Plot: What’s it about?
Medicine, and the human body, are funny things. The older I get, the more I realize how amazing it is that we’re put together the way we are and that, by and large, things don’t go wrong more often. But as the mantra of the show states – everybody dies. Yes, it’s morbid, but it’s also true. Back in 2004, when the world was still enamored with reality TV (not that that’s changed too much in the two decades since), the Fox network brought us the story of a maverick doctor played by Hugh Laurie.
House often clashes with his fellow physicians, including his own diagnostic team, not only because many of his hypotheses about patients’ illnesses are based on subtle or controversial insights, but due to his perception that he is in near constant pain. His flouting of hospital rules and procedures frequently leads him into conflict with his boss, hospital administrator and Dean of Medicine Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein). House’s only true friend is Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), head of the Department of Oncology. During the first three seasons, House’s diagnostic team consists of Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), a cardiologist, intensivist and surgeon. Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), an immunologist, and new team member Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), a neurologist. At the end of Season 3, this team disbands. Rejoined by Foreman, House gradually selects three new team members: Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley (Olivia Wilde) an internist, Dr. Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson), a plastic surgeon, and Dr. Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn), a specialist in rehabilitative and sports medicine. Chase and Cameron continue to appear in different roles at the hospital until early in Season 6. Cameron then departs the hospital, and Chase returns to the diagnostic team. Thirteen takes a leave of absence for most of Season 7, and her position is filled by third-year medical student Martha M. Masters (Amber Tamblyn). Cuddy and Masters depart before Season 8; Foreman becomes the new dean of medicine, while Dr. Jessica Adams (Odette Annable) and Dr. Chi Park (Charlyne Yi) join House’s team.
Video: How’s it look?
Each episode of the show is presented in an AVC HD 1.78:1 encode which, by and large, looks as we’d expect. Unlike recent television shows that have gotten the 4K treatment, House M.D. came out in the era of widescreen TV’s and, as such, it shows. The somewhat sterile halls of the hospital look pristine and stark, while some of the interior shots have a warmth to them that I didn’t notice the first time around. Detail is spot on, I don’t recall any episodes where Laurie’s character is clean-shaven, so feel free to embrace his perpetual five o’clock shadow. Contrast is strong as are black levels. All in all it’s a good-looking set.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Again, all the episodes are presented in with a DTS HD Master Audio mix that sounds farily decent. And for those wondering, no the Massive Attack theme song is not on the disc. Sorry. Vocals are pure and crisp, Hugh Laurie’s character belts out the jargon and, yes, he’s British (but so what). Surrounds come into play on occasion offering a bit of ambiance. By and large, though, this is on par with what a television show should be. No complaints here.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This appears to be a re-packaging of previously-released seasons of the show and, from the best I can tell, no new features have been added.
Season One
- Dr. House
- Medical Cases
- The Concept
- Set Tour
- House-isms
- Casting Session with Hugh Laurie
Season Two
- An Evening with House
- Blooper Reel
- Alternate Takes: The Valley Girl Versions…
- It Could Be Lupus…
- Producer Commentaries
Season Three
- House Soundtrack Session with Band from T.V.
- Anatomy of an Episode: The Jerk
- Blood, Needles and Body Parts: The House Prop Department
- Open House: The Production Office
- Blooper Reel
- Commentary from the Show’s Production Team
Season Four
- House’s Soup: Prescription Passion
- New Beginnings
- Meet the Writers
- The Visual Effects of House
- Anatomy of a Scene: The Bus Crash
- My Favorite Episodes So Far…
- House’s Head Commentary with David Shore and Katie Jacobs
Season Five
- House Meets a Milestone: The 100th Episode
- Locked In Commentary with David Foster, Russell Friend and Garrett Lerner
- Keeping it Real: Accuracy in Writing
- Dr. Mom: Cuddy’s Storyline
- House Guests: Casting the Show
Season Six
- Before Broken: An Original Short
- A Different POV: Hugh Laurie Directs
- A New House for House
- New Faces in a New House
- Episode Commentaries
Season Seven
- Meet Martha Masters: Introducing Amber Tamblyn’s Influential Yet Neurotic Character
- Huddy Dissected: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the New Couple
- Anatomy of an Episode: Bombshells
- Thirteen Returns: Olivia Wilde Returns as Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley
- Episode Commentaries
Season Eight
- House, M.D. Swan Song: A Look Back at the Groundbreaking Television Phenomenon
- The Doctor Directs: Behind-the-Scenes with Hugh Laurie
- Everybody Dies: A Postmortem
The Bottom Line
I think I read that, at one time, House, M.D. was the most widely watched show on the planet. That’s saying something. Even before I got this set, I’d occasionally watch an episode or two here and there. It’s good and well-written. If, for some reason, you’ve held off on buying the entire set (or you just simply bought them as they came out) then this packs them up nicely. They look good, sound good and have oodles of supplements. For the enthusiast – look no further.
