Episode Post-Mortem: 7x07 "A Pox on our House"

[soophelia.livejournal.com]

This is the after-airing post. Discuss any and all aspects of the House/Wilson relationship or friendship pertaining to the episode here. Have fun, but be respectful of each other. Please contact the mods if there is any inappropriate language or behavior that you cannot resolve amicably amongst yourselves.

If you have meta/reaction posts in your journal that you would like to share with the community, please link to them in the comments and I will compile a list here in the main post so that they are all in the same place and people can find them easily. Thank you, and happy viewing!

Meta/Reaction Posts
http://taiga13.dreamwidth.org/89587.html

Comments

[lilapaddy.livejournal.com]

:(

http://www.squidge.org/housefanfiction/archive/0/pathogenesisand.html

[sinloi.livejournal.com]

I try to not be petty about the believability of a show. I try not to join in on the numerous 'jump the shark' bandwagons that television shows in seasons as late as this always acquire. But... I'm just really not feeling it this season. I've always been as much a House/Cuddy shipper as House/Wilson, but I can not bring myself to enjoy them together on the show.

Their relationship is so wooden and forced, that it makes me cover my eyes. Seriously, a couple on a television show should not evoke the same response as a horror movie. Just saying.

As for Tamblyn, I'm not getting the hate. I love Amber Tamblyn, but I wll say that her recent small role on The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margret was more enjoyable than her character on here. That said, I'm still enjoying her even if her character is pretty much one we've seen before; Tamblyn plays it well enough. There really isn't much an actor can do about the writing.

IDK, no one cares, and I'm gonna go wait for the season finale of Weeds. (Another show that has lived too long). Maybe next weeks ep. will be better.

Everything aside, I rather liked the medicine in the episode this week. Plus Wilson was awesome, but he always is.

[wolfinthenight.livejournal.com]

I'm Hilson first and Huddy second, but I liked Huddy more when I liked Cuddy more, which was before I MUST HAVE BABY.

The moment she threw away the birthday card she was gonna give House after he said he hated celebrating his birthday? I knew I could ship it.

[thelonegunwoman.livejournal.com]

Pros: The Wilson stuff this week was pretty awesome. And I loved Hugh's acting when he thought he'd actually been exposed. Nice that they explained why Wilson wasn't down there, telling him he was an idiot/freaking out. I also liked Cuddy still being pissed at House, and not magically forgiving him just because they thought he was gonna die was good too. Realistic, even.

Cons: Yeah, it was never gonna be smallpox. Ever. Are they just running out of big name diseases? And next weeks preview seemed a little familar. How many House vs. Religion eps do we need?

[taiga13.livejournal.com]

I don't have much to say but I said it here.
http://taiga13.dreamwidth.org/89587.html?#cutid1

[pgrabia.livejournal.com]

I thought the episode was pretty good, actually. I found the medical case interesting, it was definitely the A story tonight, not a ton of Huddy. What bothered me was the fact that Wilson knew nothing about the danger House was in but they had to write it that way to prevent Wilson's presence from overshadowing her. They can't allow there to be competition for House's attention if they want to keep this ridiculous Huddy arc a float. I don't like that Wilson is thinking about having kids with Sam (though I think he would make a super daddy!). I'm hoping that she won't want to and that will break him and Sam up. Here's hoping!

I'm so glad that Cuddy was still pissed with House at the end of the episode. I thought they were going to have another happily-ever-after moment after the danger House put himself in but fortunately the writers were merciful and didn't force us to see that. I hope Cuddy continues to have a holier-than-thou snit that ticks House off enough that the Huddy begins to crumble to pieces.

[petitecuriosity.livejournal.com]

Okay. Medically, this has been my favorite this season. Small pox is pretty scary stuff and interesting that it wasn't. (I have no idea how to spell what it actually was, but I thought the way that the patient got the disease was pretty cool.)

Wilson was ADORABLE in this episode. He really is good with kids. LAMBY OMG! Sam...not so much good with kids. I can say that I at least liked the fact that she was honest with the kid; kids are smart, they can tell when someone isn't being honest and Sam showed her honesty and I respect that. However, someone mentioned that Sam seems to have two different personalities and I agree wholeheartedly. Part of the time she seems selfish and catty. Sometimes I like her (like in episode 7x03) and sometimes I don't, like this episode, when she felt completely entitled to Wilson's time.

Wilson seems happy and a bit more at ease, but I feel like this is going to be doomed like all of his other relationships. (At least that's what I'm hoping.)

I'm glad that there is now more conflict between House and Cuddy! Before, House would fold all the time to whatever Cuddy would ask of him, but where he felt it really counted, he stood up for himself. And he hasn't backed down. He still firmly believes what he did was right.

And Wilson wants kids...which is kind of odd, but makes sense looking at 7x05. He'd make a great dad I think.

Martha Masters...really irritates me. She's too...self-righteous and I don't particularly care for the "ingenue insecure genius" archetype. Yes, she's smart, but I find her annoying. I like Amber Tamblyn though and the actress is charming enough and keeps me from downright hating the character.

A few good lines in this episode, including House's threesome dream with Beyonce and Lady Gaga. :)

Okay...House said that he was glad over the fact that no one told Wilson. So...he can handle Cuddy watching him almost die, but not Wilson. But I think it would be too difficult for House to hold it together if Wilson were watching him die. The last time House was doing something life-threatening and Wilson was there to watch, was when he was risking his life to save Amber's. It seemed rather difficult for the both of them, it seemed to really tear at them. I think House worried he would have gotten too emotional.

Also, House only ever goes to Wilson anymore to ask for relationship advice. Every time House expresses a concern over his relationship with Cuddy, Wilson is almost too quick to quell his fears. Sometimes, to me...it feels like House is looking for a reason to end the relationship...and Wilson isn't giving him one. Why Wilson isn't? Well I have my theories. ;)

[thelonegunwoman.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you about Wilson's stuff in this ep. Plus, hasn't Wilson mentioned wanted a family in previous seasons? I seem to recall season one or two it was mentioned...but I might just be remembering fanon talk.

[soophelia.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, to me...it feels like House is looking for a reason to end the relationship...and Wilson isn't giving him one. Wilson isn't giving him one. Why Wilson isn't? Well I have my theories. ;)

What are your theories? I am curious.

[pgrabia.livejournal.com]

I think, in general, you're right.

[lifes-own-light.livejournal.com]

I haven't read all the comments, but wanted to stop by and rant a bit. I'm sure someone has discussed it, but I just kept thinking (and proclaiming to the TV) that House would likely have been vaccinated for smallpox. All of my immediate family except for me has. It's been eradicated for 30, yes, because of the vaccine. I know there are mutations and such, but the fact that smallpox was widely vaccinated for until 30 yrs ago is a rather large factor to ignore in what was tonight's scare. That disappointed me. Also, Wilson wants babies with Sam? Ick.

[aileb42.livejournal.com]

I didn't think of that, but you are definetly right, House would have been vaccinated, Taub also. They should have addressed that, and it does kind of change my opinion of the ep a little, which I liked cause it does seem like a mistake, unless the vaccine wears off, like many do. Otherwise he shouldn't have been him in such danger as they made him out to be.

[pgrabia.livejournal.com]

You have a good point there. I was vaccinated but a year later my husband wasn't because it was considered unnecessary. Would small pox be something that you would need boosters for? (Oh, and House would be 12 yrs older than me so he would have been vaccinated if he was real :) )

[aileb42.livejournal.com]

I actually enjoyed this episode, the first one this season that I didn't tun the sound down at all. I thought the POTW story was interesting, and I was sure that the "cute" Wilson scenes would be cringeworthy, but they weren't at all, they were great. And I really liked AT in this episode, I almost remembered why I thought she was so great in Joan of Arcadia.

I was actually surprised that the father died, and the House-puts-himself-in danger-again was not awful, it was actually House-like. Oh yeah, I also really liked the call girl translator a lot.

An actual not boring episode, definitely a surprise.

[pgrabia.livejournal.com]

That's what I've been saying but it seems like the majority here think it sucked.

[writerdot.livejournal.com]

*waves* Hi there,

I mostly lurk, but I wanted to get involved with the fandom more. This is what I thought about tonight's episode.

I enjoyed this episode a lot. I'm in seventeen different kinds of love with RSL/Wilson. He was great.

I liked Sam, actually. And I disagree with the idea that she was being catty when she replied to Wilson having to leave. I've been somewhere with someone and they have to leave and I was expecting more time with them. It seemed more like "ugh, jobs/life getting in the way" I don't think that she was trying to be mean and take up his time, I think she just wanted some time with him and thought she'd get more. I think if she was being catty about it,she would have just stayed in the cafeteria and not gone with Wilson to see the patient he had to go to, if that made any sense.

I'm getting sick of the fight about this now with House and Cuddy. It seems like all we're going to get (granted, I've read no spoilers, so I don't know what's going to happen) is the back and forth "you should agree that I was right/no, I'm pissed at you." It just seems to me like it's a way to throw a wrench in these two and it seems contrived and a way to appease the non-shippers by having this go on longer then it really needs to, by having an anvil drop that says "honey-moon phase over." I agree with a statement I read somewhere (I'm sorry, I don't remember who said it) that these two were better when they had the UST. Maybe this argument wouldn't seem so artificial to me if they weren't together, especially since this wasn't the first time he's lied, and it won't be the last.

So anyway, I hope what I said came out the way I meant. lol. Was having trouble organizing my thoughts.

[galadriel1618.livejournal.com]

(This is not completely episode specific, just sort of a general opinion on the House/Cuddy relationship, but since that’s about all the show is focusing on right now I figure it’s valid discussion.)

To me it seems both House and Cuddy are in this relationship for the wrong reasons. First of all, I don’t think Cuddy loves House. I think Cuddy loves an idealized version of House; someone who she wishes he could be, and who she might or might not actively try to change, but always expects that somewhere down the road will make the effort to do exactly that for her. And IMO, if you love an idealized version of someone, you don’t actually love them at all; you love someone who doesn’t exist, that you’ve built up in your head, and it seems we’ve already seen some of that with Cuddy, being disappointed with the reality of who he is but sticking with him in hopes of change. And House? House I think just wants someone to love, and even better, someone to fix him. He might not necessarily want to make any changes, but on some level he thinks being in a serious relationship will make him a happier, better person, and so tells himself things will be different once he is, then gets stuck along the way because it’s too much effort and not honestly what he wants in the first place. I DO think House cares for Cuddy, and possibly even loves her (though not in the traditional romantic sense), but as for being in love with her? I don’t buy it. I think more than anything she is a means to an end for him, and as time goes on and he sees how incompatible they are and how difficult the relationship continues to be, combined with how he’s not getting better, not magically ‘healing’, that will be the end of their relationship.

And as for Wilson and Sam? Yes Wilson, you would be a great father. But don’t let your excitement over that cloud your judgment and make you blind to the fact that this is a very, very bad idea.

I remembered this show was on ten minutes before it started. I’m bored with it now, and mainly watching out of love for what it formally was. That being said, all in all this was probably the best episode this season. ..But to me that doesn’t say much, because nothing in particular jumped out at me and even though it was a solid case, I just felt under-whelmed.

And that might have all been bullshit and I suck at explaining my thoughts, but...whatever, I’m gonna go play New Vegas and forget about this mess.

[writerdot.livejournal.com]

I agree completely with your assessment of House/Cuddy. I was trying to figure out what I felt about it, and your description hit the nail on the head.

[teamhilson.livejournal.com]

Wasn't exactly wild about this episode. I LOVED House sticking to his guns and not backing down about his deception last week. The bend-over-backwards boyfriend routine was getting old.

As for Wilson, I loved him being cute with the kid, but I was hoping that Sam would remain inept and show him that she's not a fit partner (imo of course). Like a previous poster said, hopefully she will tell him that she doesn't want kids and that will bring about the beginning of the end.

Oh, and lifes_own_light is right about the whole vaccination thing, because when I went into the medical field I was vaccinated, and if I was, I would think a world famous doctor that deals with only Zebras would be too.

(*waves to cuddyclothes*)

[misdreya.livejournal.com]

LOL WUT AM I DOING HURR? (audience laughs)

But yeah. Hubby got me to watch the new episode tonight. Is it just me, or is Cuddy being hypocritical? She's used the whole "boyfriend =/= boss, therefore I can boss you around" argument, but can't take the flip side of it. House lied to her all the time before they got together, just as she bossed him around. Now she wants to keep SOME aspects of their professional relationship, but change others for the sake of them being together?

pffffft.

Also, I feel pretty good that 3M redeemed herself and solved a case. I... sorta like her. ^_^ Which will be the first time I've liked a female character on House... ever. /misogynylol

Also? I cared more about Lamb Girl than Cancer SMALLPOX Dad/Sis. ROFFLE. (OH GOD didn't even care enough to remember the actual MAIN DISEASE OF THE SHOW. fffff they only said it a millions billions times gosh.)

Re: (*waves to cuddyclothes*)

[lilithisbitter.livejournal.com]

3M? Now she sounds like office supplies.

[yarroway.livejournal.com]

What was the deal with bleaching the body? Is that for real?

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Yes. The body would be contagious otherwise.

[shinydinosaur.livejournal.com]

Mmm, but Wilson is the KING of passive-aggressive.

[kirili.livejournal.com]

I wish I could see the Huddy as 'budding'. It just looks like two wilting old roses cuddling up together for the winter years. The spark they had is gone... Cuddy is just trying to tame him now, and he's so desperate not to be alone... So they're just. Forcing boring social constructs on themselves. Like everybody else, I suppose.

[kirili.livejournal.com]

Best episode of the season!

... That said, still ridiculous! And uninteresting! Although Masters and House interactions are fun. And at least pretend to carry some meta aspect. I like the screenwriters and the Dutch translatrix.

The Huddy is just nauseating. It adds nothing to either character. Next week's promo pics are just the tombstone on the show's gaudy grave.

[kirili.livejournal.com]

Also, they've pretty much abandoned the H/W. The actors can't help have chemistry, but the rest of the playfulness etc. is gone. I kind of hope Wilson does have a kid and become a daddy (since heteronormative dreams are the only option).

They've kind of ruined their characters. They're not... complex anymore, not interesting. Wilson desperately wants to be boring and ordinary and it's working out for him. House desperately doesn't want to be alone and Cuddy's his only chance, so he's going to mold himself into a thing she likes. This medicine 'hangup' of his was the only thing keeping him from being completely pussywhipped, and that'll go too. Cuddy... knows what she wants and she wants to make him boring too. Wtf.

This show is like a bad habit. I keep going back because I'm used to it and it's just so consistantly crap... Honestly, I was so excited by Grey's Anatomy this week, at least their melodrama is interesting.

Boring middle-aged settling into the suburbs. Thanks, show. What a lovely lesson about the slow decay of individuality and the desire not to die alone. That seems to be the driving force behind both House and Wilson's relationship.

[anne haight (from livejournal.com)]

I don't care how certain you are of your diagnosis. House going into that quarantine room without a suit on was just goddamn stupid and way beyond the realm of believability for the character.

my toughs

[totallyhilson.livejournal.com]

I finded the episode kinda boring. where's the real drama now days? The show has gotten a bit predictable and so forth boring. And what comes to House and Cuddy: I don't ship Huddy at all and I have to be on House's side on the relationship: What the h*ll is Cuddy's problem??? When they started the relationship, House told Cuddy that he's not gonna change. Cuddy heard that loud and clear. And still she's his boss 24/7. "You are not allowed to lie to me ever" WTF?? We knew that House is House with everyone. I find it quite admirable that House risks whatever to save a patient (okey, maybe he should think twice before lunging in to room with a pox illness person). The thing that irritated me most with Cuddy in this episode was the ending when House talked with her. Cuddy showed that she can't act anyway other than "I'm your boss" with House: "You lied to me about the test-I'm mad at you...Oh, your dying-it doesn't matter anymore....Oh, you are not dying after all, now I'm mad at you again for risking you life for a patient!!" Huddy is obviously all about Cuddy's way or no sex way, do the Huddys really love it that way?????

Because of Cuddy their relationship is doomed. I'm sorry to say that but I'm not the one who writes the show.

..And please, no baby to Wam. Sam is so wrong to Wilson. Like someone said she has two sides. And I don't like either of them.
...But give baby for Wilson, he's gonna be a great dad someday :)

[foxke-lafra.livejournal.com]

Am I the only one who utterly loathed this episode? This might have been the episode that actually makes me quit watching. Hated it.

Most of the characters were terrible - where was Cuddy for the first 2/3 of it? We've seen her heavily involved in dealing with major hospital epidemics/emergencies before. In previous seasons she would have been down in isolation the entire time - maybe getting a bit underfoot in the process, but weighing in as a valuable negotiator between House and the CDC. Instead, her role here was as solely the girlfriend - there wasn't any part here of her being the competent Dean of Medicine.

3M - boring, irritating, and the biggest Mary Sue ever. Are they trying to set things up to eventually do a spin-off for her? Because she was the only one actually coming up with ideas this week - even House didn't really have anything, and he seemed to keep deferring her, and since when does House defer on anything relating to medicine? I also continue to be really, really bothered by the whole "she's still a medical student" thing - it completely distracts me from anything that might be positive about her character, because it's completely implausible that she would be there in the first place.

The team - it's a shame that Chase must have finished the crossword earlier, since they all appeared to be horribly bored the whole time. They contributed nothing to the episode - only 3M had any ideas, and she was the only one pushing along the DDX and advocating for the patient (I think 3M complained at least twice that shouldn't they be DDXing alternatives?). The crew could have replaced them with cardboard cut-outs, since they didn't seem like much beyond that.

Was totally not invested in the patient story at all. Of course it wasn't smallpox. I'm not a doctor and even I can tell you that there's no way you're going to get smallpox from a 300 old jar. I did like the CDC guy - he behaved exactly the way he should have, and I'm not sure why the show was going for the "he's egotistical and in it for the glory" angle. He's CDC - his job is to contain possible medical catastrophes and proceed based on the most plausible course of action, not follow the Housian brand of medicine of administering medication for possible diseases willy-nilly - it works for House and his team, but no way would any other doctor proceed that way.

I did like Wilson and Sam in this ep. Sam is growing on me - she's a little crazy, but she's honest about who she is and her short-comings, and that's attractive. Also, frankly, she seems like someone who would be largely fun to be around, minus the occasional drama and moments of thoughtlessness (and anyone is going to have that occasionally). I can see why Wilson would be drawn to her - fun and a little crazy is a large part of what he finds appealing about House.

Wilson was adorable. Some of the most endearing scenes he's had on this show have been with kids. I don't buy that he didn't find out about the House crisis at all, though - it seems like Wilson has a way of keeping tabs on House and his whereabouts at all times. I'm sure word would have gotten around the hospital quickly once CDC showed up and the place got locked down that there was something big going down, and I have to think that pretty much the whole hospital would have automatically assumed that House's department was in the middle of it (them being the diagnosticians and all and therefore the ones most likely to be dealing with a disease that calls in the CDC). And in that case, Wilson would have gone looking for House to make sure he wasn't doing anything stupid.

I still don't want the relationship to last, though - I especially want there to be an addressing of Wilson's past fidelity issues, since I'm not sure I see evidence that he's changed so that he won't eventually find his jollies elsewhere. And please, please do not give them a baby - we already have one baby on this show who is pretty much a non-entity, no need for more.

On the whole, it was a stupid, infuriating ep. House and Wilson alone do not a show make when they have no interaction for more than 30 seconds.

I hate what they've done to this show. Ditch the relationship drama and little girl already - it's the only way to save the show at this point.

[ellarvi.livejournal.com]

This episode was this close to make me quit watching, but I seem to have more patience than I thought. However, judging by how things have been going on in H/W land, maybe next week's episode will do the trick. :/