After the relatively light-hearted Occam's Razor, the fourth episode of House goes in a more serious direction, offering 40 minutes of very intense storytelling, as far removed as possible from Bryan Singer's more humorous approach (ironically, Maternity is directed by Singer collaborator Newton Thomas Sigel, best known as a cinematographer).
The scenario presented by the episode is the textbook definition of "nightmarish": several babies in the maternity ward start showing similar symptoms, suggesting that Princeton Plainsboro has been hit by a potentially fatal epidemic. As the case turns into a race against the clock, House has to make extraordinary use of his brilliant mind, while still finding time to mock his staff.
Like a perfectly paced thriller, Maternity moves quickly, focusing more on dramatic tension than character development, which, given the case-of-the-week structure of the series, isn't a big problem. Besides, there is some room for humor, as House's clinical case allows for a hilarious discussion about "parasites" and yet another showcase of Hugh Laurie's impeccable sarcasm. Very, very good.
The scenario presented by the episode is the textbook definition of "nightmarish": several babies in the maternity ward start showing similar symptoms, suggesting that Princeton Plainsboro has been hit by a potentially fatal epidemic. As the case turns into a race against the clock, House has to make extraordinary use of his brilliant mind, while still finding time to mock his staff.
Like a perfectly paced thriller, Maternity moves quickly, focusing more on dramatic tension than character development, which, given the case-of-the-week structure of the series, isn't a big problem. Besides, there is some room for humor, as House's clinical case allows for a hilarious discussion about "parasites" and yet another showcase of Hugh Laurie's impeccable sarcasm. Very, very good.