Since the producers of House seem determined to play out the extended metaphor of the Good Doctor holding a reality competition for his new team, what sort of elimination ceremony will be next? A race to a mat where House and a local New Jersey-ite will eliminate the last resident to arrive? House holding only one picture for two docs, with that picture representing the doctor who's still in the running to be House's next top resident? House giving pearl necklaces to the most deserving doctors?

[Guess what? In this week's episode, House made lots of incorrect diagnoses, nearly killed the patient and then figured out what was wrong. Ooops. Did I not mention there were spoilers coming?]

Tuesday (Oct. 23) night's House went all Bachelor style, presenting flowers (he called them roses, but Kal Penn's character argued, "Those are peonies. But I'm sure they're part of the rose family...") to the six doctors still competing to join his team. The evening's bootee was Henry (Carmen Argenziano), or Ridiculously Old Fraud for those of you who can't keep track of any of their given names.

Actually, Ridiculously Old Fraud had a pretty effective episode. Not only did he get to be the Bosley to House's Charlie ("You want to be Bosley? Bosley's like the asexual message boy," said Penn's Kutner to Peter Jacobson's jealous Taub, who correctly responded, "Bosley keeps his job, while they replace five Angels over three seasons."), but he seemed to be getting every single answer right for the entire episode. That turned out to be wrong, of course, since this was one of those rare episodes where not only did House guess incorrectly for the first 45 minutes (par for the course), but he wasn't able to make the right call at the end (Anne Dudek's Amber [or Cutthroat B****] did).

"Don't need someone to tell you what you're already thinking," Henry rationalized.

As House said last week, ""I think I will miss you most of all, Ridiculously Old Fraud."

Case o' the Week: A Ukrainian funeral home worker (Azura Skye, mostly keeping her Russian accent on-point) comes in experiencing seizures and hallucinations, including seeing her dead mother and apparently seeing the patient No. 13 (Olivia Wilde) killed in "97 Seconds." House guessed Mad Cow, Parkinson's and several other things I didn't get. I went back and forth on this week's case, which both wasted the opportunity to be one of those powerful episodes of House where our hero is forced to reevaluate his spiritual underpinnings, but thankfully avoided becoming one of those heavy-handed episodes of House where our hero is forced to reevaluate his spiritual underpinnings. Instead, she was having easily medically explainable delusions (including the call-backs to last episode's victim, which were brought on by Cutthroat B****) and House's faith was never tested. I did like, though, the way she communicated with her fantasy mom, which had the flavor of recovered memory.

Drama o' the Week: Cameron, apparently experiencing a lax week in the emergency room, bet House that if he pushed Big Love (Edi Gathedi's Cole) far enough, he'd snap. She must have seen FOX's relentless promo campaign showing Cole punching House. What? Since I watch baseball I'm not entitled to have even minor surprises anymore FOX? Do you hate your annual postseason commitment that much? Sigh. In 99.999% of workforces, if you punch the boss, you get fired, sometimes even brought up on charges. Cameron knew that House rewards that kind of behavior and his attempts to bait Cole produced several fine one-liners ("Big Love, have I humiliated you in the last half hour? Check your e-mail...").

Meanwhile on Planet Cottage: House's former condos -- cottages, residents, what have you -- continue to have a hard time getting back onto the show. Cameron had good moments tonight ("Cash will be fine." "I bet you say that to all the guys."), but there are too many aspiring residents to service. Chase was barely in the episode at all and Foreman was stuck playing out the string that started last week when he got fired from Mercy for making a House-esque judgment call. We got it last season: Foreman doesn't want to become House, but it's too late and now he's unemployable elsewhere. That led him back to Cuddy, who rehired on the cheap, cleverly saying, "You're House Lite now. The only administrator who'll hire you is the one who hired House Classic." Having Foreman back next week may help the drama, but it won't improve the pre-existing clutter.

Other thoughts on this week's episode:

What's happened to Cuddy this season? Did I miss the episode where House broke her completely? She's a beaten woman. She didn't even kick up a fuss about House sending his charges out to rob a grave. And are we really supposed to be satisfied with a single all-too-brief House-Wilson scene? That's a dangerous path they're going down.

So which of the potential residents do you like best? Actually, I take that back. If you don't like Penn's Kutner best, we can't be friends anymore. So who do you like second best? Do you care what No. 13's mystery is? Are you hoping Cutthroat B**** gets her comeuppance? Do you wonder who that other guy is who hasn't done or said anything smart or funny in three weeks? That's Andy Comeau's Brennan and I'm assuming he'll be next to go.

At least we know what the House writing staff spent the summer watching. There was an M. Night Shyamalan joke in the first episode, a Sixth Sense twist this week. Next week? Expect plenty of references to skrunts, narfs and tartuitics.

What'd you think of the week's episode? Who would you have eliminated?

Comments

I will miss ridiculously old guy. Cutthroat B*** can't leave soon enough. More Wilson/House banter...STAT.

Mo | Oct 24, 2007 12:22:04 AM | #

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I like Anne Dudek - but mainly b/c I thought she got shafted on Psych and didn't deserve to not be retained once the show was picked up. I kindof wish that Fox hadn't announced the 'winners' of the resident contest already and just let people speculate. I normally like spoilers, but here I kindof of wish I hadn't found out already.

Rishi | Oct 24, 2007 1:27:41 AM | #

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The only mystery about Cuddy is whatever happened to her wanting a baby.

Frank Rook | Oct 24, 2007 2:46:11 AM | #

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Do you spend the exact same amount time with your best friend every week? House and Wilson have plenty of episodes to get their banter back on. Andy Comeau is wasted in this show, he was great on Huff. Anne Dudek is becoming more predictable. I don't care about Olivia Wilde's mystery, but she is a good reason to have HDTV. Oh, and it's good to see more of Cameron.

AC | Oct 24, 2007 5:34:34 AM | #

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Ah Ridiculously Old Fraud. I'll bet Wilson will be hearing from him in a bit.

Cuddy doesn't have a Vogler (or any member of the board) down her throat yet... which means House had her broken since season 1.

pakopako | Oct 24, 2007 7:12:33 AM | #

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I, too, wondered about Cuddy's lack of action or being a cut throat B**** herself. Whatever DID happen to her wanting a baby?
I will miss ridiculously old fraud, Henry. I thought he had the stuff to beat out that complaining, whiney nerdy guy who got the peony.
What's Foreman going to do when he goes back to working with House? Chase is being wasted this season so far and Cameron needs to step it up if she wants to compete with Wilson in the House bantering department. I like the animosity and head games between the two young ladies (#13 and Cut Throat B****)

Chris | Oct 24, 2007 7:27:45 AM | #

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I get it now - this must be a New Jersey in some other solar system. Foreman unemployable? "Blackballed", as he was referred to? There is no talented doctor willing to work in NJ who is going to be turned down for a job - except maybe House who really would be unemployable - live close to where House is supposed to take place and we are BEGGING for doctors.
But I dont get what "job" he is applying for? Other than ER doctors - or what they call 'hospitalists' - doctors are not employed by hospitals. Their credentials are reviewed and they are given 'priveleges' but they are not for the most part hospital employees.

Barb L | Oct 24, 2007 8:52:32 AM | #

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I like No.13, not too keen on Cutthroat B****. I like Big Love and Kal Penn and I really don't like the whiney plastic surgeon.

I do have to say that I am impressed with the season so far. I was afraid how it would be without the normal crew, but I have really enjoyed it.

Suzy | Oct 24, 2007 9:19:34 AM | #

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I like No. 13 best myself. But that's just me... On her mystery? If I had to guess, there's not a big one. Cameron prolly just told her to keep her mouth shut about that type of stuff so House will stay interested and keep her around. But then again, that's total speculation so who knows.

I find the throwbacks to the reality shows funny. I'm betting on DWTS flash lights next week.

ave | Oct 24, 2007 10:46:23 AM | #

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I want to see more Wilson/House/Cuddy dialogue.

Dory | Oct 24, 2007 11:43:31 AM | #

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As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormon), I've been more than a little frustrated with how the writers and producers have portrayed Cole thus far this season.

It isn't so much that I can't take the "Big Love" jokes or most of House's other slurs since it's in line with his equal-opportunity-offender persona, but last night's episode pushed the envelope more than a little too far. Granted, House was TRYING to get a rise out of Cole, but even then, the comments made have caused me to consider whether or not this is the kind of show I even want to watch. To call one of the most influential people in my religion a "horny freak" is something that I just cannot abide, no matter the context, or the amount of money involved in the bet.

And to top it all off, the least the writers could do would be to do a little research and have Cole use correct terminology about his own faith. His lines have been flat-out wrong more than once, and it makes it that much harder to suspend one's disbelief for an hour when a character I'm supposed to relate to is so erroneously portrayed. It just feels sloppy and irresponsible and would honestly only involve ASKING a member of the church in order to ensure accuracy.

I, for one, am glad Cole has not been slated as a main character this season because I believe I would stop watching what has up until now been a well-written, well-acted piece of entertainment.

Dave | Oct 24, 2007 12:12:03 PM | #

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I personally could not be more upset about the way Cole is portrayed on House. Everyone knows Mormons are aliens from another planet...where are his antennae? This is a major lapse of judgement on the part of the production team.

Shannon | Oct 24, 2007 12:48:35 PM | #

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I can't stand #13. Aside from being attractive, I find her lacking in personality and a boring character. Now as much as I don't like the Cutthroat Dr., she at least is an interesting character, portrayed with lots of personality (undesirable as they may be). I too will miss Old Guy...he had an interesting dynamic with House. Mormon guy has no personality. I think I like Kal Penn's character.
Oh and yes, I also miss the House/Wilson/Cuddy interactions. The show needs more of those.

Cherie | Oct 24, 2007 12:52:43 PM | #

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4LVDWPoFZM

Rick | Oct 24, 2007 1:02:08 PM | #

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I have to admit that I find most of the newbies competing for the fellowship positions to be annoying. I miss our old crew - but it looks like they've moved on. Fortunately, Hugh Laurie is so brilliant he can still carry the day (and the show). I'm hoping they bring in his old partner, Stephen Fry, for a guest spot this season. They really are brilliant together. I didn't think this week's show was as strong as last week's - I'm still distraught about the dog dying!

Alicat | Oct 24, 2007 1:48:16 PM | #

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I hated to see ROF go, he was my favorite. MORE WILSON. That's a given every week - and who was Walter? She sees some other "ghost" which is implied to belong with House and we never find out who he is? Not fair.

genagirl | Oct 24, 2007 2:44:47 PM | #

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I was rolling on the floor when House called them and said, "good morning angels!"

I was afraid I wasn't gonna like House as much this year with this whole shake-up thng. But I absolutely loved this episode. I wanna put my money on 13, the mormon one and either kumar or the bored guy. The plastic surgeon guy is definitely too whiny. I like cutthroat b**** only until the last 3 will be picked because I think she'll throw a huge tantrum.

I do miss the Wilson-House banter but Cuddy fully utilized her scenes. Chase needs to be given more of a role too.

Ritchie | Oct 24, 2007 9:23:36 PM | #

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"I personally could not be more upset about the way Cole is portrayed on House. Everyone knows Mormons are aliens from another planet...where are his antennae? This is a major lapse of judgement on the part of the production team."

Best. Post. Ever.

Anyway, I was surprised to see ROF give the finger to the plastic surgeon and this not get censored! It was during the scene about giving hand-signals to the plastic surgeon and he (very noticeably) scratched the side of his nose with his middle finger.

I loved it, I was just surprised it wasn't cut out.

Sean | Oct 25, 2007 9:37:43 AM | #

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MORE WILSON and more House/Wilson. Will miss RF, like CTB, 13, plastic surgeon and Cole. I predict we lose Brennan in Mirror, and CTB and Cole in WIT. I think 13 is going to be pretty upset when House fires Cole.

Debbie | Oct 25, 2007 11:58:59 AM | #

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I loved Cameron's attempts to manipulate the candidates into following her agenda. "Ah, yes, number 13, the only thing that worked for me was using the key House keeps under his doormat and walking into his bedroom while he's asleep."

Joseph Smith was a fraud. He used a con game called "glass reading" and was arrested for it. House's comment was totally accurate. Smith had 11 wives between the ages of 14 and 20, and whether he could STILL be horny is a topic for further discussion.

Bill | Oct 25, 2007 4:45:27 PM | #

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