Epic Fail

[swatkat]

So, in this episode, House and Cuddy actually had a Conversation.

In Which Cuddy Is Not a Narcissist (And Attempts to Have a Grown-Up Conversation With House):

Yes, that's right. Cuddy went to House. Voluntarily. And tried to have an adult conversation with him. About personal stuff. There was continuity. And a sort of incredibly awkward confrontation over the events in 5.24. Oh, show!

The Cuddy in House's hallucination in Under My Skin does not hesitate to reassure House that he matters to her, not just professionally but personally. The real Cuddy, however, is seldom that brave or open with House – something the previous season has done lovely things with - which is why this scene made me bounce. Because, back when I thought Under My Skin was real, I was ecstatic about the fact House and Cuddy overcame their denial and spoke to each other about the fact they were friends, that they mattered to each other beyond the professional sphere.

House: And neither are you. I'm your hospital's biggest asset.
Head!Cuddy: Is that why you think I'm here?
House: It's why you're here, why you're lying to me—
Head!Cuddy: I haven't lied to you in twenty years.
[…]
Head!Cuddy: I'm not here protecting hospital property.
(5.23, Under My Skin)


Cuddy: That's fine, as long as I'm not the reason for it, I know this sounds completely narcissistic but— (literally facepalming)
House: It's not. We flirted, we kissed. I fondled. I hallucinated a night with you and yelled it from the hospital balcony. You're not a narcissist.
Cuddy: So what am I?
House: Not the reason I'm leaving.
Cuddy: (takes a deep breath) House. I'm going to miss you.
(6.03, Epic Fail)


This is not only confrontation about Both Sides Now but also Let Them Eat Cake. This is House telling Cuddy that yes, she was part of the many things that lead to his breakdown, even if she's not the reason why he's leaving. This is Cuddy realising how RIDICULOUSLY NARCISSISTIC her Superhero Complex is (House pointed it out all the way back in Humpty Dumpty), but giving voice to her fears anyway and leaving herself open to House's mockery. This is Cuddy telling him that she will miss him, after all the steps backward after Let Them Eat Cake, after her affirmation in Both Sides Now that they don’t have a personal relationship, negating everything they've been for each other all this while. This is continuity, guys. This is progress. Awww, you two. ♥♥♥

And while I think using the bilingual lady to make the hooker crack was absolutely tasteless (even if the writers were probably trying to say, 'See, this is House, he is still a jackass, ha! ha!'), I have never agreed with her more when she said, 'Lady, either kiss him or leave.' Not that they're going to. Do either (even though Cuddy left in this scene). Because people change and make progress, as they have, but they don't do it that fast, they don't do it so easily. House and Cuddy certainly do not.



In Which Cuddy and Wilson Don't Change:



I adored every little moment with Wilson in this episode. House saving Wilson's balls, House being Wilson's wife, House becoming an obsessive cook and feeding Wilson, House doing Wilson's laundry, Wilson not exactly knowing how to handle House, Wilson and Cuddy's Tuesday lunches… (I am also reserving judgement on the show's pain!fail until the season progresses some more and there are people who know more about medicine that I do commenting on it in a sane manner.)

That said, Wilson running to Cuddy the second he suspects Vicodin use and the entire Wilson&Cuddy Intervention, while adorable, is also troubling. They're trying to help, they are, but when they do it usually leads to an incredible mess, and I don't know what this one will lead to. Further callbacks to the Tritter arc, and this time, not in a good way. *shudders*



In Which Foreman Is Not A Narcissist At All (And Doesn't Try To Be House, Really):



On the theme of changing and not changing, we have some fabulous Foreman characterisation in this episode, with continuity from Season 2's Foreman In Charge days (which was further touched upon in S4 and 5, as well). Among the three Ducklings, Foreman has always been the Ambitious One, and this ambition is often his downfall. Because he knows, at heart, that he is not the smartest the way Chase is or Kutner was, that he does not have Cameron's ethics or compassion, that he doesn't enjoy being challenged the way House does (does, rather, enjoy being boss), and tries to be all of those things at once and fails to be any and then mucks things up by taking the wrong decision. And here we have him in charge of Diagnostics, finally, only to find out, once again, that he can't quite come out of House's shadow (even his dating problems parallel one aspect of House and Cuddy!). And how does he deal? By firing his girlfriend, because he believes it will save their relationship. I just… *shakes head*

The firing is not only rather unethical, it also puts Foreman in an incredibly difficult position. Because he has, as always, overestimated the free reign Cuddy has given him, forgetting that while he has always been her favourite Duckling when it comes to taking responsibility, she has also never hesitated to be ruthless with him (unlike with House; but Foreman is not House). And when she finds out that she needs to hire at least two new people in Diagnostics? She will not be happy. And when House makes his offer, she will, quite possibly, look to replace Foreman at the first opportunity, and where does that leave him?



Etc.



* NEEDS MOAR SHIRTLESS FOREMAN. From now on, can we have him be shirtless in every episode, please? And in a towel?

* I wanted to SQUISH House and Thirteen in that scene where she goes to him. I love mentor!House, and I love that she went to him and asked for Relationship Advice, ahaha!

* I ♥ Taub and he better not be leaving the show.

* Taub and Thirteen playing the video game was priceless.

* House saved Wilson's balls!

* Chase and Cameron were adorable in their little scenes.

* God, the patient was annoying.

* But. Ibuprofen? I will reserve judgement right now, however.