In the first episode of season 7 of the popular FOX television series House viewers were treated with the beginning of the long-awaited romantic relationship between Gregory House and Lisa Cuddy. Fans watched the sexy couple struggle to maintain professionalism at the hospital and try to find common interests. And viewers got to see a slightly softer side of House as he spent time with Cuddy’s adopted daughter Rachel. Unfortunately, despite the obvious chemistry between the characters and the additional romantic element to the show, the writers of House never meant for the “Huddy” coupling to be more than a brief teaser.
According to House creator David Shore in an interview with TV Line, “We knew it wasn’t going to last forever. We knew it couldn’t last forever. We had it mapped out since the beginning of the season that it was going to last exactly this long.”
The relationship’s demise took place after Lisa Cuddy had a cancer scare and the only way House could be there for her was if he took a Vicodin. House is addicted to Vicodin and had been clean for quite a while before this event took place. After realizing what House did, Cuddy decided it was time to end the relationship. It was not the first time he had not been there for her, and she realized she could never really count on him in tough times. House was devastated by the break-up and relapsed completely into his pill-popping ways.
As a longtime viewer I enjoyed the dynamic a romantic, passionate relationship between House and Cuddy added to the show. The show almost seemed to take on a more personal tone and the couple broke through barriers that kept popping up in their relationship. Cuddy and House loved one another intensely and could possibly be the loves of each others’ lives. Cuddy looked past House’s cranky personality and saw a man she really wanted to be with. House found a woman who could accept him as he was and found true happiness for a short time. It was sad that two people who love each other so much could not make the relationship work long-term. House has too many issues he needs to work through before he can make himself completely available to another person.
One element of House I will miss is House’s interaction with Cuddy’s daughter. It took awhile for House to warm up to the little girl, but after a time he became more comfortable and even started to like her a little bit. House was never the warm-and-fuzzy type with the toddler, but his personality with her was a little different and somewhat softer than fans are used to.
While House and Cuddy are over for the time being, Shore does not rule out a reunion in the distant future. What would it take for “Huddy” to work? House would have to make himself more emotionally available, less self-centered and learn to deal with his inner pain without popping pills. The problem is, if you take away the fact House is a pretty messed up guy you lose part of what make the series House so unique, funny, captivating, suspenseful and dramatic. Perhaps this will be a change that takes place in the final season of the series which will hopefully not be happening for many years. For now fans of the show will have to settle for a great program that is without a “Huddy” relationship.
