Prognosis for "House"? Top 3 Reasons Why No Pain-Killers Are Needed

Hugh Laurie is one of those actors who has the ability and courage to show emotions with just the flicker of an eye, the twitch of a mouth, or the slightest wave of a hand. Radiating intelligence, he plays the cranky Dr. Gregory House to perfection, somehow making his viewers like and even admire a physician whose imperfections, at times, seem to outweigh his skills. (Consider that addiction to pain-killers, which at times seem to hold House as a hostage, preventing him from achieving long-lasting relationships.

Let's take a recent episode, entitled "Unplanned Parenthood," as a wonderful example of the top three factors adding up to the show's ongoing success:

1. Great cast. In addition to Hugh Laurie, lovely Lisa Edelstein as Cuddy stands out as a memorable performer. Cuddy's on-again-off-again romance with House provides for some hilarious, yet heart-warming moments. Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. James Wilson also deserves recognition. He's at once naive and wise, gentle yet stubborn, and his friendship with House is one of the most memorable "guy to guy" relationships in TV viewing history.

2. Wonderful dialogue and plots. "Unplanned Parenthood" features a baby with multiple medical problems, challenging House's medical team as well as the mother of the baby. Cuddy seeks help for her daughter, and House bravely agrees to take on babysitting the little girl. Alas, his skills as a baby-sitter are sadly lacking, and Wilson must step into the scene and rescue both the child and his friend. Meanwhile, House's team tackles the medical problems of the baby. Toss in a few minor quirks (such as a missing dime that just might have been swallowed by Cuddy's tiny daughter, plus the need for House's team to add in a new female doctor), and you've got yet another highly viewable show.

3. Intelligent humor. A scene where Wilson abets House in getting Cuddy's daughter into the hospital to perform a sonogram for the dime that the child might have swallowed is a classic. From laxatives for the little girl to an on-the-spot job interview for a female physician for House's team, the wit of the writers sparks the performances, keeping the viewers riveted to the screen. Interweave that humor with the full gamut of emotions, as portrayed by the highly skilled cast, and you've got a diagnosis of delightful!