[H]ouse 8x04: Risky Business

Original Air Date: 31 October 2011

Storyline: A CEO falls mysteriously ill just days before he has to sign a contract that would relocate his company's entire labor force to China. House attempts to make an underhanded business transaction with his wealthy patient, but when the patient's condition worsens, the team must work around the clock to save his life. Meanwhile, Park prepares for her hearing with the Princeton Plainsboro Disciplinary Committee chaired by Foreman, and Adams' outlook on her patient's business venture reveals her deeper feelings about loyalty.Best Quote:

House: Loyalty to real estate is stupid, because loyalty is stupid.
Park: First patriotism, now loyalty. You hate ice cream, too?
House: French vanilla, yeah.

Review: Am I the only one who actually kind of liked this episode? There are a lot of bad reviews about it already. But, while I can see its flaws, and there aren't few, I was extremely glad to see House going all out to get what he wanted - the money to fund his department.

The case didn't keep me very excited, but probably that's because there was a lot of stuff - maybe too much - going on on the side. I did find the Alice in Wonderland syndrome interesting, but it was left aside too quickly for my taste. As for the patient itself, one expects more when Michael Nouri is cast. His character was self-serving under the appearance of wanting to keep his family's legacy alive, but in actuality didn't really care about his family all that much.
I said before there was a lot going on besides the case and it involved both Adams and Park, as well as House's challenge to get the money for his department. A lot of this was fun to watch - though some of it felt repetitive. Adams channeled both Cuddy (when she insisted for House to do more clinic hours in order to get more in touch with his patients - doesn't this remind you of something similar Cuddy did back in season 3?) and Thirteen (in both House's insistence to find out why she dressed the way she did and in the final - destructive - scene). I don't mind bringing in new characters (OK, I kind of do a little) as long as they don't recycle the same things over and over again.
As for Park's disciplinary hearing, the entire plot was chaotic. It all (sort of) made sense at the end, when Wilson revealed House's machinations, but I felt like a spectator to "Suck It, Lily" for most of the episode. But, of course, one cannot deny the genius behind putting all that together and actually saving Park's job by pretending to want her fired.
Another complaint I have is using Wilson just to explain House's actions. I did like the scene where he explained to Park why is House so adamant in winning the bet; of course, it was all probably part of the plan to actually get Foreman not to fire her, but that doesn't mean it wasn't true. 
For me, the highlight of the episode was the orthopedist covering House's entire office in plaster. Yes, House got his revenge eventually - as he does most of the time -, but that moment was priceless. 
Next week will mark the return of Chase and Taub - something I've been waiting for ever since this season started - and I find myself overly excited about this. I'm not too crazy about Adams and Park, so bringing back the boys might bring back some of the excitement. Plus, who doesn't want to hear more about Taub's romantic escapades? [H]ouse 8x03: Charity Case Back to Season 8