When House’s original team all either quit or were fired, and the new team was subsequently hired (after much ado!), I really thought it was only temporary. We’d get a few short story arcs with some of the new characters, then some monumental, simultaneous “Ah-ha!” would happen to House and his former team, and they’d all reunite with warm fuzzies.
Since I’ve been waiting almost two seasons, it may be time to give up the thoughts of a reunion. What I can’t figure out is what was wrong with the formula in the first place. Am I too set in my ways? Not for every show, I think, but I hate it when they shake things up on House.
Chi McBride’s character in season one? Didn’t need him. Sela Ward’s character in season two? Needed her more, because she helped us get to know House better, but still, she messed with the formula and you knew she was only temporary anyway.
Now, I just want the old team back. I don’t care about Cutner or Taub, and I still am finding their characters so underdeveloped. We know a bit more about Thirteen, but it took a long time to care about her, though I finally do.
But don’t you miss the days of House, Chase, Cameron and Foreman, with a little Cuddy and Wilson thrown in? I’m thinking this trend we are seeing in a lot of shows with a big cast is a huge mistake.
So here is my plea to House and its writers: don’t become another Lost or Heroes. Choose the quality characters that viewers love and keep coming back for, and develop their storylines with depth and finesse. We’ll keep watching the old gang; we promise.
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Nov 22, 2008 @ 09:12 EST5EDT
I absolutely agree. And look at the numbers this year – way down and as much as I love NCIS, House isn’t down just because of the competition. Did they need to create conflict with Wilson who now seems tainted because he does not really like House he is just in it for the adrenaline rush. Way to destroy an unique relationship. I always thought that Wilson gave us insight that there was a good soul in damaged House. Now it is just a negative insight into Wilson and I feel like House is just a jerk, not a damaged one. So any sympathy that I had for those characters is gone .
The newbies are ok but meaningless. What do they bring to the show – nothing. I hope Taub can return to his plastics practice because his wife knows about his affair. I hope 13 – whose character I cannot stand – becomes self destructive and leaves. Kutner is just so underdeveloped and could just be a picture on the wall for what he brings to the show.
An interesting development would to be for the show to get rid of the newbies and bring the old team back into a diagnostic unit where the team are all equals. Totally believable now that they have been out on their own. The dynamic could change now that House can’t order them around. Less characters, better dynamic, no 13 – good all around.
This used to be appointment tv for me and now I catch it on Hulu when I notice. It is the same for Bones – like the Zach story – why do they need to change a winning formula. I have enough shifting drama in my life.
I have to agree. This season is less than stellar. Last year worked because the “new team” was almost a series of tryouts every week. A lot of stuff going on, so even though things had changed, it was still interesting. Now it’s just kind of boring. The recent ep where Cameron had a larger role wasn’t even good, because I don’t like the dynamic between the new team and the old team. They need to fix it before it becomes too late. I can barely FF through the entire eps at this point, and that just ain’t right!
I have to DISagree. I didn’t want House to have a new team at first, but I’ve grown to like them, they bring a fresh atmosphere to the show, and they let the emphasis remain on House himself rather than letting the show turn into an ensemble.
I’m actually ready for Chase and Cameron to move on and stop making token appearances in the show, although the last few eps have handled that better. Foreman is still OK.
It’s also completely unrealistic that three “interns” would stay so long. Things change and I think that makes the show realistic.
I love the new team. I thought Chase and Cameron were two of the most boring people on TV, and think the new blood threw everything for a much needed loop (at least last season). Basically, they just need to make the episodes count more, as well as give the show a much-needed season-long arc.
I also have to disagree. The first team was boring and 2D. The token black guy, then the Aussie and the chick date… blah blah. With the new characters I was hoping for less of that, and there is because of more characters, but it’s still there. I actually would like if the Chase and the old woman (the first one, not that she is old) would leave, they aren’t needed and they can show up once a year.
Uhm Debbie could you please tell me what stories were left to tell with the “old” team?
Try to remember what they had to pull before they introduced us to the new doctors – house being investigated by a cop. That storyline was horrible and ended with a big nothing. What they would’ve been left with is romance for House or Wilson and guess what, that’s what they did with Amber (that story is not told) and now they are left with House and Cuddy. Once that one is told there will be nothing left. They now even showed us House’s dad’s funeral. There’s nothing left to explore but Cameron and Chase and they are currently starting to do that too. They are quickly running out of material and soon it will start to look ridiculous. You know, season 9/10 “Friends” style.
If you ask me, they also rather quickly burned the stories of the three new guys. 13 is almost done, the jew too which leaves us with only Kumar to explore.
Trust me, they will most likely add even more characters next season. They were pretty smart to add people, otherwise this show would’ve been down in ratings in “Grey’s Anatomy” kind of way.
I mean this is not even really a topic if you ask me. What would’ve been the alternative? Foreman hitting on Cuddy? Foreman hitting on House? I guess not.
*POST AUTHOR*
I definitely see what you are saying, but tonight’s episode (I got a preview copy!) is the perfect example of what I mean. There are tons of stories left to be told, and having the current cast interact with the guest stars is the perfect way to get to know them better without having too many regular cast members.
You’ll enjoy tonight’s episode; it was stellar on so many levels, and full of great House one-liners too.