hallelujah

[swatkat]

You already know what I'm going to say.


joy to the world:

I've had a strange relationship with the baby arc in my fannish life (in this fandom, that is to say). It was what brought me out of lurkerdom into full-fledged fannish participation as I posted a longish meta exploring Cuddy's possible motives in house_cuddy, back when the first spoilers about 'Forever'/'Who's Your Daddy?' came out. I didn't want a television baby, but if that was what she wanted, I was happy. And then a lot of things happened and the show seemed determined not to have any nice thing happen to Cuddy, EVER, and seriously, I could not have wanted this more. I don't care if House and Cuddy never kiss again—please, Shore, let her keep the baby. The novelty will wear down and she'll find out that it's hard to raise a child and she'll have other trauma in her life, I'm sure—but let her keep this baby. Because if there's one thing Cuddy has been consistent about as a character on this show is in her resilience. This is one of the things hihoplastic pointed out to me in a discussion once—Cuddy always bounces back. Let me cite two instances from this season: 'Joy', and devastation, and the next episode she's awesome and cool as though all is fine in her world; the previous episode and the embarrassment and disappointment, and here she is, being this awesome mentorly person to the poor child and a good doctor and not rising to House's bait and not giving up on herself… I'm not being very coherent here, am I? But bear with me, it's just that I'm very happy, and it's the last part that's just so incredible—she put herself out there, again, after the disappointment of the loss of the child and after the embarrassment of harbouring notions about House, and she did not give up on herself, like she always does:

Cuddy: See, that's not a good answer. Remember when you asked me if I'd had any kids? I don't. I don't know, maybe it has nothing to do with it, but I was good at school, good at work—lousy at life. I screwed up every relationship I ever had. I thought, why would I wanna bring a child into this? But then I got older, and…


She knows she's lousy at life, and she has a history of giving up on herself and that she's hardly as well put together as she likes to think she is, but she did it nonetheless. She went there and she's willing to fall flat again, and if that doesn't deserve a little reward I don't know what does. Please, Shore, please let her keep the baby.


can't always get what you want:


And again, this episode brought back why I ship and don't ship House/Cuddy: I ship because they're hot and awesome; I don't ship because it's not just the romance I'm interested in—their relationship is weird, and I want it all, I love every bit of bit. And so even if the House/Cuddy thing doesn't get thingier, I don't care—House just gave her a Look of Love and walked away, accepting that he's not number one in her life at this moment (although, I'm sure he'll start throwing tantrums in the near future). And that's such a reversal from the last time she was doing this thing, and we know how much it costs House to say the 'Merry Christmas'. My heart broke a little bit for him in that scene even though I mostly wanted to say 'Nyah, House, she gave you a chance, and you blew it and now you're only reduced to longing glances and baits that won't work because she's not gonna come play in your office again, she just graduated and left you behind.'



House is (*gasp*) actually being happy for her for a change. Never thought I'd see this day.


Etc.:

* Hello, Foreteen. I'm glad I predicted you right. That's right, Foreman, now she'll show you how to be less boring while you help her with your stable and calming presence. Man, I cannot wait for Chase and Cameron to find out and NEEDLE HIM MERCILESSLY. I cannot wait for Taub to find out and NEEDLE HER MERCILESSLY. *g*

* House/Foreman/Kutner/Cuddy—doctors and empathy.

* Clinic patients FTW!

* Wilson and Irene Adler reference—just SO AWESOME. He just gets awesomer with every passing day, doesn't he?

* The lack of social workers and protocol… did not surprise (or particularly bother) me. Because this show is ALL ABOUT 'law', you see. And 'realism.' *shakes head*

* Kutner's apology was a bit cheesy, but aww-inducing.

* LE, what have you done to Cuddy's hair? I don't care what you do with yours, just fix hers, please.

* Is it just me or has RSL has become blindingly beautiful of late? I have a hard time concentrating on his scenes these days.

* TAUB! I love that the D2 don't respect House at all. They really did manage to needle him pretty well, didn't they? It's a good thing that their dynamic is so different than what House had with their Ducklings.

* 'She could be making you think about another helpless, chubby little girl you recently met.'
'You are NOT really making this about the baby I tried to adopt.'

♥

* The D2's FACES in the aforementioned scene! And every time House tried to bait Cuddy in front of them!

* Nancy Drew Cuddy!

Comments

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

My sister and I had a huge debrief over the phone after this episode. Thank you for articulating something I hadn't been able to explain to her; that House was trying to get Cuddy's attention but she's in a different place now... and he accepted it. I also want Cuddy to keep the baby and I want the baby to stay alive for godsake. I don't think I can take any more of Cuddy's heart being ripped out.

Am still skeptical about how Fourteen will pan out, but I will give the writers the benefit of the doubt for now. I just hope they make each other better people too.

I cannot wait for Taub to find out and NEEDLE HER MERCILESSLY.

Somehow I envision Taub being blase about it and Kutner being ~*crushed*~. Because Kutner is Chase, 13 is Cameron, Foreman is House, and I've grown attached to Cameron/Chase above House/Cameron. ;)

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

that House was trying to get Cuddy's attention but she's in a different place now... and he accepted it.

He had *all* her attention in the previous episode, and he could have kissed her if he had the balls to - but he didn't, and now she's *not* gonna come play with him again. I'm seeing all kinds of bizarre 'but why is there no fallout from the previous episode?' reactions, but I clearly saw Cuddy's refusal to play anymore as a direct fallout of the previous episode. Fool me twice, shame on me, etc.

What's interesting is that House probably doesn't know what went on in Cuddy's head after the desk, or that she saw him with the hooker - which means that he's a bit blindsided by her coldness and not sure why she hasn't mentioned the desk? I don't know, I'm speculating.

But yes, he *accepted* her happiness, and that's kinda awesome.

(reposted)

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

I clearly saw Cuddy's refusal to play anymore as a direct fallout of the previous episode

Exactly. The last episode ended with Cuddy having a "what was I thinking?" moment, and she started acting accordingly. And I agree that House probably has no idea why she was acting so coldly towards him.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

I clearly saw Cuddy's refusal to play anymore as a direct fallout of the previous episode.

Yes, yes, yes. I admittedly haven't been visiting places where I would see these kinds of reactions that you're talking about, but I totally agree with you there. (And, God, that's how I was hoping she'd act, because I wouldn't have respected her much if she didn't.) She was, you know, herself again, with her head back on straight. And, even when there was a baby involved, she was thinking straight, and that was just...wonderful.

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

I really want to comment on this, but honest to god. I'm almost near tears just looking at that picture, and the look on her face. It's been a crazy week and I'm stressed and my hormones are all, "lalalalala you suck" but. Oh, god that is a beautiful picture. AND TOTALLY DISTRACTING FROM YOUR POST / MY HOMEWORK.

I'm just so happy about this. I'll come back later when I'm a little more coherent and less teary eyed. ^^

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Aww, Arabic still bothering you? *hugs* We have much to flail about, so you better finish it all off and then we'll speak!

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

Arabic, finals, papers and a show. So naturally, I can't get anything done. I go home really soon, though, and fully planning on dedicating a good portion of my break to fic writing, icon making and Cuddy watching. And flailing. And meta'ing.

Also, why is it that all the fic ideas come when you are supposed to be doing other things? What is WITH that? Ugh.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

*butts in*

OMG, you take Arabic? That's so awesome and interesting.

*goes away again*

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

The way I feel about the baby arc at this point is very...*handwavy* I got to a point where I'd rather Cuddy get a baby than House end up in a real relationship, so if that's the way it has to happen (or not happen), then fine. I don't really have strong feelings about it like some do. Eh. I wouldn't mind if Cuddy kept this baby for the rest of the series, though, as long as we saw very little of the baby and, when it was relevant, more of how the child is affecting Cuddy. But, the way I see it, if it doesn't come around to affect or relate to House, then it really doesn't belong on the screen. I'm intrigued by the baby arc/thing and am not really committing myself to much of an opinion on it right now, I guess. Although, I do know that I'll be annoyed if, once Cuddy has the baby for a while, she 'realizes' that she's not ready for motherhood and voluntarily gives up the baby. That would be really disappointing, and would strike me as something Cuddy wouldn't do. I'd think her determination would really kick in and she would make it work, but, then again, she'd put the child's welfare first and if she honestly felt she couldn't provide for her, then she would do what was best for it. But, still. I hope they don't go that route. =\

I think, at the end, House's reaction was appropriate. I'll get to the 'wanting her to be happy' part in second, but I think it was partly that the last episode (or more, but I'm too lazy to go back and check) had House seeming relatively wary of taking things further with her in a serious way, and he seemed to be testing her, considering her responses, gathering 'evidence' about whether or not an attempt to take another step with her would result in disaster. And I think that even though there was some bittersweetness to it all (this baby thing, that is), this was partly a relief for him. House doesn't think that he--he himself, all by himself--can make anyone happy, and a baby would stand a much better chance at making her happy than he would. This was his 'out'. It took the pressure off of him to try to be something he couldn't be for her, even though it meant taking a backseat (Cuddy really only had eyes for that baby in that last scene of theirs) for the moment, until he clamors his way up into the front seat again somehow. I don't imagine much pining after this, really. Harassing, yes. Pining, probably not.

I think House has always wanted the important people in his life to be happy, but I also think a part of him doesn't necessarily believe it's possible. So he's careful and wary, and suspicious when people strive for happiness, because I think, while he's still concerned about himself and how their happiness will affect him, he doesn't want those people to crash and burn. I saw this moment with Cuddy a lot like the one he had with Wilson last season, when he told Wilson that he was all right with his relationship with Amber. (Of course, then he goes and still tries to interfere and test boundaries, and determine where he stands in Wilson's life, and I don't doubt he'll do it with Cuddy and this baby, too.) But anyway, I don't think it stops him from wanting happiness for them. And, I wish I wouldn't let fandom affect how much I appreciate House and Cuddy, because I really do, even if I see no real 'romance'. As for Cuddy, I really do hope she's 'graduated', because she deserves so, so much better than what House can realistically give her, and perhaps her example of 'graduating' can possibly teach House a thing or two.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I WANT HER TO BE HAPPY AND HAVE THE BABY OKAY? I AM VERY TINHATTY ABOUT THIS, SORRY, BUT I'M TIRED OF THREE SEASONS WORTH OF HER WANTING AND NOT GETTING ANY OF THE THINGS SHE WANTS AND DESERVES AND LIFE IS NOT THAT BLEAK, EVEN IN THE HOUSEVERSE AND EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE SOME NICE THINGS TO HOLD ON TO.

Ahem.

You see how I feel about this, don't you? *g*

I suspect there might be some pining, though, especially on House's part even though he's been given an out and he's relieved. Because I don't think he knows Cuddy saw him with the hooker, which is why he seemed a bit surprised by her refusal to play in this episode. And while I don't see a 'romance' between them right now, I do see the possibility of a romance (it's a bad word for what might develop between them if they were to have sex and have a 'relationship', but their isn't any that fits), unlike you, and I felt that both House and Cuddy saw it too in the previous episode, which is why they were so terrified about it (but Cuddy at least put the ball in his court; House is just a great big coward). Furthermore, I also see an element of truth in what Wilson said - he *does* see her as the last resort of sorts, and if she won't play who will?

But anyway, I don't think it stops him from wanting happiness for them.

He wants them to be happy. And he wants them with him. And he doesn't believe that the two can be mutually inclusive. Hence the fear and cautiousness.

[shutterbug-12.livejournal.com]

Oh, and, and I need to spread my Foreman/Thirteen love. Love. Love, love, love. I adore it. And I can't wait for everyone to find out. I can't wait for House to find out. Oh, man. Can't. Wait.

Also, I agree, please let Cuddy get her nice hair back. And, wow, do I miss Clinic patients. So much. Wilson (and House, actually) was definitely gorgeous in this episode. And, yes, the dynamic of the new team is really wonderful and Taub is leading the way with his dry humor and his deadpan deliveries and his refusal to be intimidated by House. Oh God, I love it.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Hee. Foreteen are adorable. I ship them in the way I ship Chase/Cameron - won't really be very fannish about them, but will love and adore them from afar. House will be *so* pissed, man. And a little bothered that now even boring Foreman has scored a hot chick and he's just lonely and pathetic, as always.

And yes, they mentioned Stacy! She lives! I don't think Kutner and Taub know who he is. Maybe they will go and ask Chase and Cameron about it? Oh, the possibilites! How much do you love that there are now *six* Ducklings to play with? I never thought I'd love the D2 this much, but I do, especially when they're interacting with the Ducklings.

Also JM looked v pretty in her one scene. Love her hair. Hate Cuddy's, but was blinded by the awesome in the episode.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Someone else appreciated the Irene Adler reference! That was actually my favorite part of the whole episode.

I was otherwise displeased overall, but I'm not going to harsh people's squee, so I'll shut up. :-)

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

No, no, tell me, nothing you say will harsh my squee. Was it the complete absence of realism that bothers you (the baby in the manger - how thematic of them), or something else altogether?

[nestra.livejournal.com]

I literally just reread "A Scandal in Bohemia", so I knew from the beginning that either Wilson was fucking with them, or the writers were fucking with us.

[ashe-frost.livejournal.com]

The look on his face is so amazing in that picture. I missed it. I went into this episode spoiled and I was so annoyed by the way things played out that I wasn't able to enjoy it. I'd built it up better in my head and I still think there were more believable ways for Cuddy to get a baby other than a girl having one that didn't breathe in an abandoned house and two drug addicts keeping it in 20 dollar cans of formula and 16 dollar packages of diapers for three weeks even though they were at the point where they could no longer afford a house for themselves..

But I want to enjoy it. Everyone else enjoying it is making it better.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

See, this is why I try not to get into the spoiler discussions too much (though I can't help spoiling myself for this show). We build up these stories in our heads, and that's not always how the show ends up being. Also, most of the spoilers that are thrown around are inaccurate and grossly misleading - even the promos. I've been burnt before and I've stopped taking them seriously after that.

I do think there could have been other believable ways - oh, like a normal adoption! With social workers and questions on her work hours! I realize that they were trying to do a MIRACLE!, but that doesn't always work out so well. It worked for me, mostly because I'm very good at suspension of disbelief and because she finally got what she wanted, but I can see why you didn't enjoy it.

Look at her smile! Think of the awesome possibilities! I'm sure that'll help. *g*

[ijemanja.livejournal.com]

CAN I JUST FLAIL AT YOU ABOUT THIS EPISODE? EVERYTHING. SO. GOOD.

AND THAT PICTURE MAKES ME FEEL AS GLOWY AND HAPPY AS CUDDY LOOKS.

*FLAILS MORE*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

LET US FLAIL TOGETHER! SHE GOT WHAT SHE WANTED!

[firenze083.livejournal.com]

God, I absolutely loved the final scene with Cuddy and the baby. Yeah, yeah, it was a little contrived with the grandparents and the abandoned house and all that, but SO WHAT. HER SMILE AND HER FACE LIT UP AND LISFHLFDA.

And House and the Look of Love with the soaring, hopeful A Fine Frenzy music. I don't understand why a lot of people in the House/Cuddy community didn't like this episode. I certainly liked it better than last week's. And you know, weirdly, for a House/Cuddy shipper, I really REALLY liked that when he said 'Merry Christmas, Cuddy', she totally forgot about his existence and cooed to the baby instead. And he did this sort of Look of Love/Disappointment/Pining thing, which, yes, was heartbreaking but which I think he deserved after last week. And Cuddy deserves to be happy on her own and to have her world revolve on something not House.

Cuddy with the girl was really fantastic. I would've wanted to find out more about Highschool!Cuddy though. And Foreteen was interesting for me. They're a pretty, quiet, mature pairing and that's always nice to have in this show.

BUT GUH. HAPPY CUDDY. CUDDY = HAPPY. I CANNOT GET OVER IT.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Oh, very convoluted! I was very WTF at the idea that the grandparents wouldn't want their dead daughter's child, but I handwaved it away because SHE GOT HER BABY YAY!

I really REALLY liked that when he said 'Merry Christmas, Cuddy', she totally forgot about his existence and cooed to the baby instead. And he did this sort of Look of Love/Disappointment/Pining thing, which, yes, was heartbreaking but which I think he deserved after last week. And Cuddy deserves to be happy on her own and to have her world revolve on something not House.

Yes. Word. Totally.

It's very interesting how they've portrayed Cuddy with two patients in a row. Both Becca and Natalie seemed to be in awe of her and looked up to her, and that made me very happy.

Foreteen is cool, too. Not only are they sane and mature (which is not something I could say for House/Cuddy or House/Wilson), they're also the only ship with a smushed up name I heart.

[roga.livejournal.com]

HAVEN'T READ YET but man, you have 48 comments and people have been writing post eps and I want to see this already!

Unspoiled, me.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

WATCH IT! Yay or nay, I want to hear what your thoughts.

[caesir.livejournal.com]

It's like 5:50 am here so nothing deep:

BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I don't want to think about potential break heart) So let's focus on the cute baby who gets completely excited when Cuddy coos her, because obviously she already knows how awesome her new mommy is.

House being completely ignored by Cuddy: HA!

I love Taub.

More stupid clinic patients, with House trying not to loose it and failing miserably of course.

Did I mention the baby? The cutest baby that ever cuted?? Seriously, I died when Cuddy stroked her tummy and the baby girl moved her legs... I still don't fully recover from the overload of cute.

(It does bug me the execution of the whole thing. I know, I know, Christmas miracle but still)

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

It was not so much a miracle as it was a MIRACLE!, you know? It's just that I'M SO HAPPY THAT THEY GAVE CUDDY HER BABY, I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THE SC-CALLED REALISM OF THE PLOTLINE. I mean, this is the same show that had the Tritter arc, for instace.

So let's focus on the cute baby who gets completely excited when Cuddy coos her, because obviously she already knows how awesome her new mommy is.

THAT SCENE IS SO AWSOME! She strokes her tummy and she responds and it's just WONDERFUL! As wonderful as House being completely ignored!

Loved Taub in this episode. He has really grown on me, and he completely won me over in this episode when he needled House. Anyone needling House = FTW!