TV Review: House 5.1 – Dying Changes Everything

Posted by Joe Ngo (joe@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 17, 2008

House MD, FOX, Airs Tuesday 8/7c

Episode: “Dying Changes Everything” (Season 5, Episode 1)

Synopsis: House picks up with a giant close up of an ant, showing off that CGI that the show has become known for. An executive’s assistant suddenly becomes stricken when she sees ants all over herself, tearing off her clothes at a board meeting, desperate to get them off her. After being taken to a hospital, the executive insists that her assistant see Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) at Princeton Plainsboro. At the hospital, House seems less interested in his new case, instead focusing on Wilson. Dr. Wilson has decided to leave his position, and House will do anything he can to get him to stay. Meanwhile, House’s team attempts to solve their case without him, and Thirteen tries to deal with the fact that she has Huntington’s.

Review: This episode definitely made me remember why I missed this show so much. They got right back into the swing of things, with an extremely interesting case, and an incredible story. The way this season’s beginning ties into the end of last season was great. Taking place two months after the events of last season, the characters have been given time to develop further. What’s great about it was that I actually felt that the two months had passed, and yet the emotions that Wilson, House, and Thirteen showed were still strong.

Another aspect that I think House has tackled very well is the integration of the doctors from the first few seasons. Despite the fact that they have been relegated to more minor roles, they still show how important they are to House, as he is seen going to Cameron for advice. Dr. Chase was a bit cold, but the performance of Cameron was perfect for this episode.

The case that they tackled was pretty cool too. I liked how they left much of the diagnostic work to the team, and allowed me as a viewer to feel the panic as they tried their own solutions to no avail. I really enjoy how they stay medically accurate, and the big words they use are music to my ears. Then again, I’m a huge geek and studied too much biology in school.

A huge focus was put on the friendship between Dr. Wilson and Dr. House. Despite House’s pleas and efforts to get Wilson to stay, he can’t seem to find that caring and emotion that Cuddy believes Wilson is looking for. We learn that despite House believing he knows Wilson and will be able to get him to stay, it might not be enough, as there is something else convincing Wilson it’s time to leave.

Up Next Week: Looks like the departure of Wilson is imminent. I wish I could speculate more, but my DVR cut off at a cruicial point of Wilson’s monologue at the end…. we’ll need to discuss this in the comments! What happened right at the end?!?!?! in any case, this leaves me pretty excited as to what this season will offer.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you watch House this week? If so, feel free to discuss below.

Read more articles by Joe Ngo