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House Season 6 Episode 7

Known Unknowns

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AIRED: Nov 09, 2009

8.3

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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House, Cuddy, and Wilson go to a medical conference and meet an old friend, while the team deal with a girl whose appendages have swollen but she refuses to tell them the truth about the events leading up to her illness.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (13)

Surprising criticism for a solid episode.

9.0

By noelveiga, May 07, 2011

After skimming the scores on the reviews below mine I am surprised to see strong reactions against the return to formula that TV.com recently encouraged officially.

Whether or not the "medical mystery of the week" plot is enough to carry the series at this point is up for debate (I, for one, don't have a problem with it), but I'm more surprised by people not finding redeeming elements in the loose, on location photography, which is a nice contrast to the more commonplace on set B plot of the team working the girl case. I'm surprised people don't find anything to like on Wilson's (and through him, House M.D. the show) bold defense of euthanasia, which is almost as rare on TV as abortion. I'm surprised the bone thrown at those following the admittedly underwhelming overarching plot of the season fell so flat.

While it did not feature the best writing of the series to date, the episode was solid overall I actually find it comforting that the show has decided to stop trying to one up itself with gut wrenching drama related to its main cast and has gone back to a more sustainable and, let's admit it, less ridiculous take focused on the world around the characters. It's solid TV, and that's a lot.moreless
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Known Unknowns

8.8

By Canogaparkcindy, Apr 05, 2011

Another really good episode of House. This ongoing arc has really helped the show this season. From House being institutionalized to Chase killing his own patient, this season has definitely been eventful.

I think with this episode, we finally got a sense of the entire "old" team working together again like how it used too be. In the last episode, Foreman called the shots, but in this episode we got back to the norm.

The medical mystery was definitely interesting, we got a lot of twists and turns to keep us intrigued. The return of Lucas was definitely unexpected but I don't know if I'll like the future dynamics of the Lucas & Cuddy relationship.

The scenes that bothered me were the ones that involved Cuddy & House at the 80s party. House was really out of character but of course my theory was defeated when House made the amazing gesture to Wilson at the very end. Loved the cliffhanger, great episode of House.moreless
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Great in parts

9.5

By DonStants2, Dec 06, 2009

This episode was brilliant in parts, and pretty lame in others.

The medical conference was quite entertaining- House manilpulating his way around and everything was brilliant, although I find it hard to believe he wouldn't have been spotted- hes meant to be quite a famous doctor after all.

Wilson's speech drama was the best part of the episode, and I loved how House drugged him again! Very entertaining, with high moments of humour.

The patient back at the hospital was good, and I liked the character and how she lied- although her relationship with her parents wasn't much touched upon, which saddened me a little. The patient is the backburned these days, however.

It also delved more into Cameron and Chase, which was good, and I was shocked when Chase revealed what happened at the end. Great acting from the pair of them. Its been great seeing the old team at work.

But, for the love of God, stop with Huddy. I am tired of seeing it dominate the show. Didn't Cuddy used to be a boss to House, or something? Its gone far too far- their dance, then the heartbreak when Cuddy has got with Lucas. Its just a tired story arc- it was far more entertaining when House and Cuddy used to argue about medical cases, not tiptoe around their private lives.

Overall, a great episode in parts, but the overuse of a story arc seems to breaking the show ever so slightly.moreless
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Continuing Season Six's run of awesomeness...

8.5

By nhbkucinich, Nov 23, 2009

The Case:

A rather boring case. So boring I won't even take time to tell about it. While there were some interesting symptoms, there was no suspense. I'm starting to get tired of these cases that just reflect the personal lives of the doctors. I don't think they've had an episode that focused just on a patient with a really bizarre disease for quite some time. There are plenty of weird diseases out there, the writers just won't use them. In their defense, they are doing a very good job with the lives of the doctors, but they should really mix things up.

4.5/10

The Conference:

Very funny. Extremely well done. This part of the episode was easily superior. The revelation of Cuddy/Lucas was very important. The ending scene where House saves Wilson from throwing his life away is very moving.

9/10

Overall:

The good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth the time.

8.5/10moreless
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House M.D.: “Known Unknowns”. Hm…

9.0

By zuberbiller, Nov 19, 2009

House M.D.: "Known Unknowns"

Dr. Wilson: Yes, you can sit her running up my hotel bill, or you can go get the woman of your dreams.

House: I didn’t know Angela Merkel was attending the conference.

House M.D.: “Known Unknowns”. Hm… When I read comments and reviews for this episode quite often I encountered severe criticism. The majority view, this episode clearly lags behind the previous, so it gоt a lot of unsatisfactory ratings. As for me, criticism perhaps isn’t without reason, but… I don’t agree with marks. As you can see, I put this episode very good mark, which is higher than marks, which I put “Epic Fail”, “Instant Karma” and “Brave Heart”. And now I will explain my decision… “Known Unknowns” isn’t very strongly or unusually. But… As for me, this episode is a logical part of the chain, which helps scenarists to finish Chase’s storyline and go to the next level/part of the series. Tension in the air as always can dilute the humor… However, there are other ways. So… House, Cuddy, and Wilson go to a medical conference. Meanwhile the team treating the patient, here, incidentally, it’s also an interesting story too. By the way, in this episode are a few minor plot lines. And… I think that it’s really great! Here is everything… Wilson is planning to give a speech about assisted suicide (!). House tries to deny him of this, but he is knowing that everything is useless, so Greg decides drugged Wilson. As a result, Wilson’s career is saved. Greg seriously decided to win Cuddy’s heart (particular on party in the style of the 80’s), but… appears really uninvited guest (by the way, you are familiar with him). But don’t forget about medicine, the case is indeed very interesting. And… Мy rating - 4.7/5

Link to original review - http://zuberbiller.tumblr.com/post/246112631/house-m-d-known-unknownsmoreless
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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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William Christopher Stephens	Man	Guest Star
Anna Lucia Attanasio	Jordan	Guest Star
Marcus Giamatti	Keener	Guest Star
Bobbin Bergstrom	Nurse	Recurring Role
Michael Weston	Lucas Douglas	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

House (Hugh Laurie) speaks at a medical ...

©2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
House (Hugh Laurie) tries an unconventio...

©2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
House (Hugh Laurie) and Wilson (Robert S...

©2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
House (Hugh Laurie) talks to the team ab...

©2009 Fox Broadcasting Company

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- In the scene just after House gives Wilson's paper at the conference, House's collar switches from being inside his coat to out between shots.
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QUOTES (8)
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- House: Foreman expects me to read an x-ray on this itty-bitty screen. He should have e-mailed me a larger phone.
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- Dr. Cuddy: Tell me what you came here for, House.
  House: I've got a legitimate medical excuse.
  Dr. Cuddy: You must be so proud.
  House: I've forgotten it. I guess it's no big deal, since I was only using it as an excuse to come check out Patty and Selma.
  Dr. Cuddy: I feel bad. I haven't named your testicles.
  House: Word on the street is you set a new personal best for low-cut.
  Dr. Cuddy: I don't know why you chose to give them the names of someone's aunts.
  House: It's a compliment. They're always smokin'.
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- House: You didn't tell me you were giving a paper.
  Dr. Wilson: And that is wrong?
  House: Last time you presented a paper, you gave me an advance paper and asked for feedback.
  Dr. Wilson: And you're wondering why I wouldn't want to repeat that experience?
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- House: Oh, look! A 80s party! Just when you think you've left Flock of Seagulls behind in your rearview mirror, suddenly it's up ahead like an undead hitchhiker.
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- Dr. Wilson: If there's one thing I've learned from you, it's that I should do what I think is right and not worry about the consequences.
  House: Yeah, it's worked out great for me.
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- Dr. Wilson: Yes, you can sit her running up my hotel bill, or you can go get the woman of your dreams.
  House: I didn't know Angela Merkel was attending the conference.
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- Dr. Wilson: (calling room service) Hello? Uh... I don't know what department I want. Uh, I need... pants.
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- Dr. Wilson: That was my paper. You don't ask what I want, you ignore my wishes, you drug me.
  House: I'm waiting for you to name something new to our relationship.
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NOTES (4)
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- International Airdates:
  Israel: July 14, 2010 on HOT3
  Czech Republic: September 8, 2010 on TV Nova
  Germany: September 14, 2010 on RTL
  Poland: October 14, 2010 on TVP2
  Slovakia: October 26, 2010 on STV1
  Sweden: December 14, 2010 on TV4
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- Injoke: During the 80s party. House is dressed in 18th century clothes, like the character Hugh Laurie played in Blackadder: Prince George IV. In the same scene Cuddy is dressed like Alexandra (Alex) Owens, the main character of Flashdance. Lisa Edelstein sang the soundtrack from that movie in Almost Perfect.
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- Music: Stadium Love (Metric), Fuel (Metallica), Safety Dance (Men Without Hats), Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)
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- As part of FOX's promotion of The Simpsons, the featured callout for the scavenger hunt was House's reference to Patty and Selma.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- House: Talk to our little Gossip Girl.
  Referencing the TV series of the same name, which premiered in 2007, and based on the the young adult novels written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series focuses on Blair Waldorf, a privileged teen growing up in New York's Upper East Side.
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