Ah, House and the metaphors (and similes). From Moby Dick to House having trouble thinking of a non-sexual metaphor. They're a very useful part of the show - without them, most people watching wouldn't understand what was going on. Especially me. And they're classic House humour. Not that they always make things clearer. Some of House's more obscure metaphors stump even his team and Wilson. And then one of them has to bite...

The metaphors usually refer to the show's patient, as the team try to figure out what's going on. House is usually the one confusing the team, but sometimes one of them rise to the challenge, like in Ep2-12: Distractions:

Cameron: His brain is like a waiter that's got too many...
House: Heyyy! I do the metaphors.

Only to be knocked back by House. But hey, he does them well! Like the murder scene metaphor in Ep2-19:House vs God. Simple, easy to understand, right? Well, as long as you know of the medical stuff he's referring to. But the metaphors are more interesting anyway. Some of his better ones:

Ep1-3: Occam's Razor
House: Hey! How you all doing? Interesting fact: every seven years it's a whole new you. Inspiring metaphor, huh?

Ep:1-10: Histories
Wilson: The something else is going to melt her brain.
House: Poach. Better metaphor.

Wilson tries to appeal to House through metaphors. Maybe it's catching. Comparing House to Moby Dick when he wouldn't stop chasing a disease in Ep2-17: All In was a classic (House wouldn't chase the whale, he'd convince it to be caught). Also great was the image of House as a cat in Ep3-14: Insensitive, when his curiosity about a Sepia patient gets the better of him. Is there a theme here? Obsessive and destructive...

Of course, the best parts are when House confuses not only everyone watching, but the team (and Wilson) too. That moment of silence, while they figure out who's gunna bite. Some apt House-isms.

Ep2-18: Sleeping Dogs Lie
House: Great battles kick up a lot of dirt. Obscure the battlefields so the generals can't see what's going on.
Wilson: ... So what are your orders, General House?

Ep1-17: Role Model
House: You know, when the Inuit go fishing, they don't look for fish.
Wilson: ... Why, Dr. House?
House: They look for the blue heron, because there's no way to see the fish. But if there's fish, there's gonna be birds fishing.

It's not always Wilson who has to take the bait, but he does tend to take one for the team.

There's so much more to show and tell about metaphors in House. But, this post is long enough. I'll visit the metaphors again.

As usual, thanks to www.twiztv.com for the transcripts.

Labels: 103, 110, 117, 212, 217, 218, 219, 314, metaphors, team, wilson

Welcome to Thanks for Playing, a blog about the funny side of house, and the various themes, in-jokes and scenes that make it memorable. I hope you find it entertaining!

First of all, why the name? Well, if you're a House junkie (is tv better or worse than Vicodin?), you'll know where it's from. If you're not... it's a phrase House likes to use when he's playing with patients, or jerking his team around. Usually accompanied by a smirk. And a groan from the victims.

The particular scene the inspiration comes from is in Ep2-18: Sleeping Dogs Lie. An Asian girl and her mum are in the clinic, the girl translating. She sets off on a spiel about her mum's problems... and House asks if her mum said "super depressed". He quickly diagnoses the woman - it's a URI. Upper Respiratory Infection. The girl walks right into the trap. And keeps on with the game.

House: "I also think she's got a problem with S-A-C."
Girl: "S-A-C?"
House: "Thanks for playing." (with a smirk) "Stupid American Child"

He's having fun, but teaching too. Direct, but not too mean. Nice scene. Goes with the tricks to get clinic visitors to get health insurance (Ep 2-08: The Mistake). They're not as jokey.


Next: why do I want to talk about this? Because I can't understand the medicine. If you want medicine, there are some other blogs on housemd-guide.com that deal with the medicine. I also recommend politedissent.

My main goal is to highlight and explore some really good scenes, themes and hilarious moments in House. I'd also like to know what other people think. Yep, I want comments!

And last, but not least, I like watching House. I'll assume you know the main character's names. If you aren't sure, there's a whole section of this site dedicated to the main players. I'd recommend starting there.

Lastly, thanks to housemd-guide editors for giving me a blog!

Cofie

Oh, by the way. I'll ask a trivia question from time to time. Answer in the comments, if you like. Today's question: Which episode is the reflection of House's face that's used in the credits at the start of each episode shown? And what does he say?

Labels: 208, 218, clinic, intro, trivia