There are many important episodes ofHouse, but some changed the show forever. Throughoutevery season ofHouse, there are episodes that switch things up and impact the overarching story going forward. From tragic deaths to staffing changes inHouse’s team of doctors, it’s never long before the show throws a spanner in the works, for better or for worse.
Most episodes ofHousetend to follow a story-of-the-week format with a new medical mystery for the titular Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) to solve. However, someHouseepisodes break the formulaand try something new, which often results in crucial, series-changing events. Regardless of why,these episodes ofHouseare the most important of the series and are incredibly impactfulon the show overall.
8"Three Stories”
Season 1, Episode 21
Many consider“Three Stories” the best episode ofHousefor several reasons, but especially because it mixes up the show’s typical formula. In this episode,House fills in for a colleague professor so he can once again make up clinic hourshe fails to complete, and during the class, he shares three unique and strange case stories with the students. While it’s fascinating to see the way the titular character depicts these tales of medical marvels, the reason why “Three Stories” is so important is because of House’s backstory development.
“Three Stories” explains to audiences just how House hurt his leg in the first place.House’s limp is a crucial part of his characterization,and what makes this discovery even more brilliant is that he indirectly shares this information through a patient story, only later revealing that he was, in fact, said patient. Plus, House’s ex, Stacy, is introduced, which not only provides more context on his past in general, but also about his early relationship with Cuddy and the origin of his addiction.
7"Human Error”
Season 3, Episode 24
“Human Error” changesHouseforever in terms of both the main characters and the powerful patient story.“Human Error” sees a Cuban couple, Esteban and Marina Hernandez, make a dangerous escape to the U.S.in the hopes of the titular character solving one ofHouse’s most bizarre medical cases. This episode not only provides a heartbreaking reality of how the healthcare system works in both the U.S. and internationally, but it also shines a light on the harrowing experiences of those with complex illnesses.
Outside the story-of-the-week,House’s team of doctors are also going through their own dramas. One ofthe most difficult decisions made inHouseis whenHouse fires Chase in this episode,and while it doesn’t seem a hard choice at first, in later seasons, it’s apparent that’s far from the case. At the end of “Human Error,” Cameron quits, too, after questioning House about his feelings towards her. Thankfully, this isn’t when Cameron actually leaves the show, but it’s still a shocking moment nonetheless.
6"Birthmarks”
Season 5, Episode 4
Another groundbreaking installment ofHousethat expands upon the titular character’s backstory is season 5’s “Birthmarks,” which is one ofthe most stressful episodes ofHouseever. In “Birthmarks,”House learns the news of his father’s death and is forced to face his memoriesof his childhood. As he also treats a young woman who has her own issues with her biological parents, House reflects on how his father shaped him growing up, and audiences discover more about their already-established strained relationship.
House is extremely toxic to Wilson in this episode, and he even gets his so-called best friend arrested for speeding because he wants to avoid the funeral.
It turns out that House’s father, John, wasn’t his real father,something the character challenged him about at only 12 years old. “Birthmarks” is also an important episode for House and Wilson’s relationship.House is extremely toxic to Wilsonin this episode, and he even gets his so-called best friend arrested for speeding because he wants to avoid the funeral. However, this unfair interaction later results in House and audiences finding out more about the breakdown of Wilson’s first marriage.
5"Moving On”
Season 7, Episode 23
“Moving On” marksthe departure of Lisa Edelstein’s Cuddy inHouse. In the episode’s opening moments, the front wall of Cuddy’s house is destroyed, she is being interviewed by the police, and Wilson is injured. Considering the previous episode, “After Hours,” ends rather calmly, this sudden shift is rather abrupt. Through flashbacks, it’s revealed thatHouse drives through the front of Cuddy’s house in a jealous rage,breaking Wilson’s wrist in the process, after he sees a man with her through the window.
Cuddy realizes just how far House has gone in “Moving On,” and that she is unable to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped anymore. She hangs around for a while, ensuring House returns to the ICU when he disappears and generally tries to wrangle him so that he’ll rest. Butultimately, Cuddy knows she can’t be around him anymore.Cuddy disappears after this, Foreman takes over her role, andHouse begins season 8 in jail. As season finales go,House’s season 7 finale is definitely an important one.
4"Broken”
Season 6, Episode 1
House’s season 6 premiere episode, “Broken,” sees Gregory House forcing himself into rehabilitation after the hospital threatens to revoke his license.This episode delves into the fallout of House’s Vicodin addiction,his detox process, and his inability to recognize his habit is out of control and that he needs help. “Broken” features a greatHousecelebrity cameofrom Lin-Manuel Miranda as Juan “Alvie” Alvarez, a patient on the ward with bipolar disorder and House’s roommate.
House’s interactions with Alvie only exacerbate his denial, and he refers to the other patients as “crazy” on a regular basis. However,House’s restrictions eventually make him reflect on his experiences and his attitude toward those who are in rehab with him,although it takes some time. House’s stubbornness is more apparent than ever in “Broken,” but it’s a groundbreaking episode that pushes the character to acknowledge his problems in an attempt at a brighter future.
3"Wilson’s Heart”
Season 4, Episode 16
“Wilson’s Heart” is an unbelievably heartbreaking episode, which featuresHouse’s most tragic death. While “House’s Head” is also a great episode, “Wilson’s Heart” is when the emotion really kicks in. After House remembers Amber being with him on the bus, a flood of memories returns to him.House realizes that Amber being hurt is his fault,but she’s stuck at another hospital, which triggers a race against time.
“Wilson’s Heart” is deeply moving, and nobody is the same again after the events of the episode, especially Wilson. What makes it even more painful, is that even though Amber is already quite unwell before her death, there is still some sort of hope for her before the crash.The scene with Wilson cradling Amber is gutting to watch,as is House’s final conversation with her “spirit.” Wilson and House’s friendship takes some hits throughoutHouse, but “Wilson’s Heart” is by far the hardest.
2"Simple Explanation"
Season 5, Episode 20
The other most notable death inHouseisthe suicide of Kal Penn’s Kutner. “Simple Explanation” is a shocking episode ofHousebecause Kutner doesn’t present any signs of depression before his death, and soeven medical genius Gregory House fails to see it coming.After Kutner fails to arrive at work, Thirteen and Foreman discover him in his apartment, having shot himself. Although this scene isn’t particularly graphic — and thankfully so — the sight of Kutner’s legs and the sound of Thirteen’s panicked remarks are harrowing enough by themselves.
In real life, the reason why Kal Penn leftHousewas because he was hired as an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement as part of Barack Obama’s administration, but he later returned to acting.
“Simple Explanation” purposely leaves it vague whether Kutner’s death is actually a suicide or not,butHousenever explores the possibility that it’s an accident or a murder, either. However, this ambiguity works in the show’s favor, and it only highlights the importance of checking on those around you for signs that they’re struggling. Kutner’s suicide doesn’t make sense, but that’s the point, and that’s why “Simple Explanation” is such a powerful episode — and whyHouseis aTV show that appropriately addresses mental health.
1"Both Sides Now"
Season 5, Episode 24
While Amber and Kutner’s deaths in “Wilson’s Heart” and “Simple Explanation,” respectively, are two crucial episodes ofHouse, “Both Sides Now” is by far the most important. InHouse’s season 5 finale, House thinks he and Cuddy have spent the night together after his detox,and he gets frustrated when she doesn’t want to talk about their rendezvous. However, it’s later revealed that House never detoxed, and after vocally announcing having sex with Cuddy to everyone, she fires him.
“Both Sides Now” marks the beginning of House’s downfall as the crushing guilt of losing both Amber and Kutner weighs on him, which makes this episode an integral turning point inHouse.
House’s “Both Sides Now” hallucination twistis an unbelievable moment in the show. As Cuddy realizes House is in a bad place, he starts to see Amber and Kutner speaking to him, and he begins to lose his grip on reality. The flashbacks show that throughout the episode, everything House believes to have happened is false, shifts the tone of the episode hugely. “Both Sides Now” marks the beginning of House’s downfall as the crushing guilt of losing both Amber and Kutner weighs on him, which makes this episode an integral turning point inHouse.
