Half-Wit (House)
Encyclopedia
"Half-Wit" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of House
and premiered on the FOX
network on March 6, 2007. Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Dave Matthews
guest stars in the episode as Patrick, a savant
and piano prodigy
who comes under the care of Dr. House (Hugh Laurie
) for a rare movement disorder. Dr. House also is suspected to have cancer by his staff. Also appearing is Kurtwood Smith
. The episode marks the directorial debut of executive producer, Katie Jacobs.
), a respected pianist, is in the middle of playing a piano concert when he suffers a painful involuntary muscle contraction in his left hand. After Patrick is admitted to Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital with a rare movement disorder, his case attracts the attention of House
. House learns from Patrick's father, Obyedkov (Kurtwood Smith
), that Patrick suffered severe brain damage
when he was in the 4th grade from a bus accident that also killed his mother. House is intrigued as to why Patrick, who had no musical training at the time of the accident, could suddenly play the piano flawlessly after suffering a severe injury.
He pushes for further testing on Patrick's brain even though the team has diagnosed him with a simple muscle-contraction problem. While trying to deduce the origin of the brain rewiring responsible for Patrick's mysterious gift of music, House and his team must stop the deadly bleeding that is quickly threatening his life. Patrick's condition worsens as he suffers an onset of seizures, and as the team stabilizes him with House's diagnosis, House presents a very difficult option to Patrick's father — a neurological procedure that would allow Patrick to live normally, but not play the piano.
Dr. Obyedkov opts for the surgery, a hemispherectomy
, in which Patrick has the right half of his brain removed. After the procedure, Patrick loses his ability to speak, though House says this will return. While the father is talking with House about his son's recovery, Patrick buttons his shirt, a task which he had previously been incapable of doing, which leaves him smiling and his father astonished.
Meanwhile, Cameron
(Jennifer Morrison
) discovers that House has been in contact with a hospital in Massachusetts and suspects that House may be looking to take a new job there. When Cuddy
(Lisa Edelstein
) contacts the hospital, she learns that House has been in contact with a brain cancer
specialist — not as a job applicant, but as a patient for a clinical trial. When confronted by his team, House denies the gravity of the situation and resents their interference, and they are forced to contend with the possibility his condition may be more serious than he's letting on. Cameron goes as far as to stage a kiss with House in an attempt to distract him while drawing blood, but he catches her. She leaves, as House says, "If you need a sperm sample, come back without the needle." The team ignores the patient's condition and focuses on House's condition, contrary to the usual beginning of episodes where House is not interested in the case.
Near the end of the episode, the team diagnoses that House does not have cancer, but a gumma
; however, House reveals that the medical file sent to the hospital in Massachusetts was not his and he intended to trick the doctors at the university into implanting a "cool drug" into the pleasure center of his brain. The team is downhearted that House faked cancer to get high. Wilson notes that, contrary to popular belief, for the most part it's only cancer patients with no family or friends who succumb to depression, whereas House, who was healthy and did have friends, faked the cancer and then pushed the people who cared away. Wilson advises House to start small, such as eating pizza with him. At the end of the episode, House appears to enter the restaurant where Cameron, Chase, and Foreman are having dinner.
", "Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series" and "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
" on Hugh Laurie
's behalf for the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards
. This resulted in nominations in the categories of Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
House (TV series)
House is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
and premiered on the FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network on March 6, 2007. Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
guest stars in the episode as Patrick, a savant
Savant syndrome
Savant syndrome , sometimes referred to as savantism, is a rare condition in which people with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual's overall limitations...
and piano prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
who comes under the care of Dr. House (Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie
James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
) for a rare movement disorder. Dr. House also is suspected to have cancer by his staff. Also appearing is Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood Larson Smith is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop and stern parental characters , and for his appearances in the genre of science fiction...
. The episode marks the directorial debut of executive producer, Katie Jacobs.
Plot
Patrick Obyedkov (Dave MatthewsDave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
), a respected pianist, is in the middle of playing a piano concert when he suffers a painful involuntary muscle contraction in his left hand. After Patrick is admitted to Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital with a rare movement disorder, his case attracts the attention of House
Gregory House
Gregory House, M.D., or simply referred to as House, is a fictional antihero and title character of the American television series House, played by Hugh Laurie. He is the Chief of Diagnostic Medicine at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where he leads a team of diagnosticians...
. House learns from Patrick's father, Obyedkov (Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood Larson Smith is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop and stern parental characters , and for his appearances in the genre of science fiction...
), that Patrick suffered severe brain damage
Brain damage
"Brain damage" or "brain injury" is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors...
when he was in the 4th grade from a bus accident that also killed his mother. House is intrigued as to why Patrick, who had no musical training at the time of the accident, could suddenly play the piano flawlessly after suffering a severe injury.
He pushes for further testing on Patrick's brain even though the team has diagnosed him with a simple muscle-contraction problem. While trying to deduce the origin of the brain rewiring responsible for Patrick's mysterious gift of music, House and his team must stop the deadly bleeding that is quickly threatening his life. Patrick's condition worsens as he suffers an onset of seizures, and as the team stabilizes him with House's diagnosis, House presents a very difficult option to Patrick's father — a neurological procedure that would allow Patrick to live normally, but not play the piano.
Dr. Obyedkov opts for the surgery, a hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy is a very rare surgical procedure where one cerebral hemisphere is removed or disabled. This procedure is used to treat a variety of seizure disorders where the source of the epilepsy is localized to a broad area of a single hemisphere of the brain...
, in which Patrick has the right half of his brain removed. After the procedure, Patrick loses his ability to speak, though House says this will return. While the father is talking with House about his son's recovery, Patrick buttons his shirt, a task which he had previously been incapable of doing, which leaves him smiling and his father astonished.
Meanwhile, Cameron
Allison Cameron (House)
Allison Cameron, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House, portrayed by American actress Jennifer Morrison. An immunologist, Cameron was a member of Dr...
(Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Marie Morrison is an American actress, model and film producer. She is best known for her role as Dr. Allison Cameron in House, whom she played for five-and-a-half years, and also as Zoey Pierson in the sixth season of How I Met Your Mother...
) discovers that House has been in contact with a hospital in Massachusetts and suspects that House may be looking to take a new job there. When Cuddy
Lisa Cuddy
Dr. Lisa Cuddy, M.D., is a fictional character on the Fox medical drama House. She is portrayed by Lisa Edelstein. Cuddy was the Dean of Medicine and hospital administrator of the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey. She also becomes House's love interest through the...
(Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the television drama House.-Early life and education:...
) contacts the hospital, she learns that House has been in contact with a brain cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
specialist — not as a job applicant, but as a patient for a clinical trial. When confronted by his team, House denies the gravity of the situation and resents their interference, and they are forced to contend with the possibility his condition may be more serious than he's letting on. Cameron goes as far as to stage a kiss with House in an attempt to distract him while drawing blood, but he catches her. She leaves, as House says, "If you need a sperm sample, come back without the needle." The team ignores the patient's condition and focuses on House's condition, contrary to the usual beginning of episodes where House is not interested in the case.
Near the end of the episode, the team diagnoses that House does not have cancer, but a gumma
Gumma (pathology)
A gumma is a soft, non-cancerous growth resulting from the tertiary stage of syphilis. It is a form of granuloma. Gummas are most commonly found in the liver , but can also be found in brain, heart, skin, bone, testis, and other tissues, leading to a variety of potential problems including...
; however, House reveals that the medical file sent to the hospital in Massachusetts was not his and he intended to trick the doctors at the university into implanting a "cool drug" into the pleasure center of his brain. The team is downhearted that House faked cancer to get high. Wilson notes that, contrary to popular belief, for the most part it's only cancer patients with no family or friends who succumb to depression, whereas House, who was healthy and did have friends, faked the cancer and then pushed the people who cared away. Wilson advises House to start small, such as eating pizza with him. At the end of the episode, House appears to enter the restaurant where Cameron, Chase, and Foreman are having dinner.
Awards
This episode was submitted for consideration in the categories of "Outstanding Drama SeriesPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, since its institution in 1951. The award is often cited as one of the "main awards" at the Emmys ceremonies, and has changed names many times in its history. It was first called Best Dramatic Show...
", "Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series" and "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama Series
This is a list of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winners.-1950s:*1956: Robert Young as Jim Anderson - Father Knows Best*1957: Robert Young as Jim Anderson - Father Knows Best...
" on Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie
James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
's behalf for the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards
59th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on September 16, 2007 and were televised live on Fox at 8:00 p.m. EDT for the first time in high definition...
. This resulted in nominations in the categories of Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Music
- Patrick begins to play the Waldstein Sonata by Beethoven at the piano recital, in the opening scene.
- As a test of Patrick's musical recall, House wheels a piano into his room and plays the opening bars of "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats. Patrick plays them back note for note as House adds the hand-claps at the right moments.
- In the end of the episode, House walk by a restaurant with the music "See the World" by GomezGomez (band)Gomez are an English indie rock band from Southport, comprising Ian Ball , Paul "Blackie" Blackburn , Tom Gray , Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock . The band is distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments...
playing, which all three his staff eat & chat in. And the scene ends when he finally decided to twist the door knob.