"House" Season Seven: Why House & Cuddy Together Can Work

From the very beginning, Doctor Gregory House has always been one of the most complex characters on television. The vicodin addicted doctor is rude, and uncaring, but somehow relatable. The fact that he lives in constant pain as a result of a motorcycle accident that left his leg irreversibly damaged, makes him sympathetic. You don't want to like him, but you do. In season seven of "House," the good doctor is his typical self, but this year he's also more, thanks to his relationship with, Dr. Cuddy.

The sexual tension between House and Cuddy has built over the years, and finally in season seven, we get to see the two try and sustain a real relationship. This new dynamic adds a lot of potential material to an already well written show. How House interacts with patients has always been entertaining, now we get to see Cuddy and House, both on the job, and outside of work. While many shows struggle after uniting the two main characters, there are several reasons "House" can be successful with Dr.'s Cuddy, and House together as a couple.

1. Both of these characters were firmly established pre-coupling. They have their own back, and current story. Cuddy's a hardworking hospital administrator running a successful hospital. A strong woman, Cuddy is also a single mother to her adopted daughter. House is the brilliant doctor who pushes everyone away, and his only real relationship outside of Cuddy, is with his best friend Wilson.

2. They're at work relationship established a foundation, and an interesting dynamic. Cuddy would say no to House, and House would disobey. It was almost like a parent, child relationship. Cuddy realizes what a brilliant doctor House is, and accepts his bad behavior, because she knows in the end it will pay off for the patient. She always saw something good inside of House, which gave the show something to build on.

3. Both these actors and characters are equally strong, and can stand up to each other. While House usually gets his way, there are times Cuddy stands her ground.

4. There's plenty going on around these characters, so they'll have distractions. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, and outside factors will allow the relationship to advance slowly, without always being front and center. We'll still see the great medical drama, and with the addition of the new cast member for House to torment, we'll get to see some vintage "House."

5. All the wonderful, funny quotes we'll get from the coupling. When House was trying to convince Wilson he was seeing Cuddy, Cuddy finally grabbed House's crotch asking, "Can we go now?" Then, as House follows her out, he turns to Wilson and says, "and she didn't even ask me to cough." That's perfect House.