TWENTY VICODIN AND THE PKB "CHALLENGE"

As we all know, July 1st saw this possible title for Episode 8x01 posted on twitter by Peter Blake- the writer of this episode:

 

 We, and others were happy to speculate as to what the meaning of "Dark Matter" could be and its application to House. Then, on July 21st, Peter Blake posted this on Twitter:

...and we were off and running again.  We all waited until patiently on July 26th only to find that Michael Ausiello would be posting this information and not Peter Blake. Ausiello did not post on that day but on July 27th and here we are.

Personal Note to Mr. Michael Ausiello:

Hello. We know that IMITATION is the sincerest form of flattery but seriously? We are the HouseDicks...stop taking over our style!

Words like: Top Secret, Reveal and Clues are best left to us to sort out. You can supply them but WE will collect and analyze!! OK? Great!.

 

 
 

And so "just for fun" Peter Blake welcomed and encouraged speculation from those on twitter and elsewhere as to the meaning of the new title "Twenty Vicodin".

 

Many people made some pretty good guesses. Here are ALL the guesses as of this morning. It's quite possible one of these is correct but we do not know as yet.

Please, take our POLL and let us know which of these guesses you think will turn out to be what is used in Episode 8x01. 

 Then...Greg Yaitanes wanted to join in and so he posted:

 

The result of Peter Blake´s Contest

What's YOUR thought?

 What do you think the real meaning of this

Episode Title will turn out to be?

 Take the  

"Twenty Vicodin" Challenge!

PETER BLAKE SAID: "THE EP HAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE GUEST CASTS EVER"...SO WHICH GUEST CAST WILL BE SEEN RETURNING?

WHICH GUEST CAST WILL BE SEEN RETURNING?

Well, come on- Let's speculate! Who do you think is returning to [H]ouse? Like HouseDetectives, we can not ONLY think iwhich character would we like to see again...we have to think which character makes sense to appear on the  scene again, ok?

Who will find House after he ran from the scene of the accident?

Who will help him? 

Who will visit him if he finally, goes to jail? 

Who??...a lot of questions here!

Michael Weston, as Lucas Douglas: Well, it is possible Cuddy or Wilson hired him to find House. We have to remember that he was private detective, so...why not?

David Morse, as Michael Tritter:He is a Detective and we know that Peter Blake created this character, so it is possible he would bring him back. It could be interesting for House to meet up with  him in jail...Why not?

Sela Ward, as Stacy Warner: House will need a lawyer if he finally goes to jail, like HouseDetectives said if all we seen on the last episode is real, he will have to pay for it. So...Why not?

Karolina Wydra, as Dominika Patrova: We have to remember that Gregory House is married, though it was a green card one, he is legally married. If the police are going to look for her husband it seems possible they would first interview her. Why not?

Diane Baker, as Blythe House: Whether Greg is a  fugitive from justice or already incarcerated, a mother is a mother. Will House visit his mother? Will he ask her for asylum? (pun intended) Will House's mother visits him in jail?...with a cake and a file....Why not?

Candice Bergen, as Arlene Cuddy: Well, we have to remember that she loved House for her daughter...What will she think now about him? Will she visit House and ask him about the crash on Lisa´s living room? It seems a possibility...a mother is mother, also for Lisa...Why not?

Paula Marshall, as Julia Cuddy: She was at Cuddy's house, when House, crashed his car through the Dining Room.  It seems "natural" then that Julia might be someone who might accuse House.

Andre Braugher, as Darryl Nolan: House definitely will need a psychiatrist: To stop using drugs again, to help with anger management and anything else he can help with. Mostly he will need a psychiatrist to help rebuild his life.To try and find himself again and he experienced moments of peace with Nolan- even though House said "Whatever the answers are...you don't have them". We also were given to understand that this was House's last session with Dr. Nolan..perhaps a new psychiatrist is in the offing? Recently, "Men of a Certain Age" was cancelled. This would make Braugher available to our knowledge for this role.  HouseDetectives ask your help here. If it is not Nolan, who do YOU  believe it can be?

Lin-Manuel Miranda, as Juan Alvarez "Alvie": We have to remember that Alvie helps House with a patient who lost her memory, then House helps Alvie by faking DNA evidence showing Alvie's relationship to his mother, who was known to be an American Citizen. No longer being chased by authorities, Alvie leaves to join his cousin in Arizona. So, it is possible that House goes to find Alvie looking for asylum. Since his other friend (Wilson) possibly will not give him any help, House can look for someone´s friendship...Why not?

Now...Imagine that ALL we seen on the last five minutes of "Moving On" was a dream, hallucination, a coma. Not a new scenario or that EVERYTHING WE'VE SEEN IN THAT EPISODE NEVER EXISTED OR :HOUSE, SO DAMAGED AND AFFECTED BY THE TUMOR INDUCING SELF ADMINISTERED DRUG AND/OR THE VICODIN AND THE CRASH...HAS AMNESIA OR SOMETHING ELSE WHERE HE IS LOST IN HIS OWN THOUGHTS. WHY NOT? We have seen him dreaming or hallucinating a lot in the past...WHY NOT NOW?

Anne Dudek, as Dr. Amber Volakis

Kal Penn, as Dr. Lawrence Kutner 

R. Lee Ermey, as JOHN HOUSE: Whatever the situation of House at this point, it will be a difficult situation. House may at this time make a life review. In his life, his father was a great influence over him (not his biological dad) But really, we do not know much about John House, so this would be a good time. House may be wondering to himself what is now the great problem of his life. So, why not John House as Possible Hallucination or in a flashback?

And finally, our beloved and admired Lisa Edelstein as Lisa Cuddy . The majority of you will say that this character should be embedded in any list of  "Characters We Would LIke To Return". But as HouseDetectives, we can not help to name it. We all know that Cuddy's character needs a closure. Why not? Wouldn't this be the biggest spoiler of them all (so far)? Maybe if they're lucky she will return for a guest star appearance for the finale. What if Peter Blake's tweet refers to her? It's a possibility and that's why we're putting it "out there" for you to think about.

And now is your turn! 

Which guest cast will be seen returning to House?

The Charges Against Dr. House. Is there a Trial In His Future?

Here,in conjunction with two practicing NY attorneys are the crimes House would be charged with under NY law. 

The Charges: From Least Severe to Most Severe

1. Attempted Vehicular assault- E felony 1 1/2 years to 4 years

2. Class A Misdemeanor: up to 1 yr  Leaving the scene of the accident

3. Reckless Endangerment- Class B misdemeanor Up to 3 months

4. Criminal Trespass: Class A misdemeanor- Up to a year

5. Criminal Mischief_ Class D felony 1 1/2 yrs- 4 yrs

6. Reckless endangerment of Property- B misdemeanor up to 3 months

7. Manslaughter B felony charged as a C felony because it is attempted. 3/ 1/2 yrs to 15 years.

8. Attempted Murder- 2nrd degree: A1 felony Becomes a B felony 5-25 years

-THIS is a PUBLIC CRIME. It no longer matters whether Cuddy or anyone else charges House with anything. The public must be protected under the law. 

-The police were called to the scene, they have notes on the crime,statements from those "involved" and are aware that Dr. House has fled the scene of the accident. This will be pursued through the courts.

 

-House did flee the scene of the accident.  If House's drug use (either the new “rat” drug or the vicodin usage) comes into play, this might increase the charges against Dr. House. I don't know if these will ever be seen as "mitigating" under these circumstances however but how else would House be allowed to practice medicine again and not serve extensive jail time? Either it's a "fantasy" or these fantasy courts will allow certain information in as mitigating. Fantasy Island Court is possible, as a House in jail for an extended period of time with no license- is not an option for this show.

-Does he escape the law? Is he “on the run” playing piano in a bar in Bora Bora or practicing medicine under another name? (yet another crime?). Has House morphed into “The Fugitive”? and where is the man with one arm? Does he have amnesia and can’t remember certain things? Is this one possible  reason for the time warp? (the lack of the Cuddy character being another obvious reason)Does he eventually turn himself in?

How do  we KNOW this is either in House's head or Legal Fantasy Land? Simple. Because in Real Life:

 

-House's license to practice would be revoked permanently. He would be a convicted felon. End of show OR is it possible House will be
pardoned? Maybe he's called in to work on a VIP and because of his good work is pardoned? Anything's possible in TV Land.

Or just a Fantasy?-The Writer's "Escape" Clause

We have all been privy to discussions about the “real” meaning of the last scene and voiced our opinions regarding whether that scene is “real” or some sort of dream/coma/hallucination. We can see both sides of this argument and it will be very interesting to see how the House writers solve this. The scene was indeed confusing.

-We are expected to believe that: House was in the same suit on the beach that he'd left the scene of the crime in?

-That after his “self surgery” he just upped and left the hospital and was fit enough to commit this crime and then just “walk away” to Paradise?

-Taub's ringtone of Rupert Holmes' "Escape (the Pina Colada Song)" foreshadowed House’s Paradise Journey, but  we need to ask if this is another “drug” trip  caused by the trial medication he self administered.

 

 

-Why if  the  the crash happened in the middle of the afternoon, do  the emergency vehicles arrive at night? Quite odd.

-For many, the last scenes simply “do not compute”. House seemed willing to harm everybody in the home and himself as well. Is “the brush” is playing the same sort of role as the lipstick did in "Both Sides Now"? Thinking about the brush, does this signify a “brushing away from from the past? A brush with death…a brush aside? These all make sense if this was a dream/coma/hallucination. It all plays like a fantasy/revenge scheme which is running through House’s Head. He could imagine a new boyfriend for Cuddy and breaking her house (like she broke him, House),when he's suddenly on a beach with all his troubles behind him-the song that's playing has great resonance and they pull away. Is he in a coma? Hallucinating?Dreaming?

 

-His doctor was Dr. Hourani, who was the doc he impersonated back in Two Stories (possible meaning: He’s his own doctor?)

Song playing was Spoon "Got Nuffin'" Lyrics: When I'm with you, all my brothers, oh "I feel like a king..It feels like I'm dreaming."

- Is Wilson's mentioning of all the Vicodin House took to be a clue to the audience that the end wasn't set in reality?

-How was House able to get out of the ICU and walk around on crutches?  How was he able to meet Cuddy in the cafeteria fully clothed? What was the timeline in this episode? 

 

Some other observations

-Could this be a "fever dream" from the previous episode? Is House still bleeding in the bathtub?

-Can this go back much further? Is this all a hallucination starting at "Bombshells."

-Is this  a dream under anesthesia because they have to remove a tumor from his brain.

Note: Every time we've been witness to a House dream or hallucination, House has been *in* the scene, either observing it ("Three Stories") or being part of it ("Locked In," "House's Head," "No Reason," the Amber arc-when she was dying). 
-How does he escape this crash without so much as a scratch?

 

Convincing arguments exist on both sides. 

Of course,many in the fandom hope the writers do not rely on the "dream/coma/hallucination/ solution but it’s tough to know which path they will follow. The concept of a House- fugitive from justice- appeals to me and then finding his way back home. Many want to see House face the consequences for his actions..if they are indeed 'real" as we've been given to understand by the writers/ Producers. Things can seem very real in a dream or hallucination though. 

 

If the ending turns out to have been real (and I'm not convinced it is), I do think, despite what I might have suggested, lots of ways for it to go in Season 8.Looking forward to the final journey as House enters what is probably it's final Season.

"You don't know which of my symptoms are real and which are fake" says the patient in this episode to Dr. House. We're in a similar situation.

Do you see a trial in House's future and what do you see him being charged with?

Please note that Domestic Violence is not one of the crimes we are charging Dr. House with and there may be other less included offenses he will be charged with.Also note that this is NY law not that of New Jersey.New Jersey law may differ.  

What we can expect about the first episode of Season 8? The writer...

A research project is a study of a phenomenon or act, which can be physical or social.The main findings are presented in an orderly way in a document. The study is based on existing documents and/or surveys and interviews. 

The first step is to ask what we want to investigate (objective) and what we do.The aim of our work determines the type of research we have to do: If for achieve our goal we have to consult books, will be a work of bibliographical research. But if for achieve our goal we need to do surveys or interviews to gather information, it will be a research field.

Well, we know what we want to do:

• Objective: Season 8, Episode 1.
• It seems obvious that we need to do field work.

We will begin our work with a very easy question: Who will write the first episode? We started investigating and found the answer at twitter: Peter Blake, will be responsible for this first episode.

Ah, perfect! Follow his tweets and see what happens.

That's it? So, he is not going to say anything more? Well, we must continue to investigate with other ways. 

But since we got him, Is it not interesting to know more about this writer? Perhaps knowing his previous works as a writer for episodes of House MD, we get an idea of what we have to expect about this first episode.

Let's start, then...
Well, we know all the episodes in which this writer has participated. But for our research we are only going to consider those episodes in which he has been the sole writer. We know that perhaps we are ignoring such important episodes as House's Head, Help me, or even the fateful Moving On … But one of the research work is focused on what's important to know. We need to focus on Peter Blake as the only screenwriter. 

SEASON 1

• Episode 04 - “Maternity” Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Newton Thomas Sigel
• Episode 18 - "Babies & Bathwater" Written by: Story by: Peter Blake Teleplay by: Peter Blake & David Shore Directed by: Bill Johnson

SEASON 2

• Episode 08 - "The Mistake" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: David Semel
• Episode 16 - "Safe" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Felix Alcala

SEASON 3

• Episode 05 - "Fools for Love" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: David Platt

SEASON 4

• Episode 01 - "Alone" Written by: Story by: Peter Blake Teleplay by: Peter Blake & David Shore Directed by: Deran Sarafian

SEASON 5

• Episode 07 - "The Itch" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Greg Yaitanes
• Episode 11 - "Joy to the World" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: David Straiton
• Episode 18 - "Here Kitty" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Juan J. Campanella

SEASON 6

• Episode 04 - "The Tyrant"  Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: David Straiton
• Episode 12 - "Remorse" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Andrew Bernstein

SEASON 7

• Episode 04 - "Massage Therapy" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: David Straiton
• Episode 11 - "Family Practice" Written by: Peter Blake Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik

After an exhaustive analysis of the episodes written by Peter Blake , we might conclude that he is a specialist in dealing with difficult moments. We can see it specially in episodes like “Alone” or “The Itch”.

We will try to expose the most relevant of each episode, which is not necessarily the case to solve.

In “Maternity” a number of newborn babies acquire unknown diseases simultaneously. Finally, the death of babies is caused by a virus, transmitted foolishly, by a person sick responsible for carrying of toy cars and clothes.

But in this episode we have to highlight something else: House orders Cameron to tell the deceased baby's parents and that their son has saved five more babies' lives. But she tenses up, almost unable to speak with them. When Cameron is in House's office, he begins questioning her about her behavior concerning this case, and deduces that she has either gone through not a lot of death, or too much death. This is one of the few times that House is seen as truly caring about his employees, though it shows more in his face than in his actions. We learn later on in the series the cause of Cameron's hardship with loss.

"Babies & Bathwater" is just the one after Cameron´s resignation (she will return later).

Also this is the episode where Cuddy demonstrates the great importance that House suppose for PPTH. Vogler tries to convince the board of directors to dismiss House. When Wilson stands up for House, Vogler calls for his dismissal from the board. Wilson chooses to resign from the hospital. Since the original motion to fire House was defeated, the Board must wait one business day before re-voting on the issue, as per the Board's bylaws. At the next meeting, Cuddy votes "No"; this prompts Vogler to call for her immediate dismissal also. After giving an impassioned speech to the rest of the Board, Cuddy walks out. It is later discovered that the Board, instead of voting to fire House and Cuddy, voted to dismiss Vogler as Chairman of the Board. This causes the departure of Vogler and his $100 million, which will have negative budget effects on the hospital.

“The mistake” is an extremely difficult episode to understand where everything happens through flashbacks.

This episode takes place just after Stacy got angry with House because he has consulted her psychological reports with the sole purpose of re-approach her. The origin of the new case that faces the team of House happened months ago but a lawsuit filed by a family member makes that the events are relived again and again, according to the different versions that the protagonists expose to Stacy when she is preparing the defense. At the end we know what really happened: Chase received a call from her stepmother, announcing the death of his father just when the patient arrived at the hospital. Chase, who could not say goodbye to his father was upset with the news. After the declaration of House and Chase, the committee makes a decision. Chase has lied will only be suspended for a week because his behavior was a reaction to the death of his father. Although House will have to be supervised by Foreman during a month. Finally, Stacy admits that she still has feelings for House, hinting at the possibility of them getting together again.

"Safe". Just anecdotally, the title of this episode contains many meanings that are related to its argument. On one hand "safe" is related to maternal overprotection. But "safe" is also related to the sterile environment in which the patient should live that make her feel confined. Finally "safe" means also refers to how they should be sexual practices.

But in this episode we must highlight the relationship between House and Wilson. Two episodes ago Wilson was separated from his third wife and moved to House´s. This episode is just after House deleted a rental agent´s message to Wilson (House wants Wilson living with him). At this point they begin to have some differences of coexistence. House makes jokes to Wilson, for the sole purpose of having fun and to teach him to react to the unpleasant things in his life. Finally, Wilson makes a big joke to House and calls a divorce lawyer. The music, like ever, is important here: "Pain in my heart", by Otis Redding.

"Fools for Love". This is first episode where we can see the detective Michael Tritter. Interesting appearance of this character. First as a patient where House treats him badly. Second, he complains to Cuddy about House. And third, this patient is a cop who stops to House while he drives his bike.

"Who laughs last, laughs best"  or "Each one receives what each one deserves"

Either way, this is the most remarkable fact in this episode, for the consequences, which later will have the creation of this character by Peter Blake.

"Alone" With House's team all having either resigned or been fired, House tries to convince everyone that he doesn't need a team to do his job. 

This is one of the most difficult episodes of all the story of House MD. After the last episode all is going to change. Maybe, this is the more similar situation to the actual that we are living after Moving On, and yes, Peter Blake was the writter too. This is the first episode of House in which none of the members of House's original team of Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer) and Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) appear. Despite this, each of the actors who portrays the characters on his former team is credited and are still under contract to appear throughout the season. The only other previous absence of any of these characters in an entire episode was Dr. Cameron in the Season One episode "Babies & Bathwater", as she had resigned, albeit temporarily. Following the case, House begins the process of selecting a new team from over forty applicants.

"The Itch" This episode is just the one after the first kiss between House and Cuddy.

This is one of the frustrastes episodes of the series. After the kiss, neither wants to admit their feelings. Making a comparison with the patient of the week, House acknowledges his feelings for Cuddy to Wilson, but ultimately will not give way, rather the opposite. However, in this episode, both House and Cuddy, will expose their feelings to the viewers.


"Joy to the world" This is one of the most important episodes of the series. This is the episode in which Cuddy adopts Rachel. After all the attempts she made finally, her wishes are granted, Cuddy will be mother.

"Here Kitty" An episode about superstitions. A cat sleeping next to people who are going to die. In this episode, the patient is certain she will die. Peter shows us, again, a House that never gives up.

"The Tyrant" This is a very interesting and controversial episode, which will be the trigger of part of the problems of season six. Chase and Cameron become part of the diagnostic team (for this episode). House returns to work in the hospital after his admission in Mayfield. The patient to be treated is a dictator, guilty of killing thousands of people. Finally Chase will err the diagnosis allowing the death.

Dibala: "Inject my IV with an air bubble. I will have another heart attack. No one will know… You tell my colonel I’m a sick dying old man who can’t be trusted… You were trying to put a gun in his hand and point it at my head. The gun is now in your hand, that is a practical difference, not a moral one. If you want me dead, then pull the trigger. It is not so easy when you have to do it yourself."

Cameron: "I guess I didn’t want you dead."

"Remorse" An emotionally charged episode, in which House receives the task to reconcile with a person from his past that he has harmed. He decides to apologize to a fellow career buteventually discovers that things did not happen as he thought. On the other hand, House istrying to draw attention to Cuddy, discovering how she and Lucas have good times together.


"Massage Therapy" In this episode, House and Cuddy, show each other their distrust of the relationship they have just begun. Neither of them is given totally to the other. Finally, they learn that they have to give in and trust.


"Family Practice" One of the most intense episodes of the series. The main patient of this episode is Arlene, who is the mother of Cuddy. Episode in which are faced personal and professional interests of the protagonists. The bad character of House, causing him to be off the case, however, Cuddy will keep him in the shade, causing a series of serious ethical problems, which will be brought to light by Masters. This serious situation will cause Arlene decides to leave the hospital.

In this episode, also reflects one of the biggest problems of Cuddy. She is able to run a hospital and deal with House every day, but she is not capable to address the problems with her mother.Finally, House gets, deal with Cuddy and she decides to confront her mother until she agrees to return to the hospital. Perhaps one of the best episodes in the history of the series.


The findings...Any good research will eventually show something...

How do you think he will face the beginning of the new season of House MD? 

As we have seen, Peter is a specialist in difficult episodes. He is a specialist also in creating problems that he then resolved. But perhaps most of their solutions to major problems are subtle, but ever great.

Is it possible to solve a problem in silence? 

It seems so. As we have seen in episodes like The Itch or Alone.

Do you think Peter will use this technique again? Peter Blake is able to solve a problem avoiding the problem (paraphrasing House) but ALWAYS making it clear in the viewer's subconscious the true feeling of the character. Speaking of House, both The Itch as Alone, House does not show his real feelings to the other characters, but Peter does show his real feelings to the viewers.

Will Peter show a regreted House? Or on the contrary, Will he show us a happy House that have released all the anger he had inside? As we have said before Peter Blake is a specialist in solving problems that he has generated. Did Peter think about it when he wrote Moving On (with Katherine Lingenfelter)...

What do you think? 

Now is your turn...