House: Season Five

House is back for more sarcastic diagnosing with an entirely new team. Season three marked the end of an era when House's entire team either quit or was fired. Season four marked the reality show-style search for a new team. By the end, three new fellows made up the supporting cast, and one of the members of the old team returned.

At the opening of season five, the team is disconnected. House can still diagnose with uncanny accuracy, but he misses the relationship he used to have with Wilson. Although he denies it, he also feels a little guilty for the role he played in Wilson's girlfriend's death. It is only after his own father dies, and his boss Dr. Cuddy forces Wilson to drive House and make him attend the funeral, that the friendship is tentatively mended.

His team has relationship issues of its own. Remy Hadley (AKA Thirteen) tested positive for a fatal, debilitating disease, and during the clinical trials run by teammate (and boyfriend) Dr. Forman, Forman worked to ensure that Thirteen wasn't given the placebo. Dr. Taub confesses an affair to his wife after House digs into his personal life. House's old team members, doctors Chase and Cameron, are still going strong as a couple, and they get married at the end of the season.

House starts to lose his grip on reality toward the end of the season when he can't differentiate between actual events and hallucinations. At first, House is aware of his hallucinations, believing that Wilson's deceased girlfriend is simply a product of his sleep-deprived subconscious. The fact is confirmed (well-enough for him) under the reasoning that "Amber" shares his thoughts. But when House hallucinates more than a day, including sex, with Dr. Cuddy, he sends himself away.

Although the audience often sees House in compromising positions - drunk, high or self-destructive, this season they are treated to House's vulnerability. The dynamics with patients, colleagues and friends are tested, and one member of the team takes their life. Arguably the best season of the show, with the best guest stars, writing, illnesses and differentials.