Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not your average medical drama, 8 Oct 2007
Everything about House is a little bit different; the teaching hospital setting, the stylish glass and wood interiors and of course the acerbicly witty Dr Gregory House (Hugh Laurie). However, as with many US series, designed to be drawn out over hundreds of episodes, you won't notice all its facets at first. The show has a very particular formula - a medical whodunnit (or whatisit) where a patient is admitted with mysterious or misdiagnosed symptoms. House and his team of junior doctors spend the episode using differential diagnosis to try and find the cause of the symptoms before it's too late - which occasionally it is. On watching the first few episodes of the first season, you'll mainly find that it's this formula being developed and the writers using the hook of Dr House's dry wit to lure viewers. However investing a little time in the show and you'll start to see the central and supporting characters blossom and develop in different directions, and the inventiveness of the different ailments and approaches to diagnosis stops the format from becoming stale - in fact a format such as this is refreshing compared to the complicated, twisted threads and general chaos that defines dramas like ER.
A different story each episode, twinned with decent development arcs for the characters, gives House the best of both worlds, making it an easy show to pick up but also one that holds your interest. Hugh Laurie in the central role has become a very memorable character, with his comic timing not wasted on House's barbed, irreverent tongue. The writers don't let this overshadow the rest of the excellent cast though, making a very well rounded television series.
The DVD box set doesn't feature any extravagant packaging, however the set does include a few interesting extras which genuinely gives insight into the series. Although the following series are arguably better, if you start from series two or three (as I did), you will find yourself backtracking to pick up on the character development. Definitely recommended.
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84 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most captivating dramas on TV, but the DVD..., 19 Mar 2006
The format of 'House' can't be considered mind-blowingly original, or mould-breaking. As the creators admit on the largely extremely disappointing special features, they wanted to make a CSI-style program set in a hospital, and succeeded. But anyone who has watched the entire series, heart in mouth, chuckling at House's crushing asides but never daring to relieve the tension, knows that this one of the most affecting, life-changing dramas currently showing, expertly cast, brilliantly shot and with writing of real flair and power.Hugh Laurie is magnificent in the title role, balancing the cold sarcasm of his daily duties with a palpable and heart-rendering fragility that demands sympathy from the viewer even though you're not quite sure you should even care. His accent is flawless and he injects every line with humanity and, on occasions, warmth. He is of course ably supported by his team - Jesse Spenser as the enigmatic Chase is the standout, but Jennifer Morrison's Cameron is just as effective, particularly in the emotionally charged scenes with Laurie. The script is sharp, the sets look authentic and the diagnostic puzzles House and the team solve are rarely anything other than absorbing, often filled with twists. I particularly love the episodes 'Maternity' and 'Fidelity', though the series becomes almost unbearably addictive when approaching the final six episodes or so, where the relationships between the doctors, especially between House and Cameron, comes to the fore. A shame, then, that those who are desperate to own the series are let down by the DVD packaging. Sure, the front and back covers of the packaging looks fine, but the 4:3 format (as a previous reviewer has pointed out), the lack of any penetrating special features or commentaries, the flimsy DVD cases and the plethora of annoying adverts/public information films which cannot be skipped make for a frustrating viewing experience. If film companies are so desperate to make people buy DVDs rather than download episodes from file-sharing sites and torrents, then they should at least make the real thing look appetising. Quibbles aside, House is the gold standard for drama - in my opinion it surpasses the often implausible and shock-tactic-prone '24' - and should be viewed with anyone who has any interest in quality drama. The fact that a British institution such as Laurie plays the lead so well is reason enough in itself.
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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I dont have a drug management problem, I have a pain management problem., 10 Oct 2007
The rating only goes as far as 5, but I would have to go as far as 10 to be accurate.
Not since Richard Chamberlain graced the small screen as Dr Kildare has medical drama been so enticing. We are morbidly curious, knowing that there is no reason to like this character Gregory House. He's rude, the worst kind of example for drug rehabilitators, breaks every kind of rule - and yet we who watch the show religiously love the git.
You can't empathize with him, barely sympathize, yet with every episode you see a deeper sense of morailty mixed with passion that makes you cringe and be drawn to the character.
His three plebes, sorry coworkers, are equally mixed into the plot outline each week. Individually they are strong, well defined characters all on their own. His bestest buddy wilson, and his boss Cutty are the ying to yang in a trio that I haven't seen on screen since Kirk, Spock and McCoy. You will be hooked if you have heard of this series but have yet to give it a try.
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