Wow... for the first 45 minutes or so, you wouldn't have been able to tell this was a season finale. It was a rather standard episode, if a bit interesting. The last 15 minutes, however, blew me away. I went from working at my computer and paying just enough attention not to miss what was going on with the case and side-story, to sitting - literally - on the edge of my seat, hands over my mouth, stunned, staring at my TV. This episodes doesn't so much wrap up loose ends as unravel everything you thought was going on over the last season, leaving me gob-smacked, wanted to stand and applaud at the same time. I don't want to give even anything close to spoilers,so I'll leave it at that. If you've been getting bored with the series, trust me, this episode will leave you begging for Season 6 to start.
17 Reviews
Absolutely fan-bloody-tastic
porcupinewebb13 May 2009
Well just how much can I say without the risk of giving anything away? This was just the most unexpected ending done so remarkably well but at the same time it was totally understandable that it deserves an award of some kind both for the acting and writing.
I have no idea how they can, but am sure there will be a sixth series by the end of the year. Without giving too much away I hope they do not take a 'Dallas' way out of a problem that now exists. The silly thing is though that they have almost used this theme exactly the same way before!
Enough said except to say that the whole House M.D thing is just too good to be just an American TV series!
I have no idea how they can, but am sure there will be a sixth series by the end of the year. Without giving too much away I hope they do not take a 'Dallas' way out of a problem that now exists. The silly thing is though that they have almost used this theme exactly the same way before!
Enough said except to say that the whole House M.D thing is just too good to be just an American TV series!
One of the best TV episodes I've seen
vaftonvaft3 February 2013
Without giving any of the plot away, this episode was masterfully crafted. It leads you along and suddenly kicks you in the teeth. But everything makes perfect sense, and as the last minutes go by, it gives you just enough time to process what has happened and realize that there were no flaws. The timing of this storyline, how it was constructed and presented in a way that makes perfect sense and simultaneously comes as a shock, how it ties the themes of the season and the very series together, and of course the pure emotional impact of Laurie's acting... I rarely feel tricked by television, and almost never does it rip my guts out like this episode did. Brilliant stuff, absolutely fantastic acting and writing. I'm glad I stuck with House this long. Any series that goes on for this long has filler and bad plots, but when you get episodes like this, it's worth it.
Whoooah!
rana_sallam-944-29471920 December 2020
don't have enough words
whoozy20 May 2009
This was the best house episode since the beginning of the show. For the first 30 minutes or so, you could tell that this was just one ordinary episode, with ordinary stuff(-interesting case-diagnosis-some emotional things about the characters-), but the last 10 minutes were absolutely fascinating. In my opinion, if you like even a little this TV show, you mustn't miss this episode... And concerning the ending, I won't give anything away, but i would only say one thing: at the final credits I found myself crying. I'm really wondering if there is a season 6 and how it will be like, because with this ending, there are many possibilities but none fit perfectly. This is the first end of season that made me looking forward like this for the next season, to see what happens next.
just now catching my breath
onetrules14 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I really can't add anything new to what's already been said...I just can't believe how the writers/producers/actors/director/et al were able to pull off such an exciting and fascinating season ending (I've never cared for season finales until now) while maintaining the whole show structure (in other words, it was still a plain awesome episode with the medical mystery, but also moved the characters along to a whole new place). It was a while back that this show did another, "hallucination," episode and again I'm left wondering how much was real and how much was the convolutions of a troubled mind. The case must have been, "Real," since it began in that restaurant without any of the series regulars, but the medical issue meshed so well with House's personal issues...just brilliant. When the patient slapped his girlfriend without even knowing it, I announced how the medical issue was so much like was House was doing to people he cared about. I'd just watched a Science Channel documentary about someone with that Phantom Hand Syndrome and thought about how that could be explored on a symbolic level. Like the first person who commented on this episode, I was enjoying the episode while clicking away on the computer (the sparring between House and Cuddy, although possibly imagined, was a blast! When that old man delivered the stool sample to Cuddy we were all just hysterical), but this whole house (no pun intended) was RIVETED by those last few scenes. I wasn't the only one here who stopped everything when Kutner reappeared (he must be so proud of Harold's, 'Star Trek,' performance). Then every jaw dropped when suddenly we were back to that scene from last week. Just when we thought we had a handle on what was happening, our theories and understanding slipped from our grasp like a squirming eel and we were bitch-slapped to another thought/idea about what was going on (sorry...mixed metaphors). House had that self-awareness to realize he was on the verge of problems when Wilson's girl-friend appeared, but - like him - all of our awareness disintegrated. They could have done a whole SEASON based on those last ten-fifteen minutes. I'm kind of bummed that he's getting help since it was so much fun to have that Greek chorus of people that House semi-indirectly had killed. I'm curious to hear everyone's theories as our discussions haven't stopped... BUH-RILLIANT!!!
From OK to wow
forgetnotdo3 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In the beginning, I was scared to see Amber pop up again that i was staring at the TV, and once she was not, I felt relived. I felt relived that the episode was going smoothly too, without any word of the hallucinations house was suffering from. Then the end. I went from OK to what? as soon as what really happened started to unfold. It is so hard to believe how they pulled this off. The writers are very good at making these type of, flash back episodes even if they are scarce. How the first 30 minutes of a regular episode turns into a jaw dropping, TV starring 15 minutes was spectacular, great job House MD. Side note, the way the ending was edited fit absolutely perfectly.
Amazing
sehyezelic7 February 2020
Fantastic!
marialiiva26 January 2021
A Season finale doesn't get better than this!
chrislambert-1519629 September 2020
Absolutely beautiful
aidandraper12 July 2021
PLease stop shaking the camera!
anewgirlex141413 May 2009
OK first of all I love House I watch it every week, I DVR it and watch it again. This episode was amazing but virtually impossible to watch because of the moving camera. The casting was perfect, the writing as always so smart, the plot completely entertaining and totally dealt with all the inconsistencies of last weeks episode. That being said I almost turned off the show due to the darn shaking camera. I get that it was foreshadowing what was really going on but the extent to which it was used was beyond excess. And what was with the actors so far to the side you can't see them? C'mon! So Distracting! Please don't let them ruin another episode. This is one I just can't bring myself to watch again as the first time it gave me a headache and just made me so mad that it was distracting from the actual story. Hopefully the creators of this show read the comments and will reign in the EarthQuake Cam for next Season.
Unnnnn
ctomvelu-119 May 2009
For a change, the patient was interesting. The guy has a split personality, due to brain surgery to correct his epilepsy, and now starts exhibiting some kind of bizarre illness, the kind that House cherishes. The soap opera part of the finale, involving House and Cuddy and Chase and Cameron, was far less interesting. In the previous episode, it appeared House and Cuddy finally got it on while Chase and Cameron might not be getting married. But wait: Is that the late Bobby Ewing we see in the shower? DALLAS fans will understand what I just said and be able to apply it to House and Cuddy's apparent joining. Anyhow, twas not a great season finale by any means, although the guy with the split brain was pretty entertaining, especially when he viciously slaps his poor girlfriend upside the head. And Carl Reinmer of all people has a cameo as a clinic patient who may have more going on than meets the eye, if House will only pay attention. But with its false fits and starts and very messy and even maudlin ending, this finale to the 5th season likely will cost HOUSE some viewers down the road. Frankly, five seasons of this is enough. Let's not see it go the way of ER, which ran out of gas about the same time yet limped on for several more years, jumping sharks every which way.
Best House Episode!
rock_steady8 March 2022
Wow!
matheusdefreitask20 July 2023
In an episode that starts like any other, we are taken to follow the characters and their usual stories, but gradually, we sense that there's something different as some scene intervals leave us with an intriguing feeling. The plot seems to flirt with the idea that something extraordinary is about to happen, but we are still unsure of what exactly.
As the story unfolds, carefully hidden details begin to emerge, revealing a much deeper and intricate plot than we could have ever imagined. Our theories are constantly challenged, and each new development leads us to reevaluate what we thought we knew.
The episode concludes with a memorable scene that leaves us in awe, etched in our minds, and even after the final credits, we can't seem to shake it off.
As the story unfolds, carefully hidden details begin to emerge, revealing a much deeper and intricate plot than we could have ever imagined. Our theories are constantly challenged, and each new development leads us to reevaluate what we thought we knew.
The episode concludes with a memorable scene that leaves us in awe, etched in our minds, and even after the final credits, we can't seem to shake it off.
Not Bad
michyh117 May 2009
It was a little bit of a disappointment, initially, but after thinking about it, I ended up liking this episode. The House-Cuddy moments overall were pretty good (as usual) & we finally get to see some major sparks flying.
Amber is beginning to get on my nerves, but she's getting on House's nerves so I guess that's a necessity that fulfills its purpose.
The main reason I liked the episode? Cuddy's character is my favorite & this episode treats her with the respect she deserves, ultimately. She is exceedingly smart & compassionate & it keeps her from turning into another enabling, "lovestruck" idiot that House can use to make himself feel good (kind of like Stacy).
House needs to get a grip & although he hasn't lost his edgy, mean, and selfish spirit, this episode peels back some of his defenses & you see a bit more of what House is thinking. At this point, he doesn't deserve Cuddy & subconsciously he knows it. But I think it shows that he is yearning to be a better man than he is right now.
Hugh Laurie is an awesome actor. I hope he wins an award for his work this season. But Lisa Edelstein is fantastic and she shouldn't be overlooked either - she props up the show & without her it wouldn't be so great. She's deserves just as much recognition.
Amber is beginning to get on my nerves, but she's getting on House's nerves so I guess that's a necessity that fulfills its purpose.
The main reason I liked the episode? Cuddy's character is my favorite & this episode treats her with the respect she deserves, ultimately. She is exceedingly smart & compassionate & it keeps her from turning into another enabling, "lovestruck" idiot that House can use to make himself feel good (kind of like Stacy).
House needs to get a grip & although he hasn't lost his edgy, mean, and selfish spirit, this episode peels back some of his defenses & you see a bit more of what House is thinking. At this point, he doesn't deserve Cuddy & subconsciously he knows it. But I think it shows that he is yearning to be a better man than he is right now.
Hugh Laurie is an awesome actor. I hope he wins an award for his work this season. But Lisa Edelstein is fantastic and she shouldn't be overlooked either - she props up the show & without her it wouldn't be so great. She's deserves just as much recognition.
Just a mess
royaumeuni5 August 2022
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