The Ultimate Nostalgic Trip: Unveiling the Untold Realities of Watching House 11 Years Later

Summary

Some aspects of House have not aged well more than a decade later.

The House and Cuddy relationship degraded the series, as it failed to replicate the spark and wit derived from their romantic conflicts. Furthermore, House's troublesome conduct and other aspects of the show have not aged gracefully.

House, which aired from 2005 to 2012, was undeniably one of the most successful television shows ever. However, upon revisiting the series 11 years later, some less favorable traits become apparent. Despite its consistent presence in the US Top 10 rated television series during seasons 2 to 4, watching the series now poses certain harsh realities.

Starring Hugh Laurie as the unkind yet brilliant Dr. Gregory House, the cast of characters in House was perfectly suited for the doctor to criticize and demean. However, with a modern perspective, some of his behavior now appears problematic. Nonetheless, House remains an enigmatic and celebrated character in televisual history. While it still holds its position as one of the greatest television shows ever, there are certain aspects that have not aged well.

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10 House Wasn't Actually That Lovable

Throughout the television series "House," the main character, House, is often portrayed as a lovable yet misanthropic individual. While his unfriendly behavior is often attributed to his leg injury or his constant focus on his patients, upon reflection, this excuse seems rather feeble. House exhibits unnecessary cruelty on numerous occasions and shows little regard for even his closest companions, such as Cuddy and Wilson. Despite Wilson's unwavering loyalty, House continuously tests the boundaries of their friendship, as demonstrated in the first season when Wilson loses his position on the hospital's Board of Directors for defending House - an incident House barely acknowledges.

9 House and Cuddy's Relationship Ruined The Series

Despite being eagerly anticipated for multiple seasons, the eventual relationship between House and Cuddy diminished much of the show's tension. House found immense humor and storytelling potential in teasing and exploring the romantic chemistry between himself and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein). However, the actual progression of their relationship failed to adequately compensate for the loss of this dynamic. This shift in the series noticeably affected the overall narrative and ultimately reached its peak when Cuddy departs from House after season 7, a turning point that many viewers considered to be the beginning of the end for House.

8 House Episodes Were Very Repetitive

Throughout House, there are several periods characterized by an overwhelming sense of repetition. One notable example is House's recurring joke about Lupus not being the culprit, but it is not the only ailment that is repetitively discussed in the context of differential diagnoses. The medical procedures performed also contribute to this tedium, with lumbar punctures, MRI scans, CT scans, and biopsies appearing in the majority of episodes, rendering them commonplace. Additionally, the episodic structure itself becomes monotonous, as consecutive storylines often adhere to the same formula, thereby making the outcome of the treatment and the overall narrative structure of the episode predictable.

7 House Peaked By Season 5

6 House Season 1 Looked Terrible

Arguably, House reached its peak during season 5. Although subsequent episodes were highly successful and enjoyed by viewers, no season matched the consistent quality of season 5. The gripping storyline of House's addiction was skillfully interwoven throughout the season, culminating in the show's most remarkable season finale, episode 24, "Both Side Now." Additionally, season 5 boasted the largest character roster, including members from both eras of House's medical team. However, season 6 marked the end of Jennifer Morrison's portrayal of Cameron, and soon after, Lisa Edelstein departed as Cuddy after season 7. Furthermore, by season 6, the storylines became unrealistically melodramatic, reaching an absurd climax when House recklessly drives his car through Cuddy's window.

Early episodes of House season 1 featured striking and comically surreal color schemes. Episode 1, "Pilot/Everybody Lies," had scenes tinted with a colored filter, giving House an intense orange hue during important moments. Thankfully, this was toned down in subsequent episodes. Season 1 was brightly lit, giving it a cheap soap opera feel. The CGI in House season 1 was notably poor, but considering budget constraints, it can be forgiven. However, when contrasted with the later seasons that adopted a more cinematic tone, the lighting and color scheme stood out starkly.

5 House Was Frequently Wrong

An inherent aspect of House's character lies in his infallibility. Undoubtedly, Dr. Gregory House draws inspiration from the brilliant literary detective, Sherlock Holmes, incorporating numerous references to the famed character throughout House. However, more often than not, House's initial assessments prove to be erroneous, requiring him to make several incorrect diagnoses before arriving at the correct one. This pattern is essential for the episodic structure of the series, as it prolongs the tension and prevents the resolution from occurring too swiftly. Moreover, it sparks ongoing debates regarding House's genius and the concessions that come with it. Nevertheless, despite the abundance of contradictory examples, the series consistently concludes that House has always been right, reinforcing his infallibility.

4 House Ignored It's Perfect Ending in Season 5

The end of season 5 of House was missing the perfect finale. It contained an impressive and devastating twist that served as the punctuation for an episode that effectively and satisfactorily wrapped up several storylines. Within the narrative, House's decision to confront his addiction in a mature manner was delivered with precise timing, offering a deep exploration of one of the show's central themes. Additionally, the episode showcased the wedding of Chase and Cameron, serving as a neat conclusion for the series. While season 6 received great acclaim, none of the subsequent season finales could match the emotional impact of season 5's episode 24, "Both Side Now," and its gripping hallucination storyline.

3 The House Finale Makes No Sense

Indeed, the House finale, season 8, episode 22, "Everybody Dies," raises more questions than it answers. The explanation of how House faked his death is lacking, and the reasoning behind it seems flimsy. House pretends to die in order to avoid going to prison and instead be there for Wilson during his battle with terminal cancer. It's a grand, but somewhat absurd, gesture meant to redeem House in the eyes of the audience. However, the episode fails to address important practicalities such as Wilson's treatment, the financial implications for House and Wilson, and what will happen to House after Wilson's death. As a result, the conclusion falls short of being satisfying.

2 House's Treatment Of Women Is Problematic

Throughout the series, House frequently makes derogatory comments and jokes, seemingly intended as irony. Nonetheless, his treatment of women is particularly concerning. He consistently makes sexist remarks, objectifies his female colleagues, and even engages in actions that should be considered sexual harassment. This behavior is often brushed off with a dismissive "boys will be boys" mentality that the show attempts to depict with House's character. Most of the female characters in House are somehow romantically involved with him, and only a small number of episodes pass the Bechdel Test - a measure of female representation that assesses the number of conversations between female characters that do not revolve around a man.

1 House Glorified Terrible Behavior

The primary theme throughout the series revolves around House's abhorrent behavior, which is consistently depicted as a necessary evil. He is repeatedly rewarded for his actions, cleverly orchestrating Machiavellian schemes to fulfill his desires and receiving praise for his cunning. Additionally, while the show effectively portrays the devastating effects of drug addiction, it also finds humor in it and somewhat suggests that excessive use of prescription medication is a commendable characteristic in House's case. Furthermore, despite House's repetitive displays of sexism, offensive humor, and overall cruelty, these actions are continually overlooked and, disturbingly, even deemed acceptable.