Who doesn't know Steph? She is a British writer that gives us weekly great analyses of the House M.D. episodes, which she posts on her own
blog. Her reviews are characterized by focus on analysis. She also allows visitors to leave their comments to complete the analysis, which make her blog one of the favourites when the fans want to read a review of the aired episode.
If you don't know this talented fan or if you know her and you want to know more, keep reading. Because we have an exclusive interview:
Q: I know this is a question that you always answer but I will
ask it anyway. What did you think when you watched House the first time?
A: The first time I watched House was in 2006. I was hooked
straight away. It was my first year of university so I would watch a couple of
episodes every night until they ran out. It was like withdrawal when I had to
wait an entire week to watch an episode. I’d never seen a character like House
before. What attracted me to his story was the fact that he was an anti-hero, not
at all what I expected. His scorn for humanity, his genius, his unorthodox
methodology made the show compelling from the start. I’ve never looked back.
Nearly six years later, it’s still my favourite show.
Q: How did you start watching House? Someone recommended it or
you found it?
A friend recommended it so I started watching it from the pilot
episode.
Q: Let's talk about "House's personality", does he
have "something" that caught your attention?
A: What caught my attention the most was the fact that he was
brilliant despite so many character flaws. His pain made him bitter and a self
imposed social outcast, but his relationships with other characters, and
especially Wilson,
showed us his heart.
Q: According to your point of view, what is the formula that
makes House a good TV show?
A: The Holmsian medical mystery pattern has always appealed to me.
House in search of a diagnosis in a labyrinth with false exits proves how human
nature is flawed. Yet it demonstrates a persistence to matter, to make a difference.
I’ve also always loved how the main plot is paralleled in the subplots, how
every story is enlaced in another, bringing everything together.
Q: And what about characters, plot and medical cases?
A: The most poignant patient for me was the piano player in
Half-Wit. That story will forever hold a place in my heart. Seeing House
connect with a patient in that way and seeing so much sacrifice for an arguably
‘better’ life was heartbreaking. What interested me most is that I don’t
believe House could have done the same. In terms of clinic patients, it would
have to be the lady with asthma. Funniest patient ever.
Q: Well, I guess you have a favourite episode, so can you tell
me? And why, please?
A: Tough question, I have so many. I’ll tell you two of my
favourites, House’s Head and Wilson’s
Heart. Those episodes will be marked, at least in my personal history, as epic.
Those two episodes show so many facets of human suffering and love that it
overwhelms me just thinking about them. I think it may have been the first time
House sacrificed himself so completely for someone else, Wilson, which is
particularly poignant considering what’s happening at the moment (‘The C Word’
and ‘Post Mortem’). The hallucinations, the thought processes, the writing,
directing and acting blew me away.
Q: Let's talk about your blog. When did you create it? Did you
start writing the same day?
A: I created my blog in June 2011. I joined Twitter in October 2010
and enjoyed talking about S7 episodes so much I thought I’d create a blog.
Before that I would just send my friends my thoughts and they would make fun,
in the nicest way possible, of my mini theses on House. Not sure if I started
writing the same day, but I know it was very soon after.
Q: You know that you have a great talent to analyze episodes,
don't you? Well, if you didn't, now you know. So the next question is about
this: when you started this blog, did you think it would be one of the best?
A: Well firstly I would like to thank you for your support of my
blog throughout the time I’ve been writing. I can’t say whether it’s one of the
best, I’ll leave that to my readers to decide, but people have been wonderful
in their support and comments.
Q: Your skills are amazing, have your read reviews which
inspired you?
A: Writers of all kinds have always inspired me. It was actually my
love of literature mixed with my love of TV which led me to write my blog. I’ve
always been interested in looking at what is buried under the surface. I’m fascinated
by connections, relationships and why things happen. This blog was never meant
to be a typical critique; it’s more a brief personal reflection and analysis.
Q: House M.D. is certainly a hit, but if you had the opportunity
to talk with David
Shore, what would you say
him?
A: If I met him in person I think I would find it hard to say
anything, as all my thoughts would rush to the surface and get tangled. But in
writing the first and most important thing I would say is: thank you. House may
be a fictional character but his pain, his failures, his brilliance, his
successes and his relationships have all been very real. I have laughed, cried,
felt shocked and elated, often in the same episode. House, as both a show and a
character has inspired me in so many ways. Feeling a connection to him, and
watching his razor sharp mind and his chronic pain every week has made the way
I perceive things evolve. So most memorably, House has made me think.
Q: House M.D. has a big number of fans. What do you think of
them?
A: The House ‘fandom’ is one crazy place. Do not enter without a
hardhat and some perspective. It’s also absolutely fantastic and full of
intelligent fans with interesting ideas. I have met the most wonderful people
through House and it marks a part of my life that I will never forget.
Q: Is there something you want to say before ending?
A: The last thing I would like to do is thank all the cast and crew
of House! Best show ever.
Well, thank you very much. I expect more reviews, keep it up!
Thank you! Will do my best. Two episodes left.
