Veteran actor Michael "Caddyshack" O'Keefe plays a tongue-tied journalist who speaks firmly but nonsensically, and House and the gang must find a way to decipher his upside-down utterings before the poor guy buys the farm. O'Keefe is terrific in the role of a man who is harboring a deep, dark and very sad secret that may hold the key to his recovery. Erica Gimpel has a nice moment as O'Keefe's distraught wife when she learns his secret. This gimmicky episode has House aiding his team via cell phone as he prepares to return from a trip to Baltimore, with Stacy at his side. It works pretty well, especially with the very realistic premise that has them trapped in the airport due to bad weather. In one supremely arch moment, House is seen writing up his usual diagnostic scribbles on an airport wall while Stacy lies on the floor behind him, snoozing away. This occurs just moments after they have begun to settle down for the night in a hotel room Stacy had the forethought to reserve in case of just such a delay.
7 Reviews
THIS WAS A STRANGE ONE...
kj_tenneson2 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Ok, so I really enjoyed this episode - but not for the usual reasons.
The team having to try to function without House was eye-opening. I knew they still needed him, but I didn't think they would be quite so...in each other's way. And the only other person to step up was Wilson, while Cuddy was just hovering.
The 'B plot' showed us House & Stacy waiting in an airport, that there were still chemistry there. And, for me, that dynamic was brought more clearly into focus. There were a few times when I swear to God, House actually looked almost happy. LOL However, ultimately the episode left us with the notion that they both realized it would never work. There was a great subtext in that last scene that definitely gave that impression.
The medical mystery was interesting and well done, but it was the first time I've watched an episode and felt like even I, with my layman's knowledge of medicine, could point out the gaping holes in the plot, or unanswered questions. Like, why the hell was the patient able to say 'yes' and 'no', but nothing else?! Who is actually in charge when House isn't there? Why do they need to do a lumbar puncture like every episode?!
Overall, a very good episode. Well acted, with some incredible cameos by Michael O'Keefe & Sela Ward.
The team having to try to function without House was eye-opening. I knew they still needed him, but I didn't think they would be quite so...in each other's way. And the only other person to step up was Wilson, while Cuddy was just hovering.
The 'B plot' showed us House & Stacy waiting in an airport, that there were still chemistry there. And, for me, that dynamic was brought more clearly into focus. There were a few times when I swear to God, House actually looked almost happy. LOL However, ultimately the episode left us with the notion that they both realized it would never work. There was a great subtext in that last scene that definitely gave that impression.
The medical mystery was interesting and well done, but it was the first time I've watched an episode and felt like even I, with my layman's knowledge of medicine, could point out the gaping holes in the plot, or unanswered questions. Like, why the hell was the patient able to say 'yes' and 'no', but nothing else?! Who is actually in charge when House isn't there? Why do they need to do a lumbar puncture like every episode?!
Overall, a very good episode. Well acted, with some incredible cameos by Michael O'Keefe & Sela Ward.
Stranded House
james_corck312 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
If you saw The Terminal, you have 50% of the chapter made. The prove that Super House can save the day even not being in the office. With Foreman in charge, is House the one who controls the situation. Investigating some more aspects of Greg's relationship with Stacy is a good part of the episode, without being too "sweet" or "cute" about their about-to-stop-being-so bitter sweet relationship.
Worth mentioning, interesting case the one of the man who can't say what he thinks. Sometimes we are like that too. Maybe the director chosen is not the correct one, so all the quality falls in the actors. But is a good chapter, what the hell.
Worth mentioning, interesting case the one of the man who can't say what he thinks. Sometimes we are like that too. Maybe the director chosen is not the correct one, so all the quality falls in the actors. But is a good chapter, what the hell.
Favorite House / Stacey episode
kellielulu18 August 2022
It was nice to see them away from everyone else. I love how they talks so effortlessly even with the strains of the their circumstances.
The case interesting the patient's condition makes him struggle to communicate as if humans need any assistance with that! Watching the team work even when House was away and try to do it without him is always amusing.
The case interesting the patient's condition makes him struggle to communicate as if humans need any assistance with that! Watching the team work even when House was away and try to do it without him is always amusing.
Unlikely plot
drewh-2568722 August 2018
No one would ever fly public (I.e. on an airline) from Princeton to Baltimore. It's about 150 miles driving distance. To fly you would have to drive an hour south to Philly, in which case you're now only 85 miles to Baltimore, or you drive an hour north to Newark. Totally unreal, especially since both Princeton area, and Baltimore are on Amtrak's high speed train line, with more than 15 trains a day making the trip in under 2 hours.
Think about it, an hour to either airport, an hour for security, and an hour to fly. That's 3 hours vs less than that for driving or train. If the plot premise was to have them stranded they should have just placed the conference in a city that made sense to have them fly to.
Think about it, an hour to either airport, an hour for security, and an hour to fly. That's 3 hours vs less than that for driving or train. If the plot premise was to have them stranded they should have just placed the conference in a city that made sense to have them fly to.
dr house is boring
sandcrab27712 February 2019
House rides roughshod over everyone and he bullies people because he can ... not a real healer in my mind ... he has also bedded the female leads and won't let them forget what a stud he was.. i hope this poor slob isn't as pathetic in real life ... anyone from jersey would know you don't have to go to baltimore for blue crabs ... i even found them served at ahn's hat in the jersey pine lands ... blue claws and softshell crabs can found on whole of jersey's east coast
For House standards, a pretty poor episode
A_J2220 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
For one, House is not that far away to be stranded.
Also, yeah the patient can't speak or write, but surely he can type what he wants to say on a laptop? I find it dumb that they never suggested that and instead play rhyme games with the guy trying to figure out what he's trying to say.
I'm sure laptops existed in 2005 and were readily available.
The subplot of House and Stacy waiting in an airport was somewhat enjoyable, especially the scene of House stealing the kids ball. Later when they are in the hotel room together, alone they both realize that they still have feelings for each other, and the chemistry is clearly still there. But once House gets a call and they get interrupted, that's basically the end of that in the episode.
Also, yeah the patient can't speak or write, but surely he can type what he wants to say on a laptop? I find it dumb that they never suggested that and instead play rhyme games with the guy trying to figure out what he's trying to say.
I'm sure laptops existed in 2005 and were readily available.
The subplot of House and Stacy waiting in an airport was somewhat enjoyable, especially the scene of House stealing the kids ball. Later when they are in the hotel room together, alone they both realize that they still have feelings for each other, and the chemistry is clearly still there. But once House gets a call and they get interrupted, that's basically the end of that in the episode.
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