| House begins its fifth season on a somber note. With his girlfriend, Amber, dead, Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) finds his friendship with the cantankerous Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) to be more strained than ever and temporarily leaves the hospital where they work. He eventually returns, which is a good thing, because Wilson is the closest thing House has to a moral compass. The writers of this drama do an admirable job of inserting elements of well-placed comedy into the often-intense vignettes. Otherwise, House wouldn't be such a likable character. In fact, without the humor, he can often be downright despicable, especially to those he supposedly likes the most. Viewers learn that his lack of bedside manner (in and out of the hospital) probably was passed down from his father (R. Lee Ermey, who makes a brief appearance). All 24 episodes--which originally aired during the 2008-2009 television season--are included in this five-disc boxed set. A few of the episodes are tainted by a soap opera vibe, particularly the ones concentrating on the romance between Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) and Dr. Remy ""Thirteen"" Hadley (Olivia Wilde). Based on the first four seasons, Foreman's behavior seems way off. While love can change a man, it doesn't seem likely that Foreman would change this much--not even for someone as compelling as Thirteen. But House's boss, Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), has a juicy story line involving her quest to have a family. The struggles she goes through to adopt a baby depict how challenging it can be for women--even those who excel at everything else--to have it all. But her story line also shows that she is more resilient than she gives herself credit for. For all its medical jargon and scenes set in the operating room, House really is about relationships more than anything else. That's why when another character tragically dies this season, viewers take the loss to heart. --Jae-Ha Kim |
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 Still amazing... |
| Review Date: April 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nathan A. Olson, austin, mn |
House MD season five is not like seasons 1-3. The last two seasons have been different; a new cast has come into the fold, and Cameron and Chase have become guest stars at best. But, the show is called House, and despite what others will say, this is one of the best (if not the best) seasons of House. Sure, it has had a few relationships. But, why wouldn't it? This show is not just starting. It's been on for five seasons. It's been known from the very beginning that House and Cuddy have chemistry, and finally they are seeing where it leads. I say finally because it was inevitable.
Such phrases as "jump the shark" or "a broken House" are floating around, but do not believe them. Adamant fans of the show know that House has always been a show to take chances and hope the viewers come along for the ride. All this show has continued to do is take chances, and hope the viewers come along. Such as "Last Resort" in which the hospital is taken hostage, or "Locked In" where most of the perspective is in a blur and from the patient's point of view, or the latest "Simple Explanation" which may possibly be the best episode House has ever produced. Some say House is broken because it isn't what it used to be. And no, it isn't what it used to be. In many ways it's better.
This season has been about self exploration, and House's drive to change. This season has been about growth in our favorite damaged Doc. I write this review with the season not yet being done. There are still four episodes to go, but I can easily say that this show is still as amazing (if not even more so) than before. Do yourself a favor... buy season five of House... you will not be disappointed.
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House makes NO medical sense, but is sensational
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| Review Date: August 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Marion Rundell, Houston, TX USA |
I have been watching the series for 6 months on USA channel. Although, as a physician, I know that the presentation is totally ficticious from a real medical standpoint, this series is very entertaining. It is impossible for someone to destroy their liver in two hours, and to need (and receive) a heart transplant within one day. It is impossible for a physician to treat a patient with whole body radiation without knowing a real diagnosis. However, this series presents medical syndromes, and other very rare disease possibilities, causing even the most astute phyisician to do a double take as to what is involved with the syndrome they present. This is a seriously sensationalistic medical presentation, but still very entertaining...even to the most discerning of physicians. Please do not take the sense of urgency seriously. However, understand that this is a good emotional representation of what physicians go through in trying to make a serious diagnosis, and a diagnosis in difficult diseases can be extremely difficult. It is obvious that "House" is a modern day version of Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes", but "Sherlock Holmes" was patterned after Dr. Joseph Bell, a famous physician in Europe in the time of Doyle.
"Dr. Bell observed the way a person moved. The walk of a sailor varied vastly from that of a solider. If he identified a person as a sailor he would look for any tattoos that might assist him in knowing where their travels had taken them. He trained himself to listen for small differences in his patient's accents to help him identify where they were from. Bell studied the hands of his patients because calluses or other marks could help him determine their occupation." The Chronicles of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
So, "House" takes this full circle. Very entertaining and worth the time, just to refresh rare syndromes and their symptons and the character interactions are also fun. |
Great Entertainment!
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| Review Date: April 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lola Jean, Watertown, SD |
| I started watching House about 2 years ago and I am hopelessly addicted. I find the show entertaining. House and his team keep things going each week with the story lines and there are usually 2 or 3 going on at the same time. Then add the mix of the drama between House and his team members and it gets fun & crazy! I will say that I could have easily lived with out the whole "gay thing" as I don't find that very entertaining and it did nothing to enhance the story. But other than that, I find House one of the best weekly programs on TV these days. Hugh Laurie is an amazing actor and I love his quirky behavior on the show. I am giving House MD a 5 star rating! Oh and writing Amber back in for a few episodes is so fun! I love this show and can't wait till next week's show is on!! Glad to hear that they will be coming back this fall with Season 6! |
One drawback
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| Review Date: August 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. Henderson, San Marcos, CA United States |
I love House - just incredible. Nothing I can take away from the show, as a show itself. Detailed, deep characters, intricate plots, fun puzzles.
But the DVD - what were they thinking????
Season 4, I understood - writers strike, everything a bit off. But they used to have FUN extras - the Valley Girl stuff was worth buying the DVD by itself. Now - just plain straight boring extras. Come on now guys! Give us something fun! Not more of the directors and writers talking and congratulating themselves for a well done show (and it is) - give us something fun! |
Greg just keeps going !
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| Review Date: September 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: fedtho, Geneva, Switzerland |
I'm about halfway through the season, but I feel like telling anyone hesitating to go for "yet another season of House" that the quality of season 5 matches, if not tops, the best you've seen of it in the past.
Which is quite stunning to me, after Season 4's two-episode finale that left one wondering what they could possibly come up with after such a "TV doesn't get better than that" achievement.
(Let me insist: even though Season 4 has "only" 16 episodes, you can safely go for it - they are worth a 24-episode season by and large.)
Gregory House gets a little darker and a little more permeable to life and people around him as he meets new challenges to his unconditionally self-centered world.
Virtually every episode has a *great* idea to start with.
I really think the writers are putting themselves out there, as I'm sure fans will scream at some of the options and new paths explored - and I think that's bold and that's what a show like House NEEDS.
Still House M.D., the one and only! |
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