TV Recap: ‘House,’ “Known Unknowns”

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It’s happened for many fans of the show over the past few seasons, but I don’t even know how it cropped up on me — this show is pretty lame unless House and Wilson (and to some extent Cuddy) are involved.

Sure, Jesse Spencer is doing some good stuff with the post-Dibala storyline, but based on where it’s headed I can’t bring myself to get into it. What we’ll see next week feels like another cop-out by the House writers. They’re always looking for the most dramatic, shocking moment that has a quick, startling effect — Kutner’s death, the original firings, Taub’s resignation — without really leading up to them or evaluating them afterward.* I’ll never give up on this show because of the chemistry between Hugh Laurie and Robert Sean Leonard, but what the hell is the point to the cases anymore? Can you even remember the last time you cared about the patient or their issues? Or hell, remember when the case actually tied into what was happening into House’s or a member of the team’s life in some way?

*I’ll give them credit for mixing up the team dynamics after season three, but based on where we are now, was it really worth it?Thus, there’s no need to even discuss the case at this point. Seriously, less than 48 hours later I cannot even tell you what the final cause was to the illness of teenage girl who couldn’t stop lying. I don’t remember a thing Foreman said. Cameron tried to make the case about Chase’s lying, and ended up being wrong. He finally admitted that he killed Dibala, she pulled away from him. Yawn.

Over in the other, adult, good show, House joined Wilson, Cuddy and her baby at a medical conference. House didn’t originally want to go — until he found out Cuddy was. Did Wilson set that up? I think so. He knew that House would never go — as House says at the end of the ep, he hasn’t gone to one in 16 years on American soil — but perhaps if he convinced Cuddy to go, he could A.) keep an eye on House and his mental health and B.) get them together.

And he almost had it. Pre-trip, Cuddy and House discussed her low-cut, slutty outfit* and at the conference House was willing to go to a costume dance just to meet up with her. She revealed a personal story from college when they met at the bookstore and then House reveals one to her, saying he planned to call her back and start a relationship with her — but he was kicked out of school so what’s the point. Though House thought this reveal was a way to be mature and show that to Cuddy, she flips out and leaves.

*Seriously Cuddy, could your shirts be any more low-cut? YOU ARE THE BOSS. My girlfriend says that Cuddy does this just because she knows that House will comment on it, which is his way of showing affection and thus giving her attention. Women are fucking nuts.

Wilson of course butts in to figure out why, and it seems that Cuddy just can’t bring herself to trust House, especially with the baby. This compels Wilson to get House to volunteer to be a babysitter for the day, which he actually does shockingly. Obviously he’s really, really trying. Cuddy thanks him but declines because the baby is at the special daycare. Except she cries. And House walks in to find S5’s P.I. Lucas watching the baby. Turns out Lucas — who made clear his feelings for Cuddy last year — and Cuddy are dating. Though Lucas nearly ruins it by rambling about House’s problems and all the sexual tension between “Huddy,” House maturely lets it go and admits that Lucas is probably better for Cuddy anyway.

Also, during the conference House finds out that Wilson is going to give a speech about euthanasia, how all doctors do it and basically admit times he has. So he’s more or less admitting to murder. Of course House thinks that’s stupid and decides to drug Wilson, hide his pants and his speech so he can’t ruin his career. Instead, House gives the speech — under the name of another doctor — and finds that it goes over amazingly. Wilson flips out at first, but eventually realizes that House did the right thing, and he’s a great friend. Aww.

Next week: Cameron reacts to Chase’s news, House gets his job back and tries to re-woo Taub and Thirteen. Why, I don’t know. Can we just blow this whole show up and have Wilson and House do a traveling mystery-solving program called HouseCalls? Please. Cuddy, Lucas and Taub can be in 13 eps a season. I’d watch that, wouldn’t you? YOU WOULD.

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