07 March 2006

Character Study -- Greg House

Yes, ahem, the Word Nerd puts down her books sometimes watches TV.
"House" is one of Word Nerd's favorites, in large part because the character of Greg House is so well-written.
But, you say, he's abrasive, mean, condescending, a jerk even.
Bingo. In fact, Word Nerd doesn't even like him. But she tunes in, week after week.
The House character is an anti-hero, a man people love to hate.
Anti-heroes are outsiders. They make people nervous because they go against the grain, are often abrasive and have a deep-rooted flaw or personal failing.
For non-House fans, other anti-heroes include such notables as Han Solo, Don Quixote and to some extent, Batman. The anti-hero is one of the archetypes for characters in any kind of media -- film, literature, TV.
So why watch a show/read a book about such an individual? Because, anti-heroes change. The show isn't really about the medical mystery du jour, it's about how House and his team interact. As people.
Every so often, the audience is given a glimmer of hope that House really has feelings under his stony facade and that he can change. Remember in Star Wars Ep. IV, when Han Solo walks away from the Rebellion after getting his money? Remember how great it is when he comes back during the battle for the Death Star, that he changes his mind and does something altruistic?
Yep. Same kind of thing with House.
Minus the spaceships.

6 comments:

Roxann said...

Okay. Now I'm writing... or, well, I am going to write. I am working on a historical research paper. I've had lots of fun doing the research. But its nothing without the writing, right? So I figure I'm at the point where I need to start writing so that I can see what I have and what I still need to find.
Okay, here's the point. Help! I have no clue how to go about this... besides "just start writing" and "don't fall in love with the first draft" (my personal challenge). What goes at the beginning? A summary of what I am going to say? Why this disease was important? An explanation of how the disease is understood today? How it was understood then? Why I chose to limit it to the time frame I did?
I'm lost, and I don't know if you can help, but I figured there was a greater chance asking you than anyone else I can think of at the moment... Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Anonymous said...

I am so with you on House. That and 24 are my two must-watch shows of this season -- at least until SciFi starts showing the new Doctor Who on March 17th! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I am so with you on House. In fact, it and 24 are my two must-watch shows this year -- at least until SciFi starts running Doctor Who on March 17th! ;-)

(I've also been indulging in a little American Idol, but not consistently -- I certainly wouldn't rate it a must-watch, cute as Paula is. ;-) )

T.C.B. said...

Love House, too. I think he talks to stupid people the way we wish we could talk to him. Hopefully the show won't get too formulaic. Someone gets sick. Doctors get stumped, try something, patient get sicker, House has a revalation and patient gets better.

Steve Kabelowsky said...

I love hating this character.

Krista said...

I've seen House only once, but it was quite good. He's a total jerk - LOVE IT. My sister wants to marry him. Not that that's relevant in any way, shape or form.

P.S. 24 is high quality.