Anyone Else Disappointed With House's Return?

by artie

I watched the first episode of season six of the acclaimed House M.D. a few hours ago on FOX. I've been a big fan of the series, although I watch TV shows on DVD usually. So I've watched all five seasons within the past six-seven months, that's how I watch my TV shows, but now I'm trying to watch a show live on TV and its proving to be an annoyance.

Here's the central problem with House: They never change anything. Look at the first episode and one of the last episodes of season five, House is still a dick, still a maverick, same job, same people, slightly different crew (only two of the three aren't there, but they're still there a lot). Throughout these five seasons we've had all these possibilities: Vogler, a new team, Sandy love interest, Cameron being the boss, Foreman dying, Wilson leaving, characters being written off or never returning, Tritter, Huddy relationship, and you know what? NOTHING CAME OUT OF ANY OF IT.

The entire show is setting up conflict to resolve it again with no change to the formula or flow of the show. They're being super conservative about it and its making the show into a borefest. Even now, House was in a mental hospital, a love interest was introduced, and quckily done away with, and after one episode of him being in treatment, he's going to come back to being his old self next week. The show needs to take a damn risk. I'm sick of him always solving the case, always being right, always being on Vicodin. If your character can't form and be interesting, your show isn't interesting.

There are three shows I hold to high regards when I think of good television. ER, Angel, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Two of which come form Joss Whedon, and I like these shows because people FUCKING DIED. ER completely changed its starring line up not once, not twice, not even three times but four god damn times. And it lasted 14 seasons, granted it kind of went into "meh" territory near the end, but it lasted so long because they were able to write new characters with new inner-struggles and strife. Paitents didn't always live, doctors weren't always right, and sometimes people got fired, died, or left.

Same goes with Buffy and Angel. They're not doctor shows, but if the person is always right, then you're never wondering "what's going to happen next" because you know. House is turning into James Bond, but there's no action scenes to be blown away by, or hot girl eye candy to drool over. The humor is nice, but it doesn't last longer than six seasons.

Add on the fact that I started watching ER, Buffy, and Angel live on TV, right as they were announced as cancel, and it seems like the fate of House is obvious. Unless they start changing something in the formula, or at least killing off a few patients, the show is going to be canceled.

That being said, I'll be tuning in next week, at least so I can see what's going to happen with House and Cuddy.