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After reading review after review, it is clear that it's unanimous - The Social Contract was one of the best, if not the best episode of season 5.
I couldn't agree more. Finally - FINALLY - there was little to no Foreteen (and what we did get was kinda cute now that it's not being stuffed down our throats ad nauseum) and Taub and Kutner got the screen time they so richly deserve. Taub examining his nose in a spoon (House: "Hey, Cyrano DeBerkowitz! Let it go!" *SNORK*) was hysterical and Kutner's clumsy attempts at good bedside manner was adorkable.
But the biggest and best WIN of the night was the House/Wilson relationship. There is finally an explanation as to why Wilson remains friends with House AND we get to learn a little more about Wilson's brother Daniel and how he has influenced Wilson's personality. House was sweet and kind in this episode, but still remained in character. (The scene with Chase was one of the most memorable and the most revealing dialogs yet.) House not only admits that Wilson is important to him, he proves it by volunteering to go with him to New York to see his brother. Of course, he's still House and all but forgets about Wilson when the team calls him, but it's nothing less than we'd expect from the man. House's elaborate scheme to compliment Cuddy was also sweet yet true to his character. (Cuddy's smile as the elevator doors closed was just perfect.)
I think the best word I've heard yet to describe this episode is balance. For once the show focused on the two main characters and gave the rest of the characters a more equitable amount of screen time. Characters we've seen a lot of lately (Foreteen and Cuddy) were a bit more in the background this time out (for which, in the case of Foreteen, I am immensely grateful).
It appears that David Shore is listening to the fans and at least attempting to give us more balance, now and in the future. We've been told that Wilson, Chase, and Cameron will get more screentime (yay!). We've been promised Huddy sex (YAY!!!). And House's emotional upheaval to end the season, if delivered as promised, will be something to really look forward to.
I couldn't agree more. Finally - FINALLY - there was little to no Foreteen (and what we did get was kinda cute now that it's not being stuffed down our throats ad nauseum) and Taub and Kutner got the screen time they so richly deserve. Taub examining his nose in a spoon (House: "Hey, Cyrano DeBerkowitz! Let it go!" *SNORK*) was hysterical and Kutner's clumsy attempts at good bedside manner was adorkable.
But the biggest and best WIN of the night was the House/Wilson relationship. There is finally an explanation as to why Wilson remains friends with House AND we get to learn a little more about Wilson's brother Daniel and how he has influenced Wilson's personality. House was sweet and kind in this episode, but still remained in character. (The scene with Chase was one of the most memorable and the most revealing dialogs yet.) House not only admits that Wilson is important to him, he proves it by volunteering to go with him to New York to see his brother. Of course, he's still House and all but forgets about Wilson when the team calls him, but it's nothing less than we'd expect from the man. House's elaborate scheme to compliment Cuddy was also sweet yet true to his character. (Cuddy's smile as the elevator doors closed was just perfect.)
I think the best word I've heard yet to describe this episode is balance. For once the show focused on the two main characters and gave the rest of the characters a more equitable amount of screen time. Characters we've seen a lot of lately (Foreteen and Cuddy) were a bit more in the background this time out (for which, in the case of Foreteen, I am immensely grateful).
It appears that David Shore is listening to the fans and at least attempting to give us more balance, now and in the future. We've been told that Wilson, Chase, and Cameron will get more screentime (yay!). We've been promised Huddy sex (YAY!!!). And House's emotional upheaval to end the season, if delivered as promised, will be something to really look forward to.
anxious
(no subject)
-But the biggest and best WIN of the night was the House/Wilson relationship. There is finally an explanation as to why Wilson remains friends with House AND we get to learn a little more about Wilson's brother Daniel and how he has influenced Wilson's personality. House was sweet and kind in this episode, but still remained in character. (The scene with Chase was one of the most memorable and the most revealing dialogs yet.) House not only admits that Wilson is important to him, he proves it by volunteering to go with him to New York to see his brother. Of course, he's still House and all but forgets about Wilson when the team calls him, but it's nothing less than we'd expect from the man.
Yeah I loved how House showed some support to Wilson by volunteering to go with him to New York without being even the slightest bit out of character. I also loved the insights into why Wilson stays friends with House and how what happened with his brother has influenced who he is.
-House's elaborate scheme to compliment Cuddy was also sweet yet true to his character. (Cuddy's smile as the elevator doors closed was just perfect.)
*g* Yeah this was just perfect.
(no subject)
I just loved this episode so much. I hope the rest of the season lives up to the standard this one has set. As a House purist (meaning a) first and foremost, this show is about House and b) it is a procedural where a mystery is solved every week), I think this episode went back to the show's roots without sacrificing any of the newer elements or relationships.
(no subject)
In any case I have to agree with you the show is about House (although I don't mind learning about the other characters too so as long as they don't beat us over the head with it) and it simply is not House without there being some kind of medical mystery for House (or on VERY rare ocassion someone else) to solve.
I think this episode went back to the show's roots without sacrificing any of the newer elements or relationships.
Yeah I agree with that statement.
(no subject)
Foreman has always been my least favorite character, but since I've been rewatching all the episodes from season 1 and forward, I've been reminded that Foreman actually wasn't so bad in the first three seasons. He had sympathy for patients, he had a sense of humor, and he was way more animated. Now he is, as we have discussed before, a stick-in-the-mud with no sense of humor whatsoever. He is exquisitely boring and has zero chemistry with anyone other than House (and even that is missing something).
(no subject)
I think the biggest part of the problem with Foreman is in his efforts to avoid becoming like House he's lost something he once had. I can't quite put my finger on what it is but it's something.
Oh and he's most definitely a stick in the mud with no sense of humor whatsoever as you said. Say what you want about House being an insensitive jerk but at least for the most part he seems to retain his sense of humor (although it can be rather twisted at times).
(no subject)
That said, I think that we got a glimpse of the old Foreman in The Social Contract, wouldn't you say?
Say what you want about House being an insensitive jerk but at least for the most part he seems to retain his sense of humor (although it can be rather twisted at times).
I like my insensitive jerks to have a twisted sense of humor! The two just go together like peanut butter and chocolate.
(Although I think The Social Contract, among other episodes, kind of showed us that House isn't always quite the insensitive jerk that he appears to be. He's so much more complicated than that and a lot deeper than we are led to think he is. His mind is always working and when it isn't a medical puzzle it's obvious he examines and analyzes his life and the lives of those around him.)