House - Season 4 - Complete [DVD]

How do you keep a medical show, entering its fourth series, fresh for another round of episodes? If you?re House, it?s easy: get rid of the main team, and have a new bunch come along and audition to be doctors. It?s a very House thing to do, and it makes the first half of season four an absolute blast.

Much of the reason for that of course is Hugh Laurie, in the title role. As House, he manages to turn himself into the medical Simon Cowell, chucking out outrageously sarcastic asides, while also giving space to the intriguing collection of supporting players. It?s a stunning performance. On top of that is the usual assortment of medical mysteries, including a brilliantly constructed remote diagnosis of a patient stuck in the South Pole.

Even when the audition phase is over, House has plenty to offer, not least a terrific concluding two-parter that continually pulls the proverbial rug. And the ingenuity of the scriptwriters shouldn?t go without praise, continually delivering a series of brilliant medical whodunits for Laurie and his team to solve.

If there?s a problem with House season four, it?s that it tries to cram too many characters in there, but it?s not a serious concern. For it?s a show that knuckles down and gets on with things quickly, continually managing to surprise and entertain. You may never want to be treated by Dr House, but it?s enormous fun watching him treat others? --Simon Brew