House episode 6-7
Nov. 10th, 2009 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deelaundryFor once, I mostly want to reflect on the serious in this episode. It really bothered me that they kept calling what Wilson did "murder." He didn't murder (kill with intent) anyone; he provided the means for someone to commit suicide. That's still something you (and he) can debate the right and wrong of, but it's not murder.
What Chase did, on the other hand, is murder. First-degree murder, by US law: "murder committed with malice aforethought, characterized by deliberation or premeditation." Is linking it to Wilson's almost-euthanasia intended to be a comparison, downplaying what Chase did, or a contrast, highlighting what Chase did? I don't know, and that bothers me.
It's also interesting that Chase, who committed the more serious act by US law (and by my own moral judgment, although that's less relevant to the discussion) is trying to avoid taking any consequence, while Wilson with the less serious, less culpable act is trying to take on more consequence than, I can argue and House does argue, he deserves.
Does this mean that Wilson is more moral than Chase? I don't think so. I think they both went to extremes and tied themselves into knots due to their own pathologies. Wilson had the benefit of a good friend getting through to him (albeit in an underhanded, twisted way) and being there for him. Chase has been avoiding letting the one who's closest to him be there for him, and I think it's because he knows what the priest told him is right. He won't feel he deserves absolution until he both faces the enormity of what he did and accepts the just consequence of the murder he has committed.
What Chase did, on the other hand, is murder. First-degree murder, by US law: "murder committed with malice aforethought, characterized by deliberation or premeditation." Is linking it to Wilson's almost-euthanasia intended to be a comparison, downplaying what Chase did, or a contrast, highlighting what Chase did? I don't know, and that bothers me.
It's also interesting that Chase, who committed the more serious act by US law (and by my own moral judgment, although that's less relevant to the discussion) is trying to avoid taking any consequence, while Wilson with the less serious, less culpable act is trying to take on more consequence than, I can argue and House does argue, he deserves.
Does this mean that Wilson is more moral than Chase? I don't think so. I think they both went to extremes and tied themselves into knots due to their own pathologies. Wilson had the benefit of a good friend getting through to him (albeit in an underhanded, twisted way) and being there for him. Chase has been avoiding letting the one who's closest to him be there for him, and I think it's because he knows what the priest told him is right. He won't feel he deserves absolution until he both faces the enormity of what he did and accepts the just consequence of the murder he has committed.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-11 02:26 am (UTC)Wilson provided the means for a dying, chronic-pain patient to commit suicide if that person wanted to. Cameron committed the actual act of killing a chronic-pain dying patient who wanted to die. Chase committed the actual act of killing a patient who most definitely did not want to die.
Wilson had indirect action, willing patient. Cameron had direct action, willing patient. Chase had direct action, unwilling patient.
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There's a lot of interesting dialogue in the balcony bit that then gets dropped later, but at least Wilson's bringing it up. House does tend to act to "correct" things in Wilson's life a lot, either to help Wilson or to show him up. Fans complain about Wilson's nagging (and that is very annoying), but House thinks just as much or even more that he's the one who knows what's best for Wilson. He tends to be right, but he's still taking away Wilson's agency (to use a phrase someone said about Thirteen in an earlier episode).
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The scene I wanted to ask about was at the beginning when Wilson is packing for the trip and grumping because House is trying to blow off the conference. Why do you think Wilson kept his back turned to House and didn't face him? In the direction, was that supposed to signify something?