(S5E13) "What's going on with everyone today?" -Kutner
"It involves House, Foreman and Thirteen which means it's either dumb, dangerous or tragic..."-Taub

Is House actually becoming a nice guy? One of the most interesting things about this episode was the absence of his trademark jerkiness. Whether he was dealing with an upset Cuddy or trying his best to counsel a disbelieving Foreman, House not only seemed sympathetic, but empathetic as well. I was surprised by the genuine concern he showed for Thirteen and Foreman during the blindness scare and his willingness to be Cuddy's whipping boy.

Again, the patient of the week wasn't very memorable to me. I find myself not even really caring about them aside from how their illness will reflect the doctor's personal problems. That conceit has gotten so obvious it's hard too look past it and see the patient's as real people who are suffering. Is anyone else having this problem?

But, her problems do provide a springboard into some some soul searching moments for Foreman, Taub, and Wilson. The show weaves together these disparate themes of longing, grief, happiness, sorrow and fullilment almost seamlessly. It's a very compelling, albeit meloncholy hour of television. I love that show offers no easy answers for anyone involved. And whatever answers do come are often times frustratingly ambiguous and unsatisfying. Take Taub's situation, for example. He loves his wife but knows he wants kids. And he knows that she doesn't. And, as he admits to her later, he wouldn't be happy without her. It's just a no-win situation.

This episode also added a nice new twist to the House/Cuddy mating dance. Cuddy pranked him countless times through the episode and House never once retaliates. He's right; she's out for vengeance and not because she wants anything from him. I like that even though Cuddy knows House brings this huge layer of frustration to her life, she wouldn't have it any other way. I think House is just happy to have Cuddy back.

How did people feel about Thirteen's blindness? Now, I know nothing about the medical science behind any of this, but are sudden tumors like hers a common thing? And if so, do they disappear so quickly? That plot just bugged me a bit. It seemed seriously excessive even for a show that likes to shock.

Though, I do agree with Thirteen when she got a bit freaked out that the guy she's been dating for two weeks risked his entire medical career to help her. Um, way to play hard to get Foreman. Also, they have the WORST pillow talk I've ever heard. "You drool", "You snore." Sexy.

I'm probably just really biased against any romantic relationship on this show because House and Wilson continue to be my favorite couple. I don't know if it's because Hugh Laurie and Robert Sean Leonard have good chemistry, or what, but they have House/Wilson banter down so well. They are very much the most real relationship by far.

But even as good as their friendship is, Wilson is still on his own when it comes to dealing with Amber's death. That was made painfully obvious when we notice that he still keeps a coffee cup she once used, unwashed, by the kitchen sink. What a gut punch. Yes, he washes it out in the end, but the fact that he's kept it for so long shows that he's still pretty screwed up over her death. It's sweet. And sad.

Finally, House himself. Serioulsy, was it just me or did he seem really nice this time around?