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House Season 6 Episode 5

Instant Karma

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AIRED: Oct 12, 2009

8.4

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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A rich businessman brings his son, who's suffering from stomach pain, to Princeton Plainsboro, and believes he's a victim of his wealthy position and success.

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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

Instant Karma

8.8

By Canogaparkcindy, Mar 29, 2011

More development on tonight's episode of House. I'm really loving the season arc this year. I'm glad Chase & Cameron are getting the screen time they definitely deserve, and we got quite a powerful story line to do these two justice. With Chase being under investigation for murder, and Cameron doesn't know, whilst Foreman covers for Chase.

We got a lot of twists and turns as well like who messed with Thirteen's flight. Going from House to Cuddy to Wilson and then back to House was pretty entertaining. We got a cleverly plotted episode with a few ongoing themes: one of which being instant karma.

It was definitely a funny turn of events to see the moment the father gave up all his money, his son got better. Then we got the biggest moment on tonight's episode: House finding out. Great episode with a lot of great moments. No Taub has been doing this show wonders, and I hope Thirteen comes back soon. Great installment.moreless
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Another good episode

9.0

By vicky24c, Jun 03, 2010

In this episode of House, the following happens. A billionaire brings his sick son to House, to try and cure hm. The young boy is very sick, and the father blames himself. He believes that since he got rich, everything bad seems to happen to his family. Soon after running many tests they diagnose his son, and tell him that he will only live for one more day. Then the father signs away his company and makes himself bankrupt.

As the day come to an end, as if by magic, House realises what is really wrong with the son and starts him on medication to cure him. The next day we see that the son is well again, and the father believes that it is because he bankrupted himself. Also in this episode we see Foreman and Chase as they get ready for the M&M, and begin to worry that someone will uncover the truth about what happened to the dictator, who died in the previous episode. We also see 13 going away, to Thailand, and she nor w know how long for.moreless
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House M.D.: “Instant Karma”. I think that after this episode, you can safely say that this season’s start is really very strong.

8.0

By zuberbiller, Jun 03, 2010

House M.D.: "Instant Karma"

Dr. Chase: (to House) Whether you want to be in charge or not, you are, and you always will be.

House M.D.: “Instant Karma”. I think that after this episode, you can safely say that this season’s start is really very strong. Unwittingly I caught myself thinking that I really miss the old team. I’m not saying that Kutner, Taub and Thirteen weren’t ok but classic is just classic. By the way, recently reviewed the interview with Peter Jacobson, I realized that his role in House M.D. wasn’t quite his level. Peter is really a good actor with a remarkable sense of humor. How unfortunate that I almost unfamiliar with his filmography, but I promise to mend. But let back to the main theme of today’s story. And so… A rich businessman brings his son, who’s suffering from stomach pain, to Princeton Plainsboro, and believes he’s a victim of his wealthy position and success. I will only say that this businessman is an idiot. In fact, his idiocy gave the name for the episode - “Instant Karma”. At this time, Chase and Foreman are solving their problems. As we see, The Tyrant even being in the other world doesn’t rest. It was a little hint… Of course House can’t simply ignore Chase’s strange behavior. And Cameron isn’t blind. Oh, we forgot about Thirteen, whose flight to Thailand was canceled. “More additional detective storylines!” Yes, yes… Scenarists heard you.

Мy rating - 4.6/5 Link to original review - http://zuberbiller.tumblr.com/post/230741795/house-m-d-instant-karmamoreless
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The team is back together.. yay

9.5

By jared85, Jun 03, 2010

Ok, may I start saying how good it is to have the old gang back together? I'm not saying Kutner, Taub and Thirteen weren't ok but classic is just classic.

I'm enjoying this new House. Being considerate to others isn't a bad thing and we can clearly see House is making an effort here.

He tries to prevent 13 from taking her trip and gives Chase a good excuse to keep him from ending his career due to Dimbala's death last week. All selfless actions and without gloating or anything.

I don't see how 13 can remain on the show. It has always been House plus 3, which we already have at the moment. So she has no place in the team... I'm afraid..

Unless.. oh well.. Foreman and Chase didn't get any heat for the case but surely, something is gonna happen when Cameron finds out Chase didn't tell her the truth. Will it be a relationship breaker? Dunno..

It'd be too bad her leaving and 13 coming back filling her spot..

Anyways, good episode, House is better than ever, especially with the old team kickin old school!! haha

Cheers!moreless
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An exciting and at the same time moving episode, with everything back on track and the old team performing to the best of their abilities under House's "shadow" supervision, who in his turn is trying to empathize with other people. Loved it!moreless

10

By Lyta_499, Jun 03, 2010

I really liked this episode. The writers are trying to get the team back on track after everything House and everyone else have been through, but without ignoring the new facts and the new situations. House is still abstaining from Vicodin, he seems to be tackling the leg pain on his own. Chase and Cameron look like they've invented a working routine to handle the occasional problems that might come up from them working together. At the same time their medical judgment is not at all impaired. Which accentuates the dysfunctional aspect of Foreman and 13's relationship. Chase and Cameron are doing it, and they're in an even bigger commitment, marriage, so why can't the other two do the same? My personal opinion, Foreman is too selfish, but in any case it seems he was right, these two can't work and be together at the same time. Also, the emotional tension between House and Cuddy is utterly gone this season, it seems the issue is now resolved, and nothing will ever happen between them. The medical case in my opinion was among the best in House so far, it was difficult to solve, tricky, there was suspense, medical emergency, the team changing their minds all the time and the human factor with the father, who in an instant abandoned all his wealth, prestige and power in the hope of gaining back his son. A really touching and substantial dilemma. Is all the money and power in the world worth anything if one is left without the people he loves? As in some other House cases (for instance the episode with the priest in Season 5), the question of metaphysics is left open to interpretation. The millionaire might have caught a glimpse of the machinery of the universe and tapped into the laws of karma, or House might just have had the right idea at the right time. House is manipulating 13 into not taking an indefinite trip abroad, and she tries to find out who is behind it. In the end she decides to leave after all. Seeing House refraining from his usual lack of bedside manner throughout the whole episode, it was kind of refreshing to notice he hasn't turned completely conventional. House without a bit of meddling and rude manners isn't House. But he is obviously making an effort to be more considerate to other people's feelings.

Also, the issue with Chase deliberately contributing to the dictator's death is resolved by House's own intervention, during the course of which he delivers one of his best lines: "Better murder than misdiagnoses". I must say I was kind of relieved to see Chase off the hook, it would be a major shame if he were to lose his license over Dimbala.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Hugh Laurie	Dr. Gregory House
Lisa Edelstein	Dr. Lisa Cuddy
Omar Epps	Dr. Eric Foreman
Robert Sean Leonard	Dr. James Wilson
Jennifer Morrison	Dr. Allison Cameron
Jesse Spencer	Dr. Robert Chase

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Lee Tergesen	Roy Randall	Guest Star
Tanner Maguire	Jack Randall	Guest Star
Steve Kramer	Ken	Guest Star
Olivia Wilde	Thirteen	Recurring Role
Bobbin Bergstrom	Nurse	Recurring Role
Liz Benoit	Nurse Anne	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House in the ...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
House (Hugh Laurie) works with his origi...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
House (Hugh Laurie) shares serious infor...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
Cameron (Jennifer Morrison) must get use...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- Trivia: At the beginning of the episode, in the boy's room, we can see, among all of his posters, a black and white one. That picture is from a famous Italian comic book called Diabolik. The dialogue in that poster is not even translated, it's in Italian.
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QUOTES (8)
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- Dr. Foreman: Notice anything odd about the shape of the fluid collection?
  House: Oh, God, it's... the Virgin Mary.
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- Driver: What, you think I'm gonna rob the place?
  Thirteen: No, of course not.
  Driver: In case you haven't noticed, I have a job.
  Thirteen: You're either honest or dishonest. I figured the safer choice is...
  Driver: To treat a total stranger like an ass. Nice way to live your life. Bitch.
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- Thirteen: Stay out of my life.
  House: Okay.
  Thirteen: I know you canceled my reservation. You obviously saw me log on when you were spying on me at the coffee shop.
  House: I was talking to you. I was spying on the MILF in the running shorts.
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- Dr. Cameron: I just don't see why you have to deny it.
  Dr. Chase: I'm not.
  Dr. Cameron: Now you're denying you're denying.
  Dr. Chase: No, I'm denying that there's anything to deny.
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- Roy: Are you Dr. House?
  House: I understand you're a big fan. I'll have my guy send over a signed glossy.
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- House: People don't get what they deserve. They just get what they get. There's nothing any of us can do about it.
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- Thirteen: Thanks.
  Dr. Wilson: You're welcome. For what?
  Thirteen: For thinking I was worth breaking the law to keep around.
  Dr. Wilson: That's just the way I am. But still don't know what you're talking about.
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- Dr. Chase: (to House) Whether you want to be in charge or not, you are, and you always will be.
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NOTES (2)
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- International Airdates:
  Germany: May 4, 2010 on RTL
  Czech Republic: June 2, 2010 on TV Nova
  Israel: June 30, 2010 on HOT3
  Slovakia: September 28, 2010 on STV1
  Poland: September 30, 2010 on TVP2
  Sweden: November 30, 2010 on TV4
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- Music: Fire Escape (Fanfarlo), Sarah (Ray LaMontagne)
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- House: Because I was born with a heart three sizes too small.
  Referencing How the Grinch Stole Christmas created by Dr. Seuss, which tells the tale of the green-furred Grinch, who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos living in Whoville.
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