OMG, Barbara - I'm incredibly excited. Just goes to show that it always pays to check one's favorite websites before shutting down for the night. I'm printing this out right now, and looking forward to my commute to work tomorrow :-)

Hey! Just for you Orange--I was hoping you'd see it. It's only part one, addressing Stacy and Cameron. Cuddy comes later in the week.

Thank you so much for summing up precisely why House/Cameron could not (and never will) work. Were they attracted to one another? Absolutely. But, for every reason you stated, it never could have existed as a true romantic relationship, and that ship has sailed - pun intended. House and Cameron still share great banter and an interesting meeting of the minds, but they have both moved on - she with Chase and he with his life in general - and neither of them have been interested in one another romantically in a very, very long time.

House/Stacy, on the other hand, was every bit the epic story that you described it as in this article. I always saw the House/Cameron date as a way to both clear up why H/C would never work out and set up how House would react to having Stacy in his life again. We saw him vulnerable and unguarded, and often acting exactly like a man desperately in love. And then other times he was pushing her away again, attempting to maintain some level of self-preservation. I was very disappointed and sad to see Stacy go, as I definitely agreed with Wilson that House was stupid to send away his (possibly) one real chance at happiness. A big part of me still believes that Stacy remains the only person he can ever truly be happy with in the end.

I look forward to your follow-up about House/Cuddy, as I am currently very intrigued by their interactions and where this story arc seems to be heading/not heading. They've always had a very distinct dynamic, and it's possible that Cuddy could be the only person aside from Stacy to ever show House true happiness and romantic love, but I'm still not entirely convinced of that idea. I waver between that idea and the opposite thought that says there's no way it would ever work. I can't wait to read your insightful thoughts on the topic! Thanks so much, again, for this installment!

Barbara, Thank you...what fun! I wonder why House was so convinced that Stacy would leave him again? Was he so sure that he couldn't make her happy? Or was it just the distinct possibility that she could leave enough to stop him from taking the chance?

The writers, by giving her the name 'Stacy' have made it clear (in my mind) that she is a character that isn't capable of 'staying' through the 'worse' of the 'for better or worse' part. And the writers seemed to echo that point again in "The Itch" with the dialogue about the potw's gunshot wound when House described the bullet the mugger used (Stacy) as a 'hollow' point. Fragments from that bullet had been deteriorating in the body of the potw for 7 years, and poisoning him. In the same way, Stacy leaving House has been also poisoning House. The removal of the fragments returns the potw to health, but now House is confronted with his love of another woman, Cuddy, who may have the same destructive influence on him that Stacy did.

Oh dear oh dear *laughs*

Thanks a lot for your article. I always smile remembering House/Stacy "curry" relationship. I've always been thinking she was good and, unlike Cameron, strong and grown up for him.
But I'm really cofused with the reasons why he'd sent her out: either caring for her to be happy and not alone or affraid to be left himself and unwilling to consider smbs interests.
That'as why I'm really worried about the end of House/Cuddy relationship now. If he didn't took chances with Stacey who definitely meant a lot for him, he would never risk his comfort for Cuddy, who'd never been so deep inside his life and feelings. He is really fine with dayly fights and harrasment. He might feel tempted - that's all we see(((

My favourite subject - the reason why House breaks it off with Stacy. This is so interesting because it says a lot about his character.

She said to him - "with you I was alone". And she was with him for five years. She knew him. It was not just the leg. It came before that. I think House was House before the leg and that you shouldn't read to much into him playing paint-ball as a social interaction. House is fanatic about computer-games and I think to him, this was just another computer-game in real life.(even if it was ten years ago)

Gregory House does not connect on a personal level with anyone over time, and he is not comfortable doing so. He NEEDS his alone time. And he needs it badly, to function in his work life. But he also wants it, and likes it, to a level that no partner however tough is comfortable with. He is not willing to put down the toilet seat for anyone, as he says in "Need to know". Why? Now thats another story. But some nevrology and his upbringing may explain things.

And then theres the leg. And off course it matters. Im not familiar with living in pain, but I guess it does something to your psyche. It doesnt help on all the thing metioned above. He knows that even if he falls in love, the pain will never go away. His pain is always there, never lets him off the hook. So why bother to try to be happy.

That doesn't mean he cant get involved with anyone, but I think he know that it will not work over time. So he fills his life with other things that is meaningful to him. Work, sex, music, friend(s). Its not such a bad life?

Oooh, oooh, oooh! I agree, Orange - I wasn't expecting anything and here's the article I've been anticipating for weeks! Thankyou, Barbara!

I find House's relationship with Stacy very different from those with Cameron and Cuddy, as it was conceived as part of a defined story arc. This makes it similar to the relationships I encounter in novels or movies, where the writer/s know exactly where they will take the relationship and craft the story with an endpoint firmly in view.

House's relationships with Cameron and Cuddy, by contrast, are ongoing, and, I believe, have not been planned out with any defined endpoint. This makes them somewhat more 'real' as they've developed similarly to real-life relationships.

Listening to the DVD commentaries and reading through the spoilers over 5 series of House was an interesting exercise. Early on, the writers' comments focus on the development of a romance between House and Cameron, with no seeming intent to develop anything between House and Cuddy. However, there is a distinct change as they recognise the chemistry between House and Cuddy -their relationship seems to have developed almost of its own accord.

House and Cuddy's 'romance' (or whatever it is), developing out of chemistry rather than 'destiny', is much more fascinating to watch!

Looking forward to the second instalment, and of course to this week's review - thanks again, Barbara!

I love your summary of why Stacy elected to have House's leg operated on. I've always sort of thought that it was rather telling that she gave up something very important to her (her relationship with him) to keep him alive. It strikes that very real balance between selflessness (giving him up) and selfishness (being unable to see him die), which a defining aspect of love.

It is obvious you don't like House/Cameron. You lump House/Cameron and House/Stacy together but are going to have a whole article about Huddy. Plus, you don't mention anything about House/Cameron after season 1.

Housefan--I'll have more to say about the other comments when I get a chance to read everything, but yours caught my eye right off the bat. Most of Cameron's infatuation with House was played out during the first season and for some of the second. I think House is attracted to cameron, as I've said, but, beyond that, I don't think there's anything there. And yes, I'll take some heat for that, I'll admit.

I'm only doing this in two parts for space considerations. The article won't be nearly as long as this one. But I also think House's relationship with Cuddy, like his relationship with Wilson is very complex and very long-standing. And it's something being explored currently in the show's narrative.

It's not that I don't like the idea of House and Cameron. I'm not advocating it or cheering it on, but I certainly saw the attraction and Cameron's infatuation with House (which she appears to have outgrown). I love some of the moments they've shared together--even beyond season one (the scene at the end of Daddy's Boy comes to mind) but I don't think of them at all as a couple.

Wow, that was indeed an unexpected gift! Thanks Barbara! I agree with your point of you in both relationships.

Since i am a retrospective House fan (you know, one of those who discovered the series mid4th season and stuffed all the first three seasons in only 3 weeks with 4 or more episodes per day in order to catch up and because the show is so dangerously addictive), i saw the House/Stacy and House/Cameron relationships in a rather hurried and pressed way and didn't have the time and space to take it all in.
The House/Cuddy thing, on the other hand, i am viewing it in all its glory and i am more attached to it -however i try to never forget that a happy/in love House will probably be the end of the show as we know it -and i am not quite sure i wanna "know" another kind of show. That's why i am mostly reluctant in all the "ships".

It is, however, true that House and Cuddy have a great thing going on with lots of possibilities: she not only lets his 8-year-old side emerge (with her sexy looks and flirty attitude and the undeniable chemistry between them), but also enables it (with her actions). And this is the fun, playful housian side ("I remember him being fun" -Stacy said once), the only way he feels somehow free and unattached -and i think Cuddy is the only one who lets him get away with this immaturity of his and in a way enjoys it. I believe that Stacy had to settle with it and didn't provoke it, and Cameron of course would never appreciate this side of him -he liked him for the exact opposite. Him being older, vulnerable, wiser. So this playful (and of course, oh so sexy side) that only Cuddy knows how to handle is a very interesting ground. And i am looking forward to see how this will unfold.

I'm sorry but I still don't get why so many people are obsessed about Huddy, never have, never will. But of course I respect others' opinions, even when I don't understand them. And it's not the couple in question here so I won't write about that too. I just would like to point out one thing: Cuddy herself said in season 1 "Bear in mind Cameron's probably the only female that can tolerate you..." I still think she's right. Especially when you keep in mind how much Cameron matured over the last seasons... House and Cameron do have a very special connection and understanding for each other (and in contrast to Cuddy she is not trying to change/manipulate him, despite people claiming her to do so), he likes her, that's obvious, but he's afraid she's too young. Maybe that will change in the next seasons when he realizes that she's not the "girl" from season 1 anymore. I definitely won't give up my belief in Hameron. I fell in love with the chemistry between House and Cameron in episode 3 (I've been watching since the start of the show), and it's one of the reasons why I'm so obsessed with the show (besides Hugh Laurie, he's just too hot!) - nothing will change that.

Barbara, what a beautiful and insightful article into House´s psyque and relationship m.o.
I´m a super huge fan of your writing and love to read your reviews, interviews and thoughts on House.
I agree with what you have written. House is in constant fear of pain, and emotional pain in particular.
Commiting to a relationship can be a scary and unsure prospect, as one can never be completely certain of the outcome. And it means "putting yourself out there", accepting possible failure, overcome fears of dependency and all else that comes from loving someone.
In psycology it´s usually said that when a person falls in love he/she is really falling in love with him/herself. You truly love being seen though the loving eyes of the other person, in those eyes you can see yourself whole, perfect, powerful and full of great possibilities. The other person´s love makes you look great and better than you even thought possible.
That´s why, I think, it´s so important to House to be so sure of Stacy´s feelings and Cuddy´s feelings towards him. He what´s to see that wholesome image of himself and maybe feel whole again.
With Stacy I think he was afraid of their history together, the past tends to repeat itself and she was the memory of his injury and incompleteness. She was something great that ended in a not so great way, and that changed him forever. I think he charished the memory of what he was when he was with her, before the infarction in his leg, to me what he really loved in her was the memory of himself with his self esteem intact.
Cameron liked what was broken in him, not what´s whole, so that was doomed from the start as a long term relationship possibility.
And so we are down to Cuddy. Cuddy admires him, sees his potential, his gift for finding answers, in her eyes he is something great, misterious and attractive. So the positive image aspect for House is great in this relationship, that further entices their attraction to each other.
He admires her also, thinks she´s smart and beautiful and the thought of losing her was always too much for him to bear.
Hence the snooping and spoiling of her dates.
He doesn´t quite have the courage yet to step up to the plate.
In the kiss scene in "Joy", Hugh and Lisa gave us some pretty remarkable moments, one of my favourites is right before they kiss. After she has said "why do you need to negate everything" and she was really angry as she said that, when he says "I don´t know", you can immediately see that her face changes. She´s not angry anymore, and she feels for him, feels his struggle, and knows that for him to say "I don´t know" is a huge step and a gigantic change.
And before, in the delivery room when he says "this doesn´t need yoy, I do", that was pretty significative also.
I´m really excited to see how this plays out, how they dance around (and towards) each other. This is a great moment for the show and the actors are doing a superb job.
Wel I could go on forever (and probably did), but that´s just how great your article was, it gets us thinking, imagining, remenbering and wanting more from these two great characters.
This is by far my favourite show on TV. Look forward to reading the second part of your article. All the best to you.

Sandra, in just a couple of lines you summed it up so well House and Cameron's relationship. Thank you for such a good understanding of Cameron. Like you I have hope things are going to change in a future.

Barbara, this was a great and insightful article!

Regarding the Huddy kiss, I think what happened after the kiss is just as revealing as what happened before it. After they finished kissing, they did not want to let go of the closeness they achieved. Whey they moved closer to each other before moving away, it showed first the pure bare emotion and attraction between them, then the cerebral cortex took over, and House realized what would be involved if he let it continue.

This is the same thing that happened with Stacy. First, he let the pure emotion of getting her back be his guide. In Need to Know, when Mark was willing to sacrifice his future to get help from House to keep Stacy, House reassessed with his cerebral cortex and turned away from her. When House feels he is safe in the moment to let his emotions out, he will. When he starts to think of what acting on that would mean, he retreats. There is only so much exposure he will let happen.

When Stacy told House he would always be the one, but she was lonely with him, she sealed her fate. House can only give so much, and at the end, he knew she needed more. It wasn't that House wasn't willing to give more, it was that he couldn't. I don't think he held back when he was with Stacy the first time. He gave her as much as he could. House saw that Mark was able to fulfill a need Stacy had that was greater than her need to be with "the one." He knew he could never be that person to her. House saw the sacrifices that Margo and Mark were willing to make, and it made him think rationally. He knew that Stacy, when she was thinking rationally, really knew that House was not for her. When she was talking about the curry, she said it can burn the roof of your mouth. House could forsee that happening, and he would have no part of it.

"You can't always get what you want. But if you try, sometimes, you get what you need." How many time have these words resonated truth in this show. What you want vs. what you need. What you want is emotional, what you need is rational. The cerebral cortex takes over.

House was not willing to let his emotions out with Cameron. He had a physical attraction to her, but he was not willing to let it go any further. He knew that Cameron's attraction to him was only because she needed to love someone, anyone. Not specifically him. If he let his emotions take over, he knew he would be hurt. He could never be what Cameron needed him to be for her to heal herself; no man could. Cameron needed to find her own answer, as she did in The Itch with Chase. Cameron's immaturity at the time was too much for House to deal with. Remember in Fidelity how Cameron reacted when the husband left his wife at the end.

Again, Hugh Laurie has excelled in making House so dimensional. Writers could not create him as complex as he is without Hugh's spot-on interpretation of their words. Most of what you wrote about is related to what Hugh has shown us with his non-verbal skills. It was not all said in words, but he spoke volumes with his actions.

Hugh is the fuel that drives the inferno that is House. His non-verbal acting skills speak louder than the words. I have never seen an actor so in touch with his own physicality. Try watching an episode without sound, when all you have are Hugh's actions. I appreciate his talents even more that way.

You rule, Barbara. As a journalist myself and a huge fan of House, I gotta admit it is incredibly refreshing to see someone who actually understands what they're watching.

Most people interpret the show as it's presented to you. But House is multi-layered. It isn't a black or white thing; it's as grey as it's ever been.

Can't wait for part 2. Gotta love the Huddy.

A nicely timed & thoughtful review, Barbara.

I think you've nailed the House/Cameron period. The characters have an obvious attraction to one another but the relationship was doomed from the get-go by Cameron's youth and her 'need- to- be-needed'.

Stacey always struck me as House's 'great mythological love' but with some very big caveats. She left House he when he may have needed her most; she did tell him that she was 'lonely' in the relationship'; she was obviously considering betraying her actual husband (Mark) and walking out on him in the midst of his illness/therapy (something of a repeat performance that I think House strongly registered when Mark fought his way up the Hospital stairs to confront him); Stacey said that she was considering " not telling Mark' about sleeping with House & this equaled in her mind " not hurting him"...a dubious moral standard. Stacey mentioned also that " when things got bad she liked to have an escape route" right before she tried to bed House in the airport hotel after a fight with Mark. House didn't bed her that night; he seemed more concerned about her motivation than Stacey did. He took off to the safety of a Differential with the Team. I think he wisely read Stacey as too unsure of what she really wanted (she even indicated while trying to seduce House that 'curry' got unpalatable after awhile). I think House made a good choice not to play that game again. I think Wilson was dead wrong as to why House sent Stacey away. Mainly because Wilson doesn't get to see the private, reflective moments the viewer does.
Now Cuddy ! You are so right that she accepts the big kid in House and flies with it...but she also challenges him to be an adult. She has never deserted him & has shown him steadfast affection in so many ways e.g. hiring him when no one else would; perjurying herself in court to save him from jail; getting him & Wilson back together; sleeping at his bedside & holding his hand when he was in ICU when even Wilson was gone; telling patients that House would be the Dr. she would most trust in a given situation ( Fetal Position). Cuddy recognizes the big kid but nurtures the adult.She can do tough love. She may not be exactly what House thinks he 'wants' (Stacey) but she is want he 'needs' .....as per that great House philosopher Mick Jagger. I hope the writers let House & Cuddy at least try for a relationship even it's a messy one. House has shown too much growth across the series to not attain some moments of real connection.

Sigh I wasn't going to post, as I wanted to respect your obvious love of House and Cuddy, but Stacy is the only woman House has loved (and possibly will ever be able to love), you've done a huge disservice to House and Cameron by glossing over it highlighting the negatives. Using words to dismiss it like blackmail and infatuation - It extends well past season one, especially into No Reason, and definitely at the end of Informed Consent (I could list a whole lot more) where he tells her he's proud of her. I think that shows a genuine affection on House's part for Cameron, it goes a lot deeper than his sexual objectification of Cuddy. While those words may not be untrue they certainly emphasize a negative connotation. How easily we forget that he went to her apartment twice, he was willing to subject himself to a date just to get her back. Though Cameron certainly sabotaged herself by getting direct.

I would like to say however I was open to the possibility of House/Cuddy but they completely ruined it when they wrote it as two immature adults pulling on each others hair. I've seen it argued that immaturity is how he shows affection, well Cuddy is not Wilson and he has not been nearly as bad with Stacy (whom he LOVED), nor with Cameron. We saw a softness with the IVF treatments, but now what do we see? In my opinion they are really forcing it instead of developing it with some lead up like it deserves.

Another great post Barbara! Eagerly awaiting the follow-up.


I purchased the House calendar the other day(a very nice one I will add) and it had a quote from a conversation between House and Cameron (one I forgot about) in which she asked him if he hired her "to get in [her]pants". I think his answer was his typical, yet honest, Housian way when he replies he can't believe that would shock her, but it also wasn't what he said and he says "...I hired you because you look good, it's like having a piece of art in the lobby." I believe he was actually being honest with this comment. He admits to being attracted to her so his actions during their monster-truck-non-date and dinner "date" are within (and at that point early in the five seasons)and actually help build his character. But, deeper than that, at least from his side I never was convinced of much more.

Cameron is clearly and understandably still affected by her husband's death years later. In the season three opener ("Meaning") while the ketamine treatment is still working and House asks her out, she turns him down. House makes an pointed comment to her that now that he is well and no longer in pain he is of no interest to her. Now, it appears as if she is moving on. Chase's reference to her husband in "The Itch" makes that connection and was wonderfully placed in that episode. I also enjoyed her comforting Wilson after Amber died and wished we could have seen more of it.

Stacy was certainly loved by House. I think that is clear in the last part of the first and it showed (beautifully by Laurie) that House was (and is) capable of loving someone. I felt like that was her role. We found out, as Cameron did, that House was capable of loving and being loved, but too much has happened for House to return down that road.

I am enjoying the road Shore and Co. have taken us down with House and Cuddy so far. It does not feel like a standard TV coupling: the glances between them, their protectiveness of each other, the awkward yet deeply passionate kiss, and their subsequent reactions all contribute to a vibe of "realness" that adds to the series. We know they have known each other a long time and have a past relationship or moment (however brief it may have been) and do have a rapport and understanding of each other that is unique. This was evident since the pilot and makes what they are facing all the more plausible.

It is hard to say if House will ever find love again and/or how he will. Either way, I love watching to find out.

Relating to the ongoing theme "You can't always get what you want, but if you try, you might get what you need":

I just rewatched House's Assessment of Cuddy in which he says, "What you want, you run from. What you need, you don't have a clue." (Season 4)

I've always seen Cuddy's 'want' as 'Prince Charming arrives and sweep her off to the house with the white picket fence and two kids'. I think this links to House's comment that she is 'not happy unless everything is just as it should be' (Season 2).

This is also the type of 'perfect' relationship that the writers have said she will never have with House. And holding out for perfection is what is keeping her miserable.

I wonder what Cuddy's 'need' is?

I think that neither House nor Cuddy is ready or able to have a relationship that will work.

YET.

I enjoy this 'Huddy' storyline - because there's so much more development that can happen with both House and Cuddy in this area. Being willing to even think about relating to another person is only the very start.

Excellent analysis, Barbara. I think that Shore and Co. have over these five years skillfully given us several love relationships for House that serve as powerful foils each against the others. As you have masterfully described, the disasterous date with Cameron was the effective end of their (non) affair, although Cameron may not have been in a developmental position to realize it at the time. We learned at that point what House did not want in a relationship (pity and blind, uninformed adoration).

Through the carefully developed arc of the Stacy story we saw House in full romantic mode, the man of science and objectivity overwhelmed by irrational passion, and subjected to a most miserable disillusionment in the end. The double trauma of losing his leg function and losing Stacy left him in a permanent depression characterized by extreme pain avoidance.

Though is it not part of your current scheme, I think that the evolution of the relationship between Cameron and Chase has been presented as a deliberate contrast with House's love affairs with Stacy and now with Cuddy. Chase and Cameron fell into a purely sexual encounter at precisely the time that House was hesitantly stumbling over the enticements Cuddy represents. Where the younger couple plunged in headlong, the older pair danced away from the precipice. Where Cameron was eager to have sex but reluctant to admit to deeper feelings for Chase, we have seen an emotionally cloistered House grappling with his ties to Cuddy over a period of years while standing back from their obvious sexual attraction.

I agree with those above who have noted that Cuddy cherishes both the adult genius and the damaged child in House. Now with delicious deliberation this season, we are exploring whether House can accept her steadfast support of him as a key to a loving relationship. I am greatly looking forward to your analysis of the House/Cuddy relationship later this week.

Thank you for this, Barbara - great job as usual! I've also enjoyed reading everyone's comments! I'll be back tomorrow to add my own two cents. :-)

I just have to say I always enjoy reading your articles and like many of the people here I think you have nailed the 'Hameron' relationship on the head. You acknowledged what happened between them, and I love how you used the date to show that House made everything about his leg because he refused to be pegged in a pigeon hole labelled cripple.

I adored your interpretation of the House/Stacy relationship and I agree completely with everything you said, I wish I had something more profound to say here but I really don't.

I would like to bring something up that somebody has mentioned above me called Sandra. I wanted to talk about this because I always feel Cuddy is misinterpreted in her attempts to "change" House. People always comment on how Cuddy is trying to change House, I disagree. Cuddy, as House always points out, is a perfectionist and an idealist, wanting the world to be perfect, and always wants the lives of her patients to be everything they want them to be. Sometimes this causes problems because Cuddy then looses her objectivity, but this response isn't about all of that so let me move on. I don't think, please correct me if I am wrong, that Cuddy has ever tried to change House'a personality. What Cuddy has tried to change is his quality of life. She sees how miserable he is, with his drugs and his anti-socialness and tries to bring him out of the pit of self-pity and misery he has sunken into. I admit, it doesn't always go well, but she has never tried to change "him", just trying, in her very idealistic way, to make his life better, like she tries with her patients.

But that was a side point, I'd like to thank you for spending the time to write this article, and all of the wonderful reviews you do, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next one!

"What Cuddy has tried to change is his quality of life."
That's exactly what Cameron tried too, still people accuse her of wanting to change him into someone his not, and that's not true. She understands him like no one else, and never tried to change his personality. She only wanted to help him deal with the pain. When Cuddy does the exact same thing as Cameron (and Cameron at least never drugged him to get him to do what she wants or took away his cable like you would with a rebelling teenager), it's suddenly okay. That's what I tried to express - it's not fair.
(I'm not a native speaker, but I hope it's understandable what I mean)

Barbara, I wasn't able to post from my laptap as it key erroring out and it was too long to post from my iPhone. I did post on the other site and yu know where that is. This was nicely done. Can't wait for your chapter on House/Cuddy.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments and readership. This article has now been featured on the FOX.com official site!

I agree with what so many of you say, of course. But I want to address a bit about the difference between Cuddy and Cameron in response to Sandra.

Cuddy isn't really trying to change House so much as get him to stay a bit in touch with his humanity. She's every bit the game player he is. She's sassy, she's funny and assertive. She's also more House's age and she's his peer (in medicine, if not in job position).

What House saw in Cameron was that she wanted to fix his broken wing and make it all better. Because House focuses so much on not making his life about his wounded spirit (and rages against anyone who does) he hates what he construes as pity. That's what he saw in Cameron. Yes, he was (and probably still is) attracted to her, but would never act on those feelings. He'd devour her. and he knows it.

Just to thank you for your perceptive analysis of House's emotional life, with which I pretty much agree.I am still waiting to see series 5 over here ( it sounds well up to form ), so these are random thoughts to comfort my Houseless state.

I know you think that House's bleak childhood


influences a lot of his behaviour: his father was obviously the sort of bully who believes that real men dont have feelings. Shutting him out in the cold and dark is a powerful metaphore for rejection and an intelligent, sensitive boy would soon decide that rejecting is preferable to being rejected and that has been House's tactic almost all his life.
But when he does let down his guard, when he trusts enough to love, he gives a total commitment and needs it in return ( " you can have a life with me or life with him " )so the failure with Stacy is a devastating blow.

I haven't seen anything of the developing relationship with Cuddy, but I always thought that their Beatrice and Benedict act might end in love. But ,like one of your other correspondents, I fear a happy, sorted-out House would be the end of the show and what am I going to do without House ?!

You ask if House has always been this way in his pursuit of love...if we consider his reasons for becoming a cheerleader, I dare say he's been reserved/guarded since college. He chased after a girl, though from the sounds of it, he was too shy to openly ask her out.

So what in House's past caused all of this? It was certainly exacerbated by the Stacy situation later on, but it seems to me that his walls were put up long before he met Stacy.

Barbara you don't know if House will ever act on those feelings for Cameron, I bet he will. Let's wait one more season :)

Ah, Alice....you're on! ;)

So much in House's make-up contributes, I think Carrie. We know that his self-esteem issues have been life-long and his outsider status nearly that long. He learned long ago not to seek approval, because he knew he would never get it from his dad, and falling in love and facing possible rejection by exposing yourself to it is seeking approval from the person who means the most to you.

I have no doubt that House is incredibly capable of loving and being loved. But exposing himself like that...

I don't think any discussion of House in love is complete without some discussion of House's actions towards Wilson. By focusing on Cameron, Stacy, and Cuddy, you're obviously leaving out one of the most important, albeit ambiguous, relationships in the show. Consider the jealousy with which he behaves toward Cuddy in "Who's Your Daddy," "Top Secret," and "House Training." It's nearly identical to the jealousy he demonstrates towards Wilson's love life in "Fools for Love," "Act Your Age," and obviously "Don't Ever Change." Even if you don't slash House/Wilson, and I know you don't, any discussion of House's love life is incomplete without addressing it. Even Kristen on E!Online understands that.

Emily--agreed. I wrote about them in their own special articles earlier in the season:
A Fine Bromance

and here:House and Wilson in "Dying Changes Everything"

Hi Barbara - Wow! Again, thank you for your insightful commentary. I was very pleased to see your article featured on the Fox.com/house website. As House would say, "...cool."

So many things about your article to glean from, but only one I want to respond to regarding Cameron: "That's what he saw in Cameron. Yes, he was (and probably still is) attracted to her, but would never act on those feelings. He'd devour her. and he knows it." I inherently agree. Back in season one, where House and Cameron are discussing why people pray, House effectively mentions to her that he will not crush her. Even four seasons later, I do not believe that Cameron has the strength to withstand a completely open (not sure if I'm using the right word) House. Stacy eventually took a powder after round one, and despite a potential go at round two, House knew that she would not be able to handle it, so he saves her the trouble by not going there. Cuddy, who bears incredible inner strength, has time and again absorbed House's emotional blows with intense fortitude. She nails it, when in her office talking to Wilson in Finding Judas, that House holds back so much of what he could do to devastate those who are close to him. That he knows precisely how and where to really hurt if he chooses to. He's never really done that with Cameron and I believe that is due to him knowing, like Stacy, that she wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm increasingly finding that he is unable to help himself with regard to Cuddy, almost like he is pushing her to extremes to see how much she can take and still not abandon him. It appears to me that House is investing an incredible amount of himself in Cuddy, and that a future with her is possible in the long-term, so long as she really understands what she is getting herself into. I think it is truly a heavy and intense burden to be the object of Gregory House's real affection, and I'm still pondering if the payoff will be worth it. It would be so very sad, that even with all of her strength, which she has shown numerous times throughout the seasons, to be invariably crushed by him. I almost think that maybe the PI would be the better option, but I'm watching (as I wince) to see where this will end. Hopefully TPTB will be gentle in the long run. I hope to enjoy the triangular dynamic of the three central characters for many seasons to come.

I always love your articles and the intelligent and thoughtful comments from the readers that come with them. So thank you. Eagerly awaiting the Cuddy/House article as I have always felt these two have had something quite special together.

Wow...it looks like this may be the kind of site I've been looking for! Intelligent, reasoned discussion of psyches and motivations, rather than blinded, squeeing goo. (Don't get me wrong, I like to squee too, but the ability to step back is important.)

Beautiful article. Now that the House/Cuddy thing is ramping up, I've found myself going back to get a better idea of House's relationships with Cameron and Stacy. I only watched haphazardly until late in season 3, so I've missed a lot. I really appreciate the overview of the Stacy relationship--because from what I remember of that, it feels to me much more serious/real than where they're going with Cuddy--I wanted to review things to see if I remembered right.

Two things have jumped out at me here--Luisa said "Cameron liked what was broken in him, not what´s whole, so that was doomed from the start as a long term relationship possibility." That's *exactly* how I feel--perfect description. Although admittedly I've missed some things there, I have never gotten a vibe that says that House feels any kind of real passion for her. It always felt more to me like he was simply going with the flow, because she was there, and she was pushing so hard. A 'why not' kind of reaction, but nothing real and lasting.

JL said, "I've always seen Cuddy's 'want' as 'Prince Charming arrives and sweep her off to the house with the white picket fence and two kids'. I think this links to House's comment that she is 'not happy unless everything is just as it should be' (Season 2).

This is also the type of 'perfect' relationship that the writers have said she will never have with House. And holding out for perfection is what is keeping her miserable."

I'd agree with that, too. And when that's paired with what others have mentioned about House *needing* his alone time, and Stacey feeling alone in the relationship....any successful relationship that House has will have to be incredibly unique. He needs someone who doesn't have perfection in mind...because they ain't gonna get it. He needs someone who can be perfectly satisfied with consistently coming in second, or even further down on occasion--someone who doesn't *need* to have the things that he is unable to give.

Like the jazz player mentioned in DNR--House doesn't have family, friends...all the 'extras' in life, because he has *this*--his work, which is his first passion. It tends to exclude anything else. Any woman who gets House would have to understand that, and be perfectly satisfied with it.

I'm not sure Cuddy is currently up to the task (in a romantic relationship--she gets it fine in friendship--I just think she would 'need' more). And...I don't feel the passion between them that I felt with Stacy. There's a live-wire current, for sure, but it's not quite right. Besides--House needs Cuddy in an entirely different way--he needs the fight from her, it keeps him sharp. He needs to be sharp to do what he does...so if the fight calms down, does it dull his edge? I think he doesn't want to risk that.

Sorry to be so wordy out of the gate! Looking forward to the rest of the article!

Barbara, first of all - thank you for Part One. It was everything I was looking forward to and more! Second, I want to say that while I may not always agree with what you write - I absolutely love the way you write it! As Gerry wrote in a comment on her "Last Resort" blog, "we each have our own lenses for the show", so it stands to reason that different chords will resonate within each of us depending on which of our favorite notes are struck.

Even though I recently emptied my clip on the subject of House and Stacy - as with all endlessly fascinating subjects, there's always more to add! I hope you're still planning to revisit the Stacy arc episodes in the not-too-far-distant future, as you mentioned a few weeks ago. I'll have lots to say then. (You've been warned ;-)) Just a few things now.

"Having mistakenly believed that House is simply "too screwed up" to love anyone, she observes House throughout the case. She realizes that House is capable of great love (and selfless love). She (rather cruelly, I thought) tells him, "I'm happy for you," knowing that House's love for Stacy (at this point, anyway) is strictly unrequited."

Honeymoon was the first episode I ever saw - I only started watching during the summer rerun season after S2. So my very first reaction to Cameron had me wondering why the young female doctor was being speaking so cruelly to the older doctor as he stood, obviously in pain, watching the woman he loved snuggling with her husband. Cameron has remained one of the characters that I like the least, and it's possible that my inauspicious first impression of her is to blame. But I've gotten to know her pretty well by now, and I don't think that House didn't act on his feelings because he "would devour her". I think he knew he would lose interest in her long before that happened. IMO, she lacks salt. Stacy and Cuddy both have plenty, and most good curry recipes need a healthy pinch to bring out the flavor.

"In one of the series' most poignant scenes, House desperately tries to erase time and circumstance, trying to walk normally, without the cane. Perhaps if he can, he will be "whole" enough to win back Stacy's affection. (I think that's what's going on in House's mind here.)"

I must respectfully disagree. Erase time and circumstance? Yes. Be "whole" enough to win back her affection? Emphatically, no. He had to remember Stacy's heartfelt "it's just a damned leg". (I apologize if I'm misunderstanding what you mean by "whole" here.)

"Mark is vanilla and white bread;"

This reminded me of the following quote, from "The Pursuit of Love" by Nancy Mitford: "...Alfred and I are happy, as happy as married people can be. We are in love, we are intellectually and physically suited in every possible way, we rejoice in each other's company, we have no money troubles and three delightful children. And yet, when I consider my life, day by day, hour by hour, it seems to be composed of a series of pin-pricks. Nannies, cooks, the endless drudgery of housekeeping, the nerve-racking noise and boring repetitive conversation of small children (boring in the sense that it bores into one's brain), their absolute incapacity to amuse themselves, their sudden terrifying illnesses, Alfred's not infrequent bouts of moodiness, his invariable complaints at meals about the pudding, the way he will always use my tooth-paste and will always squeeze the tube in the middle. ***These are the components of marriage, the whole-meal bread of life, rough, ordinary but sustaining. Linda had been feeding upon honey-dew, and that is an incomparable diet.***"

Even though I remain ever-hopeful that House and Stacy will somehow be reunited at the end of the series, I do think that House and Cuddy have wonderful chemistry, a very strong friendship and a lot going for them - and they could be good together, too. (After all, Stacy and Cuddy have more similarities than differences - they are both mature, intelligent confident, likeable women who are comfortable in their skin - and House is nothing if not true to type.) House and Cuddy would have to give each other half a chance, though - and right now I don't think either of them have the requisite skills. It's one thing to fall in love, and quite another to sustain a relationship. "Leave it alone, Greg." "Yeah, I'm good at that." Sort of sums up some of his issues in this area. Looking forward to Part Two!

Gah. This is so devastating. Poor House and poor girls who he destroys... Even though, for some reason, I think Cameron and Stacy are both going to come out if it about 30 times better than Cuddy will..

It's the last refuge of the wounded for those two..

First, thanks for the article. Second, my thoughts: I'm a little torn about who I think House should/will end up with... Cuddy or Cameron. I'm one of those people that hasn't been watching since day one. But, by mere happenstance, I caught an episode, got hooked, and went back and got all the DVDs and caught up with the rest online. So now, for better or worse, I've seen four years worth of storylines in, well, an embarassingly shorter amount of time. : ) Now, I'm a very busy person, but, in my spare time, I've been reading and watching lots of interviews to try and understand how the actors, writers, and producers see House and his relationships with other people. Where I land in the whole Huddy vs. Hameron debate, I'm not sure yet.

But to start, I do want to comment on how House responds to, and often hurts, people. Since it's already been mentioned, "Finding Judas": When he hurt Cuddy, he was under a lot of stress/strain because he wasn't on his Vicodin. Also, he lashed out at the whole team during a differential in the same episode. So, I don't know, (at least in my opinion), if he really "chooses" who he's going to hurt, of if they can take it. If he has something to say, he'll say it. Think about his summation of Cameron in "Love Hurts". That was pretty harsh, (albeit perhaps true to some extent). Cameron's also said something to the effect of House just saying what's on his mind. (Pilot episode maybe?) I think she and Cuddy both know that, and personally, I think they can both take it, at least most of the time.

Now what bothers me is that it often seems that Cuddy (and Wilson) try to hold House back, to control him. That may be an acceptable quality in a friend or a boss, but someone closer? I don't know. Cameron seems to take House for who he is, while at the same time, encouraging him to be a "better" person. I think she sees the good in him, the good he does even without her input. (Such as what he did for the hopeful astronaut in "The Right Stuff", which Cameron called him out on.)

To me, I also see that Stacy and Cuddy both knew House before his leg got hurt. Cameron only knew him after it did. So, in his mind, I think he really feels that that's all she sees in him, as he says, a charity case. I disagree. Does she feel for him? Of course. Her character has a heightened sense of empathy. But, Jennifer Morrison's also stated that she thinks Cameron was first attracted to House because of his mind. It just seems to me that there's some huge misunderstanding between the two of them. They're both attracted to each other, but for House to ever act on that, I think he'll need to fully realize her feelings for him. That being said, I think Cameron's been written more "sassy" and independent lately, and I can't help but wonder what House thinks about that. Maybe he'll see her in a different light? Hmmm...

I recently saw an older quote, too, of Hugh Laurie comparing House to the Phantom of the Opera... that he likes Cameron, but he keeps himself hidden away. I think he also said he's aware of "the age gap". About that: Now, this is a discussion I've had several times with different friends, (and not about House). Maybe it's just because I'm a woman, but if there's an age difference, where the guy is older, I don't think that's so weird, (as long as the "girl" is a woman, someone emotionally mature and aware of who she is). It's not necessarily common, but I think if you find someone that you connect with, (as long as it's not some creepy age difference), why not? That's just the way I see it, though.

I still hear the writers, producers, and even actors say they don't know who he'll end up with. I believe that. It definitely seems like nothing is set in stone. I guess I lean a little more towards House/Cameron, but if that's not gonna' happen at the end of the show, then I'd hate to see it be someone other than Cuddy. They both know him too well, and he knows them too. I'm sure the show's going to be on for at least a few more seasons, so I say, "what's the rush"? Sit back and enjoy it! We'll find out who he ends up with soon enough.

I remember the Stacy episodes faintly, but from what I remember, House seems more attracted to Cuddy than Stacy. To me, there has always been some tension between them. I have mixed feelings about them finally being together. I just don't want the show to be like every other show where it loses its audience once the two persons who have interest in one another finally get together. Examples of this fact is "A Different World" (Dwayne and Whitley) and "The Adventures of Louis and Clark" (Louis and Clark/Superman). I hope, that if they do get together, that the writers are able to create the classic House atmosphere that we all know and love. I mean Ally McBeal was always more interesting once she had a man. Maybe, House will be alot better than it is once House and Cuddy gets together.

House didn't give up Stacy for fear of pain. He gave it up because he talked to Mark and felt for him. He knew Stacy would feel bad/guilty if the same thing happened to her again (losing the guy pushing her away due to injury, and cheating on her husband). Things were in bad shape, but weren't completely over. House's intentions had Stacy's best interest in mind. He knew how he felt and didn't want to put Mark through that..and he felt he had his chance and wanted to do the best thing for Stacy. In this case, it meant breaking her heart, and his, but the logical decision was that she had a better chance of making things work with Mark.

His love for her was demonstrated by the most selfless thing he could possibly do..taking the blame and breaking her heart so she could live without wondering or feeling guilty.

People think he's a jerk, but he does it for a reason; it's really the best way he can give, because if they hate him they don't try to give back. He did it for Lucy, the mother who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, too; the mother-son relationship was more important than his recognition.

What a great take, Melanie. And entirely possible, given what we know of his unique sort of nobility. Nice. What I love is the variety of opinion based on interpretation of the characters. Nice comments and analyses, all.

KS - I don't believe Hameron would work. House may be attracted to her but can't respect her morality. Especially having had her as an employee, I'm not sure he could overcome the power dynamic to make it work. I think the attraction with Cuddy is related to the power dynamic (Mirror Mirror). Even from the team he says he is always looking for them to stand up to him. Cuddy is not afraid of him and is willing to (attempt to) put him in his place the way no one else can, and I think that drives his attraction.

It does make me worry about a relationship between them...her feelings would probably alter her treatment toward him and he would lose the attraction because she would not seem as strong.

I've read a couple different people's comments (in different places) comparing how Cuddy is with House this season to the way Cameron was with House. One thing I think is kind of funny is that both women are the ones who've pushed for a relationship and for him to open up. Granted, House has shown more of a direct interest in Cuddy, but I still think that's kind of interesting. And, as others have said, (at least up until this point), his reaction has been to pull back. As much as he likes to put up a rough exterior, inside, I really don't think he is. He's hurt, or as he said, "damaged", and I think that drives the way he interacts with people, in any type of relationship.

As I said, I do lean more towards House/Cameron, but I also love the House/Cuddy dynamic. My only hold up is that, even though they both know each other so well, sometimes it feels like it's more of a physical attraction. But, again, I guess we'll have to wait and see! : )

On a slightly different subject:
HL married father of 3. RSL engaged (last time checked). JS & JP are a couple. Do we know anything about the other cast members?

Cuddy and House !!! 4-ever

Greetings from Germany

I have just a few thoughts. I do believe the "Huddy" experience will start on the season finale and it will be hot, sexy, steamy and very addicting!!(for at least the start of season 6) Somewhere along the lines though I still see the "Hameron" scenario coming back into play too! I vividly remember a moment that to this very day still lingers. I would be referring to season 3 episode 15 when Cameron tried to get blood from House by tricking him with a kiss. House kissed back! Not only did this surprise her but House was genuinely taken by this kiss too! Although House did play it off you could completely see his fear and desire all in the same moment! I was a bit taken back by this too! The way that episode played out along with the light flirtatiousness in season 4 makes me think the writers are going to throw in some kind of twist later between them two. Just something to ponder on...

I don't usually reply to a blog, because I usually don't care. Though, I really wanted to say that I enjoyed reading this great summation of the first five seasons of my favorite show. There are definitely multiple layers to the show that are only peeled away after repeat viewing. Also, I would like to respond to those of you who seem to be confused by House's some times erratic methods of courtship. I, like House, tend to keep myself alone. As a matter of fact, I am too much like him. As I watch the show, I can draw many similarities between the way that he reacts around those that he has a crush on and the way that I treat the ladies in my life. I refuse to change, and above all, I will not alter my behavior to please somebody else. In fact, my ex-girlfriend once told me that I purposely push people away due to my stubborn view of the world, and that this would cause me to always be alone. Like Stacy, my ex was the one person who ever got that intimate with me, and she is probably correct. I will probably always be alone. So, like House, if that chance ever arose again for me to reconnect with this particular woman, I probably would for a while, but ultimately, I too would send her packing before going through that level of hurt again. Therefore, I think he was very justified in his behavior. I actually watch that episode and can really connect with it on a special level. Personally, I feel that House, like me, will search but never find what he "wants" even though what he "needs" is right under his nose all along, and I'm fine with that. Happy endings are overrated anyway.

Hello,
The thing between House and Cameron is not over. We don't give Cameron enough credit. If anyone can bring House to his knees is Cameron. . She is his match. She is intelligent, witty, kind, warm and caring, qualities that scare the heck out of House. House once said to her that she was warm and fuzzy, like Grandma had put her together. What a beautiful child they would make.

Hi Marty, and welcome (are you the Marty from TWOP?)

None of us know what's in the writers' minds, least of all me :)

So all I can see is...veee shallll seee.

Mr. Green--also welcome (and to all new commenters here!) Glad you took the time to post your posts.

THANK YOU, Melanie! You said exactly what I believe to be true concerning House and Stacy.
Do you all remember Mark getting out of his wheelchair and trying to climb to House on the stairwell? House knew at that very moment, that he had to give Stacy up again. If you've forgotten that scene, look at it again and you'll see what I mean.
Enjoyed your posts Sue and Sheelagh.
Ok, now for Cuddy and Cameron.
IMHO Cuddy and House should just be very good friends. Love each other, be there for each other, but just as friends. I don't see this relationship going anywhere.
Nor do I see House and Cameron ever in love.
As others have said, he would devour her.
THANKS BARBARA, that was GREAT!!
Happy Holidays and blessings in the New Year!