TV Review: House M.D. Season 8 – Episode 5: “The Confession” (2011)

November 12, 2011 / Leave a Comment

by Christopher Haskell

HOUSE M.D.
SEASON EIGHT

Episode 5: “The Confession”

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
NOVEMBER 12, 2011

Part of the old team is back this week on “House MD,” with Taub and Chase returning to their previous positions. Though the gimmick of “One Year Later” does not always work for television, in this case, since we have gotten to know most of these characters so well, having some time since we have seen them last becomes enjoyable.

Though Chase has rarely stuck out throughout this series, he shines in this episode. That could be because the people around him are less dynamic or because he’s the most familiar face on the team now. Still, I like to think his character is finally coming around, with Chase having the revelation of diagnosis in this episode.

We now know that the patients and their illnesses can get repetitive. Yet their actions while in the hospital constantly become part of their diagnosis and this week proved that again. The “everybody lies” aspect of House’s vernacular of wisdom is continuously highlighted in this season, especially with this week’s patient, who, once he starts telling the truth, cannot stop.

I’m still not sold on Foreman as Dean of Medicine. He is there to continue doing all the things that Cuddy used to do. Instead, since he’s a “fresh” face for that particular role, we get a recycling of all those classic Cuddy/House moments but without the deep seeded emotions. I miss Cuddy, and without another strong actor somewhere in that hospital (which, since we know money was what drove Edelstein away, that there probably isn’t a budget for a strong lead), the series feels like it’s dwindling. I pray, pray, pray this is not the final season because I think such a strong series deserves a proper send-off, and I am not sure this season will do that.

The ending to “The Confession” is hilarious and, though not worth the build-up throughout the entire episode, still amusing. I am not sure that the joke will go beyond its reveal, and if it does, it still does not hold much ground for creating exciting television.