(S05E12) This episode was a perfect teaser to what House fans can look forward to for the rest of the season. It was well done, though not excellent, and set up a couple of key narrative threads that are sure to be slowly unraveled as we move forward.

This week's patient's comes to House courtesy of Cameron, who insists that the team help a man suffering from severe chronic pain that has no known cause. It's gotten so bad that the patient, even with a beautiful wife and kid, tries to kill himself. Multiple times. While his kid is watching. Yeah, it's a bit brutal.

The first time we see House, he's gingerly massaging his bad leg in the bathtub, and looks to be in agony. Of course, the parallels between the patient's excruciating pain problem and House's worsening leg pain are not lost anyone. And it makes for some really uncomfortable viewing, which the show seems to thrive on.

While House and the team are trying to solve the case, Cuddy discovers that being a working mom is not so easy. She prepares for a CPS visit and quickly realizes that she can't do both her job and be a mom without help.

Wilson makes a small cameo appearance holding a giant yellow duck that's oddly endearing and very Wilson like to give Cuddy a pep talk. It's nice to see someone show Cuddy a little support. And with the addition of the baby, things between her and House seem to haves stalled out completely. I'm a fan of House and Cuddy together but am happy to let that plot rest for a while.

I am enjoying the slowly evolving friendship between Kutner and Taub. While being marginally involved in solving this case, they bicker back and forth about who suicide hurts the most. Kutner slowly draws it out of Taub that he once tried to kill himself, but thankfully wasn't successful.

One caveat I do have though, is with the Mom in this episode. Why would this mother let her kid be in the room while the father's undergoing all these horrible tests? Can't they find a relative or neighbor to look after him for a while? Poor kid is going to need some extensive therapy considering his Dad asked his help in committing suicide. Next time, find a nanny.

The last thing to touch on: Foreman and Thirteen. How do people feel about them as a couple? I have to say that I was a bit surprised when they kissed. I'm not really a fan of them together, but that has to do with other reasons, which I'll get into probably in another post. What I do like is that Thirteen seems to be a happier person and therefore, less annoying in my book.

The episode is a successful bridge between the first half of the season and what's to come. We've ended with some really intriguing questions for the second half of the season. Will Cuddy give up her high-powered job to spend more time with the kid? Will Cameron actually take Cuddy up on her offer and become House's boss? Is Foreman going to compromise the study and tell Thirteen she's only on the placebo? And House's worsening leg pain casts an ominous pall over the doctor's already miserable mood. Changes are afoot and I don't expect it to go some place warm and fuzzy.