V for Vicodin

Medical dramas come and go, but there are few shows on TV quite like House. This May, after eight fruitful seasons, we say goodbye to the crazy, eccentric, anti-social maverick genius Dr Gregory House and his faithful team. Take a look

ABOUT THE SHOW

The show, conceptualised by David Shore and Paul Attanasio, first debuted on November 16, 2004 on Fox network. Since then the show has developed a cult following. The show’s concept mainly was to focus on a team of doctors working together treating the undiagnosable, but Shore decided to focus on the central character who could examine patient’s personal characteristics and diagnose their ailments.

In it’s eight years of running, the show saw a lot many characters come and go but here are a few who played a pivotal role during the many seasons.

Dr GREGORY HOUSE

Department Head: Diagnostic Medicine

Probably regarded as one of the most enigmatic characters in American television, Dr Gregory House is our maverick antihero. He is devoid of bedside manners and deals with his own constant physical pain, using a cane that punctuates his acerbic, brutally honest demeanour. His behaviour often borders on antisocial, but House is a brilliant diagnostician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts get him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he thrives on the challenge of solving medical puzzles in order to save lives.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

• 25 Emmy Award nominations of which they won two
• 2 Golden Globe Awards
• 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards
• 3 Golden Globe Award nominations

HOUSE recently was designated as the world’s most popular current television programme, watched by a whopping 81.8 million people in 66 countries, according to the 2012 edition of the Guinness World Records.

Dr LISA CUDDY

Dean of Medicine, Endocrinologist

Cuddy and House go way back in college where they first met for graduate studies. Apart from Dr Wilson, Cuddy is someone who can match his wits, at the same time tolerating his rudeness, strange requests and his many obnoxious habits. She often is left to pick up the pieces of House’s questionable medical practices. Though the mystery surrounds their relationship, all notions are put to rest in Season 7 when House and Cuddy start dating. She, however, leaves the hospital after House drives his car into her house.

Dr JAMES WILSON

Head of the Department of Oncology

He is House’s best and only friend apart from Cuddy. Well respected by his patients and much admired by his colleagues, his relationship with the anti-social House is what puzzles everyone. In the course of the series, Wilson is always seen standing by Houses’s side especially when House’s career is in jeopardy. He suffers from clinical depression and for him it is his job and his screwed up relationship with House that are of utmost importance to him. He, along with Cuddy, usually finds himself aiding and abetting House’s Vicodin addiction and his very unorthodox methods.

HOUSE’S MINIONS

Dr REMY “THIRTEEN” HADLEY (Seasons 4-5)

Internist

House hires 13 as part of the new diagnostic team after disbanding his previous team in the third season finale. House nicknames her number 13 during a competition for her position. Much mystery surrounds her character as she refuses to divulge personal information which is partially the reason which triggers House’s interest at the beginning. Later in the series, we find out that Thirteen is suffering from Huntington’s disease which killed both her mother and brother.

Dr LAWRENCE KUTNER (Seasons 4-5)

Sports Medicine Specialist

Of all the new fellows that join House’s team, Kutner is the most enthusiastic of them all, probably the only one who goes along with House in taking risks which include illegal activities. House nicknames him as the professional defibrillist, a title that Kutner seems rather proud of, after he resuscitates a patient using a defibrillator while the patient’s skin is still wet, inadvertently shocking himself unconscious at the same time. Kutner later commits suicide but leaves no reason for it.

Dr AMBER VOLAKIS (Seasons 4-5)

Radiologist

In House’s competition to hire a new team, Volakis is #24. Quite competitive, she attempts everything possible to get the job, including acts of dishonesty. Subsequently referred by House as ‘Cutthroat B***h’, her persistence and unorthodox approaches initially win her praise but she is ultimately eliminated. In the coming seasons she starts dating Wilson much to the dismay of House. However, she is involved in a bus crash alongside House and later dies in Wilson’s arms as a result of multiple organ failures.

Tags: Gregory House, House, medical drama, television series

Category: TV