5.04 - Birthmarks

Great episode. I loved it, and I loved how the action flowed. They did such a good job integrating the House funeral plot line with the patient's case and the old team working with the new team. So much C&C, yay! See, it can be done, other House writers. Too many recent episodes felt herky jerky to me, like we're pinballing from one scene to another. Not so this one - smooth baby. Just a terrific episode. Now that's what I'm talking about. :D I just realized, now we have a LLF as well as a LLB. Well, he's not really missing, but still. I see a Sean Connery guest appearance.

Well, then like I said, get over it or get out and since she apparently can't do the former, she should do the latter. I'm tired of her back and forth and I'm mad at myself for daring to believe she had moved on and matured. Totally agreed. I think she should move far far away. And Chase should dump her. By sending flowers in House’s name, Cameron was doing a favor for Mrs. House by making sure there was a flower arrangement at the funeral with her son’s name on it. No, she wasn't doing anyone a favor. She was just trying to make it look like House had done the "right thing"; she was stepping in for him socially, as she always has. And the reason she shouldn't send flowers from herself is that she does not have a personal relationship with the deceased or with anyone in his family. I’ve been to far too many family funerals and wakes in the past 5 years, and I can tell you that the older generation walks around reading the cards on the flower arrangements and commenting on the size of the bouquets and who they’re from. Not in my family. Nobody looks at that. It has never even occurred to me to look at that. A flower arrangement from House would go a long way toward quelling the sort of gossip Mrs. House doesn’t need to hear. Of course, his funeral speech pretty much defeated that, but Cameron couldn’t know that he was going to speak at the funeral at all. What gossip? You send flowers to the deceased's immediate family, not to the deceased. Greg House is part of the deceased's immediate family. Theoretically the flowers that are sent to the funeral home should be sent to Blythe and Greg. Why should Greg send flowers to himself? Cameron is being not only nosy but also stupid.

By sending flowers in House’s name, Cameron was doing a favor for Mrs. House by making sure there was a flower arrangement at the funeral with her son’s name on it. I’ve been to far too many family funerals and wakes in the past 5 years, and I can tell you that the older generation walks around reading the cards on the flower arrangements and commenting on the size of the bouquets and who they’re from. A flower arrangement from House would go a long way toward quelling the sort of gossip Mrs. House doesn’t need to hear. Of course, his funeral speech pretty much defeated that, but Cameron couldn’t know that he was going to speak at the funeral at all. That was my take. Like everyone else in this episode (who are not getting ripped to shreds about it) Cameron was actually doing something that benefited Mrs. House. Considering that Cuddy actually drugged House (and once again, without anyone around to catch him when he fell) I have a hard time getting worked up over an order of flowers. Wilson throws like a girl. It needed to be said. All in all, easily the most entertaining and cohesive episode in a year. It's actually something I'd want to re-watch which, HH aside, isn't something that could be said of any episode since Human Error. More later....must sleep. eta: And the reason she shouldn't send flowers from herself is that she does not have a personal relationship with the deceased or with anyone in his family. She has a personal relationship with Houe. Have you never sent flowers to a funeral of a co-worker's family? I've done that many times myself. It isn't at all unusual. When my dad died, my company sent flowers to his funeral. They didn't know him at all, but they knew me and that's what counts. Granted, I think Cameron was motivated more by concern for Mrs. House (whom she's met) but YMMV.

What gossip? You send flowers to the deceased's immediate family, not to the deceased. Greg House is part of the deceased's immediate family. Theoretically the flowers that are sent to the funeral home should be sent to Blythe and Greg. I speak from direct personal experience at funerals in the Midwestern US--customs may vary elsewhere, of course. But there are ALWAYS flower arrangements with a ribbon "Dearly Beloved Husband", "We Love You, Dad", etc. from the immediate members of the family at all the funerals and wakes I've attended. And yes, people read the cards as they mill around uncomfortably waiting for the services--it's human nature. The question to ask is, would sending flowers to House's mom in House's name be equally as evil if Wilson had done it? Or Cuddy? Or is it just good-hearted when they drug and kidnap House and force him to go to an event he repeatedly has declared that he doesn't want to attend? ETA: Thanks, Bailey. My terribly slow typing has made me repeat most of what you said more succinctly above. In other words---what she said! :P

I speak from direct personal experience at funerals in the Midwestern US--customs may vary elsewhere, of course. But there are ALWAYS flower arrangements with a ribbon "Dearly Beloved Husband", "We Love You, Dad", etc. from the immediate members of the family at all the funerals and wakes I've attended. And yes, people read the cards as they mill around uncomfortably waiting for the services--it's human nature. I also speak from direct personal experience at funerals. It may say "Dearly Beloved" Whatever on a ribbon, but that refers to the relationship between the deceased and the immediately family... and the cards are addressed to the immediate family. You don't address a card to a person who has died; that would be really poor etiquette. The question to ask is, would sending flowers to House's mom in House's name be equally as evil if Wilson had done it? Or Cuddy? Moot. Wilson wouldn't do that. Nor would Cuddy. (And I never said Cameron was "evil" for wanting to send flowers. She's just being hugely inappropriate.) Or is it just good -hearted when they drug and kidnap House and force him to go to an event he repeatedly has declared that he doesn't want to attend? I didn't say it was good-hearted. But I'm glad they did it, because it means I got to see some great House-Wilson bonding.

What gossip? You send flowers to the deceased's immediate family, not to the deceased. Greg House is part of the deceased's immediate family. Theoretically the flowers that are sent to the funeral home should be sent to Blythe and Greg. Why should Greg send flowers to himself? But at that point, was House even going? (Seriously, I don't remember.) I don't think CCF knew House was going to be abducted and carried off to Lexington, wherever, USA, which was Chase's point about how House wasn't so much showing even the level of turmoil that someone who can't stand their dad would show. It's not unusual for flowers to be sent to a single family member anyway - I distinctly remember the arrangements sent to my uncle by his florist friends when my grandmother died. (Let me tell you, I have passionately hated gardenias ever since.) I speak from direct personal experience at funerals in the Midwestern US--customs may vary elsewhere, of course. But there are ALWAYS flower arrangements with a ribbon "Dearly Beloved Husband", "We Love You, Dad", etc. from the immediate members of the family at all the funerals and wakes I've attended. And yes, people read the cards as they mill around uncomfortably waiting for the services--it's human nature. Okay, this explains my mental confusion to some of this - I've only been to services in church where you are not permitted to mill around freely - there's not enough room, or services where the family requested no flowers. At our family's funerals, the immediate family looked at the cards, but no one else. Where there are arrangements, people do ask who sent them, though - again, just human nature.

But at that point, was House even going? (Seriously, I don't remember.) Yes, House was already long gone on the road trip. He had already almost peed in Wilson's car at this point. She has a personal relationship with Houe. Ah, she does not. She has a professional relationship with House. Have you never sent flowers to a funeral of a co-worker's family? I've done that many times myself. It isn't at all unusual. Of course. From the company. We all chipped in and one person took responsibility for ordering the flowers, signing the card from everyone at work. It wasn't from any one single person. Cameron wasn't looking to send flowers from Greg House's co-workers; she was looking to send flowers from Greg House. Anyway. I shall stop beating this horse. Anyone care to talk about House's eulogy?

Anyway. I shall stop beating this horse. Anyone care to talk about House's eulogy? I thought we all agreed House's Dad was an ass, not a horse. :wink:

I also speak from direct personal experience at funerals. It may say "Dearly Beloved" Whatever on a ribbon, but that refers to the relationship between the deceased and the immediately family... and the cards are addressed to the immediate family. You don't address a card to a person who has died; that would be really poor etiquette. I think funeral customs must vary widely from place to place, even within the borders of the US. For my husband's mother's, father's, and sister's funerals, the people who sent the flowers that said "Beloved Mother" "Beloved Father" or "Beloved Sister" were myself and my husband. I guess it was in poor etiquette when we signed the card, "We love you and will always miss you." In my part of the States, it was considered thoughtful and loving, but YMMV. Cameron doing this for House, or more likely, Mrs. House, for the reasons explained by myself and others in earlier entries, may be interpreted by some as a kind and thoughtful act. Others may wish her to be tarred and feathered. Again, YMMV. We're not likely to reach agreement on this, so onto another subject. For Chasers out there--yes, I'm pleased he actually had a few more lines than his allotted three, but did anyone else find it odd that he said he hated his father? He sure seemed to connect with him at the end of "Cursed." Or do you think his "hatred" grew after "The Mistake", realizing his father had deceived him? And as much as I loved House and Wilson in this episode, can I admit to being a little disappointed that this is most likely the last we're ever going to hear about Chase's relationship with his father?

I would love to talk about the eulogy! Such an important scene and written and performed so well. Could have sent the whole episode off a cliff. I think House really intended to just blast his Dad's character and reputation, tell alllhis Marine buddies what he was really like. But he changed the course of his speech when he saw his Mom's and Wilson's reactions. And no matter how much he despised his father, he did have to acknowledge that his Dad's parenting style did make him who he is today. Good and bad, obsessive about his job, about being right and finding the truth. And he did show some regret about his role in the family when he said "maybe if he had been a better father I would be a better son."

Can't wait to see this episode, but from the spoilers I've read so far...wow this sounds totally like a fanfic I read a long time ago. About a year or so...down to the drugging and waking up in Wilson's car....the warrant in Louisiana for vandalism...the divorce papers thing. So weird. I wish I'd remember what the fanfic was called.

Great episode! Still not sure how to feel about the fact that Blythe had an affair on John or that John is not really House's father. I am glad House and Wilson are back together. But I could not see what everyone thought was so gay about the episode. I especially loved Chase in this one, and thought Cameron was just acting like her old self. Loved Kutner in this one too. Will have to watch it again before I comment further.

That was fabulous! We have had such great last scenes this season. What I liked most was Wilson telling House he was right. The thing he would have loved most to have heard from his father. Which I suppose explains that scene in SoaCG as well. He wanted his father to admit he was not really his father. The scene in the police station was funny, and serious at the same time. It was great to see how Wilson gradually seemed to realize that House has really been his friend for so long. Just when I think I can not admire Hugh Laurie more he gives an even more stunning performance. (And do you think House was really crying, or was that just an act?) Also this story reminded me why I should not read fanfiction. It spoiled some of the joy of this episode for me.

Cameron doing this for House, or more likely, Mrs. House, for the reasons explained by myself and others in earlier entries, may be interpreted by some as a kind and thoughtful act. Others may wish her to be tarred and feathered. Again, YMMV. This is my M. V'ing. I slept through the Cam/flowers discussion and don't want to reopen it, just add my $.02. When someone dies, people want to help. Most people say something like, "Please let me know if there's anything I can do," then they don't get asked because the family isn't thinking clearly enough to come up with something for them to do. But there are those who, rather than bother the family by asking for something to do, just look around for something that needs doing and do it ... bringing food, watching the kids (if any), that sort of thing. I put Cam in the latter category here. She probably deduced that House -- given his reluctance to even attend the funeral and the fact that he was shanghaied into going -- was unlikely to have sent flowers (and where I come from, it is customary to have flowers from the family with ribbons that say "Husband," "Dad," "Grandpa," etc.). So she took it upon herself to handle this little detail because (a) it needed doing, (b) it was something she could do from a distance, and (c) it would mean a lot to Blythe. OK, that was more like a dime than 2 cents. But I'm done. I mentioned it upthread, but I would dearly love to see the issue of House's paternity explored further. For one thing, I don't believe for a minute that Blythe had an affair because "she hated him, too." I'm dying to know the real reason she cheated -- he was away and she was lonely? He was infertile and she wanted a baby? They had a fight and she wanted to spite him? Spill, writers!

I've watched the episode twice now, and I still am unsure whether House's break-down/sob at the podium was legitimate or fake. I think I'll never be certain one way or the other. One of my favorite moments: When he grabbed the sample from John, and Wilson touched him on the shoulder, and he knew he was busted... House's face! His eyes! Adorable. I also love Wilson's "I didn't know I was going to do that. Did you know I was going to do that?" (paraphrasing). I love that House kept saying "Admit it!" in his face over and over, mimicking the guy in the bar years ago who kept playing the same Billy Joel song over and over. I'm still not sure why the officer cuffed House, but it's just one of those things I'll have to accept, I guess. Edited because I shouldn't post while pissed off.

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