Television Doctor

Television Doctor

‘House’ on Fox I absolutely love, I started watching it after American Idol and just started watching it again. I mean, the show just seems to get better and better every time I watch it. Gregory House is the main character and doctor who cares for patients with unusual diseases. He’s so interesting because he is addicted to prescription painkillers, walks with a limp and a cane, is rude, obnoxious and unbelievably insensitive to everyone around him. Did I mention that he lies to get what he wants much of the time on the show?
Now let’s take a walk on reality’s side. Imagine you’re in the emergency room, nobody can figure out what’s wrong with you, nurses wheel you off while you’re bleeding, gasping for air, blind, giving birth, all of the above, or whatever. In the midst of your pain and general state of confusion, in walks some little sour man who says he’s your doctor. “Do you smoke crack?” He might ask with laser directness. You say no. He smirks, pokes you in the side. “Somebody in here’s a liar.” He shares that declaration with the other doctors and attendants in your intensive care unit room. While you’re getting all huffy about the obvious lack of respect, he goes in for the kill and continues to treat you like the corner store wino. You go into cardiac arrest, or seizure, or something equally as uncomfortable and life threatening. Hours, or days later, after a few more demoralizing visits from the kooky doctor, he determines the cause of your illness, you’re treated, and free to go.
How likely is it that the hospital would receive a visit from one of several malpractice lawyers in your area? I’d say highly likely. On House, though, the doctor manages to slip, slide, and dodge the malpractice bullet every time with a healthy side order of sarcasm. Unfortunately, there may be a few of you out there who are thinking, “Man, all of that happened to me last week.” If so, my heart goes out to you.
Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr. House, does a superb job playing the part. Not only is he deeply conflicted, anti-social and constantly on the edge of being consumed by his addiction, he knows it and just doesn’t care. He’s so convincing with it that when he attacks his subordinates for being caring, sensitive and compassionate toward their patients, I almost start to agree with his criticism.
Overall, I like this show because it is different from most of the other dramas staged in a hospital. Good story lines and exceptional acting can take the implausible and unlikely and make good entertainment, something we need more of these days.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com