House(2004–2012)- Review
House (previously called House, M.D.) is a medical drama that centers around Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), he is an exceptional & brilliant doctor running the diagnostics department at Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. What he makes up in medicinal prowess is undone by his lack of social skills and carefree nature. He has a reputation of being erratic, unpredictable and extremely hard to work with. As his diagnostic skills & unconventional treatment methods which more often than not successful, are outmatched by most of his peers, the hospital has no option but to have him if they want to have a diagnostics department. The hospital administrator and Dean of Medicine, and long-time friend of House Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), is the only person that can keep him in check, and only person that can tolerate him as a subordinate. House’s only friend is Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), head of the Department of Oncology. Throughout the series House and his team come across several cases that are not yet diagnosed. They try to find the diagnosis and ultimately its cure. Under the instructions of House his team too is made to engage in unconventional methods, which leads them to sometimes cross legal/ethical/moral lines, due to it he and his team often find themselves in a conflict with other doctors at the hospital, mainly Dr. Lisa Cuddy.
The unique & peculiar character of House, miles away from what one would expect from a doctor, makes the series fascinating. The story writers keep the as much in line with reality as they can, flouting a medical jargon here and there, but does not make it too complicated for the viewer to not understand and become disinterested. Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of House is what to keeps the show together across its 8 seasons. The detective-esque way in which he and his team try to find a solution is pretty enjoyable, and surely one of a kind considering its doctors trying to find the ‘mystery’, and not a cop/detective as we are used to seeing.
The reshuffling of the cast can be annoying as it is done far too many times and the connection the viewers have made with the characters. It can seem exhausting to watch the full series with 8 seasons and 24 episodes in almost all the seasons, but it would not feel boring at any point. The uniqueness of the character of House majorly works in favor of the series as mentioned above, but sometimes it feels way too unusual borderline illogical for any kind of character, let alone a doctor.
House certainly has its set of shortfalls but it is still enjoyable with a distinctive storyline. House does not attach to many relationships, but it is appeasing to see the only one that he maintains, with Wilson. All in all it is not a show that will make you glued to the screen, but at the same time it won’t be boring if you choose to watch it.
Acting- 8
Casting- 8
Cinematography- 9
Dialogue- 8
Directing- 8.5
Editing & Effects- 8
Sound & Music- 7.5
Story- 8.5
Storytelling- 7.5
Rating- 8.5