House had a subplot yesterday concerned with Cameron (the goody-two shoes) upset that Foreman on House's panel published a paper based on material on which she was working. House signed off on it without reading it while her paper sat on his desk -- relying on him to keep an eye for such things clearly was almost as silly as her trust in human nature. The show started and ended with House sleeping, a sort of metaphor since -- as his colleague and fellow sharp speaking doctor (having the second best lines of the show) noted -- by allowing such conflicts, the team itself is at risk. That is, given the rosy-colored ideals of Dr. Cameron. The other two could live with such "doctor eats doctor" activity.
The main plot deal with a lesbian couple, one with a mysterious sleeping disorder, the other hopelessly in love with her. Hopeless because her partner has grown tired of the relationship -- some viewers of both sorts of sexuality probably nodded in agreement respecting the "well he or she is nice and all, but is just too much." Or something like that. Anyway, it turns out that the sick one needs a piece of her (for now) partner's liver, itself a longshot attempt to find out what is wrong with her (but longshots are de rigueur for these guys). But, ah ethics -- would she be willing to have the dangerous surgery etc. if she knew her partner was about to break up with her?
I would say some would -- love conquers all, even unrequited love, right? Well, yeah, I never had to give a piece of my liver to someone who was going to break up with me, so what do I know? But, others have sacrificed for people who basically did not deserve it. Movies have been made. Anyway, technically, this was not a medical matter ... and anyway, the donor was not their patient. It was a moot point -- which could suggest Cameron should not assume or gave House an easy out -- since the partner actually knew about the upcoming break-up. She too was devious: this was a way to force her girlfriend to stay. This too is believable -- consider the (to my eye horrible) idea of some that having a baby will do this.
This whole matter put things into perspective for our young talented if naive doctor, and she decided to stop sniping at her fellow team member. She went to him and said that though he should not have done it (he himself to the other member of the team was a bit sorry, but it wasn't tearing him up inside or anything), if they both apologized, they could move on. And, thus save their working relationship and friendship. He would not take the bait -- he coldly said that they were not friends, and he had nothing to apologize about. This was comparably stupid actually. She gave him an out. As he said, they are colleagues. For the good of his career, a bit of saving face would be useful.
But, I guess, he got this far in part by being so sure of himself and a bit selfish (use a less judgmental adjective, if you like) about getting ahead. So, admitting error and apologizing would be tough for him as well. Still, it is in a fashion, as much of a character flaw as Cameron's overmoralizing (her version of the paper actually dealt with the moral implications of the case ... as a recent NYT article on her character noted, she is still blaming herself for her husband dying of cancer). To my knowledge, we have not had too much insight into his character to suggest why he would feel compelled to in effect add insult to injury (even if only in her eyes) like this. It seemed actually a bit stupid on his part, especially since he seemed a bit concerned about what he did.
Good plot development though ... it would be good, however, if the upcoming episodes adds a bit more insight on why he acted so coldly. As to the show in general, I continue to enjoy House himself, and the good writing and guest stars (a theme on a few shows these days) impresses. I am a bit tired of some of the standard themes of the show -- Dr. Cuddy being such a doormat, them solving the cases in the end without consequence (especially since he cuts corners ... a couple earlier episodes did have consequences, including House losing his leadership position for a month or so), and so forth. But, shows also are pleasing for their predictability.
btw The other subplot of the show concerned an Asian teenager trying to trick her mother into getting her contraceptives, and House pointed out that in New Jersey (where the hospital resides -- interesting choice), you do not need a parent's permission for that. An earlier episode underlined the point respecting a twelve or thirteen year old not having to tell her parents about her abortion -- sort of where the whole parental notification thing I mentioned in passing yesterday becomes a tad tricky. After all, should not someone in her position be forced to discuss the matter with at least a counselor? At least, if she is let us say under fifteen? Ah line drawing, I know ... [Only a handful of states do not require parental notification.]
I appreciate the show addressing such issues -- as a left leaning news program noted, all too many issues are censored by our media, including television, by not even being brought up.