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House Rundown, "Teamwork"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

Prepare for a changing of the guard: This week's House marks a major shift for the medical team. House is back in charge after reclaiming his license, and the shakeups start. Cameron is out - but we already knew that was coming. In her place, a couple familiar faces return to the fold, which will hopefully distract House from last week's Lucas letdown. Throw in a porn star with a mysterious health issue, and you have a packed episode.

Ready for the breakdown? If you don't mind spoilers, read more.

The episode starts off with a special delivery - House's medical license. The guy was already pulling the strings despite his suspension, so the transition is easy. Still, I'm a little surprised that Foreman goes along with the takeover without making a peep.
After Chase finally came clean to Cameron last week about Dibala, she suggests that they leave the team to work on their marriage. They announce their departure to House - who, of course, spends the rest of the episode manipulating them to stay on board. Do you think he was right to meddle? Or should he have stayed out of it?
Really, writers? A porn star? I know they're trying to sex up the show, but it felt like a cheap ploy to me - not to mention a stretch when they draw parallels between Chase's Dibala dilemma and the porn star's own morality. Were you interested in his medical case? I wasn't that intrigued, but luckily there's plenty of personal drama among the doctors to keep my attention.
Thirteen returns - but not without some coaxing from House. After she tells him no repeatedly, he lures her in with the mysterious porn star case. The excitement of the challenge is enough to get her in House's office again for good. But what do you think will happen with her and Foreman? He implies that he's over her, but I don't buy it.
Guess who else is back? Taub! The doc swaps his plastic surgery practice to rejoin House's crew after some major prodding from House. (Of course his wife isn't happy with the decision, but no surprise there.) Are you glad to see Taub again?
Okay, so I was pulling for House and Cuddy, but the scene with Cuddy and Lucas at her place might have changed my mind - you've got to admit they looked cute on the couch together. Are you pulling for Cuddy and Lucas, or Cuddy and House?
House thinks that Cameron is quick to forgive Chase, because she actually blames House for the murder of Dibala. And she does. So with that, she says sayonara to her job and delivers a speech to House about how he's ruined Chase. She rips into him about how he doesn't care for the "sanctity of a human life" anymore, but she says it with pity - even kissing him on the cheek at the end. Next thing you know, she's packing her bags and leaving Chase, too. It felt sort of rushed, but I thought her monologue was completely riveting to watch. What did you think about her departure?

Plenty to talk about in this week's episode, so sound off in the comments! I'm especially curious to hear your thoughts on Cuddy and Lucas, Thirteen and Taub's return, and Cameron's goodbye. And don't forget you can always head over to the House! group in community to talk about the show there, too.

Photos courtesy of Fox

House Rundown, "Known Unknowns"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0800

Finally, after a two-week break and a World Series, House is back! And lucky for us, the writers packed in several juicy plot points to make up for the hiatus. This week's case involves a young teenybopper with an ego and compulsive lying streak to boot. Sounds intriguing, but personally, I was more wrapped up in all of the personal drama going on with House and a certain fellow female doctor.

Ready to cover the highlights? There's a major twist with a big reveal, so prepare for some spoilers when you read more.

Right off the bat, the sexual tension between Cuddy and House is turned on full volume, what with Cuddy's low-cut shirt and House's leering looks. I found it to be a bit over the top, but I still have to give Cuddy props for this awesome comeback after House references her breasts as "Patty" and "Selma": "I feel bad I haven't named your testicles." Touche, Cuddy. Although, I sort of feel like she wears those revealing clothes for House, don't you?
I knew this episode had to be good when I heard it involved a Wilson and House road trip and an '80s party, but House in an 1880's costume walking among guys in Devo hats is brilliant. And then, when things can't get any better, he dances with a Flashdance Cuddy to "Time After Time" and finally admits to her that he's always had feelings for her. What a fantastic scene! That is, until she walks out.
Another high point of the evening for me: When House drugs a pants-less Wilson to keep him from giving a potentially career-ruining speech on euthanasia. Now, that's a solid friend. Were you shocked over Wilson's confession of delivering euthanasia himself? We always think that House is the one with all the secrets, but I guess Wilson isn't 100 percent on the up and up either.
I definitely laughed when Wilson uses the term "friend-zoned" while talking about Cuddy. House is surprisingly open about his feelings for her instead of his usual denial, which I think is nice to see - do you agree? Or is House becoming too soft?
Surprise! Were you taken aback by Lucas? (Lucas is the private investigator that Cuddy hired last season.) When House goes to Cuddy's room to prove to her that she can "count" on him (as she puts it), Lucas is there playing with her baby daughter. I think House and I both had the same look when that happened - huh??!
Didn't this episode's diagnosis seem even more roundabout than usual? The doctors came across completely clueless - not to mention they did extra damage by giving the patient supplements. Perhaps it's just because House wasn't on the premises to pull the strings.
Lucas's mention of House's sex hallucination with Cuddy = painfully awkward. But I don't think Cuddy is over House. Did you look at her face?!
We can all breathe a sigh of relief, because Chase finally breaks down and tells Cameron the truth about the murder of Dibala. She's obviously stunned, but we didn't get her response before the episode ends. We already know that she's leaving the show, but what do you think will happen between them next week?

Please, please weigh in on the Cuddy and House saga! Do you think those two are ever going to get together? Or is Lucas's arrival going to muck things up for good? Tell me your thoughts in the comments, or click on over to the House! group in community.

Photos courtesy of Fox

House Rundown, "Brave Heart"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:30:12 -0700

Wasn't this week's House incredibly satisfying? There was no sign of Thirteen - bring her back! - but House helped resurrect a man from the dead, heard voices in his head (crazy), and made goo-goo eyes at Cuddy. It doesn't get much better than that. I especially enjoyed the sweet friendship moments that played out between the hard-hearted doc and Wilson.

I'm ready to dissect it all - how about you? Let's start with the question portion (and a few spoilers) when you read more.

I loved seeing Wilson and House interact as roommates. (How about that scene where Wilson catches House fishing underneath the blankets, and he uses the excuse, "I'm picking lint out of my belly button"? Hilarious.) They're sort of like a warped version of Oscar and Felix from The Odd Couple. How long do you think until House moves out?
This week's case of the cop with the heart phobia really kept my interest, but I think my jaw literally dropped when they cut him open on the autopsy table and he opened his eyes. It was freaky in a fun, scary movie way. Did you see it coming?
Chase continued to harbor regret for killing off Dibala two weeks back, but this time it manifested itself in constant flashbacks, followed by a trip to a priest. I'm worried that he's going to sink into a major depression/insanity - and obviously destroy his marriage in the meantime. Do you think Chase will heed the priest's advice and turn himself in for the dictator's murder? I think he might - the guy's about to crack.
You probably feel mixed on this, but I'm sort of excited about the Cuddy-House romance that's a brewin'. The hints were everywhere this week - I especially liked his line about getting "hot for teacher!" Looks like those sexy hallucinations from last season may turn into something real after all. What do you make of the setup?
House started to wonder if he was going crazy (again), because he heard voices coming from Wilson's house. While I don't exactly wish insanity upon House, I thought the is-he-or-isn't-he question was fun to watch play out - except for the part where he has to admit to Cuddy that he may not be ready to be a doctor again. He looked so sad and defeated. This begs the question, do you think House really is 100 percent healed?
Chase has to stop being such a jerk to Cameron. No wonder she's leaving him soon.
Foreman really stood up to House in the episode by telling him that he couldn't perform the autopsy "without a medical license." Ouch. Still, I think it may actually earn House's respect in the long run, and I'm curious to see if their dynamic starts changing.
The final scene where House listens for Wilson's voice and then calls out to him from bed was so great. We really got to see House's soft side. Mainly, I just hope that the writers introduce someone for Wilson, don't you? He's so distraught over his girlfriend's death, and I want to see him happy.

Think you can shed light on any of these thoughts? What do you make of the whole Cuddy-House romance? Let me know in the comments, and to gossip more about the show, check out the House! group in Community.

Photos courtesy of Fox

House Rundown, "Instant Karma"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

This week's House continued to stick to the tried-and-true show recipe, and our favorite doctor was there pulling the strings - even if he isn't technically in charge. The episode answered one or two of my previous questions, and while the writers quickly tied up the dilemma involving last week's death of the dictator (breathe a collected sigh of relief), I highly doubt that Chase and Foreman's shared secret is just going to be swept under the rug for good.

I'm curious to see how everything plays out, but for now, take a look at my questions (some spoilers!) from this week's episode and share your thoughts when you read more.

Foreman brings up a good point, when will House get back his license? I'm interested to see how long they drag it out for, although I do kind of like to see him play the annoying backseat driver to poor Foreman.
Why isn't Chase a little more nervous about the M&M presentation at the beginning? He seems a bit too cocky about getting away scot-free.
Thirteen! Man, I love seeing her and House spar. Wilson is right - she's the only one who doesn't get sucked into the "House vortex." I know she's boarding a plane at the end, but I think she'll be back, don't you? Once Jennifer Morrison leaves, it would be strange to have just Chase and Foreman debate the odd medical scenarios.
Speaking of Cameron's departure, it definitely seems like the writers are going to use Chase's secret to cause a rift in their relationship. First, they keep showing her alone in bed night after night, but then she asks him what was going on, and he continues to dig himself even deeper into the lie. When she does learn the truth - I'm thinking soon - there's going to be a huge blow-up.
Why is it that House's pervy comments always make me laugh?! I love this one that he said to Thirteen: "I wasn't talking to you; I was spying on the MILF in the running shorts." Ha!
I think this episode really shows a softer side to House. It started when he tells Foreman, "You're going to be a good boss, Boss." Awww, is that an actual tender moment from the crotchety doctor?! And then he goes on to save Chase and Foreman from their M&M review, and he tries to bring back Thirteen? House may say his heart is "three sizes to small," but he is spreading good will all over the hospital - well, good will for House at least.
Anyone else find the "Midas" dad kind of annoying? I don't dig his cocky attitude, and I was actually more interested in how things were playing out between the doctors than the actual medical case in this episode.
Here's a real philosophical question for you: Do you think that in some karmic way, that the father getting rid of his fortune really does help his son? House seems to be deep in thought over it at the end of the episode - or maybe he's questioning taking over the team again?
I love the moment where Chase tells House that he will always be in the guy in charge, but perhaps House is doubting his leadership. He does tell Cuddy that the combination of puzzles and power proved to be a bad mix for him. Still, I'm ready to see him running the place again, even if he pretty much already does.

What'd you think of the episode? Do you think House may be turning into a softie? Will he take over the reins from Foreman? And how will Thirteen finally make her return (if she does)? I want to hear all your hypotheses!

If this didn't satisfy your House hunger, head over to the House Group in the BuzzSugar Community to keep the conversation going!

Photo courtesy of Fox

House Rundown, "The Tyrant"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:30:35 -0700

This week's episode of House brought us right back to the usual formula. You know, unknown medical mystery that causes the team to pull together to figure it out. Only this time, the team goes through some internal turmoil, as the person with the ailment is a genocidal dictator - played by an always terrific James Earl Jones.

Personally, I think this episode is the start of a long arc for the season. What did you think? I've got a boatload of questions to ask you (spoilers ahead!) when you read more.

First of all, let's skip to the end. When Dibala's blood work comes up positive, I had a feeling Chase is cooking the results. Were you surprised to find out that Chase is OK with killing him? How do you think this is going to affect the show? I'm assuming that Chase and Cameron's relationship is going to go south because of it. Maybe this is how the writers are taking Jennifer Morrison out of the show?
Now that there's this huge secret between them, how do you think the dynamic between Foreman and Chase is going to change?
Do you think Thirteen is going to come back to Princeton Plainsboro, and is Taub already gone?
Speaking of Thirteen, I am so over her relationship with Foreman. Do you think they'll stay broken up for good this time?
I know he was playing an awful homicidal tyrant, but does anyone else get excited when they hear James Earl Jones' voice?
Did you like seeing House work with the old gang again? I loved it, but as House said, "Oh my god, it's three years ago."
As always, I loved the House/Wilson dynamic. It was fun to see House try to be a better person, although I wished Wilson could've believed him more. And is that a True Blood reference that Wilson utters? I swear he says 'Sookie' after his vampire joke.
While the old team soaks up all the drama, House provides the comic relief. My favorite bit of the evening is when House breaks in and drugs Wilson's neighbor. Did anyone else immediately yell, "OMG! It's like Dexter!"? Although I have to admit, that stuff with the mirror seemed more like magic tricks and not medicine.
This episode definitely looks like it's setting us up for a larger story. Where do you think the writers will take us next?

What were your thoughts on this week's episode? Let me know in the comments below, and to chat more about the show, join the House! group in Community.

Photo courtesy of Fox

House Rundown, "Epic Fail"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:30:16 -0700

While last week's episode of House was an awesome look at the inner workings of House the man, it was nice to get back to the medical drama that we know and love, even if it wasn't quite business as usual. It's interesting to see what happened while House was away, and it's also fun to see how House was coping with being away.

Did you watch? What did you think? Let's discuss some of the key moments (spoilers ahead!) when you read more.

Was anyone else thrown off by the video game starting? For a few seconds I thought my TiVo had recorded the wrong show. I must admit though, I loved the ridiculous gaming scenes, especially when they come back later with our fave doctors as characters.
What did you think of Foreman as boss? Do you think he has the chops to run the department? It didn't surprise me that he jumps at the chance, although I hated how he suddenly doesn't want to listen to Thirteen.
While we're on the subject of Foreman and Thirteen, can I just say that I find their pairing totally forced? Were you surprised when he fires her at the end? I literally yelled at my TV when he did. Wouldn't you break up with him if you were in her place?
Speaking of Thirteen, did you catch her Jeremy Piven mercury poisoning joke? If not, then as she said, go Google it. Or just read about it here
What did you think of Wilson and House's cooking class brodate? It was hands-down my favorite moment of the evening. I just love their old married couple dynamic. Also, what about all the food House is making? I'm going to have to get my gal YumSugar to whip me up some of that ragu.
I know I just said that the brodate was my favorite moment, but how can I not mention the scene with Cuddy in the kitchen? I loved it when the random Chinese lady tells Cuddy to kiss him or get out.
I was glad to see that Dr. Nolan is still on the show. I find him to be such a calming presence in the rest of chaos, and hope we get to see these therapy sessions for a little while longer.
Did you love the twist at the end? I knew that there's no way they could the department without House. Although when Foreman had the breakthrough over pruned fingers, I wondered if it was possible to solve a medical mystery without an epiphany.

Well folks, what did you think? I thought it was a strong return for the show, and I can't wait for next week's episode. How long will House stay clean? And I wonder how long the old gang (Cameron, Chase, and Foreman) will be around. Especially since we know that Jennifer Morrison is leaving the show. I also wonder if Thirteen and Taub will show up again. Something tells me they will, but then again, the writers have proven to be great at throwing us off, so we'll all just have to tune in and find out.

Photo courtesy of Fox

House Season 6 Premiere Rundown: "Broken"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:46:36 -0700

After an entire Summer without House, you can believe I was ready for last night’s two-hour premiere. With House checked in to an asylum, we knew season six was taking us in to new territory.

From the start they let us know that this was not your typical episode. If the removal of Massive Attack's opening music, replaced with Radiohead's "No Surprises" wasn't enough to tip you off, then maybe the washed-out, dream-like detox scene was. Did you watch, and are you ready to discuss? Find out some of the things I'm dying to talk about (spoilers ahead!), when you read more.

Where was the medical mystery? I have to admit, while I loved this episode, I kept waiting for the medical mystery. Every time Annie (the catatonic cello player) was on screen, I would think, "Oh he's going to solve this, surely she must have some rare disease." Then after superhero Steve becomes catatonic, I figured the same thing. And when neither of those panned out, I thought it would be Dr. Nolan's father who would be saved. However once the clock started ticking down, it dawned on me. This is the episode where the person who gets saved is House.
What did you think of the dynamic between House and Nolan? I think Andre Braugher is the perfect foil to House. Their dynamic seems so real, and I love that he essentially blackmails House into getting better and thwarts his attempts to trick Wilson.
Speaking of Wilson, did you notice that he is the only other cast member to appear? Did you miss the rest of the cast, or were you fine with the new faces? Do you think any of these faces will show up again? I think it would be a treat if Alvie turned up at Princeton Plainsboro with a rap for our favorite diagnostic team.
While the tone of the episode is admittedly dark, two of my favorite moments had to be when House and superhero Steve are flying at the carnival, and when House joins Alvie on stage for the talent show. I don't think we've ever seen House smiling unless it's to cause the frustration of someone else. How about you, what was your favorite scene?
How important do you think House's relationship with Lydia (Franka Potente) is? Do you think House would have been "cured" had she not been there?
Now for another somber moment. Were you also tricked into thinking superhero Steve actually died? I was glad to hear that he's still alive. I don't think House (or myself) could've handled yet another death on the show.
There were a lot of great quotes during the evening. However, my favorite line of the night is when Alvie tells House that they broke him, and House replies with, "They didn’t break me - I am broken." What was your favorite line?
Do you think House has really been cured? Or do you think he'll be back to his old tricks and Vicodin pill-popping ways by next week's episode?

Really, there was so much to this week's episode. In fact, it felt like House the Motion Picture, and I think it did a great job in covering the gap between last season and this one. I have no idea where the writers are taking us, but if the rest of the season is as good as last night's premiere, we're in for a treat!

To meet more House fans and keep the discussion going, join the House Group on the BuzzSugar Community!

Photo courtesy of Fox

House Rundown: Episode 24, "Both Sides Now"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:30:30 -0700

After last week's episode of House, I wondered how House would cope in a world where he was no longer on drugs. I was also curious to see what would happen to the sexual tension between House and Cuddy now that they've apparently done the deed. How did it all go down in Monday's season finale? If you're ready to talk about it, just read more.

Well, that explains a lot. A few things about last week's resolution seemed too good to be true: Do you really detox from Vicodin in less than 12 hours? And would Cuddy really choose to make out and even have sex with a man she'd been watching sweat and vomit all night? It turns out those things were too good to be true. Instead of coming home with him, Cuddy walked out after House insulted her. Instead of detoxing, House kept right on taking pills. Instead of twirling Cuddy's lipstick all day, House has been playing with a pill bottle. It was all - as the visions of Amber and Kutner tell House - the story he made up about himself. "Too bad it isn't true," Kutner adds. So while the rest of PPH is celebrating Chase and Cameron's wedding, Wilson's driving House to a mental hospital.

I'm not quite sure yet how I feel about this bait-and-switch. I'm not one of the Huddy worshipers who's sad the two of them didn't actually have sex; I figure that'll happen in due time. But I do have some questions about why the House writers used this twist - questions I'll have to wait till at least next season to have answered. These hallucinations are different than the others; why doesn't House just keep seeing Amber? (Is it because he was taking oxycodone instead of Vicodin? That's what I thought, but Fox's official recap says otherwise.) And what does it mean that in House's little fantasy, he is the good guy who detoxes and woos the woman he loves? By being in a mental hospital, it seems like House is serious about getting help and getting clean, and that leaves me wondering the same thing I asked last week: will House without pills still be the same crotchety, brilliant doctor we've come to love?

Meanwhile, Chase and Cameron start out this episode virtually broken up; Chase wants her to destroy her ex's sperm, and she can't do it. I like that it's House who finally convinces her just to take the leap - and that Chase tells her not to. He realizes now that she's not insecure about their relationship; she just can't get rid of the last part of someone she loves. Luckily, Cameron hadn't canceled the wedding plans, and now the two of them are actually (and finally) married. Which probably would have been a lot sweeter if I could have turned off the part of my brain that was thinking about the pair's real-life canceled wedding, but oh well.

Some other thoughts:

Some of my favorite moments in this episode were basically wordless: the patient's wayward hand stroking his girlfriend's cheek; House looking bedraggled and a little bewildered when Cuddy leads him to Wilson's office; Cameron and Chase mouthing "I do." The director of this episode has done some of the coolest House moments (this season's "Locked In" and last year's "House's Head," among others), and I really like his style.
Speaking of the patient, I loved that case. What a fascinating and creepy idea that part of your body could just disobey the rest of it! Not only did it work well as a parallel to House's story, it also included a few great medical moments, including that test with the words popping up on the screens.
Carl Reiner! Man. He's amusing as a pest who won't leave House alone because of his squawking problem (funny that we never actually hear him squawk) and then so, so sad when House realizes he probably has a tumor.
Is that a naked pirate House uses to torment Cuddy?

So: what a rollercoaster! Was this a suitable finale? Are you intrigued to see where the show goes next?

Photos courtesy of Fox

House Rundown: Episode 23, "Under My Skin"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:30:49 -0700

This week's House finds House still struggling with his hallucinations of Amber and wanting to get them out of his head for good. That sends him to his friends for help - with intriguing consequences. Meanwhile, Cameron asks Chase a potentially relationship-changing favor, and House's team works on a case alone. To chat about it, just read more.

The big thing about "Under My Skin," of course, is the House/Cuddy kiss, the kiss that - according to the promos and the show's cast itself - apparently turns into something more. But it's the culmination of a million smaller moments in the episode that find House truly taking comfort in his friends. He knows he can't go on without help, with Amber's voice in his head. It's throwing him off, making his medical decisions worse. So he confesses everything to Wilson - whose reaction to the hallucination being Amber is pretty mild, I think, all things considered - and starts an episode-long quest to figure out his affliction.

House really only sees two options, so kindly spelled out for him by Amber: one, he's crazy, which means no more medical practice; two, he's hallucinating from Vicodin, which means detox, which means pain, which means no more medical practice. Either way, the biggest thing haunting House (besides Amber, of course) is the thought that when he comes out on the other side of this, he won't have his identity as a doctor anymore. But he thinks he might be losing that anyway; on the phone with Foreman, he realizes he's made a lucky - not brilliant - call in diagnosing the dancer. So what else is there to do? Wilson offers to take him to a clinic, but House wants to be with people who know him. Specifically, he wants to be with Cuddy.

It's interesting that the two of them can only really connect when one or the other is incredibly vulnerable. They've kissed twice now this season, and both times, one has been helping the other through crushing pain. She's good to him in the detox scenes; she brings him ginger tea and flushes his one last pill down the toilet before he can take it. I loved watching Amber slowly realize that House isn't kidding around this time; when he confesses the locations of all his secret stashes, she responds with an indignant "I don't even know who you are anymore!" And when he starts to come out of withdrawal, Amber's gone.

Some other thoughts:

I hope that, were Anne Dudek to somehow read this, she'd take it as a compliment: she does creepy better than any other actress I can think of.
House may have solved the case, but the team manages to pull out a way to save the patient's life even after he quits. Good for Taub, especially.
What do you make of Cameron and Chase? I understand where she's coming from, but I also understand why Chase is hesitant. It seems like "Oh, I have my dead ex's sperm, and by the way, I want yours, too" is a conversation they should have had pre-engagement.
So Cuddy and House's story goes back even a little further than we thought: Cuddy audited the class where they met purely because she thought House was "an interesting lunatic."

We've asked this question before: can House still be House without Vicodin? This time, he seems a little more committed to finding out the answer, and I'm curious to see what happens next week. Are you?

Photos courtesy of Fox

House Rundown: Episode 22, "House Divided"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:15:00 -0700

Back when Amber was competing for a job as one of House's fellows, I sometimes thought of her as House's perfect counterpart - his mirror image. Well, I didn't mean it literally! But in this week's House, Amber is essentially haunting our cranky doctor, showing up as a hallucination and speaking his thoughts. What does it all mean? Help me figure it out when you read more.

Everywhere House turns these days, Amber is there. He assumes it's just an effect of insomnia: he hasn't been sleeping much since Kutner died. But as we see at the end of the episode, even a well-rested House still sees Amber. She's in his brain, in his thoughts. And for all her wry smiles and clever banter, she's kind of an evil little friend, isn't she?

Had this been anyone but Amber, I probably would have rolled my eyes and assumed that Grey's Anatomy had forever ruined any plotline involving the return of a dead character. But I absolutely love watching Anne Dudek and Hugh Laurie play off each other. It's this great mix of flirting and fighting, and it kept me laughing even as House sets up Chase to go into allergic shock at the bachelor party. Whatever part of House's brain Amber's inhabiting is clearly the part that enjoys scheming; House even looks a little shocked when he realizes he knew about Chase's strawberry allergy. I loved the way Amber calls out House's thoughts in Wilson's office, urging him to knock over a pencil cup so he could get a clean shot at the file they were reading. Is this what it's like inside House's head all the time?

Between Amber's appearance and the story of the deaf teenager, this could have easily been a very serious episode. (And speaking of the teenager, his story is one of the few medical stories in House recently that's truly held my attention. Everything about it seemed to work well, from the mom's conflicted reaction about the cochlear implant to the sweet interactions between the boy and his girlfriend.) But I was surprised at how many times I laughed. I loved House striding down the hall with his ridiculous old boom box and Kanye shades; I loved the idea of throwing the bachelor party at Wilson's place so he couldn't escape it. (Might I suggest to Wilson that if he wants to get away from House's over-the-top bachelor parties, he marry a woman he won't divorce?) I especially loved Taub awkwardly grinding with a couple of the "dancers" at the party.

But what happens now? Amber's still there, and House knows she can do bad things - or that his brain wants him to do bad things, though I imagine Amber makes them even more enticing. Whatever comes next, I feel more invested in House than I have since the last time Amber showed up. What about you?

Some other thoughts:

Foreman's never been my favorite, but it's still nice to see him solve a case.
That's not the only great Foreman moment: He and Thirteen get some of the best stuff in this episode. I love their stripper research - and it doesn't surprise me that Foreman would pay $50 to watch his bisexual girlfriend do a body shot.
Even at his worst, would House really try to kill Chase just to prevent someone else's happiness?
I'm also not convinced that Chase would really give a patient a cochlear implant on only House's orders with no paperwork to support it. You know how much he lies!
Love Cuddy trying to sober up all the fellows so they can go solve their case (and sending them off with breath mints, to boot).

So, what's Amber doing in House's brain? And what will it take to get her out?

Photos courtesy of Fox