Hugh Laurie stated a while back that the 8th season of HOUSE would probably be the last one, a sentiment later confirmed by the studio. It would seem, then, that the writers have really started to pull all the stops out and make this one of the best seasons in the show's run. If the story lines had been this good during the 6th and 7th seasons, maybe the show would not now be coming to an end.
The medical storyline focuses (bad choice of words) on a blind man whose sense of hearing suddenly becomes so sensitive that even the slightest sound causes him pain. While interesting, his story is only there to justify setting the show in a hospital and to give House's team some screen time. The scene where Park is tripping is an absolute joy, especially when she hallucinates Chase as a rabbit and Taub as a fairy.
There is, however, 2 better stories in this episode that seem to be the focus. 1) House's Russian immigrant wife returns because the INS are looking into their marriage as a probable fraud, which could result in her being deported and him going back to prison. Also, 2) House's widowed mother returns with some news. Using a bit of masterful manipulation to get her son's attention, she introduces him to her new boyfriend, William Bell (played by - oh the joy - Billy Connolly). To see House referred to by Bell as a "pill-popping sociopath" is one of the episodes hi-lights. There is more to Bell and House's relationship than Bell realises, too.
If the writers keep this level of suspense and entertainment up for the rest of season 8 then I will really miss the show when it ends. It also makes me wonder what they have lined up for House's final episode. He's been to jail, he's been shot, he's been abandoned by his team. He has gone through everything that TV's other great anti-hero (JR Ewing) went through and more. So what's the big finale going to be.
I am as eager to find out and I am dreading the end.
