House Season 2 GoldenGait episode reviews

[GoldenGait]

2x10: Failure To Communicate

I loved the idea of the team trying to solve something without House. And the case was interesting enough, but it still wasn't incredibly great.

How does Stacy's later flight preclude her from having dinner with House?

Loved Chase's "everybody lies" from his position in House's chair, while playing with that ball in a decidedly House-like fashion.

The phone call between House and Wilson was cute, especially the "hi honey" and references to "the kids". The kid bothering House was great, too, tossing the ball at the back of House's chair, crawling around underneath him. I love that he stole the kid's ball!

That odd little hat Foreman was wearing during the Breaking-and-Entering portion of this evening's programme rubbed me the wrong way.

House's fretting over why Stacy wasn't wearing her crucifix was entertaining. I think this was the best part of the episode. Most character-driven and it advanced their relationship and House's personality more than anything else. The offer of a shared hotel room was well-handled by both parties. House looked sheepish and awkward, but grateful, and Stacy was adultly cautious. And Stacy/House shippers jumped on sofas and flailed their arms and squealed.

...And then once the oh-so-adorable curry metaphor was completed and Stacy and House kissed, the shippers all started screaming at the top of their lungs and grinning like idiots. They are so cute together! Sela Ward's frustration as the phone rang, interrupting the kiss was pitch-perfect, and the following phone call was hysterical, House trying to concentrate on a diagnosis while Stacy tugged at his clothing, and the poor woman ending up twirling his cane on the bed in frustration while he played word games with his underlings. Fantastic all around.

House wrote on the wall of the airport? I'm pretty sure no airport is ever that empty, and I'm thinking they don't generally let people scribble stuff on the walls, no matter how few travelers there are in the terminal.

Why didn't they think that it could be a problem with telling secrets in front of the wife sooner? I'm sure I wasn't the only audience member that had it figured out immediately.

Loved House's explanation of the patient while he looked at Stacy in the airport: "...which was fine... until you fell in love. And you wanted that life. And you hear that there's a surgical cure--give the woman you love the life she wants. All you have to do is change."

Nice line to go right before the final scene with House and Stacy: "She'll be back. Give her time to miss you."

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[GoldenGait]

2x11: Need To Know

Famous guest stars! Yet again. The lovely Julie Warner (Nip/Tuck, Scrubs, Tommy Boy, Flatliners), Elle Fanning (Deja Vu, Babel, Because of Winn Dixie), and the oh-so-cute Edward Kerr, who played Lt. Brody on SeaQuest DSV.

Hysterical beginning of the episode: "He's actually on time." "Six minutes early." "Something's happened." "I'm on it." Robert, I love you. Your delivery is always fantastic. You make your dialogue so much funnier just by the way you say it--which, I suppose, is exactly what an actor is supposed to do.

Kiss and tell! House, naughty boy.

Wilson's accusation tantrum in Stacy's office was pretty sweet. It was well done, Robert did well, and I loved that Wilson was so protective of House. I also liked that Stacy had no idea how badly House had taken their breakup.

Funny line: "I know you're in there. I can hear you caring."

Wilson rolling for a patient? Cute.

House and the balloon animal? Yeah, that seems about right. I'm just not surprised by the random things it turns out House can do these days.

Fantastic delivery: "You love me more." And I'm not sure whether I'm proud of or disappointed in House for sleeping with Stacy again. I guess I'm both.

Kudos to House for figuring out how to get a sample from Cameron. Very nice.

I liked the scene on the roof between House and Stacy (Hugh broke my heart--he was so good), but I hated the purple CGI sky they popped in the background. Looked fake and cheesy.

Oh, poor Mark, wheeling around begging House to explain what's happening in his marriage, unaware that House is the cause of all of it. What a position to be in. I felt so bad for Mark as he lurched up the stairs and clung to House. This guy is at the end of his rope, and House is being an *** and trying to run away from the guy up a flight of stairs. Too bad he's in such bad shape that he can't get up the stairs quick enough either! I still can't believe he left Mark in the stairwell, though. That was cold.

Loved Cuddy's southern-imitation of Stacy.

Glad House broke it off and insisted Stacy go home with Mark. Now, who actually broke it off the first time?

I liked House and Wilson's fight on the roof. I'm proud of Wilson for yelling at House without a hint of jest. People tell House he's an *** all the time, but I think the only time he really hears it is when Wilson yells it at him.

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[GoldenGait]

2x12: Distractions

I wasn't too terribly enthralled by this episode. No, let me take that back--I liked House's migraine. But we'll get to that.

Funny line: "We said patient's brain, not pregnant woman's uterus. Although they do sound alike."

I enjoyed House's obsession with Dr. Weber, especially his attempt at listening to his lecture incognito. Wilson's peanut gallery comments were awesome, interjected between House's questions and Weber's answers. "Who are you?" "Just someone in desperate need of a hobby..." and "I know your math skills. They blow." "Touche..." and finally, the topper: "Yeah, the guy running Slurp and Gulp tells me it's the best." "Get a hooker. Anything."

Interesting to know that House got kicked out of school for cheating. So, apparently, he's been morally bankrupt for years. Despite his total genius status, he needed to cheat? Interesting. I also cannot express how much I adore that he re-named his tattle-tale Von Lieberman because it sounds, "way eviler."

So, House's self induced migraine... This guy is off his rocker. Completely lost it. So set on revenge that he's willing to self-induce incredible pain to finish a grudge from 20 years ago. I loved the odd depth effect they gave the shot of House as the migraine sets in, and the great half-smile, half-grimace as his pain mixes with the gratification of being right. His pathetic crouch under the table in the workroom was cute, as was the fact that he ended up spending the night sleeping on the office floor. I also liked that for the first time in House history, something (in this case, pain) prevented him from finishing his metaphor and trusting someone else (Foreman) to continue his thought. He must be really hurting.

Maggots don't work like that. You put them on as little itty bitty things that you can barely see, and after several hours, they get to be that big.

Love Wilson's torture of House during the migraine, with bright lights, shouting, dropping the silverware into the sink, and slamming of doors. "Typical lose-lose situation--very you."

House's LSD trip in the shower was pretty funny. Seeing the colors and sounds in the drop of water was hysterical, as was the choice of music for the scene.

I wonder how long Hugh worked on his limp before shooting started for the series. He's very consistent, especially so in this episode, where he hobbles around quite a bit without his cane.

Whoa... House took Wilson's advice and got a hooker!

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[GoldenGait]

2x13: Skin Deep

This is another one of those awesome episodes I put up there on my Top list. So far we have 1x11, 1x21, and 2x13. I was worried we weren't going to get any more fabulous ones, but I guess they only come along twice a season. So I'll be looking for the next incredibly impressive one in another 9 episodes or so.

I adore the song that plays after the credits and again at the end, Desire, by Ryan Adams. Hugh did a great job looking twisted as he wakes up to increasing leg pain. Nicely done.

Alex is 15? Good lord, I've got several years on her, and I don't look like that yet... Then again, truth be told, the actress playing her, Cameron Richardson, was 27. Doesn't make me feel so bad. Love how House goes Creepy Old Man on her after their first meeting.

Funny moment: "No, I'm fine," after House stumbles into the counter and no-one moves to help him.

House's assumption and discussion of Alex's sexual abuse was funny and icky at the same time. Very interestingly played. His confrontation of the father in the bathroom was chilling, but even more so was Alex's confession that she did it on purpose to get away with stuff. Yikes.

Foreman's really begun to bother me lately. I think Omar is the weak link in the acting chain on this show.

I think my very favorite House/Wilson moment so far occurs in this episode. "House. This is God." "Look, I'm a little busy right now. Not supposed to talk during these things. Got time Thursday?" "Let me check. Aw, I got a plague. What about Friday?" "I'll have to check with Cameron." "Aw, dammit! She always wants to know why bad things happen. Like I'm going to come up with a new answer this time." "House!" "Quick, God, smite the evil witch!" "Are you sitting on evidence your patient was sexually abused by her father?" "God, why have you forsaken me..."

...Followed closely by the discussion afterwards as Wilson accuses House of having a psych issue that is manifesting as leg pain since Stacy left, to which House replies by smacking him really hard in the leg with his cane and saying, "Aw, you miss Stacy, too?" How does Wilson put up with this guy?

Oh, lord, it's paraneoplastic syndrome again...

Poor House, resorting to asking Cuddy for morphine injections. He must really be desperate. I really liked how humbly he presented himself to her when he first walked in her door, admitting he doesn't want his team to know how much pain he's in, lest he lose some of their respect and obedience. Even Wilson's deserted him on this subject. Cuddy's face when House starts to undo his pants is hysterical, but the moment is short lived when we get our first glimpse of House's scarred thigh. Ouch. Hugh does a great job here, looking close to tears as he pleads, "What about this? Is this all in my head? Because I could swear I remember a thigh muscle being there!"

She's a he? Huh. Didn't see that one coming. And, as usual, I can't decide whether House's uncaring handling of the situation was hysterical or over-the-top rude. I'm going to go with both. "Put your clothes back on... We're going to cut your balls off. Then you'll be fine."

Nice one, Cuddy. I like the sneaky way she got House to admit there was a psych component to his pain. He's constantly making a fool of her and tricking her into something, it was nice to see her pull one over on him and make him the chump this time.

I do love a man who can play the piano. Now, it would be even better if it were the guitar.

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[GoldenGait]

2x14: Sex Kills

Greg Grunberg! I love this guy. If you've read my reviews of Heroes, and thoughts on Lost and Alias, you know I'm a big fan of him. He's so awesome. We also have Keri Lynn Pratt playing Amy (we've seen her on CSI, Bones, Veronica Mars, ER, That 70s Show, Law and Order SVU, Nip/Tuck, 7th Heaven, Brothers and Sisters, Boston Public, Jack and Bobby, and apparently every other TV show in the past 10 years). And last but not least, we've got Adam Busch as Tony, who played Warren on BtVS.

Wow, Greg didn't show up until 20 minutes into the episode. And that was the minute that things got interesting. I was slightly intrigued by the Wilson-and-his-wife storyline, but with nothing more than House's assumptions, the conversations and verbal ping-pong had less weight.

And the doctor goes down! Nice shot, Greg. I always seem to enjoy watching patients hit House. And good lord, Greg is amazing. I can't say this enough in this review.

I liked House's death laugh. I also like the idea of them diagnosing and curing a dead woman. Very different, very interesting.

Oh, my heart breaks for Wilson as he asks House if he's considered that "I might be going through something that I need to have an actual conversation about?" And House just walks away? Poor Wilson.

Do you think Hugh could twirl that cane like that before he was cast as House, or did he learn during the course of filming?

Can't say it enough... Love you, Greg. Such a great tearful performance.

Ooh, that's gotta suck, Wilson--his wife gave him a taste of his own medicine! Poor guy. I wonder how long it's going to take for House to get totally and completely fed up with his best friend camping out on his couch?

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[GoldenGait]

2x15: Clueless

Wow, the annoyance started really fast. One night and House is done. The hair dryer was great, as was the cooking channel and stuffed pepper.

Guest star of the week: Samantha Mathis. Wanna see more? Check out American Psycho, Broken Arrow, American President, Little Women, and lots of others.

I loved the juggling: "What, no applause?"

House insisting Cameron has to be in the men's room as he pees was pretty funny. And a law suit waiting to happen.

Things House has TiVo'd: The O.C., Spongebob, and Blackadder (which is funny because it's a British show starring none other than Hugh Laurie).

The macadamia pancakes and stolen salad were hysterical. Maybe he's not so ready to give Wilson up.

House/Wilson shippers probably went nuts there in the end when House erases the phone message for Wilson while the song in the background plays: Love and Happiness by Al Green. Aw, so sweet, House trying to trick his new roommate into sticking around.

I liked the little glimpse of House's past, and I liked his interaction with Wilson through the whole episode, but other than that, this was the best installment that I have nothing to say about. If that makes sense.

Hmm. $20 in her pants waistband? Sexy.

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[GoldenGait]

2x16: Safe

Michelle Trachtenberg! How ya doin', Dawn? I love your hair... can you teach mine to do that? Please?

If I were Wilson, I'd kill House. Someone would just find his body in the river. The dishes in the oven were a pretty funny trick, though. But after the stethoscope-on-the-doorknob fiasco, I'm surprised Wilson didn't disembowel him. (Wilson's ew-gross face after the masturbation innuendo was fantastic. In fact, all of FranticallyAnnoyed!Wilson's mannerisms are wonderful.)

I want my white coat tailored like Cameron's.

When is coma-man going to wake up? Or get sick? I wanna see House save coma-man's life.

Oh, House... "There's a reason they call it a white board. Sorry, not my rule." "[...] You wanna give me that black marker?"

Hey, she has a steppage gait! I love it when they talk "gait"...

The cane fight with Foreman in the elevator was funny, but seriously, House's tactics make me crazy.

And speaking of canes, the filing of House's was lovely. Go Wilson.

As cute as the matching movement was, both boys crossing their legs on the coffee table in front of the TV, House wouldn't have been able to lift his right leg so smoothly to do that.

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[GoldenGait]

2x17: All In

We open with one of my favorite Diana Krall songs, 'Deed I Do. So cute. I love her Live From Paris CD.

I think House, Wilson, and Cuddy playing poker is the greatest thing I've seen in awhile. House, whose cane is not phallic enough, is toying with a big unlit cigar in a very oral-fixation-esque manner, while Cuddy (in a rare, feminine moment) looks fantastic with her hair curled and in an amazing teal dress. The neckline of which, obviously, is used as a joke at some point by House. I would expect nothing less. My favorite part of the whole thing was, though, that House walked away from a smoker of a winning hand to play with Cuddy's patient puzzle, without holding it over anyone or making a big deal about it. This guy really feels a stronger pull toward fixing people than making fun of or humiliating them. This is an important thing to remind us of every once in awhile, since the majority of the time House is a Grade A ***.

Chase's I'm-a-hot-Aussie-so-I-hit-on-women-with-shark-stories bit was cliche, but cute. As was his preoccupation with getting back to her all night after being kidnapped by House for the case. House's kidnapping was fantastic, though: "Hey! How's that anal fissure? Did it heal yet, or is it still draining? Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't realize you'd come back for seconds. I figured after that girl in the stairwell, you'd be done for the night." "He's joking." "No Adam's apple, small hands, no surprises this time." "I'll, uh... see you later."

Love Cameron's dress on her, very Cameron, with the pinkness, the straplessness, the over-all sweet-but-grown-up princess feel to it. For the record, it's nothing I'd ever wear. And I adored how when House finally turned around and saw her in it he completely burbled to a halt, and was only able to manage, "...she wouldn't have assigned it to me if she didn't, and--k'haaaaaaawwwww... ...What were we talking about?" Very sweet. As was Cameron's cute little silent "thank you for the compliment" face.

The coded House-Wilson conversation about Cuddy and the current hand of cards was hysterical ("The chicken is still indicatively square.") and I love that House played him so badly into making him lose enough to Cuddy to keep her in the game and playing. Fabulous. House at his puckish best.

Ian bothered me. I know you can't expect kids to act like they've been onstage for 20 years, but this kid was mostly just kind of obnoxious.

I loved that House forcefully broke into the cafe, using his new cane to bash open the padlock. BTW, not a very effective padlock.

Toenail polish??

I love Wilson's warning to House, mostly because this line could have been said and said well in every single episode up until this point, and fit perfectly. "You know, obsession is dangerous."

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[GoldenGait]

2x18: Sleeping Dogs Lie

Jayma Mays! Charlie from Ugly Betty and Charlie from Heroes. I'm surprised she's playing "Hannah" here... She just has the cutest speaking voice. I could listen to her drawl lines all day.

I love the look on House's face when Cuddy says, "Oh, give me some credit. I know what gets you off. She took the pills to try to sleep, not kill herself."

I think I'd still donate part of my liver to a significant other that was leaving me. If I still loved the person, and could save their life, I'd donate.

I really liked this episode. For some reason it resonated with me like crazy. I really felt for Max, I really felt for Hannah, I was angry at Foreman, and fed up with Cameron.

House speaks Mandarin? ...Okay, yeah, I'm alright with that.

The plague. Wow. Cool. I like it. When are they going to have a patient with Ebola? Anthrax?

Cameron has no butt. None at all. Check out her profile shot around 41:30 or so. I mean, I have no butt, but I've got more then she does.

Foreman, you're turning into House. This slow process of asinine-ation makes me want to punch you.

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[GoldenGait]

2x19: House vs. God

Guest star alert! Thomas Dekker, aka John Connor from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Zack from Heroes. I'm not wholly impressed with his performance here, though. I believed his other two roles much more.
Poor Wilson! House, let your best friend play poker. Especially after you stuck him in The Never-Ending Poker Game Of Death And Deception with Cuddy during the benefit. He's earned a place at your table.

This seems to be the second half of 1x05 Damned If You Do. More religion jokes from House... Not that I'm really complaining. They're just as funny as the rest of his jokes!

Funny line: "They could build monuments to your self-centeredness." I always love a good House/Wilson banter. "Climb out of your holes, people!"

Another funny line: "God would probably want you to take the stick out of your butt and get over this."

Whoa... "God wants you to invite Dr. Wilson to your poker game." I had been drifting off a little bit (because it's late, not because I'm bored), but this line snapped me right back awake again. And one other thought--House knows enough other guys that he has a poker night? I thought he had no friends other than Wilson? Is this going to end up really sad, where he's made up an imaginary poker night just so he could not invite Wilson to something to mess with him?

Funny line: "This is fun, it's like Password. Keep talking; I'll jump in when I get a clue what the hell you're talking about." Does Wilson do anything other than eat? House accosts him as he's eating in the cafeteria, and two scenes later House jumps him again in the checkout line at the cafeteria, buying more food. Wilson, binge eating is not the solution to your depression over not getting invited to House's poker game.

Wow. I was completely expecting the poker game to be fake. I'm somewhat impressed that House knows people he can convince to come to his apartment to spend an evening with him. Even if they are his dry cleaner, accountant, and random guy from the bus stop.

Oh, ouch. House, that's pretty cold and cruel, even for you. Outing Wilson's affair with Grace in front of a bunch of guys he doesn't even know. Still, I was sure Wilson had more sense than to pull a Cameron and shack up with a terminal patient. My heart just broke for him when he realized House was on to him, and all he said was "don't," in that sad, pleading, puppy-dog-eyes way he has. How he didn't divorce House right then and there is beyond me. Well, divorce, or stab through the eye with a sharpened pretzel.

"But you... you eat neediness." "Lucky for you." Ah, yes, that's always the answer. Of course that's why House and Wilson are still married. Wilson likes the brokenness of his friend. The argument on the street was well done by both parties, and I loved the fact that the fight didn't seem to affect their willingness to help one another even a little bit. Funny line: "You do know I don't actually have magical powers?"

Is that true? Some doctor years ago injected a woman with cancer with rabies? And it worked? "I have no idea why he did that, but..." Very funny. This all means, of course, that Grace was given herpes by a 15 year old, and if Wilson is sleeping with her, then he could have it, too. See, Wilson? This is karma. Sleep with a patient, get an STD.

Nice Blues Brothers reference: "I'm on a mission from God."

Okay episode, not amazing, but pretty good. I liked the Wilson/House storyline.

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