There are DEFINITELY spoilers - DO NOT READ if you do not want to know what the key points are in the plot. This review points out *why* this episode has stood the test of time in the series - this is being written mid-S7.
House is at his thorny best both sarcastically and medically. The POTW (Andie) is a young cancer patient of Wilson's, who comes in with unusual symptoms - and unusual bravery in the face of eventual certain death from cancer. However, her current symptoms don't fit her cancer progression. What truly intrigues House with this case is Andie's bravery. He refuses to believe a nine-year-old girl can truly be brave, and insists that it is simply a symptom of her current medical crisis.
Andie (played beautifully by Sasha Pieterse) shows from the beginning of the episode how well she is able to face her cancer - singing "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera in front of her mirror, when she goes into a seizure, which brings her back to Princeton-Plainsboro. While she is going through testing, the writers use her talent well to show an unusual, interesting ethical dilemma - Andie asks Chase for a kiss, since she's convinced she will probably die before she has the chance for one. Chase chooses to give her one; something he obviously pays for once it is revealed during a differential.
House also comes up with one of the most interesting/unusual medical procedures in the entire series (extremely risky, of course), and the combination of humor and snarkiness during the rehearsal of the procedure is great.
Cuddy is not in the episode as much as I would have liked, but her banter with House is always wonderful.
The music in this episode is part of how memorable this episode is. As Andie recovers after House puts her through this risky experimental procedure, "In The Deep" (Bird York) plays as scenes flash: House thinking about the case, Foreman telling the neurosurgeon where to look despite his doubts and finding the problem, Andie's mother smiling and crying as Andie wakes up, Wilson informing House that the blood clot was not responsible for her bravery, Andie leaving the hospital and saying goodbye to the staff - even giving House a hug.
With both Wilson and Andie's comments in House's head that he should start living life - Andie suggesting he go outside for a walk, Wilson saying that Andie enjoys life more than House does - he walks towards a motorcycle shop, with "Beautiful" playing in his iPod at the end of the episode - only this time, it's Elvis Costello singing. House decides to test drive one, wandering along a beautiful rural setting, with the lyrics fading out as he fades off-screen.
All of these elements weave together beautifully. It's why this episode stands out after all this time.
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