Right off the bat let me tell you that Hugh Laurie is a main attraction for this show. However, as medical dramas go, he's definitely not the only doctor worth watching. The supporting cast is outstanding, the stories are engaging, and the show moves along quite nicely, without relying on expensive CGI effects or last minute twists. Solid, compelling drama, Tuesday nights on FOX.
When this show was just announced, I dismissed it very quickly. I've known (and, to a degree) loved Hugh Laurie's quirkly characters in many-many British films and shows, and immediately I had a mental picture of this doctor. A drama queen, self-centered, uncompromising, and at the same time savagely funny character, who with one phrase can stop you in your tracks, and disarm you with his honesty. Even Hugh's recurring comical role in Blackadder was over-the-top hilarious, often overshadowing that show's real star - Rowan Atkinson.
So I thought, this is a guy who can easily have a one-man show. He's too good, he's too much. The small screen cannot contain all this guy can deliver. People will be either bored or overwhelmed. It will be a gimmick show which will die a quick ratings death. And, lately, I find I cannot commit to a show that I KNOW will be cancelled - wasteful, fruitless entertainment. So, I bailed on the show. However, a few episodes later, the buzz picked up, ratings came in, and I actually started hearing praise from real people, and not just FOX promos. So I figure if it's good for a word of mouth, I have to check it out.
And guess what - I've been hooked since.
Yes, to a large degree Hugh Laurie does play an egotistical, brutally honest, selfish doctor, but he's definitely not alone in that universe. He's surrounded by three younger colleagues, Dr. Foreman (Omar Epps), Dr. Dameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Chase (Jesse Spencer); a good all-knowing, well-meaning friend Dr. Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), a patient administrator Dr. Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), and in the last few episodes, a rich chair of drectors of the hospital Edward Vogler (Chi McBride of Boston Public). That cast should have you in front of the screens already - they each bring a whole person into the role, a person with life inside and outside of the hospital. A person with or without a relation to Dr. House. A person, compelling enough to watch.
But we know that's not the point. The point is in Dr. House. He just happens to be surrounded by interesting, engaging characters, so that when drama unfolds outside of the hospital, we're still interested, we still care for them. That is an extra effort on the part of the writers, and I like that a lot.
Then there's the cases. Some are quirky, others are simple, but most of them come down to a problem of diagnosis. That's House's specialty - he's brilliant in this field, so naturally the referrals he gets are tough to crack. And what do doctors do while they're figuring out what's wrong with the patient? Pump him/her with drugs they HOPE will help.
That (in my opinion) is a great commentary, and the squabbles these doctors have over whose 5-second diagnosis is more accurate are the best. How do you know what your doctor tells you is REALLY what's wrong with you. Perhaps he, too is puzzled by your symptoms and is simply guessing the treatment, while waiting for a bunch of tests to come back? Great suspense, incredible interaction from colleagues, and yes, Hugh Laurie is in the center of attention, loving it, hating people when it's taken away, and he doesn't really like most patients.
Posted by David on Sunday, April 10, 2005 (23:46:17) (877 reads)
The logos and trademarks used on this site are the property of their respective owners
We are not responsible for comments posted by our users, as they are the property of the poster(s)
Right off the bat let me tell you that Hugh Laurie is a main attraction for this show. However, as medical dramas go, he's definitely not the only doctor worth watching. The supporting cast is outstanding, the stories are engaging, and the show moves along quite nicely, without relying on expensive CGI effects or last minute twists. Solid, compelling drama, Tuesday nights on FOX. 
Home
Latest News
News
Community
Fuel For Life Diesel Perfume Contest - $3000
