# House 3/28 - OPEN SPOILERS **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2006, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325 "2006-03-29T00:34:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/41 "2006-03-29T21:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=Larry Mudd] She was poisoning him with chronic exposure to a compound containing gold _chloride_ – tetrachloroauric acid, which is extremely corrosive and nasty. Something else again. [/QUOTE] That’s just it – I was under the impression that gold didn’t form compounds with anything. Apparently, I was misinformed. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/42 "2006-03-29T21:27:39Z")
[QUOTE=Jess] Good episode. One thing, though. Did anyone else think the wife looked quite a bit older than the husband? That wouldn’t have been extraordinary, of course, except they made a point of them having been in 9th grade together. [/QUOTE] Samantha Mathis is almost 36, and yeah, she did look more weathered than he. Maybe it was all the stress of killing him slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/43 "2006-03-29T21:33:10Z")
Og I love this show! I loved all the guys’ reactions when Cameron said she thought a threesome every 7 years might actually benefit a marriage. They were like, :eek: – Hilarious! [QUOTE=jsc1953] That’s just it – I was under the impression that gold didn’t form compounds with anything. Apparently, I was misinformed. [/QUOTE] From [this site](http://www.purestcolloids.com/ionic-gold.htm) (bolding mine) > [@](#): > > Ionic gold is a solution containing gold cations along with companion anions. An ionic gold solution is formed when a water soluble gold salt is dissolved in water. > > Ionic gold is not the same as metallic gold. For example, metallic gold is not water soluble (does not dissolve in water) but ionic gold is water soluble (it does dissolve in water). Technically speaking, a gold ion is an atom of gold that is typically missing three electrons and is referred to as Au+3 or Gold(III). It is the outermost electrons of an atom that determine the physical properties of matter. Take away three electrons from a gold atom and you get a gold ion which is water soluble. **In its ionic form, gold will react with other elements which means it will combine to form compounds. Conversely, metallic gold does not readily combine with other elements.** ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/44 "2006-03-29T21:42:22Z")
Oh, and I also meant to say that I immediately thought of Munchausen’s by Proxy as the obvious explanation as to why she was poisoning him. But on further thought it occurred to me that it may have been a part of the S&M game for her, and hurting him like that actually turned her on sexually. The game (that only she knew she was playing) got out of hand (since, with her as the only player, the husband didn’t have a “safe word” to make her stop), yet she couldn’t control the impulse to keep playing it. It was all about inflicting pain and control. She could administer it whenever she wanted, and she could stop it whenever she wanted, by bothering to call 911 instead of letting him die, or begging the doctors to help him. That was one twisted bitch. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/45 "2006-03-29T21:56:45Z")
Was I the only one who couldn’t stop picturing her circa 1990 opposite Christian Slater in “Pump Up The Volume”? ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/46 "2006-03-30T01:09:20Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Was I the only one who couldn’t stop picturing her circa 1990 opposite Christian Slater in “Pump Up The Volume”? [/QUOTE] I knew I recognised her! But I couldn’t place her. She had dark hair then, didn’t she? I just looked up her bio and that of the dude who played her poor schmuck of a husband. Turns out she’s just a couple of years older – within the acceptable range for them to have been in the same grade. Still think she looked older, though. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/47 "2006-03-30T02:27:35Z")
I was surprised that the talking scale in the opening sequence said that Samantha Mathis weighed 113 lbs. She came in to my workplace once and she is quite petite. I didn’t think she would top 100. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/48 "2006-03-30T03:09:16Z")
[QUOTE=BobT] I was surprised that the talking scale in the opening sequence said that Samantha Mathis weighed 113 lbs. She came in to my workplace once and she is quite petite. I didn’t think she would top 100. [/QUOTE] I guess she pumped up HER volume. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/49 "2006-03-30T03:17:16Z")
Thanks, \*\*Shayna \*\*-- I feel enlightened and vindicated at the same time! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/50 "2006-03-30T03:25:56Z")
One must remember that the wife had to be coaxed to say “I Love you” to her (at that point) dying husband who clearly had no problems expressing his feelings… The one who loves the least controls the relationship… She may have loved him, but she wasn’t ‘in love’ with him. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/51 "2006-03-30T14:52:05Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] But on further thought it occurred to me that it may have been a part of the S&M game for her, and hurting him like that actually turned her on sexually. The game (that only she knew she was playing) got out of hand (since, with her as the only player, the husband didn’t have a “safe word” to make her stop), yet she couldn’t control the impulse to keep playing it. It was all about inflicting pain and control. [/QUOTE] That was my take on it too. ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/52 "2006-03-30T15:15:29Z")
I’m pretty new to the show but I think I’m hooked now. I loved the ending where House was contemplating what to do with that message about the apartment: “Hmmm, I’ve got a maid, I’m eating better and I’ve got someone to aggravate when I’m home. Why mess up a good thing??!!” Delete!! ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/53 "2006-03-30T15:22:25Z")
I thought there was an interesting clue-within-a-clue in this episode. When they were searching the home for evidence, we were given a red herring about ants. But when the doctor looked at the picture that had the ant crawling on it, the real clue wasn’t the ant, but what was in the picture. In that picture, the husband was kissing his wife on the cheek, but she was turned away from him with a look of almost disdain or anger on her face. That’s when I thought the wife was trying to kill him. So I don’t think it was an S&M game. I think she just wanted him dead, for whatever reason. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/54 "2006-03-30T15:26:46Z")
[QUOTE=Sam Stone] But when the doctor looked at the picture that had the ant crawling on it, the real clue wasn’t the ant, but what was in the picture. In that picture, the husband was kissing his wife on the cheek, but she was turned away from him with a look of almost disdain or anger on her face. [/QUOTE] I need to start saving these episodes for a few days so I can check out really interesting points like this. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/55 "2006-03-30T15:28:34Z")
I noticed the look on her face too but wasn’t sure if I was reading too deeply or not. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/56 "2006-03-30T17:46:56Z")
I think the look on her face in the picture, combined with her not being able to say she loved him (on his death bed) were big clues. Talking to that other chick (this is the first ep I’ve watched, so I don’t know their names yet), she said something about people not changing who they are. I think we can interpret that to mean that she’s incapable of loving someone. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/57 "2006-03-30T17:52:41Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] Oh, and I also meant to say that I immediately thought of Munchausen’s by Proxy as the obvious explanation as to why she was poisoning him. But on further thought it occurred to me that it may have been a part of the S&M game for her… [/quote] I don’t think Munchausen’s by Proxy fits. People with MbP make their loved ones ill because they want to “rescue” them. They create the illness/sickness from which their power stems because without a crisis, there can be no rescue. This chick obviously didn’t want to rescue her husband; she wanted him dead. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/58 "2006-03-30T18:03:39Z")
It seemed she was profoundly dissatisfied with her life - it was she who introduced three woman into their sex life and probably initiated the fantasy sexplay. She should be happy but she wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/59 "2006-03-30T18:22:21Z")
[QUOTE=jsc1953] Thanks, \*\*Shayna \*\*-- I feel enlightened and vindicated at the same time! [/QUOTE] You’re welcome. Glad I could oblige! [QUOTE=Sam Stone] That’s when I thought the wife was trying to kill him. So I don’t think it was an S&M game. I think she just wanted him dead, for whatever reason. [/QUOTE] She was a sadist. She had a black heart and actually _liked_ hurting him. Showing emotional disdain would likely be a part of that. And he seemed to be fully aware of that, as they obviously had some kind of understanding about her never expressing any love for him by never saying the words ‘I love you’. Of course she seemed smart enough to know that she couldn’t keep poisoning him and have him stay alive forever, so ultimately either wanting him dead or not caring if he died is almost a given. But again, she was a sadist, so I think she liked hurting him more than the wanted him dead by virtue of the fact that she kept rescuing him. If she _just_ wanted him dead, she wouldn’t have called 911 (I seem to recall a reference to one or more previous incidents where medics had to be called, but I deleted it so I can’t verify), she’d’ve just let him die right then and there. It was part of the game to her – dragging out his death by alternately poisoning him and rescuing him so she could keep doing it all over again until he eventually succumbed. It was about control. [QUOTE=PunditLisa] > [@Shayna](#): > > Oh, and I also meant to say that I immediately thought of Munchausen’s by Proxy as the obvious explanation as to why she was poisoning him. But on further thought it occurred to me that it may have been a part of the S&M game for her… I don’t think Munchausen’s by Proxy fits. People with MbP make their loved ones ill because they want to “rescue” them. They create the illness/sickness from which their power stems because without a crisis, there can be no rescue. [/quote] Which is why I said, **“But on further thought. . .”** , which you even quoted. > [@](#): > > This chick obviously didn’t want to rescue her husband; she wanted him dead. See above for my take on that. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325/60 "2006-03-30T19:14:09Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] It was about control. Which is why I said, **“But on further thought. . .”** , which you even quoted. See above for my take on that. [/QUOTE] I was expanding on your argument as to why it wasn’t MbP; I wasn’t disputing you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-3-28-open-spoilers/350325.md?page=4)