House Cleaning

House is one of my favorite shows, but it has a minor flaw. Just about every episode follows the basic formula of a new patient who, after a few wrong turns, House cures (or at least diagnoses correctly). That's not the flaw, that's why I like the show.

The producers, perhaps fearing a sameness, introduce a major arc into the show each year. The first season had a businessman taking over the hospital and locking horns with House. One had to go, and it was obvious who it had to be. The second season saw the return of an old flame, but that couldn't last. The arcs aren't horrible, but I mostly consider them stuff to get through while waiting for the real show to begin.

This season has House annoying a cop (David Morse) during a clinic check-up. The cop thinks House is a bully and becomes obsessed with taking him down. He arrests him and, at present, has him up on drug possession. In fact, House has so many painkillers stashed the cop wants him for intent.

Now this is a lot like the problem I had with Seinfeld's final episode. Having them on trial for their transgressions went against the whole concept of the show. Same for threatening House with serious charges. We understand the show isn't realistic and make allowances for House's outrages. In real life, the guy would be arrested every month, sued every week and fired every day.

It's as if Conan Doyle wrote a story where Holmes gets picked up by Lestrade for cocaine use.

P.S. I bet you thought from the title this was going to be about the election.