I posted a couple of comments at Barbara Barnett's blog--something I haven't done for a very long time. She interviewed the writers for the finale, Peter Blake and Kathy Lingenfelter, and it's a good interview. If you don't mind, I'll repost my shorter comment here because I think it has bearing on what we're discussing.
Referencing Libby, comment #130: I get it. I understand the continual use of metaphor in the series and have enjoyed it for the first six seasons, when it actually meant something. I think most of us also understand it's just a tv show.
My main problem with the metaphors used in this season is that I just don't buy them. They feel like they're a substitute for intelligent storyline. In fact the entire season feels self-indulgent to a large degree, as if the production crew is making home movies and deigning to share them with us. 'Bombshells', aka 'House: the Musical', is probably the best example of this attitude. What on earth was the point of all that excess, except for the writers and production crew to get orgasmic over creating the dream sequences? [I know many people enjoyed the episode; I didn't, obviously. JMO, as always.]
At some point in the proceedings this season, one of the writers tweeted something along the lines of 'wait till you see tonight's episode, you'll wonder what we've been smoking!' That attitude has been pervasive throughout most of the episodes this year. It probably makes for great fun in the writers room and on the set. It doesn't necessarily make for great viewing.
I fully understand what we're watching is basically a medical procedural/allegory. What I dislike intensely is the writers and production crew using the allegory to get off on ever more elaborate gimmicks, stunts and cheap dramatics, and then expecting us to consider those antics sufficient to replace thoughtful, intelligent and insightful drama. There have been glimpses of good writing here and there; I particularly liked 'Unwritten' and 'After Hours', for example. But we shouldn't be getting just glimpses. We should be getting whole episodes. I'm hoping against hope we'll return to good writing and storylines in season 8, but tbh I'm not going to hold my breath.
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Date: 2011-05-28 04:43 pm (UTC)Referencing Libby, comment #130: I get it. I understand the continual use of metaphor in the series and have enjoyed it for the first six seasons, when it actually meant something. I think most of us also understand it's just a tv show.
My main problem with the metaphors used in this season is that I just don't buy them. They feel like they're a substitute for intelligent storyline. In fact the entire season feels self-indulgent to a large degree, as if the production crew is making home movies and deigning to share them with us. 'Bombshells', aka 'House: the Musical', is probably the best example of this attitude. What on earth was the point of all that excess, except for the writers and production crew to get orgasmic over creating the dream sequences? [I know many people enjoyed the episode; I didn't, obviously. JMO, as always.]
At some point in the proceedings this season, one of the writers tweeted something along the lines of 'wait till you see tonight's episode, you'll wonder what we've been smoking!' That attitude has been pervasive throughout most of the episodes this year. It probably makes for great fun in the writers room and on the set. It doesn't necessarily make for great viewing.
I fully understand what we're watching is basically a medical procedural/allegory. What I dislike intensely is the writers and production crew using the allegory to get off on ever more elaborate gimmicks, stunts and cheap dramatics, and then expecting us to consider those antics sufficient to replace thoughtful, intelligent and insightful drama. There have been glimpses of good writing here and there; I particularly liked 'Unwritten' and 'After Hours', for example. But we shouldn't be getting just glimpses. We should be getting whole episodes. I'm hoping against hope we'll return to good writing and storylines in season 8, but tbh I'm not going to hold my breath.