In part one of the House finale, we found everyone's favorite cranky doc suffering from head injuries after a serious bus crash. But by the end of the hour, we discovered that Wilson's lady, Amber, was one of the Jane Doe victims in far worse condition. In part two, House will struggle through his short-term memory loss, trying to remember why he and his best friend's woman were together in the first place. We'll learn the facts as his health worsens, says House executive producer, Katie Jacobs, who was kind enough to field more than a few questions about the finale's conclusion, which airs tonight. Her answers will only make you want to watch more...

Every year, you do something special for the season ender. Did anything in particular spark this idea?
I think what has proven to be exciting for us is having a season finale that juggles up what has become the norm on our show, so that when we go back for the next season, we’re looking forward to what the new configuration will look like and what the promise of new relationships will be. So we sort of do it for ourselves and hope the audience likes it! You sort of want people to think, what is that show going to look like when it comes back? And of course there are certain things that will never change. It’s a medical mystery with House at the head, first and foremost. We’ll never forget that. But within that, we are enjoying all the characters stories and the relationships, and something big is about to happen!

I heard the first half of this particular story was initially supposed to air after the Superbowl, but because of the strike, you had to switch things up.
Yes, once we were back at work, we thought about it, and were able to reconceive it and then made it.
Had we not been interrupted by the strike, these two episodes would have been the next episodes, but we pushed them back and were able to cement certain relationships before the finale.

When you brought Anne Dudek back, did you have her character (Amber, aka Cutthroat Bitch) specifically in mind for this big story?
Yes.

So when she was fired by House last Fall, did you already know she’d be back? Or did her popularity with the fans inspire her return?
The funny thing is that when she was fired, she was really fired. And it was much to our dismay. We were heartbroken, but there was no way we could accommodate that large of a team. However, we’re always looking for new stories that allow us to see different aspects of House. So the idea that Wilson would fall in love -- that House’s best friend would actually meet someone who would take away his time from House -- was interesting to us. We loved Anne and thought, if Wilson fell in love, it would probably be with someone like Cutthroat Bitch. He sort of has an attraction to some of the similar qualities that are in both House and Amber. And we really wanted to explore what this situation would do to their friendship? That’s what the finale will explore.

The first part of the finale seemed to suggest that there might be something scandalous going on between Amber and House, no?
You know what, the thing that’s cool about it is that House has lost four hours of memory right before the crash, so the question of why he and Amber were together, why they were at a bar together, why they are drinking together, it’s very scary. There’s a number of ways that it could go and that’s what you’ll find out in the finale: exactly what happened in the bar. And you’re right to be thinking of that possibility. It’s terrifying for House and for us, as an audience, to think that he would [be involved with his best friend's girl]. But House is such an unexpected character that I don’t really think we know what lines he will and won’t cross.

I know you can’t say whether Amber lives or dies, but if she makes it, will we see her around next season?
I honestly can’t say that, not because I’m hiding, but because I really don't know the answer yet. There are certain things we know about season five already, but there are others we don't know anything about. I wish it was all well thought out, but we really don't have much time to think about everything beforehand.

Have you been able to make any decisions regarding Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison’s roles next season? I’m sure you’ve heard the fans wondering why their parts seemed to decrease this year -- though, in the last few episodes, Chase and Cameron have been popping back into House's world in new ways. Will this continue?
I will say, I actually stopped reading all the message boards and stuff because I think the fans were understandably upset with us about what happened. We never intended for [Cameron and Chase] to fall into the background. What we were trying to do at the beginning of season four is what I told you we’re doing at the beginning of season five, which is create new opportunities for House to react and behave in his world. But it was never our idea to see less of [Cameron and Chase]. Having said that, it took us a while to introduce the new characters and find a way to effectively integrate Cameron and Chase. I am so happy with the way they are falling in now, just because whenever I see them on the screen, by virtue of the fact that there are new "ducklings," [Cameron and Chase] have more weight. Every time I see Jesse in the OR or in House’s office, you see that the boy has become a man. I feel like their characters have actually benefited from us bringing in new people and the only loss is that they haven’t been onscreen as much. I love when they’re onscreen, so it’s just a question of storytelling and hopefully there will be tons of opportunities to see everyone more.

I assume that 13, Taub and Cutner, will be sticking around next season?
They are all a part of our world now and they are all contractually part of House now. But, like I said, what is going to happen with any of them, I know a little bit, but not a lot. We’re figuring it out as we speak.

Assuming they do stick around, are we going to see more of their personal lives next season?
I think we should and I think we will. What [creator] David [Shore] and I are so pleased with is that we have all these mysteries to hang our hat on, which actually gives us more opportunity to explore character. And the more we learn about House, the more we learn about these other characters. That’s what we’re aiming for.

Of course I have to ask the obligatory Cuddy question. She was half-naked in last week’s episode, giving House a lap dance, but it was a fantasy. We have heard that they previously had some sort of a physical relationship, but is this the closest we’re going to come to seeing them consummate things?
This is the thing -- and I don’t want to be coy and I don’t want to piss people off -- but there is heat and chemistry between them and I never want to see that go away because that is the essence of their relationship. Not having worked out everything for season five and hopefully season six, I can't say what will happen between them, but we’ll never ignore it because, as I said, it’s the very essence of them. She wouldn’t forgive him over and over again if he wasn’t so brilliant in her eyes, clearly she’s got a soft spot for him. And he has one for her. You will continue to see that.

Cameron has also admitted in the past to having a thing for House. And now, of course, there’s Amber. You, as a creator of all these characters, do you see any one of them being better suited for him than another?
That's an interesting question. There are qualities that make each of those women attractive to him, but I think that whether or not House's relationship with someone is going to work is more about House. What's really in question is, is House even capable of [being committed to someone]. Does he want to expose himself to vulnerability and falling in love? Who is the most attractive and who is the least scary that way? It’s definitely an ongoing struggle for him. He’s pretty miserable.

Last season the show ended with a big change as Foreman, Cameron and Chase went their separate ways, and as you said, you want people to watch the finale and think, how is this show going to be different when they come back? Does this mean there will be a cliffhanger of sorts this year?
No, I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger -- the ultimate definition of a cliffhanger being “Who shot JR?” -- I wouldn’t say it’s that. I would say it’s like turning the brew on something ever so slightly. Everybody’s going to go back to work [next season], but something's going to be different. I hope it’s similar to what happens in real life when something changes one or more of your relationships at work. This is not an accurate parallel, but for example, what happens when two people go to the Christmas party, get drunk, go home and sleep together and then go back to work? As I said before, the structure of the show will never change. The audience can always count on a great medical mystery each week. But the character relationships and the audience's depth and understanding of them is what we're going to explore in the new season. After this finale, House will never be the same again.

Comments

Great! House and Wilson are finally going to sleep together, drunk!

Emily R. | May 19, 2008 8:54:01 AM | #

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Changing relationships? Ugh, I hope it's not going to be something stupid like House & Wilson stop being friends and become enemies or something like that. Or Wilson getting phased off of the show like Cameron and Chase have been. The H/W friendship is one of the most popular parts of the show, surely they wouldn't throw it away would they?

Marie | May 19, 2008 9:39:12 AM | #

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I wish Katie Jacobs good luck with the most unappealing characters/actors they have brought in this season. She's going to need it to survive another season.

John | May 19, 2008 10:36:26 AM | #

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OMG! House is gonna reveal his gay!

Will | May 19, 2008 10:38:01 AM | #

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It kills me how she sayes Amber is so well loved by fans but there are alot of fans of the show who don't like her as well, but the powers that be seem to ignore them.

Also I don't like how the writers have messed with the dinamics of the show and turned it more into a show like Grey's antomy than the House of season one and two even parts of three.

christine scrivens | May 19, 2008 11:10:32 AM | #

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I just hope that the H/W friendship, though it will change, will still continue to be a deep and meanigful relationship. My favorite part is to watch their relationship. It's the only time we get to see House at ease around someone and actually caring for someone. Besides, I'm a bit of a Hilson.

Jessica | May 19, 2008 11:27:10 AM | #

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I'm definitely an Amber fan (and love Anne Dudek on "Mad Men" too). I was annoyed that 13 was picked to stay on the team over her and was thrilled to see her come back.

Carla | May 19, 2008 11:28:24 AM | #

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Lol....

This show is start to make me bored
House have a thing for cuddy? Let me laugh please...

For god sake You have put scenes without sense You always evaporate Cameron with no reason when She is more important for House than everybody.

Ohh i miss the episodiens when he says that he centers him...
That was good and now its a piece of shit.

So bring back the Show please not this parody.

Rin | May 19, 2008 11:47:05 AM | #

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We are going to find out more about the new characters? We don't even know much about the old characters! Why don't we find out more about them?? They are much more interesting than ducklings 2.0

Kris | May 19, 2008 11:57:07 AM | #

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I'm always annoyed when anyone talks about "the fans" as if we are one homogenous group. House is a diverse fandom. No one board encapsulates it. I have loved this season, and any issues I have with the develpment are the ones I imagine the writers had: the interruption of the flow by the long breaks, the shortened season to develop the storylines. This was an ambitious season with great themes and I say "hold your vision" to TPTB. The finale looks to be a tour de force and it's built on the vision of this season. I've loved Chase in his new growth and not missed Cameron at all. Really glad the crush storyline has been retired and don't hope to see it again. Yay for all the House/Wilson and House/Cuddy exploration and yay for making me care about Amber so much.

jackie | May 19, 2008 12:05:09 PM | #

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I can post and say how much I've disliked this season secure in the knowledge that Katie Jacobs will not read it because she doesn't want to read anything that interferes with her fantasy world. Wow, that's mature.

Not to mention they're deep into season 5 scripts and still making it up as they go along. Nothing like really knowing what you're doing before you do it.

This season of House has been by far the worst yet and Shore's and Jacobs' refusal to look at why guarantees that it's not going to get better. It's not just that Chase and Cameron aren't there any more, it's that the qualities that they brought to the show aren't there nor does the new team even begin to match JS and JM's acting and subtle interactions with other cast members.

In spite of the wacky survivor games, this season everything got more boring and repetitive, same formula, same interactions. House insulted everyone, Wilson nagged him, Cuddy saved his ass, the new team were like a black hole. The only original thing on the show all season was Wilson's relationship with Amber and if Amber dies even that it is gone and we're back to Wilson nagging House yet again.

I'm bored with House, I'm bored with the House/Cuddy enabling relationship which is more abusive then sexy, and the new team is a black hole energy gets sucked into.

Give me back Cameron and Chase so at least there's something I can get excited about on this show.

Kate | May 19, 2008 12:19:07 PM | #

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Don't over look the obvious here. Why do most people go see House? (Could it be they are sick????) House having an affair with Amber would just be too obvious...Better question, why did Cuddy know Thirteens name? Is Cuddy/Thirteen the new romance?

TRACY | May 19, 2008 12:25:57 PM | #

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I've loved this season and can't wait for the finale. I never cared for Amber and I kind of hope this is the last we see of her.

And TRACY, Cuddy knows Thirteen's name b/c she runs the hospital and it is public knowlege. House has always known her name he just doesn't use it.

dee | May 19, 2008 12:49:29 PM | #

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I will give this season a thumbs up and continue to really enjoy the best show on television and a very talented actor...House and Hugh Laurie. Can't wait for season 5!

I congratulate and thank TPTB for their vision and creation of intriguing and funny characters (even my not so favorites...i.e. Cameron) and stories that I come back for every week for must see television.

Valerie | May 19, 2008 2:19:23 PM | #

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I have to keep putting my faith in the writers. I think I'd like to see 13 be the one to die and Amber join the team. 13 is just a pseudo-mystery that didn't come off very well.

I do enjoy seeing Chase. He really has grown up and is more like House all the time. He walked out on Cuddy, on House and doesn't put up with crap...LOVE IT!

I'd like to see more House/Chase interaction. But then, I want to see House/Wilson too. They are so good together.

Love House...great show.

gorblimey2 | May 19, 2008 3:30:17 PM | #

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Maybe instead of ignoring the audience, they should try listening. 13 is almost universally disliked and not in the "love to hate her" way. It's in the "why is this tedious character getting so much focus" way. People don't generally LIKE the new team--they either hate them or are indifferent toward them. For the people who actually care about the team or supporting players, the message is loud and clear: Bring back Chase and Cameron! If they must have new "ducklings" fine. Shove THEM into the background to do the gruntwork, but put the focus back on the original characters that made the show great.

Sarah | May 19, 2008 3:35:56 PM | #

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"What we were trying to do at the beginning of season four is what I told you we’re doing at the beginning of season five, which is create new opportunities for House to react and behave in his world."

While I can't fault what the producers were aiming for here, it seems as though the their gambit actually had the opposite of the intended effect.

House's world seems to have shrunk, rather than expanded this season. I agree with the description of the new team as a "black hole". They detract from the show far more than what they add.

Does anybody care about House's relationship with Taub or Thirteen? Not really, so focus on them seems a waste of time.

melanie | May 19, 2008 4:27:23 PM | #

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Hmmm....I think the producers should kind of know where they are going with season 5 by now.
I am not crazy about the new ducklings, but I wouldn't mind them so much if more of Chase and Cameron were shown.
I want House and I want Wilson and I want them to be as always...best friends.
I like Cuddy but don't want to see a romance between she and House.
Now if only the producers would read this maybe they'd get an idea for season 5!
PLEASE DON'T RUIN ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS I'VE EVER SEEN!!!
I ADORE HUGH LAURIE......
DON'T send him back to the U.K.

Grace | May 19, 2008 11:29:45 PM | #

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I stopped watching House for many months because the writing seemed to be becoming too formulaic and predictable. Pick a "Disease of the Week," then encounter multiple dead ends while treating a patient until everything is "fixed" miraculously just before the end of the episode. In other words, boring; so I didn't feel inclined to track down the show as its airing schedule was varied (Philadelphia Fox station).

That said, I resumed watching again when the show returned to its Monday evening slot, and was pleased to find that the writing in the recent season, particularly the last few episodes, has been greatly improved: engaging and interesting, delivering sometimes amusing, far-out surprises that made me laugh out loud, and also used the newer characters extremely well.

I found the dynamic / mind games going on between Amber and Wilson especially interesting: exploring what happens in a relationship between two extremely intelligent, analytical, strong-willed people is rare if not almost impossible to find in television or cinematic drama.

That aspect of the show deserved further exploration, so it seemed to be unfortunate to kill off (in one of the most tear-jerking and touching demises I've seen in over 40 years of television and cinema watching) one of the more interesting characters / relationships of the series. Here's hoping that that decision will bear ripe fruit for the next season's episodes.

robbie738 | May 20, 2008 6:20:29 AM | #

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Well it seems as though Katie Jacobs thinks that the new team is just so great that despite the fact that she knows that people are pissed off about the lack of screen time of both Cameron and Chase, they are just going to continue it because "they carry more weight". How exactly was having Cameron in the last episode for only a couple of seconds, with a total change in character beneficial for her? Seriously!

They've replaced the original team for bland substitutes and keep reinforcing how interesting they are. They now have killed the one character that I thought was worth watching now, and keep dragging out the fact that Thirteen is the most important with yet another revelation to herself. It's boring. And it's turning me away from my TV.

I would have hoped that after a whole season, that Jacobs would have been able to incorporate Cameron and Chase back into the picture more effectively. She said they would be back in full capacity by the 6th or 7th episode...well 16 episodes in and they are still not there.

As for ignoring the message boards, all because you don't read them anymore, doesn't mean people are happy. I cannot understand why they think that the people they've chosen to be the new team are fantastic. Get rid of Thirteen.

Tammy | May 20, 2008 7:55:31 AM | #

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I was rather annoyed with the writers for killing off Amber personally. Last season they revamped the whole vibe of the show by bringing in the new team and moving out the old. That was easy enough to adjust to I suppose. But they went too far this time. Amber was a great character to balance out House. And when they made House responsible for her death, for the most part anyway, I mean she wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for him, they in turn killed off his friendship with Wilson who was truly the only character on the show that helped humanize House and make him likeable. This was a HUGE mistake in my view. Let’s face it; there are already enough medical shows with a lead that’s a jerk with no redeeming qualities. We didn’t need another one. House in tears though for Amber’s death and the loss of Wilson as his friend, that was a bit of a kicker for sure.

AmberWest | May 20, 2008 11:58:33 AM | #

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My opinion? I thought the change of pace this season was wonderful. I didn't really miss Chase and Cameron much. And I'm a big fan of Kutner. Wish Amber could've stuck around, but I thought it was a good way to end the season. I sobbed like a baby.

Michelle | May 20, 2008 2:15:58 PM | #

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i liked new ducklings. they have a personnal story more complex, they areadults and have to deal iwth their owns problems and House...
to me it's important that the writers didn't care too mutch what people desire (as ship or else)because they have to be faithful to one and only one rule: House basic and established relation , the need we have to see a man who isn't afraid by others mind, who cure people or not but alwayd do what he think right.;jim should be his conscious..don't win

françoise | May 20, 2008 11:10:13 PM | #

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WOW !

The season finale was perfect, mind games, SEXY Cuddy, hard diagnosis for House.
Lately House is having diagnosis too easy. last episode he risked his life. brilliant. If we had more sacrifices like this and the repercussions of his actions to himself and from others would be great.

Get House 'sweating' more ! I want to see House stressed, traumatized, panic attacked, then dealing with his problems, confidence, slowly rebuilding himself and relationships, even if some dont want to know him anymore.

angelheart | May 21, 2008 7:49:02 PM | #

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I'm really looking forward to the new season. However, the character of 13 is as boring as watching paint dry. It would be nice if there was more character development of the other 2 new characters.

I liked season 4 with the exception of a few episodes, so the new twists and turns have given we the viewers a different type of house. the finale was amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. I wonder what the dynamics between House, Cuddy and Wilson are going to be. Because if the House/Wilson relationship deteriorates: Cuddy is going to be the shoulder that each of them lean on. Could be interesting!
Good job!

veejay | May 21, 2008 10:44:19 PM | #

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