Customer Reviews

House, M.D.: Season Six

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

**possible spoilers**
Season 5 of the series House ended memorably with a well-edited contrast: family and friends at warm wedding vs. Wilson watching the broken doctor as he checked himself into a hospital on a cold and gray day. Season 6 starts off with House (Hugh Laurie) in treatment for his vicodin addiction, an addiction which had fueled a series of devastating (yet revealing) hallucinations. Viewers know how House treats "normal" people (that is to say, not with warm and fuzzy feelings) and in the beginning of Season 6 they are treated to House interacting with "abnormal" people. House, ever the equal opportunity offender, does not seem too changed by his stint in Mayfield hospital. Andre Braugher (of "Homicide") was well cast as House's experienced, nothing-shocks-him therapist, able to go head-to-head with House, and there is a guest role by Franka Potente ("Run Lola Run") as a beautiful visitor to the hospital with whom House has a brief relationship.

The writers are able to take House out of his comfort zone, surround him with multi-dimensional characters, and still have House stand out. Don't expect any blatant epiphanies in therapy for House about why he is the way he is. Is it the pain, is it the drugs, his relationship with is father, is it the curse of being a genius? There are no resolutions to go back into the "real world," settle down and live happily ever after. Thank goodness!

The epiphanies are of course saved for the hospital, when House returns to work. He gradually becomes more confident in his ability to solve cases. Even after five previous seasons, the writers are able to come up with all new cases and all new characters for House to read right through.

That being said, Season 6 delves more of the personal lives of the characters than prior seasons: Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) as she balances being a mom, with a love life, and with the demands of her job; Cuddy and House; Taub (Peter Jacobson) and his wife, Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) and Foreman (Omar Epps), Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) and House (some of the best dialogue from the show still occurs between those two), Wilson and his ex-wife. Of particular note, Dr. Chase (played by Jesse Spencer) finally gets some great story lines dealing with secrets, morality and ethics (which the show has always been great at raising discussions about). By Season 6, Robert Chase is no longer the doctor who always tries to stay on House's good side, or agree with House, or play it safe. In past seasons, it was Foreman who had to gain independence from House. In Season 6, Cuddy struggles with it, Taub struggles with it, Wilson starts to and Dr. Chase definitely does, but with severe professional and personal consequences. Of course, there was also the strawberry body butter incident(season 5). Gotta love the variety in the show!

In past seasons, there has been at least one reference (that I can recall) to a patient who died while under House's care. In Season 6, viewers witness other patients not making it. When it happens to House or his team, there will be and were huge ramifications.

Overall, another great season for House. Even after five seasons, Hugh Laurie is able to make House a multi-dimensional character, capable of stinging one-liners but also of conveying internal trauma. How he could not have won every Emmy and golden globe since House was on the air is beyond me. Don't award committees love drug addicts, people pulling off accents, and people in mental institutions? It's the trifecta!

Regarding the famed House/Cuddy relationship, I was probably in the minority by not being too keen on the idea, I thought it might get too "Grey's Anatomy" if you'll pardon the other medical show reference. However, the writers managed (who knows how) to put an original spin on their relationship, it is certainly kept far from the soap opera-ish realm of workplace romances, probably because the characters involved both have complex motivations. It will be interesting to see if House and Cuddy can make it, and in any case, it at least won't be a television cliché.

House fans have come to expect changes in House's team each season finale and true to form, Season 6 does not deviate as one cast member seems to be departing.

Bravo once again! Bravo!

Anyone who cares about great writing - hopefully, we've all gotten over the loss of Aaron Sorkin for The West Wing - well, okay, nobody's reached his level - but I continue to be fascinated by this character. Thanks to the writers for delivering intricate character pieces within the "okay, first scene, somebody's going to contract a mysterious illness right NOW' basic setup - this show could so easily have sunk to one-trick pony oblivion but for the writing and the amazing acting from Hugh Laurie. If you've ever seen him on a talk show and been surprised at his all-too-humble personality, you're not alone. He transforms himself into this tortured, brilliant, loving and lovable character. He's acerbic. Brilliant. Sarcastic. Brutally truthful. Hilarious (but you never laugh at this character, only with him). And yes, tortured - by the pain in his leg and, of course, his heart. As I look over the episodes from this season, I'm thinking of one more reason to give it my highest recommendation: if you or anyone you know ever goes into therapy, watch this season. I've never seen such a terrific depiction of what therapy is at its best. Ever. And I've had many therapists, two of whom had the ability to make me see my world from a different angle, with different eyes. That's a pitifully inadequate description, so buy this season of House and measure any therapy against what you see in this television show. It really is superlative TV.

If you are interested in watching a character develop other than Hugh Laurie as House, stop right now. The round robin of supporting doctors continues and the only ones for sure who remain constants on the series are Wilson, Cuddy and Forman. These are the only characters you can count on seeing week in and week out. They are all dwarfed by House as the lead too. These other three do pretty well with him but still, if Hugh Laurie suddenly quit, I very much doubt you'd have a show called Forman or Wilson or Cuddy. The show would be DOA.

So realizing that House is more than ever the whole show, how is it? If you have always loved House the character, and I have, it is better than ever, because House is better than ever as a character. Hugh Laurie gives it his all in every single episode. Perhaps the opening two episodes are the strongest he's ever done where he is in a mental hospital, first detoxing and then dealing with his breaks from reality leading to his complete mental breakdown. Laurie covers House's stint as a mental patient in true virtuoso form. Then he has to pick up practicing medicine again back at the hospital so we start in with new episodes with his new patients. These remain the same strong dramas as before. He has dramas with his doctors too, all different ones with Wilson, Cuddy and Forman being the only constants. If you want to see any other particular doctor, it is simply the luck of the draw on which episode you play to get that character.

I went into this year's showings under the expectation that it will not meet or exceed Season 4's mediocrity, but only hoped that it would rate good as season 5 has rated good. Boy was I blown away by this powerhouse of writing and acting. It starts with an awesome show with House at his must vulnerable and somehow at his most sarcastic, haranguing the patients while he is one at Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital. He battles his vicodin addiction - and wins. The missing part, the void, which led him down the road of drug addiction, is finally explored little by little until the final reveal in the season's finale and House is once again faced with the choice of returning to his drug of choice, or being with his love of choice. The suspense is killing you, isn't it? Go buy this series 6 you won't regret it!! I've watched all episodes at least twice now, and am working on number three.

This is my personal favorite season of "House" yet. Unlike the previous season, the writing team seemed a lot more focused on season-long themes and arcs while still managing to step outside the box. Season Six might best be characterized as "the concept episode season" as its highlights include the double-length season premiere chronicling House's time in an institution; a pair of "a day in the life of" episodes that both work well; and "Lockdown" (separating and isolating our characters during a hospital lockdown, giving them a chance to interact in ways outside their normal situations).

Crohn's Bonus: One of the patients is diagnosed with "extra intestinal" Crohn's disease!

The House/Wilson relationship is in full bromance form throughout this season, and the chemistry between Hugh Laurie and Robert Sean Leonard is one of the most compelling elements of the series. Bonus: someone had the inspiration to cast Andre Braugher as House's therapist, and that was a stroke of genius. Braugher is one of the few with the gravitas to hold the screen against Laurie, without taking you out of the episode.

Regarding the DVD release, there are four commentary tracks (including one on the aforementioned double-length opener) and a handful of brief, but at least interesting, featurettes. I haven't played any of the commentaries yet, but I felt more rewarded by the featurettes here than I did by those on the Season Five box. Also, and it's a little thing, but I really dig the teal layout of the package design. It really pops on the shelf next to the other seasons.

I'm from Brazil, so I was very disappointed when I realized that there was only subtitles in English and Spanish (I think).
Beside this, the House's 6th season is as good as the first, even better in blu ray.

What can I say except that I love the House Series! I just wish he would become clean shaven, his stragly beard just doesn't cut it! I'm glad that he is finally trying to create a romantic connection with Cutty. I had to purchase the video as I am not always available to catch it on TV on a regular basis. Would recommend this season six group! Good Bonus disk too.

This could be the best House season. The magnificent psychiatric hospital episode, "Broken" it's the work of a master! This episode could perfectly compete in the Oscars as a geniune motion picture. The co-starring character of Andre Braugher as House's psychiatrist is inspiring. The character of Franka Potente (Bourne Supremacy, Run Lola Run) it's oustanding. I deeply recommend this season. Inteligent, inspiring, the funniest situations you can imagine! You never get tired of watching this wonderful series. Finally I would like to stand out the nice chapter dedicated to focus on the work and life of Wilson, "Wison" who takes us into his world as the center of the story, watching House's team work in the periphery. Very interesting chapter. Robert Sean Leonard's performance as Wilson is memorable.

As a House fan, I was anxious to receive the latest in the House DVD series. Season 6 starts with the powerful 2-hour episode in which House has committed himself to a psychiatric hospital. This episode is one of the best pieces I have ever seen on television. Powerful performances by Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of the Broadway hit "In The Heights"), Andre Braugher ("Men of a Certain Age"), and the rest of the phenomenal cast, are haunting and true to life. This is the only episode where the regular House cast members are not present, except for a brief scene where Robert Sean Leonard appears.

In this episode, Hugh Laurie's acting range is displayed from the typical House behavior, to an almost breathtaking passion, to the inner torment of the character. And, for the first time, the glimmer of hope. He meets his match in Dr. Nolan (Braugher).

The rest of the season shows how House uses, and eventually distorts, the insights he gains from his admission to the hospital. The season, to me, becomes more bogged down with relationships than medical drama. Of course it ends with the ambiguous "will they or won't they?" in the relationship between House and Cuddy.

This DVD also hypes "A New Short Featuring Hugh Laurie." SPOILER ALERT: I was disappointed to see that it is a wordless improv of Laurie as House when he first enters the hospital. In and of itself, the piece is good, again showcasing Laurie's talents, but is not anything "New" outside of the House context. It was shot at the end of Season 5, and was intended to give the writers some insight as to how to approach Season 6.

On Disc One, however, is a marvelous behind the scenes documentary on the making of the first episode. I truly enjoyed this bonus feature.

Still, for any fan of House, MD, this DVD will add to your video library.

The medical always stood in the middle of the acting.
Cases got more and more complicated and House, the unique genius finally solve the puzzle.
This was so good, that a real doctor from a university is using the House cases to teach students in diagnostic medicine.
He said, that even he as an experienced doctor need to look up some details in medicine library.
All is accurate. Only a little dramatic is added in finding the solution.
So much about the quality of medicine of the series.

This is not changing in the actual 6. season.
It is getting more believable, because not all patients could be saved.
But this fits in perfectly. It is not something like "OK, this must happen one time."
Compliments to the authors.
The medicine could not be raised to a new level. It was always on the highest level.
But the personalities and interaction could still be developed. And this room was used perfectly.
House started in the mental clinic, getting rid of his illusions and addiction.
Another play of House? No. He found a smart counterpart in the head of this clinic, actually convincing him to go through it, facing his problems.
Brilliant acting and interesting interaction.
Back on work the new personal interaction take shape.
House is living together with Wilson and you see a real friendship. But House is not selling his soul. He is only using his abilities in a creative, not destructive way. Really fun to watch.
The medicine cases getting deeper, focussing also on the human behind.
A highlight is an african dictator, played perfectly by James Earl Jones, putting Chase is a serious personal dilemma.
He know he should treat someone who is guilty of genocide.
Every character is gaining. You get to know them better, watch them growing personally. Not a minute boring.
The "competition" is won by House. But in a photo finish from my point of view.
Until at the final episode House make the biggest jump. Best episode I ever saw. No telling: Watch it!

Every episode has something: Drama, fun, interesting background, interesting medicine cases. I just start over and watching them all again!

Best season? Easily said, but only true if you know the other seasons too.
Clear recommendation.