.) Victims of abuse often try to control their world in an extreme way. It’s one of the hallmarks of having been violated.
It’s great to see the character of Greg House develop for us over time. We get the chance to see him as a fellow human in pain, both emotional and physical. I think I now like the character even more than before.
And on a lighter note, we got to see House and Cuddy banter a bit, including House asking her several times whether she was going to kiss him or not. (More foreshadowing…)
What are your thoughts regarding this new information about House? Does it change your view of the character at all? Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a comment to share your thoughts.
tv, Television, house tv, House
is there somewhere online i can watch the ‘one day one room’ episode? my husband and i forgot to tape it (BOTH times it was on!). thanks,
tracy verdicries@comcast.net
Wow, thanks for this publish I was looking for the name of the actress, I watched her in a movie recently. I think on Lifetime.
Thanks for the info, and I think almost every episode of House is great!!
House & Bones are two of my favourite shows (though I’m a bit more obsessive about Bones). I started watching in the first season, and at first I really liked the idea of Cameron & House – as she seemed to have a huge crush on him.
But this season, I’ve been leaning more towards the Cuddy/House shipping – as they bicker a lot (remind you of a certain Bones couple?). House has been quite nasty to her this season – but I think they mutually respect each other, and would make a smashing couple.
Hi Kimber!
I think it’s cool that you are a fan of House too! I agree with you that I like it when House is sarcastic and irreverent, but I like seeing other dimensions of the character now and then too. It makes him seem a little more real.
And I’m looking forward to the Cuddy/House relationship too. ;-)
Hi Lynn! I’ve hopped on over from the Searching Bones site …
I actually enjoyed the episode. It’s always nice to see House when he’s being serious, and not being a total ass (though I love him as that too!). I agree with the person who posted that it was kind of strange to see an episode where there wasn’t a “weird, unexplained illness”. I missed that aspect of the show.
However, that said – this was a more dialogue driven episode where we got to see the heart of some characters – House and Cameron mostly.
Cuddy and House … awww … they’re so cute together! I loved it when he kept asking her when she was going to kiss him … :)
The actress is, indeed Katheryn Winnick and TV Guide Online did an interview with her a few days ago. You can read an excerpt here. http://www.houseisright.com/2007/01/24/tv-guide-interviews-dr-houses-next-patient/
You can read the entire interview here. http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={391576C3-F167-4811-ABF9-5BF31015D2B0}
For DAVE…. Oh yes the rape victim was not only pretty but such good acting. I hung on her every word. I searched for the special guest stars for this show and came up empty. Searched fo Kristen Glass (Which was the one labeled. pretty woman. No luck. Michelle Gardner did not help me.
Katheryn Winnick no help. PLEASE help me find her. I cannot believe she does not have a great future for her skills.
Thanks ya’ll… First time user
I enjoyed this episode. Sure, there was no weird problem, but it was still a pleasure to watch. I suppose that’s only because we hadn’t had an episode of House for a while (Thank God there’s a new one on Tuesday again!) and we didn’t care as long as we got our dose of “New House Episodes”.
As for details, I finally understand why he was reluctant to see his father, but not his mother in the season 2 episode, “Daddy’s Boy”. I didn’t quite understand what his excuse at the end of that episode was. Now, I definitely understand. I do agree that it was out of character for House to see a rape victim, but I suppose he had no choice because Cuddy does actually “own” him right now.
I loved the House/Cuddy foreshadowing.
“Is that Vicodin?!”
“Breathmint. I thought you were gonna kiss me.”
=P
P.S. Great site!!
I hate when House is portrayed as flawed. I liked him more before this revelation.
I, too, found the set up and the dialogue very contrived. I think this episode was difficult to believe because this was the only episode that hasn’t featured a weird, unexplained illness. There was no reason for House to be in the room with the rape victim, except for their deep talks about life. It felt out of character for House in a way that is hard to explain. I can appreciate what the writer was trying to do, and the actors played out the scenes very well, but I just wasn’t quite sold.
I have to say that I was disappointed with this episode. I found the dialogue contrived and the the rape victim irritating and uninspired. Also, why can’t House have a cynical and morose disposition without having an abusive father? Do all of the traits that make him such a unique character have to be justified? I hope that next week’s episode will be better.
I thought the actress portraying the rape victim did a fantastic job. Any idea who she is… and what other shows/films shes’ done?