Joy Cuddy would break the “equal syllables” rule of House character naming:
Lisa Cuddy
Greg House
Jimmy Wilson
Allison Cameron
Bob Chase
Eric Foreman
Remy Hadley, Thirteen
Chris Taub
Lawrence Kutner
(Ok, I had to “cheat” on a couple)
If I ever meet the scheduler at FOX…
Atomicflea, thank you.
but it is Gregory House,
Mine did, and I was watching the Charlie Brown special with my kids so I forgot to make sure I was recording the following show. Thanks for the recap, Atomicflea.
I like the way House answered, “I don’t know” when Cuddy asked him why he had to negate everything. In general I think Hugh Laurie’s emotionally dazed look is overused on this show, but it worked here.
Was it just me, or was the direction (cinematography) of this episode different? Many more slow shots, full face shots. The shot of Cuddy, sitting on the floor, just staring at the camera was so sad.
Thanks, Atomicflea!
The style of the direction struck me too. I liked the way they handled the introduction, showing how the guy lost chunks of time, and the weird gray flatness of the house and the people who lived in it. And that young girl was good at conveying subtle zoned-outness.
I totally noticed this too, and it was a good thing. Earlier seasons had all sorts of camera trickery and odd shots and this episode felt like the first one in a long time to use such things. I like it better when they do that stuff because it takes me out of my expectations and allows me to get a little more into the show.
I noticed it too. It felt as if I was watching an episode of The Wire or something like that. It just didn’t feel right.
Interesting disease this week…
It did seem different, at least in parts. It seemed like there were a lot more close-ups of Cuddy, in particular. I found myself paying much closer attention to her eyes, skin and mouth, which I know sounds weird, but I think it was because of the camera work.
Did you really think she was a skank? I know she was a tweaker, but she stopped as soon as she found out she was pregnant. She knew she’d made stupid mistakes, but she wanted to stop the cycle. She really seemed to want a better life, for herself, and her daughter. By the end of the show, I actually found her a little inspiring, as sad as I was for Cuddy.
If she really wanted a better life for her daughter she would have given her to Cuddy. Because she took her back shows that she’s just as selfish as she was when she refused to wait a week to hopefully give the baby a chance to develop its lungs better.
Am I the only one not excited about House and Cuddy possibly hooking up? We like cranky House, if he falls in wuv and gets all happy things won’t be the same. I hope they don’t get together and just act even more awkward towards each other after that kiss.
Besides House is mine!
I agree with you. He’s not ready for Cuddy; she’s way too good for him. I’ve been hoping for him to have a relationship with someone else, like Cameron but not, that would crash and burn spectacularly and maybe teach him something.
I’m not, however, worried about him getting all happy. I’m more concerned about him ruining things with Cuddy.
I feel the same way – I like cranky, cynical House, and hands off, he’s MINE! But still, that was one hot kiss.
I was in a hurry last night and picked the worst thing I could call her off the top of my head. She’s keeping her baby for all the wrong reasons–she wants some kind of amorphous love to just appear and carry them through. I don’t see her not being a loser, even with her baby. I can easily see her tweaking again, once that baby is up all night, crying. I don’t know if she’s a skank, but she’s irresponsible and inept.
I think the show can handle a Cuddy/House interlude. If they do get together, it will show that he’s completely over Stacey–and about time, too. He does care for Cuddy and she is fond of him. That kiss was something else… And for being such a prick 99% of the time, House is (apparently) generous in bed–as evidenced by his bed chat with Stacey in his apartment. That’s why I like this show: the characters have depth and contradictions.
House requires a challange and must keep things interesting - that’s why he negates things - he moves forward thru diagnoses/relationships thru a constant ‘challange’ - would be boring if people agreed all the time.
I took his interactions with Cuddy (you’ll be a terrible mom -> you’ll be a great mom) to not be so much of a ‘negate everything’ but actually one of a perverse kind of support - by beating Cuddy over the head with alot of negativity - he allowed Cuddy both a way out and a way to face feelings that allowed her to be sure of her decision - then when it was yanked out from under her, he actually was sincere with the “you’ll be great” because he observed her deal with everything the way she had.
and it keeps the story interesting.
A recap of the episode from a medical standpoint…apparently, they goofed on a few things. I know, I know…shocking.
I can see Cuddy backing off. She’s House’s boss, and for all her “We have to do it by the book” as soon as House gives her an uplifted eyebrow she folds. But I can’t see her folding on this.
House has been called a sociopath by at least one person on the boards in the past, and if that’s true, why did he go to her house? Was he actually feeling some sort of pity/sympathy? Did he just want to catch her at a weak moment and make a move? Does he just enjoy the drama and observing what she goes through?
Luckily I hadn’t seen any previews so the kiss was out of nowhere. It was nice it wasn’t the cliche where they fight and suddenly grab one another–the hesitation and slight clumsiness was great. I wasn’t sure if it was hot because I wasn’t sure how I felt about it overall.
And boy, that dad and daughter sure bounced back quick! The treatment was so effective so immediately. You’d think they’d be overwhelmed by the pleasure signals and not adjust to it so quick.
I agree, but want to add this: In a strange way (House’s way), he might have been trying to do Cuddy a favor. Motherhood takes you on a roller-coaster, daily. An infant, especially one with health issues (which “Joy” most likely had, but it wasn’t developed), is a constant drain on all your resources. Sure, there are absolute highs and sheer, pure joy at times, but it’s a tough, hard slog. Little kids do not appreciate one’s efforts, even as you are teaching them to appreciate others etc. And then tween and teen years hit and Mom can be the most hated person on the planet. He was trying to see if she could handle all that.
I think in his way, House was trying to prepare Cuddy for the tumult to come with motherhood. And (as above) also speak HER fears and reluctance aloud for her.
Just a WAG.
I think that next to that kiss, my favorite scene was when Wilson said what he said.
“I just handed you the answer, even though I don’t see how–and now you’re going to walk out of the room without so much as a word” and House walks out, saying “nope!”
Loved that.
Absolutely–finally they poke fun at their own ten-minutes-left formula.