Tuesday (Nov. 27) night's episode of House was supposed to be the climactic and shocking reveal of the Good Doctor's new diagnostic team, which would have been more shocking and revelatory if it hadn't been reported everywhere a month ago.

[I'm gonna spoil what's already been spoiled, so if you haven't been spoiled and don't wanna be spoiled then maybe you don't wanna read, eh?]

Rather than blaming the publicists for the winning actors, who couldn't resist leaking their clients' misfortune to the industry trade paper the second the ink was dry on their full-time contracts, the show's writers decided to take the easy way out -- Blame the Internet.

At least they had fun with it, as Tuesday's episode opened with House watching his soap opera, which included one character debating whether or not to keep her quadruplets. House emphasized that he didn't want to leave, because he wanted to see her choice.

Then he admitted, "She keeps them. I read it online. You happy? I ruined it for you."

So are you happy, House fans? I guess we ruined the surprise of House's choices (if you chose to click on the stories with clear spoiler warnings). I apologize.

Granted that Zap2it, like oodles of other publications, reported that Kal Penn, Olivia Wilde and Peter Jacobson (Kutner, 13 and Taub) were all hired as regulars, but under the circumstances presented, was anybody actually shocked by Tuesday's results?

Titled "Games" -- and not referencing the NKOTB classic of the same name -- Tuesday's episode was structured for one thing and one thing only: Creating a situation in which House could somehow have an excuse for firing Anne Dudek's Cutthroat B****, while also giving Dudek the chance to do such fantastic acting that even the character's most ardent haters may find themselves wishing she'd been kept around.

Patient o' the Week. The very talented Jeremy Renner did a superior job of playing a character more notable for his stilted dialogue than his symptoms. Renner's character was a awful punk rocker who began by barfing up blood and viscera before passing out in an alley. He eventually developed respiratory problems and was finally, for reasons I didn't completely get, diagnosed with measles and cured. He also used every drug imaginable, nearly blew himself up by sneaking a cigarette and talked to anybody who listened about how he didn't care about life, his music or anything other than working with abandoned kids.

The key was the character's combination of apathy and drug use, which both rubbed Cutthroat B**** -- who we really should call Amber out of passing respect -- the wrong way. For Amber, with her insatiable drive to win, people who abuse drugs -- except for House, of course -- are users and users are losers, so don't use drugs, kids, don't use drugs. If you know a user even part of the time, tell them to quit, take a bite out of crime.

Darn you, McGruff!

Sorry. Those PSAs are catchy. The point is that this week's patient had given up on caring and Amber couldn't stop caring.

"What's it like?" she asked of his difference.

And he answered, "It means you have no regrets."

House, though, saw the downside to Amber's insatiable need to win and be right.

"You played the game better than anybody else here, but for the wrong reasons," he explained in the final eviction ceremony. House wanted people who aren't afraid to be wrong. Well duh.

After firing Amber, he also promptly fired 13, explaining, "Four applicants, two spots. If I had three, I'd keep you."

But that was all part of House's game, too, as he made his final choice -- Kutner and Taub -- knowing that Cuddy wouldn't let him hire only two men, firing the two women. So 13 will be back when the show returns in the New Year.

"This was your plan all along?" Cuddy said with incredulity. "Well, at least the games are over."

House smirked, "How long have you known me?" as "Spirit in the Sky" began playing in the background.

So good-bye, Cutthroat B****. I'll miss you third or fourth most of all. Meanwhile, I'm glad we're done with that particular season-starting arc, even if I don't quite get what Kutner did to warrant getting hired other than be played by Kal Penn.

With only three new members of House's team, will they be able to find a new way to work Chase and Cameron back into the action? The way those two have been used for the past two or three weeks is worse than not having them at all. And Wilson's subplot this week, which boiled down to him bellowing at House that "Dying's easy, living's hard," was more thematically heavy-handed than dramatically satisfying.  Plus, I thought dying was easy and comedy was hard.

In that spirit, a few of the episode's finer lines and exchanges:

"If he had a history of shoving cancer into his veins, I'd have guessed cancer." (Amber on why she kept suggesting drug-related problems)

"Put him on a nicotine patch. It'll keep up with his Jones." (House on the patient's various addictions)

"Grandma does some part-time work." "The pharmaceutical rep was a 30-something babe." "Thank you. I got her hips." (The tail-end of House and Kutner's back and forth about an eye sculpture that either came from House's grandma or a pharmaceutical rep)

"Mommy didn't love me. Daddy expected too much of me. SOMETHING." (Amber faux-delving into her psyche for House)

"My mom always said two wrongs don't make a right. She never said anything about four wrongs." (House trying to demonstrate to Cuddy why he needed all four)

"Now remind me of your influences here, cuz I'm going to say Thelonious Monk and the sound a trash compactor makes when you crawl inside it." (House on the patient's music)

What'd you think of House's decision? Are you glad that particular plotline is over? Was it worth it or do you want the old team back ASAP?

Comments

13 is a boring choice. I agree that Kutner did nothing to warrant being chosen. I would have chosen Taub and Amber. I miss Chase. Cuddy a second-rate doctor?

Carol | Nov 27, 2007 7:56:48 PM | #

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Bring back the old team. Wait, they were getting a little boring too. Can we test another group? I'm not feeling it with these choices.

Susan | Nov 28, 2007 1:13:01 AM | #

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I haven't been watching regularly since I found out who House would choose. I really wish he had picked Big Love and Cutthroat Bitch over Boring Indian Guy and Dull Girl.

Steve | Nov 28, 2007 3:43:01 AM | #

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House should have kept Amber. She was sneaky as hell, but she was a good doc. My guess is that the producers kept 13 because she is the more attractive of the two women. Don't say looks don't mean anything. This is Hollywood.

Pete | Nov 28, 2007 5:28:12 AM | #

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I'm so glad Amber is gone. Not only was her character annoying but she's really unattractive. She was the Christine (from Grey's) of the bunch, but with out Sandra Oh's looks. At least 13 is pretty and her character isn't so one sided.

lizzy | Nov 28, 2007 5:43:18 AM | #

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What I don't understand is why they kept Taub. He's not really that interesting, and yet annoying at the same time. Also, not very attractive.

Jill | Nov 28, 2007 6:12:02 AM | #

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What I don't understand is why they kept Taub. He's not really that interesting, and yet annoying at the same time. Also, not very attractive.

Jill | Nov 28, 2007 6:12:09 AM | #

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I thought that Cut-throat B was the best of the new interns, perhaps with the exception of Olivia Wilde who I just love as an actress. I loathe the testy Jew and, as much as I love Kumar, I've seen nothing in his House character that interests me. The two girls and the young black father were the three I would have kept.

I'm missing Jennifer Morrisson. While I think this season is refreshing, I hate that it is at the expense of Jennifer, who has always been one of my favorite house characters. Keep Olivia and kill off the other two and give me back the old team.

Michael | Nov 28, 2007 6:30:06 AM | #

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I would have picked Taub, Big Love and Amber(Cutthroat Bitch). They seemed to be the best doctors overall. Amber, even though vindictive, was entertaining. I believe they chose Kutner for comic relief more than anything. He compliments House well.

About House teaching Wilson a lesson, it didn't seem fair but classic House. Wilson is just a generally caring person, the anti-House.

As with the old team, there still around in a limited capacity. There in positions that would normally be played by supporting characters. Chase is Head of Surgery and Cameron is an E.R. Doc. We still see them every week but there on-screen time is severally diminished.

I think the rest of the season will be fine. The producers, i guess, just felt they needed to shake things up so that the show didn't get stale.

Shaggysteve | Nov 28, 2007 8:28:39 AM | #

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definitely think that kutner's selection had to do that it was played by kal penn. i would have preferred bitca (buffy fans inside joke) and 13 with taub being fired.

i'm still concerned how this will work because i really miss cameron, chase and foreman. foreman is around but he's just a grumpy now... a male cuddy if you will... just annoying.

still... i'm glad they kept 13. i was shocked when they let her go... and then relieved when she was re-hired.

hopefully they'll get deeper into kutner and justify his hiring over amber.

overall this season arc was different and interesting. not many shows would have jettisoned their regular cast and focus on newcomers for so long. but hey, as long as house is in the mix, its all good!

joits | Nov 28, 2007 8:43:00 AM | #

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For awhile there I wanted all 4 of them. I guess Kutner will grow on me eventually but cutthroat bitch was good TV. I am most grateful that 13 was re-hired, she has always been hot since she dated Marissa, from OC. Taub is all right, I don't hate or love him.

Hugh Laurie has to win the Emmy next year, he's just too good!

Ritchie | Nov 28, 2007 9:31:16 AM | #

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Well, I'm glad he kept 13 since this episode and last actually gave her something to do; Amber would have been an interesting choice also, since she actually had more last night than being a bitch. I don't get the Kutner choice at all, I haven't seen anything on the show that showed him he was up to the job. At least Taub was willing to get House free drugs. Why are the Chase and Cameron? characters still on the show? At least Foreman gets to play the guy in the yellow hat, but C&C are serving no purpose at all.

jbw | Nov 28, 2007 10:54:54 AM | #

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I don't like any of them...well, 13's ok. Bring back Chase & Cameron, at lease they are interesting now that they have the b---- to stand up to House. I agree Hugh Laurie has to win the Emmy next year, he was robbed 2 years in a row! He's the BEST!!

Angel | Nov 28, 2007 11:21:52 AM | #

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There's was nothing wrong with Anne Dudek's looks except that she's not as cute as Olivia Wilde.
In fact Wilde is so young looking, I expect a Doogie Houser joke somewhere along the line.

Garry | Nov 28, 2007 12:10:41 PM | #

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13 is BORING....she has one facial expression and it almost drives me to tears. They should get rid of her and bring Cameron back on the team. Chase can stay in the background as surgery guy and make the occasional appearnace. Cameron and Foreman were always my favorites anyway.

jamm | Nov 28, 2007 12:13:56 PM | #

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Here is my idea for Feb sweeps episode, since the writers (@#$#) are on strike. 13, Kutner, and Taub start working up a case and get exposed to a deadly diseased. House must bring back Chase, Cameron and Foreman like the old days to save them. They of course discover the disease but to late, they all die. Cuddy then insists that the old team stay together.

jbw | Nov 28, 2007 1:12:04 PM | #

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I've liked the storyline this season so much I wish it would continue as the old House was putting me to sleep. Love Taub. Agree that Kutner's character wasn't developed enough to sustain interest. 13 is okay.

As for Cameron, Jennifer Morrison is either the most boring actress I've ever seen on TV or the character was poorly written or conceived and she had nothing within her to make something of it. Ditch her.

Foreman and Chase are okay but they really haven't developed into much, and, except for the new storyline, it's really a one-note show and this should be its last season.

Jane | Nov 28, 2007 2:29:04 PM | #

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Kutner hasn't done much the past few weeks, but did we ever think House wouldn't keep a guy who set a patient on fire, electrocuted himself and refused to leave, even after he was fired?!?! Come on now!

Mandy | Nov 28, 2007 2:42:43 PM | #

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13 and Kutner seem boring compared to Amber, but that just means the writers have more opportunities to flesh them out.

Matt | Nov 28, 2007 3:15:03 PM | #

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Taub should've gone weeks ago, when... ya know... House FIRED him, only to have Cuddy intervene because he's the same religion as her.

Frank Rook | Nov 28, 2007 4:51:36 PM | #

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I did not read any spoilers so I didn't know who would be staying. However, I knew from the start that 13 would stay, just because of her looks.

This plot of who will get hired/fired has been boring this year and House used to be one of my absolute favorite shows.

I miss the interactions between House, Cameron, Chase, and Foreman. I like Wilson, so I'm glad at least he's still on there. In other words, I miss the old team.

I don't know where the show will go from here but I hope it improves somehow.

L | Nov 28, 2007 5:22:57 PM | #

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IMHO, the reason Taub, 13 and Kutner were picked is simple.

Taub = Foreman
13 = Cameron
Kutner = Chase

Same personalities, expressions, opinions.

New faces same cast.

Jake | Nov 28, 2007 6:24:06 PM | #

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I don't understand why people cannot understand why Kutner was hired. Cuddy pretty much said why he and Taub would be hired. Kutner shares House's philosophy. Maybe that point wasn't developed over the last couple of weeks, but it was spelled out pretty clearly last night.

I kinda see a soap opera turn coming. Taub will eventually leave after taking too much of House's crap, thus opening a spot for either Amber or Cameron's return which would create a nice little love-square (or pentagon if you want to throw Chase in for good measure). Like I said, a little soap operay, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I really wanted Big Love to make the cut.

MC | Nov 28, 2007 9:02:58 PM | #

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This season was boring - too much like reality tv shows. The House - Wilson inter-changes were, as always, the best and there should be more of them.

John | Nov 29, 2007 10:09:08 AM | #

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This season was boring - too much like reality tv shows. The House - Wilson inter-changes were, as always, the best and there should be more of them.

John | Nov 29, 2007 10:09:16 AM | #

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I liked that they made changes this season as House was starting to get a little stale, but I think this game thing went on too long. Geez, it's the end of Nov. This should have been decided at least a month ago.

Jan | Nov 29, 2007 4:25:15 PM | #

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Even if you hadn't read spoilers it was obvious from the way the episode played out that Amber was the one to go as the last few docs who have been fired were the ones featured in the ep (Amber, Big Love, the polio Doc).

The thing I don't understand is how Cuddy went from wanting Amber and Kutner fired in the last ep (when she gave her thong to Big Love) to wanting 13 fired this week. Or I guess she really wanted Kutner and Taub fired since she was apparently using reverse psychology to get House to fire the 2 guys she they were 'her choices'. Maybe I'm just overthing this too much ;)

Rishi | Nov 29, 2007 10:01:08 PM | #

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the bit about kutner having the same philosophy as house: that doesn't make him an asset, that makes him extraneous. why add a house jr? where's the benefit?

i am sad to see amber go :( she had fire, and i think hers is a more realistic personality among the doctor population.

le | Nov 30, 2007 12:29:41 PM | #

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The shows producers really blew it as far as I'm concerned. I mean how could they get rid of cutthroat bitch?...She was one of the most interesting new characters on the show this season and every scene with her was compelling and held my interest.Darn,I will of course still watch the show ( becaause I love Hugh Laurie/House) but I am so very dissapointed that Amber wasn't part of the final three.

George B. | Dec 1, 2007 8:02:46 PM | #

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I really do not like any of the new characters. I wish that Chase and Cameron was back and House could have kept one of the new ones. Don't think the show is going to be as good as in the past.

Effie J | Dec 6, 2007 1:00:21 PM | #

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Out of the whole bunch, I found Cut-throat Bitch and Cutner to be the most interesting. 13 was just too much like Cameron's character (the young hot doctor with the heart of gold-- Mary Sue, much?), and Cameron does it far better.

Taub is all right-- I can see a lot of potential with him. Consistently beautiful people can be boring after a while, and I can totally see him making waves in the future.

Lizz | Dec 7, 2007 7:15:59 AM | #

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