'House' - 'Lockdown' Recap

I think this was the first time I'd seen prescription drugs used recreationally on TV.

Danny, I feel like you've missed the point of the episode entirely.

The idea of the episode was to give us a character-driven, psychologically heavy episode by pairing up characters who would otherwise *never* end up alone together. It's in the same vein as "Conversations with Dead People" from season six of Buffy (possibly one of the best episodes of the entire show). The characters are examined externally by someone who is aware of their situation but not emotionally involved with it so they can offer objective analysis. It's like sitting down in the middle of a project and saying, "Okay, folks, where are we and what kind of day has it been?" It was executed brilliantly here.

Also, the Chase subplot may have seemed unrealistic to you, but it wasn't. My evidence comes from personal experience and anecdotes of the people I watch House with, but sometimes falling out of love with somebody includes a day when you think you're saying goodbye for the last time and you end up sleeping together one last time. "Box of stuff day" is a typical day for this in college breakups.

This whole episode was worth the 9 seconds we got of Allison (Elvis Costello) Ringtone.

The recapper realizes that the episode was the first one directed by Hugh Laurie, right? That centering the episode around House's room would have not only been impossible because of this but would have ultimately diluted the whole effect that his story with this guy had?

I think Hugh did a great job with it though..It was essentially a filler episode that was pretty much a character study of where these peoples lives/thoughts are but it also reminded us of key things with at least 2 major arcs of the season (House's mental patient time and Chase/Camerons marriage respectively).. Mostly at some level it showed all the characters at varying levels of vulnerability..

Wilson and 13 playing truth or dare was actually the lightest of them all with us realizing that no matter how OK 13 is with her illness now (which hasn't been mentioned much this season) she still isn't, while showing that Wilson still seriously wants love yet sort of keeps House by him to shield himself from the pain it could cause (great lead-in to next weeks episode, which looks like a fun one)

Chase and Cameron's story was possibly the heaviest of them making them put their relationship under a microscope that neither of them took the time to look at while they were working together, even in separate departments, at the hospital.. The only problem I saw of this is that they didn't focus as much on the Pink Elephant in the room as the should have: Killing the dictator.. Sure they touched on it but even amongst all they worked through about their actual feelings towards one another it was still very much the thing that ended them... My fiance believes that Cameron will end up pregnant from their little sex romp (no evidence of contraception was given) and that will create another huge issue for them as they face this divorce.

House was sort of a somber middle ground.. We knew he had changed in the Mental institution but he's never come out and said the woman was the reason, some would stand to assume until last night that it was the Doctors doing that helped him more.. But at the same time we've been seeing him struggle with the guy he's become since he's been out.. He has been less of a cocky bastard, has cared more for his patients.. but he's taken very little time to analyze it for himself.. I think that's what his story was about: Taking the time to realize how far you've come. He offers the guy mercy over telling him to suck up the pain, and when he does offer the mercy he offers it ONCE as apposed to forcing it down his throat like he would have in the past.. He apologizes to this random stranger for never taking his case.. He actually HELPS the patient try to reach out while actually reaching out himself.. Its bold steps and we're seeing he's doing it without help from any one (like Wilson, or the doctor)..

I think Taub and Foreman served a purpose in this episode that is a lot like House's.. House tried with both of them this season, in 2 different episodes, to get to the bottom of why they are the way they are but even though the episodes in question essentially got the job done neither character has grown, or at least we haven't seen growth.. Them showing us in their Viccodine haze that they know they're flawed (specifically when Foreman can't do any thing but tell the truth about himself) and that they don't like it so much that they're willing to try to use this opportunity to flaw themselves even more by destroying their records and strike out with a clean slate, says something about their need for change, even a slight bit of redemption. The story also takes 2 characters that actually don't interact much together, despite even being in the same room much of the time, and forces them to do so, with the end showing that they actually have a lot of respect for one another.

The only thing I wish this episode did was shed even the tiniest bit of light on that Pink Elephant I talked about in Chase and Cameron's story.. Somehow.. Someway.. I was expecting it to slip out in Taub and Foreman's story and I think they missed the opportunity to further the idea that what Chase did is going to very much bite him or Foreman or even House in the ass sometime soon..

Hahah, the last 2 contradictory posts made me actually LOL (& I never actually LOL)

I agree the Chase plot was expected; however, it was pretty good. It was good to see Cameron again. David Straithran, so awesome. I really enjoyed this one also. 13 and Wilson, boring. HOWEVER, Taub and Foreman were the most enjoyable. I laughed and enjoyed their interactions with each other. I think Omar Epps is a very good actor and loved seeing him in a fun situation. Black men do laugh! So, it was refreshing to see him in a more relaxed situation. He was GREAT!

Yes, it's a cliche, but from the previews, I really expected a good episode. Unfortunately, it seems all the good parts were actually in the preview and the rest of the episode was just a stinker. It's not often it happens with this show, but I really think this episode just bombed. The Taub/Foreman storyline in particular was horrible and was made worse by Omar Epps horrible acting. No matter what emotion he's trying to put forward, it always feel so strained and always falls completely flat.

The worst review I have ever read on here.

I missed when they found the baby. I know it's not the main point but where was she? What did it have to do with the extra towels?

Oh to be Taub for a few moments.