Binge & Purge: House M.D. (8 Seasons)

Well, we’re back.I finally finished another show, in lue of my current home renovations during my so called “vacation”. I’ll admit that it was mostly my lovely girlfriend who watched the entire thing, and I did miss a couple of episodes but she filled me in when I needed. Luckily, House M.D. is hit or miss if something will effect the overall storyline in an episode or not.
House M.D. is not your average medical show, twisting the expected drama in a new way. Although the show first aired in 2004, it’s in no way stunned by moderation. I mean, I’m sure medical tests / developments will change overtime, but that’s not what the show is about. The entire series focuses on many things, but the main focal point is Dr. House’s own misanthropy and battle with addictions; both prescription based and in the sense that he’s addicted to tormenting his colleagues.
Even though there’s only 2 whole episodes that don’t revolve entirely around treating a patient, the dynamic between House and his bosses, or his employers, or even his best friend are constantly evolving in the background. Even the series finale, as big as it is, makes sure to point the spotlight at a patient. This becomes much of a burden as you gain interest in the handful of main characters, each with their own slew of problems. As House pokes his head into everyone’s business he’s often triggered with the cure for whatever he’s working on through some sort of keyword; even if it becomes a bit of a stretch at times.
If you’re thinking of watching this show as an interest in modern medicine, you’ll be disappointed. House’s elite team and patient-per-week schedule leaves much to be desired. He handpicks his team from an endless stack of applicants, and all they can really say is that the patient is suffering from lupus, or and auto-immune disease. Like House mentions around season 4, “it’s never lupus”. But them literally fighting over their list of symptoms does absolutely nothing until House gets that trigger word that makes him realize it’s some out of this world disease and proves it by pushing the symptoms father. Usually two to three times per episode. As The Simpsons put it; “House has just given his second diagnosis before the third, right diagnosis”.

While character development is the number one reason to watch this show, expect to be taken on a roller coast of emotions in a way that you wouldn’t expect from any medical drama. Pivotal characters could die, other’s could move on, and somehow [redacted spoiler]. Seriously, it’s hard to sum up the handful of team-mates and so called friends House brings together without spoiling the show in some way or another. Let’s put it this way; anything can happen.
While House’s addiction to painkillers and torment leaves him (figuratively) down the barrel of a gun from his friends and loved ones, he somehow tries to balance a relationship and a friendship throughout the entire series. Granted, it doesn’t work out, and it’s obvious why. House is kind of an ass. But since he’s apparently the world’s number 1 diagnostician; he can usually get away with it. Which in turn, only leaves him with more reason to continue his harassment.
Without spoiling any character’s arrival/departure, or even the amazing series finale (it leaves off exactly how it should have), I do have to recommend this show.  It can be frustrating at times, and I spent most of the first few seasons shouting “just don’t worry about the patient!” but it’s dilemmas are completely unique. Although not every critic seemed to love it and it doesn’t appear on many ‘greatest TV shows of all time’ lists, it’s great quality television that surprisingly FOX gave to the world.
Side note: If you watch this on Netflix, it’s original theme has been removed due to licensing issues. It’s a shame because Massive Attack is great and their single “Teardrop” is not only incredible, but really set the mood for House M.D..