I've just watched this episode again and then read the other comments, and now I'd like to argue with those who say this was a bad episode because it simplified House's character and explained his whole character away with the childhood abuse story. I think House knows perfectly who he is (and certainly there is a sensitive side to him, too,) only he hides it and the viewers usually only see his cynical, arrogant style, but time after time there are episodes in which he is forced to open up and tell something about himself, and in these occasions he doesn't act as if he should be pitied for his unfortunate experiences,he doesn't whine away- which makes him all the more likable. Just to mention one example, at the very first episode the patient asks him quite rudely how he became crippled and he simply tells her the facts. It is the same with this episode, the rape-victim girl asks him questions and he is forced to tell her something, possibly in order to get rid of her sooner. He remains objective throughout the episode and tells the girl about his abuse as a way of treatment, he sees the girl just as he sees other patients-a nuisance, and even if he opens up to her, he is not interested in her. I think this episode is one of the best in character-development, and I find these soul-searching, argumentative episodes more intriguing than the routine of one patient/episode, because episodes such as this one bring the viewers again one step closer to putting together the whole House-puzzle--and I think the puzzle of his character is much more interesting than any of his patients or colleagues in all the seasons.
Review of One Day, One Room
