Quite aside from finally introducing Hugh Laurie to the US masses, House is simply the finest medical drama show ever.

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Product Description

Go deeper into the medical mysteries of House, TV's most compelling new drama, as all 22 Season One episodes and exclusive bonus features come to DVD! Hugh Laurie stars as the brilliant, but sarcastic Dr. Gregory House, a maverick physician who is devoid of bedside manner. While his behavior can border on antisocial, Dr. House thrives on the challenge of solving the medical puzzles that other doctors give up on. Together with his hand-picked team of young medical experts, he'll do whatever it takes in the race against the clock to solve the case.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #305 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 999 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
He pops pills, watches soaps, and always, always says what's on his mind. He's Dr. Gregory House (Emmy nominee Hugh Laurie, Blackadder). Producers David Shore, Bryan Singer, Katie Jacobs, and Paul Attanasio haven't rewritten the hospital drama, but they've infused a moribund genre with new life and created one of TV's most compelling characters.

More than any previous medical procedural, it resembles Attanasio’s underrated Gideon's Crossing, but House is lighter on its feet. As fascinating as he is, the show wouldn't work as well if it were all House all the time (that would be like Sherlock Holmes without Watson or Moriarty). Fortunately, he's joined by an intriguing cast of characters, portrayed by a combination of experienced vets (Omar Epps, Lisa Edelstein, Tony winner Robert Sean Leonard) and new faces (Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer). Aside from the complicated cases they tackle each week, the sparks really fly when House's brilliant, if naïve charges are put to the test--and as the head of a teaching hospital, it's his job to test them (although his tough love approach is constantly landing him in hot water with Edelstein's administrator).

From the first episode, House attracted a talented array of guests, including Robin Tunney ("Pilot"), Joe Morton ("Role Model"), and Patrick Bauchau ("Cursed") as Spencer’s father. In addition, Chi McBride and Sela Ward appear frequently (with Ward returning for the second season). Viewers who first watched these 22 episodes will be gratified to note that the music has survived the transition to disc, such as the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want," as featured in both the pilot and season finale ("Honeymoon"). The only apparent omission is the credit theme (Massive Attack's "Teardrop") from the pilot. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Synopsis
Part E.R. and part C.S.I., HOUSE is a medical mystery television show that's appealing due to its creative camerawork, interesting characters, and twisting plotlines. Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is a brilliant medical professional, but often alienates his patients and co-workers because of his abrasive manner and bitterness. In each episode House is faced with a person exhibiting a number of unusual symptoms, and along with his team of dedicated doctors and nurses, must discover what strange illness is afflicting the patient... before it's too late! The show moves at a rapid pace, spurred by its turning and suspenseful plotlines and the lively interaction between the characters, played by a strong supporting cast that includes Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps, and Sela Ward. HOUSE: SEASON ONE collects all 22 episodes of the programme's first year.

From the Back Cover
There are no subtitles included on this set.

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Customer Reviews

Not your average medical drama
Everything about House is a little bit different; the teaching hospital setting, the stylish glass and wood interiors and of course the acerbicly witty Dr Gregory House (Hugh Laurie). However, as with many US series, designed to be drawn out over hundreds of episodes, you won't notice all its facets at first. The show has a very particular formula - a medical whodunnit (or whatisit) where a patient is admitted with mysterious or misdiagnosed symptoms. House and his team of junior doctors spend the episode using differential diagnosis to try and find the cause of the symptoms before it's too late - which occasionally it is. On watching the first few episodes of the first season, you'll mainly find that it's this formula being developed and the writers using the hook of Dr House's dry wit to lure viewers. However investing a little time in the show and you'll start to see the central and supporting characters blossom and develop in different directions, and the inventiveness of the different ailments and approaches to diagnosis stops the format from becoming stale - in fact a format such as this is refreshing compared to the complicated, twisted threads and general chaos that defines dramas like ER.

A different story each episode, twinned with decent development arcs for the characters, gives House the best of both worlds, making it an easy show to pick up but also one that holds your interest. Hugh Laurie in the central role has become a very memorable character, with his comic timing not wasted on House's barbed, irreverent tongue. The writers don't let this overshadow the rest of the excellent cast though, making a very well rounded television series.

The DVD box set doesn't feature any extravagant packaging, however the set does include a few interesting extras which genuinely gives insight into the series. Although the following series are arguably better, if you start from series two or three (as I did), you will find yourself backtracking to pick up on the character development. Definitely recommended.

One of the most captivating dramas on TV, but the DVD...
The format of 'House' can't be considered mind-blowingly original, or mould-breaking. As the creators admit on the largely extremely disappointing special features, they wanted to make a CSI-style program set in a hospital, and succeeded. But anyone who has watched the entire series, heart in mouth, chuckling at House's crushing asides but never daring to relieve the tension, knows that this one of the most affecting, life-changing dramas currently showing, expertly cast, brilliantly shot and with writing of real flair and power.

Hugh Laurie is magnificent in the title role, balancing the cold sarcasm of his daily duties with a palpable and heart-rendering fragility that demands sympathy from the viewer even though you're not quite sure you should even care. His accent is flawless and he injects every line with humanity and, on occasions, warmth. He is of course ably supported by his team - Jesse Spenser as the enigmatic Chase is the standout, but Jennifer Morrison's Cameron is just as effective, particularly in the emotionally charged scenes with Laurie. The script is sharp, the sets look authentic and the diagnostic puzzles House and the team solve are rarely anything other than absorbing, often filled with twists. I particularly love the episodes 'Maternity' and 'Fidelity', though the series becomes almost unbearably addictive when approaching the final six episodes or so, where the relationships between the doctors, especially between House and Cameron, comes to the fore.

A shame, then, that those who are desperate to own the series are let down by the DVD packaging. Sure, the front and back covers of the packaging looks fine, but the 4:3 format (as a previous reviewer has pointed out), the lack of any penetrating special features or commentaries, the flimsy DVD cases and the plethora of annoying adverts/public information films which cannot be skipped make for a frustrating viewing experience. If film companies are so desperate to make people buy DVDs rather than download episodes from file-sharing sites and torrents, then they should at least make the real thing look appetising.

Quibbles aside, House is the gold standard for drama - in my opinion it surpasses the often implausible and shock-tactic-prone '24' - and should be viewed with anyone who has any interest in quality drama. The fact that a British institution such as Laurie plays the lead so well is reason enough in itself.

I dont have a drug management problem, I have a pain management problem.
The rating only goes as far as 5, but I would have to go as far as 10 to be accurate.

Not since Richard Chamberlain graced the small screen as Dr Kildare has medical drama been so enticing. We are morbidly curious, knowing that there is no reason to like this character Gregory House. He's rude, the worst kind of example for drug rehabilitators, breaks every kind of rule - and yet we who watch the show religiously love the git.

You can't empathize with him, barely sympathize, yet with every episode you see a deeper sense of morailty mixed with passion that makes you cringe and be drawn to the character.

His three plebes, sorry coworkers, are equally mixed into the plot outline each week. Individually they are strong, well defined characters all on their own. His bestest buddy wilson, and his boss Cutty are the ying to yang in a trio that I haven't seen on screen since Kirk, Spock and McCoy. You will be hooked if you have heard of this series but have yet to give it a try.