This week’s House is the first episode of the series I’ve enjoyed in a long time. And not just because it hasn’t aired in three weeks because of baseball. “Known Unknowns” was reminiscent of House at its finest, early in the series. Unlike some episodes that seem like filler, this episode moved the characters forward instead of keeping them spinning in the perpetuity of their Princeton Hospital hamster wheel.
There were a lot of beautiful small moments to appreciate: Cameron sitting at House’s desk opening his mail; the jokes about Cuddy’s breasts being like Selma and Patty from the Simpsons.
“Why would you name them after somebody’s aunts?”
“Well, they’re always smoking.”We got more back story about House and Cuddy, which was great. The question of “Did they or didn’t they?” has been widely hinted at, but also, I think, resolved. When House appeared at Cuddy’s door and she told him that Rachel was downstairs in daycare, did anybody else wonder if she was going to invite House in? Hotel room, conference, Wilson face down on a table– what could be more romantic? At Rachel’s cooing, there was a pregnant pause as the question hung in the air: “Did she lie to me because she doesn’t trust me with her baby?”
Is it worse to be trustworthy and replaced, or untrustworthy and not stand a chance because of that quality? Although I find it unlikely that Cuddy would hook up with House’s former P.I. pal Lucas (Michael Weston), in some ways, why not? They got along when Lucas was working for House. Lucas is obviously good with Rachel, and he drove two hours to help Cuddy when her babysitter had an emergency. At least when House noted, “He seems like he’d be around day after day,” Lucas had earned that comment.
Obviously, Lucas also knew everything about Cuddy’s relationship with House– or at least enough to make it clear that there had been both intimate discussions and possibly pillow talk. What remains to be seen is whether House will back off or dig in his heels. Cuddy’s departure at the dance makes it clear that her feelings for House are conflicted. However, her comments about being a mother now and what she needs in a relationship are convincing and compelling.
With regard to House and Wilson, there were several great moments in their relationship. Robert Sean Leonard is such a fantastic comedic actor, and he was given a chance to shine in this episode. His slurring as he realized House had dosed him, realizing he had no pants, his conversation with Foreman on the phone. And finally, as always, his deep, overreaching suspicion that he is not doing enough good in the world, when he is the least ambiguously good character in the House universe. Euthanasia is a salient and timely issue. It’s unfortunate that House is probably correct that a truly honest conversation about it would result in the end of Wilson’s career. [Yes, I said I don’t think doctors should kill their patients, and euthanasia is obviously killing patients; however, the patient’s desire to end suffering plays an important role in that decision].
In the midst of a mostly uneven season, it’s nice to know they can still pull it out for sweeps.
Clacked by Jen Creer
on Nov 10, 2009 @ 03:00 EST5EDT
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