From the first scene we notice the unusually subdued colors, which successfully conveys a cold, sad mood, long before we realize that Kutner is dead. Many people were thoroughly shocked by his suicide, as I would have been, had I not been slightly spoiled by an article which said someone on House would commit suicide. Since House M.D. doesn't like to do the expected thing, I kinda predicted that it was Kutner who would kill himself. His discussion with Taub about suicide a few episodes before just seemed to point that way, if you knew what to look for. However, the last scene with House and Kutner in the previous episode had me convinced that his suicide would still be far away, which was some great misdirection by the writers.
I didn't really care about the medical mystery this episode, even though Meat Loaf turned in a nice performance, so my whole focus was on the drama side. For the first time in a long while they showed us a Gregory House who actually cared (as well as showed it) and was thoroughly shaken by what had occurred. Although he would never admit it, Kutner was so much like House it was sometimes scary. He took risks, had a similar sense of humor (Yes, a cat.), as well as keen intuition. In the end the fact there's no reason for Kutner's suicide makes this episode that much more chilling and realistic, which is probably the main reason for some of the hate this episode receives.
Throughout "Simple Explanation" one thing particularly stood out for me. The performances. Everyone was on top of their game this time. However, the Special Gold Acting Star with Sparkles (sold separately) goes to Peter Jacobson, who acted his ass off and actually made me cry when he broke down at the end, although the big funeral montage just before that might've had something to do with that... you know, weakened my defenses, which makes my crying in no way unmanly, I tells you.
10/10
I didn't really care about the medical mystery this episode, even though Meat Loaf turned in a nice performance, so my whole focus was on the drama side. For the first time in a long while they showed us a Gregory House who actually cared (as well as showed it) and was thoroughly shaken by what had occurred. Although he would never admit it, Kutner was so much like House it was sometimes scary. He took risks, had a similar sense of humor (Yes, a cat.), as well as keen intuition. In the end the fact there's no reason for Kutner's suicide makes this episode that much more chilling and realistic, which is probably the main reason for some of the hate this episode receives.
Throughout "Simple Explanation" one thing particularly stood out for me. The performances. Everyone was on top of their game this time. However, the Special Gold Acting Star with Sparkles (sold separately) goes to Peter Jacobson, who acted his ass off and actually made me cry when he broke down at the end, although the big funeral montage just before that might've had something to do with that... you know, weakened my defenses, which makes my crying in no way unmanly, I tells you.
10/10