House

Half-Wit

Season 3, Episode 15, Aired 3/6/07

Episode Summary

House encounters a brain-damaged musical prodigy with inexplicable abilities while the team faces serious concerns about House's own health.

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Sean Leonard

Dr. James Wilson
Lisa Edelstein

Dr. Lisa Cuddy
Omar Epps

Dr. Eric Foreman

Fan Episode Reviews (72)

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A very interesting house, lots of classical piano. Also, special guest appearance as the main character, by Dave Matthews.

9.5

"Superb"

By scubaryan, Sep 06, 2010 Report Abuse

A very interesting house, lots of classical piano. Also, special guest appearance as the main character, by Dave Matthews. Also guest appearing is the father figure from That 70s show; Red. You can not really tell it is him until you hear his distinct voice. This episode was especially insightful because you get to see Gregg House's talent at the piano. There are several points in the episode where he does duets with Dave Matthews on the piano. This is also one of those episodes where House makes a highly controversial call (removing half a brain) to end result: a life saving operation.moreless

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House has cancer.

10

"Perfect"

By Canogaparkcindy, May 13, 2010 Report Abuse

"You should be making out with Cameron!" That was my favorite scene, everyone was so giddy, seriously, "I'm so glad I didn't sleep with you." House was an ass in this episode, he could of just told the truth to his team. From the start, and House kisses Cameron, that was so amazing & it was just to get his blood, messed up, and it looks like Chase & Cameron are continuing to sleep together, And House gets to grab Cuddy's ass, so that's always good. About the patient,I didn't know you could live without half your brain, pretty kooky. The end was the best, one of the best episodes ever!moreless

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7 0
House has cancer.

10

"Perfect"

By Canogaparkcindy, May 13, 2010 Report Abuse

"You should be making out with Cameron!" That was my favorite scene, everyone was so giddy, seriously, "I'm so glad I didn't sleep with you." House was an ass in this episode, he could of just told the truth to his team. From the start, and House kisses Cameron, that was so amazing & it was just to get his blood, messed up, and it looks like Chase & Cameron are continuing to sleep together, And House gets to grab Cuddy's ass, so that's always good. About the patient,I didn't know you could live without half your brain, pretty kooky. The end was the best, one of the best episodes ever!moreless

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Dark yet beautiful- A very special episode.

10

"Perfect"

By DonStants2, Jun 22, 2009 Report Abuse

This was the best episode of the Season so far. A fantastic piece of writing from the writers. The story of a brain damage mad who so beautifully played the piano- House's care of him was quite extraordinary, and the way they played piano together was a beautiful piece of television.

The decision at the end was kind of cruel, but touching that the father (brilliantly acted btw) chose to give his son a life rather than the piano was also beautifully and touchingly written.

On the other hand, House stoops to a new love and fakes cancer. The episode kept me guessing the first time, wondering what he was hiding and the outcome would be resolved. It also gave room for some great character development. The team showed their care for House- annnnnnnnd there was THAT kiss! Three Seasons we waited for a House and Cameron kiss! It was compelling television.

Furthermore, it showed just how much Chase and Foreman respected him, albeit in different ways, and how House is trying to distance himself from society. The end of the episode was quite touching, as he seems to make an effort of integrating with his team.

All in all, a very clever and beautiful episode- one of the all time bests.moreless

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House may die - and he doesn't care.

9.6

"Superb"

By Jacky1989, Jul 18, 2008 Report Abuse

When a brain damaged patient who is also a piano genius collapses House tries to find out why he's on the one hand musically gifted but on the other hand not able to button up his own shirt. Meanwhile his team, Cuddy and Wilson find out that he's going to Boston to an oncologist and realize that House has terminal brain cancer. They all worry but House doesn't seem to care and focuses on trhe patient. In the end his team finds a way to save him but that's not what House wants...

This episode marks a new low - but not a show's low, a low in House's personal struggle in finding a way to be painfree. Although you might consider he didn't want anyone to find out, it was bound to happen and he played with evryone's feelings. I liked this episode because I always wondered if there wasn't something to it (although it was clear they wouldn't kill House, duh), maybe that House would have only three years to live. I also liked the patient and the musical concept, especially with Hugh Laurie playing the piano, he's really good. Finally it was interesting how House's friends reacted to him dying and the way they all care for him although he's an annoying jerk.

Very strong episode with an interesting patient and an insensitive House.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- At the opening credits after House snatches the paper bag of breakfast from the table, the bagel he pulls out is plain, but is flat on one side. When the camera cuts back, it is round on all sides. He takes a bite and the camera cuts away and then cuts back, and it is now a sesame seed bagel with one flattened side. Edit
- Trivia: We learn that Cuddy is Jewish. She has a menorah on her living room. Edit
- In the last episode there was a lot of snow outside. Here, one day later, all the snow is gone. Edit
Notes
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- International Air Dates: The Netherlands: September 20, 2007 on SBS6 Greece: December 29, 2007 on Star Channel The Czech Republic: March 3, 2008 on TV Nova Germany: March 4, 2008 on RTL Sweden: May 13, 2008 on TV4 Belgium: October 12, 2008 on 2BE Edit
- Hugh Laurie was nominated for the Emmy of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Dr. Gregory House in this episode. Edit
- The first song that House plays on the piano and Patrick repeats is "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats. The classical piece Patrick performs on stage is Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata (No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, Allegro con brio). The song playing when Patrick is having the internal EEG is "Rainy Day Lament" by Joe Purdy. The song playing during the closing scenes is "See The World" by Gomez. When House tests Patrick's piano playing ability with the key pad, he plays "The Entertainer" composed by Scott Joplin. When Patrick is having his musical MRI, the music being played is the third movement (Scherzo) of the Symphony in C by Georges Bizet. When Patrick plays the tune on his leg, he is playing along to Bizet's Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 Waldstein: Rondo (Allegretto moderato, Prestissimo). Edit
Quotes
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- House: What the hell were you before you hit your head? Patrick: "Hell" is a bad word. House: So is "ass," "bitch," I could probably rattle off 50 much more complicated and disgusting ones, but then your dad would get pissed at me. Edit
- House: You know what my team is doing right now? Patrick: No. House: They're trying to figure out what's wrong with me. Patrick: What's wrong with you? House: Thanks for asking. They found out that I'm dying. Patrick: That's sad. House: Everyone's dying. Patrick: That's sad. House: If a meteor lands on my head tomorrow it's all academic. I told them to leave me alone, but did they? Patrick: Did they? House: That one was rhetorical. Edit
- Dr. Wilson: Are you curious about heroin? House: Not since last year's Christmas party. Edit
Allusions
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- Dueling Banjos When House proves Dr. Foreman that Patrick's right side of the brain is working he plays a part from "The Entertainer." by Scott Joplin. This was one of the most popular pieces of music of the Ragtime era and was rediscovered by the public in the movie, "The Sting." Edit
- House: One small feel for man, one giant ass for mankind. This is a (slightly misquoted) allusion to when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon and said, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind". Edit
- House: They're under the name "Luke N. Laura." The alias House uses for his medical records is an allusion to the "supercouple" Luke Spencer and Laura Webber Spencer on the American soap opera General Hospital, a favorite show of House. Edit