One Day, One Room

This is really a rare and exceptional episode amongst a series of great episodes.

People are too busy generalizing the characters to notice that this episode really highlights more on philosophy and how it relates to human perspective. More-so than the usual House episodes focusing on atheism every now and then. There is a character with a counter- argument. Are there moments where the episode highlights the base characters of Chase, Cameron and Foreman? Sure. But it does that for a reason. There is a reason it's obvious like that. Ask why? What is the context this time? Why are they doing that?

What people seem to miss is the puzzle in this one. Of course there is no physical puzzle for House to solve. But there is a puzzle still there. So he has to learn how to do that.

There is also a great use of contrast in this episode, with humor, in difference to the obviously dark main topic.

There's tons of episodes of House curing someone's rare ambiguous affliction. But this episode is one of a kind.

Less is more, in this episode. But if you're actually paying attention, there is a ton of detail, depth, philosophy, and a great examination of the human condition.

It's a shame all these negative reviews put a damper on this episode. They really have no clue. They are entitled to their opinion, but it's obvious they missed the point of this episode, and it skewed their opinion. Sorry, but it's true...

Faced with the threat of jail, House succumbs to Dr. Cuddy's demands that he spend his days pulling Clinic duty where House then meets a young woman who will only reveal her problems to him. When the woman won't go away, House has no choice to but open up and face his own past demons and try to understand the world a little better. Meanwhile Cameron debates whether she should interfere with a dying man's will to die in pain.

This was a great episode. It was both deep (in a shallow, easy-answer Hollywood way) and revealing about House's character. Though some topics may be uncomfortable for people who have been abused.

Also it should be noted that the writer's give simple answers and flawed arguments using circular reasoning to define House's rationale that God is either evil, or does not exist. For some impressionable to such things, you are urged to search elsewhere (outside of a prime-time television writer's expertise).

In response to the other persons comment, were they watching the same episode as me???

firstly, its a TV series not a "movie" and the writers did a wonderful job on that episode.

It actually showed house, out of his comfort zone and doing something he wasn't typically 'good at'. Also this episode gave a sense of 'realism' (for lack of a better word) to the show, instead of the whole usual saving lives thing where house and his 3 ducks dredge though mountains of information and possible diagnosis options (dont get met wrong i love that as well!!). But the show needed a smack of realism so, it changed it up and got away from the whole Tritter thing, and start afresh..

anyhow just my opinion i really enjoyed the ep!

great show.. great season!

Jono

I am a BIG fan of House.

Hugh Laurie is continually more nuanced than any actor on TV.

BUT the the performance of Winnick in her intimate dialogs in this episode with Laurie was more than stunning.

The character of House is completely challenged for the FIRST time.

First by actually feeling embarrassment for a patient who's medical problem includes forcible rape.

Then by caring so much that his made up finesse story is immediately challenged.

Although later it had some teeth.

The House character's success is tied to total insulation of his mind so as to not feel while caring quite brilliantly as a doctor for his patients.

Winnick's Eve indomitable aggressiveness really was the first equal to the House defenses.

She pushed and pushed and pushed through even the viewers' defenses.

This is the what, to the fans of Drama, is called WOW!! WHAT a pleasure!

On a side note: I thoroughly enjoyed the veteran character actor, Geoffrey Lewis, bring us the exquisite pain and sorrow of an old no-name guy letting go.

For fans of this episode you can't miss this YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaXzCY32lWk

You might dissolve into a fetal position when Eve decides to tell House .........as did I.

Those of you familiar with House know of his rude, arrogant attitude towards both his coworkers and his patients. This episode tones that down a bit and is a refreshing experience for those who have become numb to House's usual behavior. The humor is more tongue-in-cheek this time around and this episode provides more than its usual amount of laughs. While some viewers might view this particular episode as an apparent weakening of House's snide composure, it is only because House is reacting to someone who reminds him of his troubled past. This episode also served to develop House's character. Rather than spending all the time having petty squabbles with Cuddy and the rest of his group, House is a lot more deep in his discussions.