House – Season 2 (Hugh Laurie) [DVD]
House - Season 2 (Hugh Laurie) [DVD]
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Product Description
The overall strength of the second season of House, M.D. proves that its first-year success wasn't a fluke. This season starts with Dr. House (Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie) pursuing his ex-wife Stacy (Sela Ward) and ending with a tragedy that could potentially be deadly for himself and two colleagues. The premise of each show follows a set routine - a patient is brought in with unusual symptoms; House challenges his trio of underlings to diagnose the problem; they treat the patient, usually incorrectly the first few tries; and then at the very last minute - through a revelation that often has little to do with the patient - House figures out what's wrong and saves the day. It would be easy for this set up to grow old fast. But because of the smart writing, nuanced acting, and believability of the characters (who're often dealing with unbelievable scenarios), the formula works on each of the 24 episodes that aired on Fox during the 2005-2006 season. Viewers have been conditioned by the Marcus Welbys of the TV world to think of doctors as saviors. Even on ER, the most narcissistic physician was selfless at heart. But House is a different breed. When he's at an off-track betting parlor and a woman collapses, he doesn't miss a beat. Still eying his race on television, he asks, "Is anybody here a doctor?" He'll mock a sick patient's complaints with a sarcastic, "Boo hoo!" And, if there happens to be a dead body around, he has no qualms about shooting it if he believes that could help diagnose another gun-shot victim. Not that he's any more reasonable or compassionate to his boss Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), his oncologist best friend Wilson (Tony winner Robert Sean Leonard), or his young charges Foreman (Omar Epps), Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Chase (Jesse Spencer). He instructs his doctors to break into patients' homes as if they're cat burglars. He does not know the meaning of the phrase 'politically correct.' But because he spits out insults (as if he has a mild case of Tourette's) equally to both his patients and colleagues, the latter never flinch at his constant stream of inappropriateness. When his three young doctors storm into his office to report the declining condition of a patient by blurting out, "We have rectal bleeding," House says, "What? All three of you?" To sensitive Wilson, who is trying to get some work done without being interrupted, House says, "I know you're in there. I can hear you caring." And when Foreman's father says, "My son says you're a manipulative bastard," House replies, "It's a pet name. I call him Dr. Bling." Of course House actually does care about his patients, but he views a good bedside manner as the luxury of a doctor who has a healthy patient. But dying patients with seemingly incurable diseases need something more. They need House. --Jae-Ha Kim
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Rating
House was a surprise hit. Unknown by most, still, due to its status as a first-run Channel Five series, this Hugh Laurie-led Doctor series is unlike any of its peers at the moment despite elements that make it very ordinary.
This second series is far better with the first, with more continuity and less annoying character traits(Cameron is no longer hateable, she’s beautiful and intelligent. Chase is amusingly dumb, and Foreman has a spiteful side), and zero cheese at the end of each episode. The latter was my main concern with last year’s series, with us always reaching an empty conclusion with guest star characters. This is amended in this season, with House always reaching a new point by the end of episode.
Luckily, Hugh Laurie’s performance cuts apart the boring emotion, which is a nice undermining. His character’s presence has an effect on every character around him, such is the radiance of the performance. Without a strong lead, this shwo would crash and burn. Perfect performance, made even better in this season. Laurie deserves an emmy.
The plots are where this show remains streamlined. This is a good thing, however, with each “everyplot” being essential in attracting large audiences. I’m not sure what a true original version of House would be like, but as it is its a perfection of a classic plot style that most shows still fail with. Brilliant.
The extras are likely to be small, as per last season, but the price isn’t ridiculous for what you get. A great season shouldn’t be ruined by the reviewer(me), but I should mention some of the situations House encounters; charity doctors, transgendered supermodels, prisoners, idiots and faith healers.
You’ll love this season, especially if you thought the first was brilliant. Not similar to other doctor shows, its an example of how dialogue and plot can be perfected. Fantastic.
Rating
Hugh Laurie returns as Dr Gregory House the brilliant misnathropic medic of Princeton Plainsboro Hospital along with his team of equally brilliant assistants in this 2nd and better season of House currently US TV’s No1 medical drama .
This season is pretty similar to Season 1 the ‘symptoms of the week’along with the patient who House and his team poke and prod and bring to the point of death usually finding a cure for whats wrong with them and the last moment but the wting is great the acting especially the star making turn from Laurie in the role which has made him a big name across the pond .
The stand out episodes for me were the 2 parter in which House and the team try and find a cure when Dr Foreman played by Omar Epps falls ill with a disease that has killed the patient and is slowly killing him as well.Epps surely deserved an Emmy nod for his role but was stupidly ignored as was Laurie
If you like well made well acted US tv this this is a definite must see part CSI part ER but with a lead character that would not have been seen on TV in america 5 years ago this is a ray of light in a sea of mediocrity.
Rating
Okay, that obviously doesn’t refer to the demeanour of the central character, but this is just the best thing on TV. I don’t really care how medically accurate it is, or if any hospital on the planet ever has so many serious cases time and again, or even if a doctor with such extensive knowledge has ever, will ever, or even could ever really exist. All I care about is the incredible dynamics created between the central players. As for the dialogue? Man, the dialogue is beyond equal on TV today. House has throwaway lines that other shows would kill for, but there are just so many, I’m sure most viewers simply don’t realise how clever it is. It really is one of the funniest shows on TV, even though it’s not a comedy.
Hugh Laurie and the script writers have done such an incredible job bringing House to life. God knows how the writers come up with all the possible diseases and cures, but it never seems a stretch to go with them. And all the while, House is there to deliver acidic lines to tantalize the viewer and keep the show crackling along.
House is a rare treat. Get it. Savour it. Love it.
Rating
Hugh Laurie excells himself in this brilliant series. He plays Dr Gregory House, a grumpy, anti-social medical genius with a chip on his shoulder, and instantly you fall in love with his character because despite everything he has a likeable quality too. Even though he tries to make everyone believe he’s a jerk, he really isn’t. His relationship with his hand-picked medical staff is also funny and intelligently written. It really is unlike any other series, it’s original and genuinely funny. You really won’t be disappointed with this box set. It’s a must see!
Rating
I have to confess I am only midway through watching season 2 but, so far, it’s much better than it’s predecessor. I am officially addicted to House (and I also have a major thing for Hugh Laurie who I find undeniably sexy in the much older man way!). Greg House is charismatic, sardonic, acerbic and witty. This show has some of the best one liners going.
Yes, the structure is repetitive. A patient is admitted with an unknown condition. House and his team; Allison Cameron, Robert Chase and Eric Foreman poke and prod and do a series of tests, administering various medications until they finally discover what is wrong. In doing this, House usually breaks the rules and generally runs wild. That, however, is part of his charm because he isn’t how a doctor should be. He rarely visits the patients, preferring to send “the kids” as he calls them and his motto being “everybody lies”.
What I adore is the relationship between his ex girlfriend, Stacy. This is an intriguing side to House we don’t see in the first season, as she is still the love of his life, and the feeling is more than reciprocated. I was so rooting for them to get back together. My favourite episodes being “Failure to Communicate” and “Need To Know”. Yes, yes… It is the House-Stacy thing that does it for me.
Anyway, just but it.
Rating
Yup series two officially ROCKS! Without repeating what others have said too much I just thought i’d say as a fellow house addict that it is just a fantastic tv programme; definitely my favourite. You might think that with solving the mystery of the illness being the centre of the plot that there isn’t much rewatch value in House (i had thought so)…i was wrong. The portrayal of House (SO witty!!) and all the other characters and just the genius of each 40minute slice of TV heaven makes this boxset one of the best DVD purchases I have made…BUY IT!! I would, however say that series 1 is JUST as good (if not a mite better in MY opinion) with some of my favourite episodes. In season 2, particularly recommended by me are “Autopsy” and “No reason” as well as “Safe”.
Roll on season 3 on DVD!!!
Rating
Like I said in the review of season 1, House is a great series and what is so good about this season is that you don’t have to have seen the first season to enjoy the second season. Although seeing the first season, gives you a better understanding of the character developments and some of the story arcs. Hugh Laurie is outstanding as Dr. Gregory House and his interaction and mischief making with the regular cast -Dr. Cuddy, Dr. Cameron, Dr. Chase, Dr. Foreman and Dr. Wilson is captivating. Although House is classed as Drama it could easily pass for Comedy because when you are watching it you really get the added bonus of a good belly laugh. You cannot go wrong with this box set.
Rating
If you are ill,do you want a doctor that holds your hand and pfaffs around with this or that because he has no real idea about what is wrong with you?Or do you want a doctor who doesn’t care to even meet you,but is an absolute ACE at diagnosing precisely what is wrong and fixing it(unless incurable)?House is the latter.He has no time for patients because,as he says,”they all lie”.He much prefers to focus on the facts-tests/reports etc.He needs to take his walking stick to the rear ends of his staff of 3 ,though.I don’t know which of the 3 is worst-the smarmy ,untrustworthy handsome one?the streetwise pompous rule driven one?the goody-goody sugar and spice one?Each seems more intent on trying to bring down House.And as for the long-suffering head of the hospital,methinks she has dreams about House,and not chaste ones either.Laurie is an absolute revelation in this role .
Rating
This is a great show, and a great season as well. The medical mysteries continue but the appearances of Sela Ward as House’s ex-girlfriend, last seen in the final two episodes of Season 1, keeps the show from coming too procedural & boring.
The set is quite good, which is somewhat unusual for Universal Studios UK. The studio who previously treated us to a House: Season 1 in 4:3 full-screen. This set is in wide-screen, so Universal pulled their finger out it seems. It has all the extras found on the American DVD as well, again somewhat unusual for Universal. The weird Universal packaging, where by the box is backwards, continues for whatever reason. I can only pontificate that they found a good deal on slightly defective boxes, but who knows.
Rating
Having seen Hugh in many of his comedy roles on UK TV and not liking them very much it is a delight to see his obvious humorous streak loosed on the world hidden under the guise of a serious drama. I think that the true talent of the actor is given open forum through the antics of a character who is meant to be serious yet openly flaunts his ability to be sarcastic. A wealth of good television can be found in this series which will rarely be found in any other. A really good watch. My respect for Hugh as an actor has been elevated dramatically.