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[swatkat]

I don't have the energy to be very squeeful or thoughtful today, so my very brief observations on 5.08 and 5.09, which I watched last night with A. (who watched the show for the first time, and said she liked the House guy) and zorana84:

Emancipation:

* Tight little episode, a lot of parallels and subtle contrasts. Brothers/Foreman/House&Wilson.

* Wilson's 'inscrutable' thing was adorable (he looked like he was cackling on the inside), as was House's longing glance at Cuddy in the end. Aww. There was something about the music playing in the background and Wilson's 'noble ass' comment and the lovely walking out together that made me feel happy and hopeful in the end.

* 'Whatever you're trying to prove? Won't be enough.' Oh, Chase! The show needs to have a House&Chase Resolve Their Issues episode right now.

* CCF are ADORABLE together these days. Aww.

* Foreman has always been Cuddy's favourite Duckling. I wouldn't be surprised if she has secret plans of world domination expanding the department and getting House to do more work that involve Foreman in a starring role.

* There is much to be said about Chase, Foreman and Cameron and their respective careers (like roga pointed out in her post-ep response post). Later.



Last Resort:

* I understand there had been a lot of hype about this episode in fandom and now people are upset because it wasn't big enough and didn't feature enough House/Wilson hurt/comfort and focused on resolving Thirteen's arc instead? The first part is unfortunate, because these things do happen when you obsess too much over promos and spoilers; the second one deserves no response except being hit on the head with a bottle, which is what I threatened to do to zorana84 last night (she shut up. for five seconds). I enjoyed it. It was... quieter than what you'd expect a HOSTAGE!DRAMA! episode to be, and I liked it. I liked House's cool (given the fact that he's been shot with a crazy patient with a gun once before) and the fact that HE GAVE BACK THE GUN because he has to solve his puzzle (and then the patient called him on it, too).

* LOVE the cinematography. LOVE IT. The cool slo-mos and everything. I could have done without the House/Cuddy looks, though, if only because they were too close to Longing Glances (of the not-so-awesome kind, unlike the one in the previous episode) for my comfort, even though they felt more like 'I'm worried about you and reassured that you're still alive' glances (which are awesome) to me.

* Loved how the final House/Cuddy scene - House's cool after the DRAMA; semi-serious conversations about relationships; denial; conversation about enabling... The drawer in the end was absolutely PRICELESS.

* Chase and Foreman walking out; Cameron staying put. Again, much to be said here. Later.

* THIRTEEN, OH. ♥ I approve of Foreman/Thirteen.

* goddesspharo has a picspam of the episode here: check out the cap of Cuddy twirling a spoon. The cute, it kills me.

Comments

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I liked Emancipation much more than I liked Last Resort, but I liked them both. I was expecting more for Last Resort, not in-your-face action, but just more...something. Can't quite put my finger on it. In general, this season hasn't been my favorite, and it's been on par with how I've thought of most episodes this season, but it was still good. House is still, even with non-awesomely stellar episodes, the best show on network TV (IMO), and I liked the patient in Last Resort a lot. I like the issue of "Why decent people do bad things".

But yeah, agreed with pretty much everything you said here. I thought it wasn't a bad character choice for House to give the gun back, either, like you. In general, that's not the brightest move, but I think there's something to be said for characters here. Also thought House's reactions to the 'scary-man-with-the-gun' were appropriate. He seemed freaked enough when it was pointed right at him, and the rest of the time, he seemed to be focused on concentrating on the case, solving that puzzle, and getting the guy not to shoot anyone.

All in all, decent, but not my favorite. I think Emancipation has been my favorite of the season.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I've found this season to be pretty strong, actually, but that could be just me. *g* I won't call 'Emancipation' my favourite ('Birthmarks'; 'Joy'; 'Dying Changes Everything'...), but it was very Classic House (even though I'm the last person who appreciates a good medical mystery - I watch it for the drama), and I did enjoy it. What was really good about 'Last Resort' that it stuck to the procedural formula instead of going for a HOSTAGE!UPHEAVAL!MUCH DRAMA FOR OUR HEROES! thing, focusing on House and the patient(s).

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

Okay, no, Birthmarks. Birthmarks was my favorite. But Emancipation rang so true to "old times" that I just fell in love with it. It wasn't the medical part I liked (I'm relatively clueless to the medical stuff, and never watched the show for that), but I wasn't smacked over the head with hammers or anvils in regards to parallels. I really, really appreciated Emancipation. But Birthmarks was such a good one. Joy was much better than I thought it would be, too, but it probably doesn't even rank in my top ten. But everyone has different tastes.

And, yeah, the fact that they didn't stray from the formula (which was probably tempting to do) earned it points. I don't have many real complaints about it. It just didn't impact me like some episodes have and can.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

And, yeah, the fact that they didn't stray from the formula (which was probably tempting to do) earned it points. I don't have many real complaints about it. It just didn't impact me like some episodes have and can.

True. It was a good episode in all, but not the kind you'd remember forever. A lot of the fannish complaints are regarding the lack of drama (especially of the House/Wilson kind), but I'm happy they kept it this way. I know the characters well enough to know that they were worried about House - don't need to be hit with emo!anvils, thank you.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

I'll admit to thinking that a little snippet scene near the end between House and Wilson would have been fulfilling for me, but, at the same time, it's hard to squeeze in so much, and I'm looking forward to some good fanfiction to fill the gap. It's not something that needs to be seen because we know how House and Wilson care about each other, but sometimes it's nice, even a tiny bit. But that's not really something that made me think the episode wasn't anything special. It was really more of a general feel.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not saying I wouldn't have enjoyed a snippet of House and Wilson 'I'm glad you're okay', but somehow that's never the kind of interaction House and Wilson do on the show, you know? And there's only so much you can squeeze in. I'm just getting frustrated by all the fannish entitlement again - it's really irritating. Because clearly House and Wilson are the only things about the show that work and all of us are watching only for House and Wilson and how dare Thirteen be on screen when Wilson isn't? Argh.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

...that's never the kind of interaction House and Wilson do on the show, you know? Yep, and I think that's part of a reason why I kind of want one. Not a mushy, "Oh, my God, I don't know how I could have gone on without you!" *dramatic throwing of them at each other* But, all right, I mean, let's face it, the boys deserve a nice best-pal hug. Of course, in their world, that would be a form of, "Hey, so I was thinking of picking up a pizza. You want some?" "Sure, that dude didn't even let me go to the vending machine all day." *grin, shoulder pat, if Wilson's feeling touchy-feely* LOL But you know what I mean. ;)

And the sense of entitlement is annoying, yeah. I've always found it frustrating, as well as that entire mindset of extreme types of shippers. The House/Cuddy variety are annoying me much more these days, however, as the high-horse riding is kind of insufferable. Apparently this arc validates every one of them in a "Ha. We've been so right all along. In your face. We win." way. Fandom, aside from the cool people on my f-list, has been really hard to take lately. =\

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I would've loved that! Or a simple walking out together, that would do just fine for me. But House walking out with his head held high worked fine for me, too. It's not an episode I'll rewatch again and again, but I'm really not getting the 'worst episode in the history of episodes' response, either. /shrug

Apparently this arc validates every one of them in a "Ha. We've been so right all along. In your face. We win." way.

Oh yes! They have this 'take THAT, HAMERON' thing going on, stemming from that ancient Huddy vs. Hameron thing that always had House/Cuddy shippers as the underdog back in the days, and I hate it. I'm okay with the flailing, because their ship DID just get a lot of fanservice, but I could do without the high-horse and entitlement.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I do love and miss the walking side-by-side scenes, but the ending, as you said, worked well. And yes, the entitlement and whatnot really wears on me. The thing that also gets me a little bit is how apparently the shippy claim that House and Cuddy have been harboring life-long intense love for each other, and apparently House was always pining after Cuddy even while he was with Stacy because it was Cuddy he'd always really wanted, and this arc just proves that they're meant to be together forever and have blue-eyed babies. *rolls eyes* Sorry. The flailing is fine and great, and it's fun, and doesn't belittle anyone--character or fan--but the other stuff really bugs me.

Ha, and you know, I don't think I've ever watched an episode and went, "Ugh, that was terrible." B/c there's always something to grab onto in each episode, something good about it to focus on, so I never really get reactions like that. And I can't really imagine saying I dislike an episode because so-and-so wasn't in it "enough". Happened with some Cuddy fans last week, some Wilson fans this week, and it goes back and forth, and I just don't really get it.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

The thing that also gets me a little bit is how apparently the shippy claim that House and Cuddy have been harboring life-long intense love for each other, and apparently House was always pining after Cuddy even while he was with Stacy because it was Cuddy he'd always really wanted, and this arc just proves that they're meant to be together forever and have blue-eyed babies. *rolls eyes*

They've been watching some other show, clearly.

Happened with some Cuddy fans last week

Wow, really? You'd think they'd be used to it by now! The only Cuddy fans I interact with are on my flist and are pretty sane, so I've missed most of the crazies that way. The crazy Wilson fen OTOH... *shudders*

[cryptictac.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha initially, I loved this episode, but then I had time to think about it and realised a huge deal of it left me feeling really pissed off. The last House/Cuddy scene in particularrrr. God, that actually left me feeling really, really annoyed. I WOULD GO ON A RANT ABOUT WHY, BUT I WILL SPARE YOU THE ANGST.

Thirteen was what salvaged the episode for me, completely. All the haters need to just shut the fuck up.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I just saw your post! *g* I can see where you (and everyone else talking about the lack of drama) are coming from, but it seemed to me that they were trying to make a point with the understated emotional reactions, especially post-'House's Head'/'Wilson's Heart'. The drawer scene worked for me, because it felt like a quiet recognition of what they'd just been through and what they'd overcome... and life going on, as it does. It made sense to me that this was Thirteen's Big Revelation episode, because she hasn't faced that kind of life-threatening thing that is routine for House. It seemed that House kept his cool because he's already been shot once. I loved that he was trying to be adult and in control, while simultaneously being insanely tempted by the puzzle but not showing it too much, and THEN GIVING IT ALL AWAY by giving the gun back, because he has to solve his puzzle and he thinks he's right.

♥ Thirteen.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

I thought the revelation was absolutely appropriate and awesome, because even though Thirteen's been facing that she will die in eight to ten years, it's still eight to ten years off, and it's not nearly as immediate as someone pointing a gun to your head, threatening to kill you right now. I'd imagine it's a good time to come to a decision about your life, and if you really want it after all.

It seemed that House kept his cool because he's already been shot once. That's pretty much how I saw it, too. I think he knew that a way to help make sure he didn't experience that again was not to go into a mental breakdown and be entirely useless, but to be as valuable as possible and stay calm. I also don't really recall House taunting Jason about anything, just in case the reaction was to shoot. He seemed very adult, which was so refreshing, actually, now that I think about it. There were some great flickers of, "Jesus Christ, get that fucking gun away from me" when Jason pointed it at him when House wasn't really expecting it, so I thought it totally worked.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

It was! Appropriate! Foreman/Thirteen has a lot of fun potential. *g*

He seemed very adult, which was so refreshing, actually, now that I think about it. There were some great flickers of, "Jesus Christ, get that fucking gun away from me" when Jason pointed it at him when House wasn't really expecting it, so I thought it totally worked.

VERY refreshing. Which is why I screamed 'NO, HOUSE!' when he THREW THAT ALL AWAY by giving him back the gun. It's very in-character for House, and, I'd argue, shows us a new level of outrageous. Just how far will he go to solve a puzzle? Very far, clearly. A clever line of continuity from the previous episode's conversation with Wilson, where he says 'Did I?' jokingly. Not so joking in hindsight, is it?

The juvenile obsession with the puzzle fits in with the juvenile booby-trapping of Cuddy's desk, as well.

[roga.livejournal.com]

I skipped over half the post because I haven't watched the latest ep yet, but: * 'Whatever you're trying to prove? Won't be enough.' Oh, Chase! The show needs to have a House&Chase Resolve Their Issues episode right now.

Amen! Also, yay episode :-)

Also, hi! I always worry about you when I read stuff like what's going on in the news, even though obviously you're nowhere around and posting about House eps. It's a thing.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Also, hi! I always worry about you when I read stuff like what's going on in the news, even though obviously you're nowhere around and posting about House eps. It's a thing.

Sigh. It seemed like the best thing to do. I haven't been able to concentrate after that (it's still going on, if the reports are correct). I'm nowhere near Bombay (I'm in New Delhi), but I have friends and family there who all seem to be safe, and my Dad cancelled his flight to Bombay (he was supposed to go yesterday - and, incidentally, he always stays in the cheaper new wing of the Taj hotel that has been the site of all the drama; I know someone who lives about ten minutes from that hotel and she says she can hear everything happening). I thought about making a post about this, but what would I say? I've seen posts around in other people's LJs, and while I appreciate the gesture, I'm not sure a lot of people understand what they are talking about and I'm not sure *I* would make sense.

[caesir.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any free time this last couple of weeks, so I've only seen 4.09 (yes , I chose that one in direct relation with Cuddy screen time. I'm not biased or anything, clearly.) and yeah... it wasn't very good. I wasn't the most awful thing ever showed on TV either, but still.

I think they purposely downplayed the drama because, (besides the Hadley resolution)dramatically speaking, there wasn't any payoff. I think TPTB knew they would get even more criticism if they went all out with the HOSTAGE!DRAMA! and having nothing come out of it, so they played it safe. And (mostly) that lack of tension was why the episode didn't worked for me.

Loved how the final House/Cuddy scene Yeah, especially because of the acting. I'm fascinated when actor express mixed emotions and do it so flawlessly.

Chase and Foreman walking out I was going NOOOOOOOOOOOO, when Chase left but because it meant no more JS for the rest of the episode. That's very deep, no? And since I'm going for the shallow approach.. .Foreman looked soooo pretty in the last scene. I mean OE is good looking but he usually does nothing for me (too busy drooling after HL and JS and trying to hold on to my heterosexuality whenever LE and OW show up) But in the scene whit Hadley he looked gorgeous, maybe it was Hadley's magical glow rubbing on him or the “Look of Love" he was sporting, IDK.

check out the cap of Cuddy twirling a spoon. Ha, that spoon drove me nuts. My train of thought went like this "come on Cuddy, you’re telling me there isn’t a single rubber band in the nurse’s station?” – “Maybe she’s going to use to take out SWAT guy eyes out if he insists on doing smartass remarks instead of doing his job” I finally came to the conclusion that Cuddy was also feeling the lack of tension of the epis... er hostage situation and went to the cafeteria for a frozen yogurt with extra sprinkles to give herself a sugar high and be more frazzled. True story ;)