First published 10/3/11 at http://blogcritics.org/video/article/tv-review-house-md-twenty-vicodin/#ixzz1ZoouGtVt
There’s been a lot of reaction on the Internet the past couple of weeks about House, M.D. creator David Shore’s insistence that “people don’t change.” When Shore talks about House (Hugh Laurie) being unable to change, I think he means change fundamentally who he is. We are who we are, and no matter what (or whom) else House tries to re-invent himself to be, he will revert to himself.
House is a jerk; he will always be that no matter how hard he tries to conform. He can control its intensity and his behavior, but ultimately, he is who he is. House has a pessimistic worldview. He may enjoy moments of enjoyment—even happiness. He may dip his toe in the water of love and domesticity. But House’s view of the world was formed when he was young, perhaps predestined when he was an infant with a mother who felt guilt for his very existence and a father who never loved him. House is a healer; he can’t help himself. And as much as he proclaims that he is out of medicine for good in the season eight premiere “Twenty Vicodin,” he can’t help being himself. Elemental change is not possible.
