House, M.D.: Season 7

House M.D. has now gone through seven seasons. Each season has consisted of approximately 24 episodes (with the exception of Season Four, when the writer's strike of 2006 brought the show, along with most every other show, to a complete stop, and resulted in a truncated season). This means that House M.D. has moved significantly beyond the 100-show mark, that perilous and generally inflexible salient of a show's quality. We saw this as far back in the early 1960's with The Dick Van Dyke Show, when, at the height of its acclaim and popularity, Carl Reiner ended it so that the show could always be remembered as one that went on a high. We have, arguably, also witnesses multiple cases since that time when other shows, remaining huge money makers pass the 100-show threshold, because of fiduciary interests continued to move on, resulting in episodes that were increasingly awful to watch. (I will spare the listing. But by the way, one of the few shows to have overcome that "rule" is the acclaimed BBC show MI-5, which is now filming it's 10th, and final Season, perhaps giving nod to this unwritten truth surrounding television shows.)House M.D. could have easily gone down this same route, extinguishing its quality as it progressed. But after going through the complete Seventh Season, I can happily report that, in my opinion, House M.D. has not yet suffered that fate. In spite of some unusual twists in story line and a number of unexpected diversions in the show (which I will not point out to help eliminate spoilers), the show fundamentally remains the fascinating story of a genius medical doctor who struggles with a terrible physical condition which seems to defy physical and psychological treatment. The writers and producers of the show have managed to keep the show refreshingly interesting and engrossing, and although the writers seem to manage to paint themselves into a corner at the end of each season, the next sees the story grow and change. Season Seven is no different.Some House M.D. fans have written that they do not like of the story line changes of the past couple of years, some going as far to say that the show should have been ended at the completion of Season Six. I can see easily their point, and the argument has merit. On the other hand, there can be little denying that Season Seven has given everyone in the House M.D. family a chance to soar and to open their characters in a way we did not see in the earlier seasons. Much more physical comedy and biting sarcasm, for example, seems to be the rule in Season Seven. Strange settings and events, no stranger to House M.D., arise aplenty, and there is seemingly no end to the dramatic and sometimes ingenious devices used to brings the main characters into conflict, support, new paths, and old alliances.All of this makes Season Seven incredibly interesting, fun, and dramatic. If you have not seen House M.D., this is not a good Season in which to enter, because it is largely built off the understanding of the previous six seasons. (I would rather recommend for you that you go back to Season One, and start there. Then the rest will be much more enjoyable and powerful to you.) But for those who have watched House perform his skills over the past six years, I can't really do anything but recommend Season Seven. And perhaps, more than any Season, when you watch this, sit back and enjoy the more pronounced (and relaxed) dramatic, comedic, and musical skills of the group. They are allowed to sail here more than in any other Season. It's really quite a story to watch.House M.D. I'll miss it when it's over. It can't go on forever, and there is talk that the upcoming Season Eight may be its last. But its been one of the most unusual and entertaining shows I've ever seen. I don't agree with all of it, and can't go along with House himself in some of his beliefs and actions, but its one of those stories that has been cast with an actor--Hugh Laurie--who could pull it off with aplomb. Wow. Even with its shortcomings and twists that not everyone agrees were good ideas, this has been an amazing show.Other Links The BBC's MI-5, Volume 1 The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series House, M.D.: Season One

Much better watching on streaming. You can follow the stories better! One of my favorite shows.

I bought this blu-ray pack because I love House and I can't imagine anyone would be on the fence of buying this pack. You're either a House fan or you're not and reading amazon reviews won't change that. However, I wanted to talk about the packaging of the actual discs and the experience I had watching the first couple episodes.Short version: it's terrible. If you bought House Season 6 or movies such as In Bruges or Quantum or Solace (I think?) you'll be familiar with this god awful freeware that Universal uses in all of their Blu-Rays. Load times are way too long. From putting the disc in to seeing the start of an episode, that process can take upwards of five minutes. You might be thinking "Well it's only five minutes." But you have to imagine situations of when you'd watch House. Probably with some friends or if you're eating dinner and want to watch something.In five minutes you can lose interest or be half way through your meal. Now add on the fact that you basically have to repeat the process once per episode and in three hours of watching House you've probably spent upwards of 20-30 minutes starring at a black screen. It's ridiculous. Every Blu-Ray I own that has this BD Live set up has the same problem. Other Blu-Rays that have their own system, they work perfectly, load instantly and have no issues. The fact that this Menu setup is still being used is because not enough people are complaining, I'd suggest either buying the regular DVDs if you can do without HD or find a customer contact for the maker of these Blu-Rays and complain, it's really terrible.I also forgot to add in there that if you pause the show, after about thirty seconds a screen saver of the "Universal" logo shows up. Sounds great except that screen savers are for one purpose: to save your screen from burned-in images. This screen saver is incredibly bright and more importantly you can't resume from the screen saver. You have to hit stop and then press play, which reloads the disc from the beginning. Remember that five minute wait I was talking about? Imagine if that happened in the middle of an episode and you had to do it again, plus added time to get back to your positioning. It's garbage.____________________As for the show itself: I'm a House apologist. I loved seasons 1-4 (minus Tritter and Vogler) I didn't mind the transition of a new cast, it made sense, besides House's Head is the best episode of the series and it wouldn't exist without Season 4. Season 5 and 6 definitely declined in quality but it was more-so individual episodes that were cringe worthy not the series itself (Anything with Foreman and 13 was awful and pretending that Wilson was going to leave the show was a joke).Despite all that I've stuck with the show because the good episodes are really great. I haven't seen the entirety of Season 7 (I missed the first few episodes) but from what I did see, outside of the very first episode and the very last episode, this is one of the better seasons. I might even rank it in the same category as Season 4. The show has been going for so long they've obviously lost the mystery and excitement of "what crazy thing will happen next" but they've done so much already I can't imagine how they'd escalate it. With that in mind they focus on just interesting individual cases which are medically interesting and I think the drama elements are more toned down overall which is how they should be.The first episode is pointless at the last episode is frustrating but everything in between is great. Like I said before, the Blu-Rays themselves are garbage but if you can grit your teeth through it or decide to buy the regular DVDs (that don't have the same menus set up) then you should enjoy House Season 7.P.S. The packaging of the discs themselves is three holders, with discs 1 and 2 stacked on top of each other and discs 3 and 4 stacked on top of each other on the different holder. Disc 5 is by itself. I don't know if this is better or worse than the Season 6 holders since this new version may cause scratches (I think? Not sure) but at least they're trying.

I think I am just getting tired of this series, it surprises you every once in a while with a really good episode, but they are getting fewer.

I have been a die-hard House fan since it came out a few years ago. Yeah, I definitely think Season 7 had more drama issues, but I'm not sure if it is really to the point of a "soap opera" as one reviewer says. As the end of Season 6 shows, Cuddy and House establish a relationship that is more than co-workers and friends. Cuddy tells House that she loves him and he never says it back. I really think that deep down he loves her too, but he is still displayed as an arrogant, conceited ass. And he spirals downward when things just don't go his way.House definitely pushes the limit in quite a few episodes and it leaves you with your mouth open, thinking he's a crazy maniac. Thirteen's story is interesting how she comes and goes in several episodes. When she is absent, a new member, Martha Masters, a genius student that has over the top morals and ethics shines a new light on the team. I keep going back and forth if I like her or not because there were just some parts of Season 7 that I didn't think she made the right choice. She is an intriguing character though for sure.Taub really has some drama in his life with wife, Rachel. On another note, the director and behind-the-scenes people did some amazing work on a few episodes that I think is worth noting: Bombshells and Get Happy. Talk about artistic and creative! Scenes show: a twisted, kind of creepy musical; zombies; 50s style kitchen; and a gunfight. HOW COOL!I don't want to give much more away, so I will leave it at that. Thanks for reading. I would recommend this season.

Another great series.House must rank near the top of all TV series.

The main story arc of season 7 is the romance between House and Cuddy. And I for one really liked it. I love the dynamics between these two characters as their relationship develops. And while it does at times bring out the softer side in House, don't expect him to change altogether. There are a few fun moments between House and Cuddy's young daughter, but the highlight of the season are the episodes featuring Cuddy's cantankerous mother played by a scene stealing Candice Bergen. The birthday dinner is absolutely priceless and very possibly my favourite moment of the entire show.And inbetween House and his team do, of course, treat the usual array of patients suffering from bizarre symptoms. Chase and Foreman are back, as is Dr Taub. A new team member is ambitious medical student Martha Masters (played by Amber Tamblyn) who refuses to lie to anybody. It took me a time to warm to her and I really welcomed the return of Thirteen late in the season.As to the box set: Subtitles are available, no annoying anti-piracy clips, nice extra features including several episode commentaries and the following featurettes: - Meet Martha Masters: Introducing Amber Tamblyn's Influential Yet Neurotic Character - Huddy Dissected: House and Cuddy, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the New Couple - Anatomy of an Episode: Bombshells - Thirteen Returns: Olivia Wilde comes back as Dr Remy "Thirteen" Hadley

It is in season seven that I detect that just a little of the shine has worn from the gem that is 'House'. Hugh Laurie is, as ever, highly watchable but you just feel a little tiredness creeping into his portrayal. New characters are brought in to maintain interest but it is fairly clear that the writers are flagging slightly. Interesting guest appearances lift some stories and as always the tortuous relationships between the diagnostics team members fills the gaps between new unexpected symptoms and the crash cart!If you enjoy House you won't be disappointed with this seventh outing, but everything has its day and House may be reaching the twilight of its run of success. We shall see...

Good acting, well scripted, but further you go through the episodes, more stupid it gets. Script writer run out of ideas.

Yet another fantastic addition to the House series, full of the things you have come to expect from previous episodes whilst also delivering new drama and refreshing cases for the team to solve. Always delivering the twists and turns that you know but at the same time it also pushes the characters into new directions much to the entertainment of the viewer. Whether it brings a tear to your eye, a smile to your face or makes you gasp in shock, you'll be watching some of the few quality television programmes out there.Having watched this brilliant season, I can honestly say that this is worth the price and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the previous seasons.