VERY objective "Joy" analysis! It's amazing! 

Darn it! I can't see it :(

LMAO. Shika you mind reader! I was just coming here to post this! I loved this review! It was really objective and it laid out all the facts/parts of the House/Cuddy relationship and kiss scene so well!
HC1331, the post was friend locked so you'll have to be a member of the house_cuddy LJ community to read it... :/

can you copy and paste it? so we can see it?

@_____@ XD I can't at the moment. That sucks, I'm sure it was rlly good.

Okay, here's the whole thing. Gosh it's long:


Notes on the kiss.

First order of business: If you didn't like the kiss because you ship House/Cameron, your opinion doesn't count.

Second order of business: If you ship House/Cameron and didn't like the kiss for other reasons, don't get all offended. Your opinion might count.

On with the show:

On comparison:

House/Cameron
So, yeah, the House/Cameron kiss was totally hot. There was tongue and spit and Jesus Christ Hugh Laurie must be an amazing kisser. He's old enough to be my father, but I would still hit that like a pinata full of iPhones (delicately, but with much enthusiasm). But the kiss was supposed to be hot. Super sexcharged Cameron was giving it her all (JM must not be bad at it either), and it was emotionally heightened and unexpected.

It was supposed to be hot. If House made out with some hot, young chick (especially one whom he knows would bend over the desk for him at the next moment) and it wasn't hot, I would be expecting the next make out to be with Wilson... And again? Much of the hitting involved. Like bullseyes and trashcan lids.

Meanwhile, for extra credit: go rewatch the scene (I'll wait). Now feel free to tell me he didn't roll his eyes before he decided to recipro-kiss her. It's okay. Everybody lies.

House/Cuddy
The House/Cuddy kiss wasn't that hot. I mean, obviously, different strokes for different folks or whatever, but honestly? Cuddy was snotty and crying and House was subdued and there was all of this grabbing and anger and desperation.

The kiss wasn't supposed to be hot. It wasn't about hot. It wasn't about sex, and it wasn't about tongues or naughty bits rubbing up against each other.

Why the Kiss Wasn't Hot:

The House/Cuddy kiss was about two people who have lots and lots of feelings for one another. These feelings are not necessarily romantic. They range from pure and utter loathing to respect to an intense desire to nurture to "I think about you in the shower". The House/Cuddy relationship is complicated, whether you choose to believe it platonic or not.

Cuddy and House are: employer/employee, family (mother who nurtures, brother who bullies), friends who play (I'll pay you ten dollars for every patient you diagnose without touching), and flirty people who flirt (I think you got that/microbes can be sneaky). It's safe to say that Cuddy is a big part of House's life. They might not be BFF, but she's still his doctor, he still respects her as an administrator (Humpty Dumpty), he still finds her fun to be around (she's smart, funny, got a zesty bod), he still calls her up/comes over at three in the morning, and he's still getting dressed in front of her (House's Head).

Meanwhile, Cuddy respects House and trusts him. She lives vicariously through him. She is never more alive than when she's with him (Insensitive), she would trust him above anyone to save her kid if she had one, she saves him from prison, she puts her career on the line for him on more than one occasion, and she lets him touch her ass.

It is safe to say that even if you want to pretend they never slept together in the past and that none of their banter is flirtatious, that House and Cuddy still mean a lot to one another. I would go as far as to say that Cuddy is "the woman" in House's life. Usually that goes from mother to girlfriend/wife, but since House doesn't talk to his mother often and he doesn't have a girlfriend/wife, it's Cuddy, who, more than anything, has basically been a constant over the years.

This being said, House and Cuddy don't have a lot of real moments. Or at least, they don't have a lot of moments as characters where they're unguarded. there was the time when she thought she might ask him to be her donor, the time when she was with House when he woke up in the hospital, and a very few others.

The kiss between them was not about a sexual or romantic moment, but a raw, real and emotionally charged moment. If it was well-acted, it should've felt awkward to you... Because you should feel like you shouldn't be watching this exchange because it should be private.


What the Kiss Meant:

In the moment of "the kiss," House said something completely cruel and ridiculous and horrible. If the subtext were rewritten into text, it would go like this:

Subtext:
House: Too bad.. You'd make a great mother.
Cuddy: You son of a bitch. When I had a baby, you told me I would such as a mother, and when I lose it, you tell me I'd be great at it. Why do you have to negate everything?
House: I don't know. (kisses Cuddy, who needily responds)
House: Good-night.
Cuddy: Good-night.

------------------------------

House: I kind of feel bad (and a little responsible) that you are miserable so
I'm going to say something that isn't ass-holish. I am socially retarded, so I have no idea that this is cruel or insensitive and even if I did I probably wouldn't care as long as you didn't refuse to see or talk to me, because I am a Needy McNeederton, but I also have no regard for other people's emotions.

Cuddy: That insensitive and mean thing you said just really, really hurt me. Dangling the approval and acceptance I wanted before over my horrible, devastating situation isn't being kind, you moron, it's rubbing salt in my wounds. Why did you say that? That's ridiculous and confusing. Why are you always saying things to confuse and hurt me?

House: I've said hurtful things to you thousands of times and I'm surprised to actually see you hurting. I don't know why I act the way around you that I do. I am also confused and I also hurt. I will point this out to you by not giving you some random BS answer or going out of my way to subvert your questions. Also, now that I see how much pain you are in and also how I caused it, I feel the need to comfort you and stop you from hurting. Except there's no way to do that because there are no words or thoughts and I actually might explode with emotional overflow if I don't do something, so I guess I'll just stare at your mouth for a second before I kiss you.

Cuddy: Well, all right, if that's how you want to play it.. I'm having emotional overflow about you, even though my emotions might consist of a little more anger, but I accept your saliva and return it, assuming both the literal translation and also the metaphor where saliva is the same as emotions.

House: Yeah. So. That was. Um. Different. I'm just going to go now so I don't have to talk about or confront my emotions.

Cuddy: Yeah. You, um.. Do that. Confronting emotions isn't my biggest bested hobby either.

Why the Kiss Is Not a Reward:

Yes, Cuddy probably should've slapped him when he said she'd be a good mother. I guess she's classier than I am, because I might have lunged at him, bludgeoned him with his cane, punched him in the stomach, and also kneed him in the balls. But she used her words and called him a bad name instead.

We've already been over this: the kiss wasn't a reward for anything, but a reaction to House's vulnerable attempt to do something with all of his emotions/the need to do something to save her.


Where the Kiss Will Lead:

If you chose option A: To House and Cuddy falling madly in love and having babies, of course! you may walk the plank of the failboat now, please.

The kiss doesn't have to leave anywhere. It was a kissed between two people who like to pretend they're immune to emotions. It won't even be Cuddy following House around like a lost puppy, threatening to quit unless he goes out with her. Cause, um, you guys? Cuddy is pretty screwed up, too.

All of those things House gave up for his obsession with puzzles (most notably, personal relationships), Cuddy gave up for her ambition. In fact, Cuddy probably gave up more for her ambition. At least House has music, soaps, porn, and Wilson. All Cuddy ever does is work, answer House's phone calls, run, sleep, and take employees out to dinner. Unless you count going to court, changing parking spaces, online dating, and trying to have a baby.

She no longer online dates, and she's given up on two ways of having a baby. House pegged it when he said: "She gets to have a relationship with a kid, but she can't handle one with an adult."

Turns out, she also can't handle fun or a social life unless it's with Wilson. Who she went out with as a friend. And made the decision to go out with him because she wanted a friend. What sort of emotionally well adjusted person wants for friends? Even House has enough friend, for the most part.

Basically: Cuddy is probably actually more emotionally screwed up when it comes to relationships than House. So even if they do decide to pursue them in a relationship, it is a long and tumultuous time coming. Even if we do see it on the show, do not expect to see House and Cuddy hugely changed as characters or to see House suddenly become happier or start whistling in his office (the thing that annoyed me about Stacey--happy House is boring House).

Why the Show Hasn't Changed

House and Cuddy are already in a relationship. It's just not a romantic one. Their interactions have been aggressive and obsessive for at least three and a quarter seasons now, not counting season one, which I have only watched thoroughly enough to know that Volger thought Cuddy and House were doing it.

The TPTB are perfectly capable of having a momentary House/Cuddy sub plot that lasts two or three episodes (Cuddy and IVF, Cuddy goes out with Wilson), drop it completely for something that has nothing to do with the two of them together in any context, and then pick it back up later for another episode or two with an arc that has stuff to do with something else. (House torturing Cuddy over IVF picked up three seasons later when House tortures Cuddy over adopting a baby.)

These two episodes are going to deal with House and Cuddy. There will be throw away lines and even probably some plot about House and Cuddy and their relationship. But they didn't change the name of the show to House MD (And also Cuddy who is barely an MD, but MD looks better in print than "Administrative Whore"). The show is still about House. Cuddy is only one aspect of House. She has been an aspect of House since day one and has become more of an aspect of House over the seasons. Especially as his team and friend deserted him and she had to sit in the hospital and hold his hand so maybe he wouldn't remember that he was lonely and miserable when he woke up.

It's still House, guys!

Final Notes

You may disagree with some or all of this, but that's your right.

The point of it is: the kiss wasn't unnecessary and it didn't "not work" because of the "awkwardness", House and Cuddy probably won't enter into a weird romantic relationship, and even if they did, the show wouldn't be that different anyway.

You don't need to like the kiss. You just need to realize that the moment existed for character development for both House and Cuddy. House was human despite being scared and angry and frustrated. Cuddy finally called House out on being an ass in a way that got his attention. The kiss will continue to show the range of messed up House and Cuddy are when it comes to fear of commitment and relationships and all that stuff.

It was a good bit of development and hey, House/Cameron shippers.. It could even go in your favor. House and Cuddy could try it on and break up, leaving House wide open for Cameron.

That was very very good! Long, but good!! Thanks for posting this PG!!!!

that was a good review... but i don't like it. i didn't like what it was saying... so i dont like it. im childish in that i know - which is my right because to be fair, im basically still a child at 13 - and i know it told the truth. i disagree with some of the points, but i heartily agree with most of it, it just lost my approval at some point... reading it again, i like it more, but... i think it was a bit more than what she said, the whole subtext thing was right, the whole " leaves you feeling like you shouldn't be watching it because its private" was completely what i felt, and i also ( almost happily because its not ready yet) agree with the thing that the House/Cuddy relationship won't happen anytime soon if it ain't screwed up. It just leaves me feeling that maybe nothing will happen - and i really can't deal with that idea. Whether its just a new way of approaching there thing, or some references or something happens between them, whether another kiss or sex or a relationship, i really don't care, i just need something to happen other than one kiss.

I too agree with the "u feel u shouldn't be watching cuz its private". It was a very private moment for both of them, and I felt like the PI watching something that I just can't look away from. But I agree with BB, I wouldn't be able to stand "nothing happening" between these two. And I know u guys know, I need my dose of Huddyness! LOL!

great article! the subtext part was perfect!

hey, bb, that's the life if you're a shipper... we're lucky our ship - even if it's not heading anywhere, cause it's a doomed relationship - has been developing in a beautiful and exciting way. usually that is not what happens, and all you have is your favorite fanfics to go to ;)

I'm really glad this huddy thing happened this way, and I'm pretty sure it won't last much - or maybe not, the writers do surprise me more than I could ever expect. Before being a huddy, I was already a House fan, so the last thing I want is the show to lose it's main characteristics and qualities - one of them (one of my all time favorites actually) being House/Cuddy bickering, flirting and friendship.

althought I'd kill for any dose of huddyness we could get! They are HOT, I tell you!

So true. It can't be House M.D. without the House/Cuddy bickering & flirting. I too am glad that they kissed, we got something (finally!!). Season 5 is the right place to have it happen. Not too early, not too late. And since HL signed on for continuation until Season 10, then our kiss is right in the middle of the entire story. The perfect spot I think. lol!

But... I still want Huddy hottness, A LOT of it, I can't deny that. XDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Loved it! Ah well not everything ^^ I just hope there will be more future in house and cuddy relationship (I really need more Huddy Hottness too!!)... but thanks for posting Shika and PG ;) I really liked reading it!

I really loved this. And I love how it says Cuddy's the "woman" in House's life, because that is so true. He has known her for half his life and she has always been the one left standing when everyone else left. And yea I defintely don't want nothing to happen between them after this, but we don't need it right away. Their tension is a large part of their dynamic, and I don't want them to be out of character at all. I do want Huddy sex though lol, lots of it, and I want them together at the end, or of they can't end up together, I want them alone together.

such a profound statement " or if they can't end up together, i want them alone together"

Thanks, I really can't see House or Cuddy with anyone but eachother, they are both at their best and are truly alive when they are together. So if it doesn't work out for them in the end (which it probably wont because the writers love misery), I don't see them finding someone else.

"Cuddy is the only one House is able to have a relationship with." Love that quote!! It's either Cuddy or it's nothing. There are no other options (for love interests for House).

hey, don't kick me out of this spot, but I need to say that what House had with Stacy was pretty special. they fit together really well, and after House sent her away because he knew things would go wrong again, I can't stop thinking this is the same reason why Huddy is impossible :(
I know Cuddy is completely different from Stacy and she (Cuddy) has done things no one else would've done for him, but, from House's perspective, any relationship with him is bound to fail, so why bother?

We're not kicking u out blaukat! LOL!

LOL why would we kick you out? I think you make a great point actually, and yea he had something special with Stacy(I used to think she should come back, but now I hate that idea), but I think his relationship with Cuddy is way different. I mean no matter how much pain they have caused eachother, and how much they been through, they can't seem to be stay away from eachother. They have been in eachother's lives on and off for over 20 years. Also, if he enters into some sort of "relationship" with Cuddy, it would not be like what he had with Stacy, it will be unconventional and complicated, and they would probably spend the majority of it arguing lol, but it could work for them. You are right though, a relationship between them might ultimately fail, but I don't think their dynamic would change any if they were together and then broke up. Like I said before though, I really can't see them with anyone else but each other, so I wouldn't mind both of them ending up alone. Whatever the outcome, I am looking forward to how the writers are going to deal with this arc and further develop their characters.

I love that about them. Their dynamic won't change. I'm just so happy about that. lol!

I know, I know... actually that sort of dynamics builds up the tension needed for hot sex! so, it's something even more welcome XD

Love how u think blaukat!! XDDDD

LOL yess!!!The sex will be so HOTT, they have been waiting 20 years, its about time!!

You know it!! If Cuddy has her groove back for a kiss *coughsmakeoutsession* she deff has her groove back for hot sexx!!!!!!