TV Review: House 8.11, 'Nobody's Fault'

This week's episode was one of those that was advertised as “the episode where everything changes, with a shocking twist you’ll never see coming, etc.”

By Chris Swanson / February 8, 2012

rating: 4

So this was an interesting episode. It was one of those that was advertised as the episode where everything changes, with a shocking twist youll never see coming, etc. You know, like how almost every episode of every TV show is advertised. In this casewell, there may be something to that claim. We begin with House (Hugh Laurie) sitting a dark room being questioned by Doctor Colfeld (Jeffery Wright), who is in from another hospital. Turns out the other doctor is there for a disciplinary investigation following a massive incident that we arent told about. We know this is an important moment because the show takes time to skip the opening credits. We also have a wonderful moment where Wrights character talks about Houses record as a doctor and House replies with, Good things usually happen, bad things sometimes happen, which sounds about right for most doctors. From there we flash back to the case theyre discussing; a high school chemistry teacher who collapsed with total paralysis while jogging. They bring him to the hospital, where hes largely recovered from the paralysis following use of beta blockers and begin the usual series of House tests to see what happened, something which takes on a bit more seriousness when the patient begins coughing up blood. House suspects the patient inhaled hydroflouric acid fumes, but treating chemical burns inside the lungs isnt exactly easy. Taub (Peter Jacobson), suggests aerosolized Heprin be given to the patient. This appears to work, but then a strange rash is discovered and the patient goes more than a bit nuts. Suspecting the rash might be caused by a form of invasive strep, House decides to put him on steroids. Problem is, that leads to a risk of a psychotic break, and indeed that is exactly what happens when hes being treated by Doctors Adams (Odette Annable), and Chase (Jesse Spencer). Things go from bad to worse when the patient grabs a scalpel off the nearby table and stabs Chase in the heart with it. Chase is rushed down to the ER, and our principles operate on him. That doesnt make much sense to me, since I imagine theyd have a trauma doctor on hand. Also, as near as I can recall, none of them are a cardiac specialist, which I would think one would want in a case like this. That isnt even mentioning the ethical situation here. But never mind. They get Chase patched up and it seems that hes going to live, so all is well and good, and House tries to get them to focus back on the main case once more. Then as theyre all talking, Chase wakes up from surgery. Things are happy for a moment, but then we learn Chase cant feel his legs and seems to be paralyzed from the waist down... As you can see, quite a lot happened here, and while there werent any really major twists that arent likely to be undone in a couple more episodes, the overall story was interesting. Its always fun to see House defending himself to authority figures, and this was no exception. Plus Jeffery Wright was his usual great self. On the other hand, I found the eventual resolution to be a little convenient on all parts, though I loved Houses reaction to it, which seemed to be perfectly in keeping with his character. I also enjoyed the bit of dialogue he had with Chase at the very end. Were a bit more than halfway through this season. Its been an interesting one so far. Hopefully that will continue to be the case.