House must quickly discover why a famous bicycle racer is suddenly having serious physical issues. Suspecting steroids is just the beginning. The bicyclist proves to be no different than any other ego-driven star athlete, and his publicist, played by the fetching Tara Henson, is a howl as she stews and storms and eventually blackmails Cuddy to keep a lid on things, in the form of a great big donation to the hospital. I wasn't particularly crazy about the premise, and I suspect you won't be, either. Still, House remains in rare form. Right about this episode, Wilson's role is nicely expanded to deal with his heretofore only hinted-at faltering marriage and housing predicament.
4 Reviews
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT HE COULDN'T GO LOWER...
kj_tenneson11 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Great episode!
First off, I really liked the look at the use of legal alternatives to steroids some athletes have done. Also, I'm not sure how close this was to Lance Armstrong scandal. It also dealt with the topic of trust. Nice guest appearances by Tarija P. Henson and Tom Lenk.
The tension around the volcanic trio of House, Stacy and Mark is intense and spilling over into everything it seems. But I have to say, House hit a new low by first, crashing Mark's therapy sessions and secondly, looking at Stacy's psychiatric file. Oooof!
On a side note, I thought that Cameron's reaction to this patient was both unethical and over the top. What's worse is that, if it was such a big deal to her, we should've found out why. What was the history she had that made her hate cheaters so much? And if she does, why does she admire House, who cheats at just about everything. But it seems wildly hypocritical that she would despise 'breaking the rules', but would break her own rules to exact some self-envisioned, universal justice! She delibrately caused him more pain to be petty, and chalked every symptom he had up to 'serves him right' - wtf?!!
First off, I really liked the look at the use of legal alternatives to steroids some athletes have done. Also, I'm not sure how close this was to Lance Armstrong scandal. It also dealt with the topic of trust. Nice guest appearances by Tarija P. Henson and Tom Lenk.
The tension around the volcanic trio of House, Stacy and Mark is intense and spilling over into everything it seems. But I have to say, House hit a new low by first, crashing Mark's therapy sessions and secondly, looking at Stacy's psychiatric file. Oooof!
On a side note, I thought that Cameron's reaction to this patient was both unethical and over the top. What's worse is that, if it was such a big deal to her, we should've found out why. What was the history she had that made her hate cheaters so much? And if she does, why does she admire House, who cheats at just about everything. But it seems wildly hypocritical that she would despise 'breaking the rules', but would break her own rules to exact some self-envisioned, universal justice! She delibrately caused him more pain to be petty, and chalked every symptom he had up to 'serves him right' - wtf?!!
Because House has always been actions not morals!
justserag24 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An episode that deals with the theme of cheating at its core would carry very predictable implications in any TV show, but that's House where we don't make blunt poetic judgements; instead, we witness the actual justifications mankind holds in its underlying dark reality in a supreme way with the dialogue, performances, stories, characters, and, above all, the ever iconic Hugh Laurie.
- Cameron & Chase's dialogue about drugs carries the scene through with wit.
- The clinic case in the episode is light, efficient, and makes a platform for a great moment between House and Stacy.
- The case of the week is written in a very good ironic metaphor of its core subject.
- Taraji P. Henson carries through an otherwise thin-written patient sub-plot with her talent in one of her earlier roles. Kristoffer Polaha couldn't achieve a similar feat.
- House & Mark's rivalry is a joy to watch.
- Foreman's staying in the shadows in this episode shows depth about what subjects actually tackles this character to share his philosophies.
- House and Cuddy's moments are, as usual, delightful.
- Cameron's pairing with Wilson and the IN-depth look towards their characters gives a stage to shine for the former and further increases our empathy and admiration to the latter.
- The ending of the episode showing House's bleak motives is again all about what the show is actually about.
- The episode is relatively underwhelming though as a medical procedure mystery in itself, on the other hand, but that's on a House M. D. scale too after all.
nothing has changed
sandcrab27730 September 2018
In each episode, house's staff throws stuff at the wall to see if it sticks ... its always a plethora of diseases or illnesses or cancer ... they work through 40 minutes trying to diagnose a rabid rabbit ... test after test usually reveals nothing but in a moment of truth. house figures it out at least 3 times until he gets it correct ... it all makes me wonder why anyone would go to a hospital for treatment...this arrogant doctor wouldn't want to meet me for real
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