Firstly, I am not American and secondly I love house. Except for that children starting to sound like adults, I don't see anything wrong with this episode. What astonished me is not the medical mystery. But rather the carefully plotted theme. Firstly, I laughed my brains out by the pulp fiction thing.Also the way director transfer each line from a child to a team member. I think I really appreciate the arguments raised behind this story. Especially, how house got into this situation and why does he use a fake name. The storyline is perfect and makes a lot sense which is much much better than most of the thrillers these days. It also revolves around the classical topic about everyone telling lies. How kids present the argument which should has been raised by an adult. I believe that the relationship piece also make a lot of sense to those who was in the exact situation before. All in all, excellent direct and excellent sty telling.
13 Reviews
"De anima" (and re-animation)
aleator-225 February 2011
It's pretty obvious that after 7 seasons this series is running out of ideas. So it makes a good feeling to see something refreshing here, even though we've already seen non-linear episodes so far. The refreshing thing is the irony and distance to itself the series is trying to maintain. When the formula gets old questions come on people's minds: why to bother, why to watch, why to listen? Now in this episode House is forced into telling his story: he speaks, because of some reason people want him to (as the metaphor unfolds, the same goes with making new episodes). What is more, in this theme of storytelling we are even provided reasons why the series is superior to other series (allusions to MAD MEN, for instance). And, last but not least, all you Americans, please stop so desperately looking for realism (for instance, 'why are the children so smart?'), because it's only a mask of reality and try to read through it. Art is good when you have to read between the lines. And, yes, 'House MD' is art.
One of the best House episodes
spiderstumbled3 July 2020
I missed this one when it first aired. I recently did a binge of the later seasons and enjoyed this one a lot. The writing is very clever and the acting by the children was excellent. (And yes, the girl played by Haley Pullos is wise beyond her years, but I think that worked to advance the story.
At last....
Khaela16 June 2020
Does he look like a B#tch?!?
sergedenas12 November 2020
Best Ever!
sarine_voltage29 July 2023
This has got to be THE best and funniest episode of "House" ever--I just re-watched the episode for maybe the 9th time, lol.
With multiple and intersecting storylines going on (that are woven together most excellently), we get to watch how some people--from kids in school thru to House himself--deal with the relationships in their lives, including, of course, their love interests. The regular hospital bits are there too, but the focus is on school. I'm not sure what grade the kids are in, (maybe 6th?) but the principal's office and playground scenes are hilarious; the characters/actors are very true-to-life, and this episode left me totally reminiscent of my own days gone by.
Whoever wrote the episode is one most awesome writer--clever, inventive, and pretty much brilliant. I hope they won awards and/or were recognized and compensated for their genius! (And no, I'm not some friend of the writer, I don't even know their name, but I'm going to find out after I submit this because I'd like to check out whatever else they've written.)
Need I say I highly recommend a watch, at least one time!?
With multiple and intersecting storylines going on (that are woven together most excellently), we get to watch how some people--from kids in school thru to House himself--deal with the relationships in their lives, including, of course, their love interests. The regular hospital bits are there too, but the focus is on school. I'm not sure what grade the kids are in, (maybe 6th?) but the principal's office and playground scenes are hilarious; the characters/actors are very true-to-life, and this episode left me totally reminiscent of my own days gone by.
Whoever wrote the episode is one most awesome writer--clever, inventive, and pretty much brilliant. I hope they won awards and/or were recognized and compensated for their genius! (And no, I'm not some friend of the writer, I don't even know their name, but I'm going to find out after I submit this because I'd like to check out whatever else they've written.)
Need I say I highly recommend a watch, at least one time!?
Funny about the reviews...
tert7220 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
BTW this isn't a bad episode.... But for the reviewers who seem to be idiots... If you don't like our American TV, don't watch our American TV. When you call it series 7,easy to tell you most likely English. And considering (besides Dr who, which sucks now BTW, can't keep a decent show on for more than 3 years, even having only 6 episodes per "series".
Then there is the other idiot who feels they have to bash house every single episode almost, it's like they are secretly fantasizing about him, but yet knows how to write good TV shows... Ya it's an awful show, it was only on for 8 years and had an extremely high rating. And they only have 1 helpful vote, most likely cause they did it themself......
Now granted the romance between house and cuddy seemed mechanical. Would never have believed then a couple, and house seeming happy, doesn't seem like house.
Then there is the other idiot who feels they have to bash house every single episode almost, it's like they are secretly fantasizing about him, but yet knows how to write good TV shows... Ya it's an awful show, it was only on for 8 years and had an extremely high rating. And they only have 1 helpful vote, most likely cause they did it themself......
Now granted the romance between house and cuddy seemed mechanical. Would never have believed then a couple, and house seeming happy, doesn't seem like house.
Children saying adult things
Jim-Eadon22 February 2011
This epi was fun, but weak. In house many of the characters sound the same, they say things in unrealistic ways.
What's worse is that the same is true with children, you have (annoying) children spouting smart-ass lines. The effect is creepy, it's as if you're watching kids being possessed by the spirits of wise-ass 50 year old psycho-babblers.
The house/cuddy chemistry is still zero, as it has been for all of this season.
I still like House MD, and that's 99% because of Laurie.
Looking forward to a formulaic epi. They're always the most fun. The nonlinear epi's like this one come over as false and self-conscious.
And please, Americans, stop portraying children as little adults. It's just freakish.
What's worse is that the same is true with children, you have (annoying) children spouting smart-ass lines. The effect is creepy, it's as if you're watching kids being possessed by the spirits of wise-ass 50 year old psycho-babblers.
The house/cuddy chemistry is still zero, as it has been for all of this season.
I still like House MD, and that's 99% because of Laurie.
Looking forward to a formulaic epi. They're always the most fun. The nonlinear epi's like this one come over as false and self-conscious.
And please, Americans, stop portraying children as little adults. It's just freakish.
Losing the Plot?
smokey_blossom17 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I have been an avid House fan for several years now and have staunchly defended its latest episodes against the critics amongst my peers but I fear I will not be able to do so for too much longer.
Series 7 potentially had a lot to offer the new and the old fan, the development of House and Cuddy's relationship, the new team line up... but I've yet to be wowed by this series. Firstly I would like to discuss the character development; the inane whining of the holier than thou Masters, the promiscuity of Chase and Taub's relationship with his wife have attempted to provide the viewer with some semblance of character development, but I personally feel that it's missed the mark. Poor old Foreman seems to have slipped totally into the background, except for the half baked attempt to show the development of the friendship between him and Taub (episode 12). What of the medical side of things? To be fair, series 7 has offered a couple of great medical mysteries, I really enjoyed those features in the 'Carrot or Stick' episode and 'A Pox on Our House', but it just doesn't have the strength of the previous years. I completely understand that the formula of the show does need to change in order to keep things interesting, but ultimately it's the medical drama that attracted a lot of viewers in the first instance. The 'Two Stories' episode is a clear example of where I think the show is really beginning to lose the plot. Firstly, there was the lack of a decent medical case. Secondly the references to Pulp Fiction and other various films were funny to the film buff, but completely lost on those who have never seen them! Then came the totally unbelievable behaviour of House when he was in the classroom. There seems to be absolutely no consequence for his behaviour anymore. I remember the cutthroat days of season 3 when House got himself into deep water with Tritter. The ridiculous 'argument' between Cuddy and House in this episode is laughable. I had high hopes on some really good storyline coming from this episode... Is she annoyed because she's pregnant.... or some other such drama... But no, He doesn't take the rubbish out, he uses my tooth brush... oh and I record all of this on my work laptop journal??? What? I hate myself for saying this, but I wish she would grow a backbone and actually dump him if she really feels that he respects her that little! Lastly, but by no means least, the use of children in this episode is I think meant to either be comedic or poignant... look at them giving an adult advice. Instead I just found them bratty and irritating.
I just really hope that the writers have got a real trump card up their sleeve which will completely redeem the show for what we have seen of this series so far.
Series 7 potentially had a lot to offer the new and the old fan, the development of House and Cuddy's relationship, the new team line up... but I've yet to be wowed by this series. Firstly I would like to discuss the character development; the inane whining of the holier than thou Masters, the promiscuity of Chase and Taub's relationship with his wife have attempted to provide the viewer with some semblance of character development, but I personally feel that it's missed the mark. Poor old Foreman seems to have slipped totally into the background, except for the half baked attempt to show the development of the friendship between him and Taub (episode 12). What of the medical side of things? To be fair, series 7 has offered a couple of great medical mysteries, I really enjoyed those features in the 'Carrot or Stick' episode and 'A Pox on Our House', but it just doesn't have the strength of the previous years. I completely understand that the formula of the show does need to change in order to keep things interesting, but ultimately it's the medical drama that attracted a lot of viewers in the first instance. The 'Two Stories' episode is a clear example of where I think the show is really beginning to lose the plot. Firstly, there was the lack of a decent medical case. Secondly the references to Pulp Fiction and other various films were funny to the film buff, but completely lost on those who have never seen them! Then came the totally unbelievable behaviour of House when he was in the classroom. There seems to be absolutely no consequence for his behaviour anymore. I remember the cutthroat days of season 3 when House got himself into deep water with Tritter. The ridiculous 'argument' between Cuddy and House in this episode is laughable. I had high hopes on some really good storyline coming from this episode... Is she annoyed because she's pregnant.... or some other such drama... But no, He doesn't take the rubbish out, he uses my tooth brush... oh and I record all of this on my work laptop journal??? What? I hate myself for saying this, but I wish she would grow a backbone and actually dump him if she really feels that he respects her that little! Lastly, but by no means least, the use of children in this episode is I think meant to either be comedic or poignant... look at them giving an adult advice. Instead I just found them bratty and irritating.
I just really hope that the writers have got a real trump card up their sleeve which will completely redeem the show for what we have seen of this series so far.
has to say sorry again
petersjoelen9 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Yes really that is my no 1 issue with this episode because it is a minor thing
that side plot with the toothbrush and the logic ( he loves her but does not care abouth her ) is pure bs .
it all looks like to fall in the narritive men immature women resposible crap and it irritates me .
The other thing as mentioned above the portraying of kids as if it were adults with 60 years of wisdom , it is totally unrealistic and we see it pretty often in television and movies these days .
Painful
kellielulu18 August 2022
kids are terrible actors
dexmor1821 January 2021
This episode has to be the most annoying, and proof that the show peaked a couple seasons back. this episode (and the 5 previous are a clear decline) The 'actor' kids are really bad, which ruins the entire episode also the teacher and the 'other parents' are pretty bad. a total miss in my opinion.
yeck
sandcrab27724 September 2019
Throwing house in bed with cuddy is a bad idea for her because she actually has feelings and he is the bottom side of nothing special about nothing ... why didn't he commit suicide in episode one ... that bis why this piece of crap is still on
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