sick_wilson | Campfire Chat #1

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Campfire Chat #1

Howdy Campers!

Do you know what time it is?! Why it's time to break out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars, and raise our conversation to an all-time sugar high.

Today's topic: The Saddest Man in New Jersey

That's what RSL called Wilson during the series. Now that it's over let's revisit the concept. What is it about Wilson that makes him sick!fic fodder? Is it built into the character or does RSL bring that "certain something"? What makes us pick up on it? With the finale we know even tptb saw and wanted to exploit it. Is it because Wilson is House’s sole support system, and the key to House’s vulnerability, or is it intrinsic to Wilson?

Bonus questions:

When did you first discover Wilson was a prime candidate for suffering?
Was it unfair what tptb did to Wilson?

As in years past, please feel free to air your opinions and discuss amongst yourselves.

And don't forget to pass the bag of marshmallows to your neighbor.

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What interesting observations. It's always great to get different perspectives. It helps me see things in a new way or revives forgotten speculation.

I think that what makes Wilson sick!fic fodder, is that the series, especially the last arc proved, is that Wilson isn't someone you really expect to be sad or sick.
Isn't that true! It's an illusion, and I don't know why. A few episodes before the finale arc I made a comment in a discussion that Wilson was indestructible with titanium bones and Kevlar skin. And yet, looking at the sick!Wilson screencap gallery reminded me that Wilson had a broken (?) wrist and hurt his hand when he punched House, has allergies, and apparently does suffer from migraines.

He's like a bomb waiting to go off and we all know House likes playing with explosives...
What a great description for both House and Wilson. In the early years, I believe Wilson was more unflappable. Maybe House finally got to him. But there are loads of examples later. When I rewatch the series, I'd like to pinpoint when he changed (could it be 3x22 Resignation?), and note how often Wilson goes kaboom.

we often see him suffering in silence, holding everything in until he can't take it anymore.
Yes, and want House to witness it. *wibbles* I wonder how often House has seen Wilson cry--beyond what we witnessed in the series.

I wonder how often House has seen Wilson cry--beyond what we witnessed in the series.

I'm not sure why, but this conjured up an image for me of Wilson during House's infarction, sitting in the living room in tears, with the TV on in the background so as not to be heard, with House peeking out of his room for the first time in weeks, seeing Wilson crying, and promptly getting back into bed.

My guess would be either not very often, because Wilson has proven to be proficient at hiding things from House, or more often than Wilson realizes, as House has also proven to be clever at figuring Wilson out (although never completely, hence a neverending puzzle).

And, I forgot to mention it, but a scene that really paints Wilson as the saddest man in New Jersey is in the Tritter arc, when Wilson tells Tritter he won't testify against House, Tritter tells Wilson that Wilson will go to jail, and Wilson says "Better me, than him." Ouch.

I'm not sure why, but this conjured up an image for me of Wilson during House's infarction, sitting in the living room in tears,
Definitely. I can see it.

Wilson tells Tritter he won't testify against House, Tritter tells Wilson that Wilson will go to jail, and Wilson says "Better me, than him." Ouch.
Double ouch. I could be wrong, but I think this scene sometimes gets overshadowed by all the drama of Wilson turning House in. It's too late, but nevertheless important. It's like Wilson finally deciding to do chemo because he realizes how important House is to him.

When I rewatch the series, I'd like to pinpoint when he changed (could it be 3x22 Resignation?), and note how often Wilson goes kaboom.

I've always thought Season 3, in general, marked a big shift in the way they wrote Wilson. He became sadder, less confident, less of an equal match for House (that whole Tritter arc portrayed him as something of a whipping boy for House). And then later (Resignation, correct?) we find out he's on antidepressants.

I have soooo many more thoughts on the "Saddest Man in NJ" topic, LOL -- but I should be working, so I'll have to save em for later! :)

I've always thought Season 3, in general, marked a big shift in the way they wrote Wilson.
*Note to self--must rewatch series* I bet you're right. Which begs the question, who is the real Wilson? If he was depicted as confident in the first two and we saw the more easily rattled version in the last 6, then the earlier version was a facade? Or did his dealings with Tritter and realization about House's abilities change him?

I have soooo many more thoughts on the "Saddest Man in NJ" topic, LOL -- but I should be working, so I'll have to save em for later! :)
Do come back now, ya' hear? ;-)

Wilson is everyone's go-to guy. He projects an image of strength, and beneath that he genuinely is strong, but there is another side to him. When Wilson leaves Julie alone on Christmas to be with House and says he doesn't want to talk about it, when he admits to House that he is going through something and might welcome a conversation with a friend, and in Histories when he talks about Danny--those are the first instances I can think of when we see him in pain. I don't remember when that Christmas episode was, but Histories was S1 IIRC.

When did I discover I liked sick!Wilson? Like petitecuriosity, it was probably when I read some of the awesome fics. And Danny grabbed my attention. That's not a typical storyline. I wanted to try my hand at it.

Edited 2012-06-13 17:32 (UTC)

I know Histories was 1x10--it's engraved on my heart. The Christmas episode... *checks

clinic_duty is 1x5, "Damned if you Do." Yep, Wilson was a buttoned up guy back in the day.

When did I discover I liked sick!Wilson? Like petitecuriosity, it was probably when I read some of the awesome fics. And Danny grabbed my attention. That's not a typical storyline. I wanted to try my hand at it.
All kinds of awesome in that statement. I totally identify with it. I'll just suggest that there is still something intrinsic in Wilson that pulls at our heartstrings. I could read an identical story about Chase (no offense to any of his fans), but it wouldn't move me at all.

RSL brings something special to the character, I think. There were some awesome Wilson writers too, and they're due a huge helping of praise, but Wilson also got some really odd things to say and do, and RSL pulled it off while Keeping Wilson sympathetic. I don't think there are many actors who could have.

Praise be to Doris!

RSL pulled it off while Keeping Wilson sympathetic. I don't think there are many actors who could have.
At times, the writers gave him little to work with. I think RSL's stage training paid off.

When I rewatch the series, I'd like to pinpoint when he changed (could it be 3x22 Resignation?), and note how often Wilson goes kaboom.

I first noticed a subtle change in Wilson's personality at the beginning of season 3, but at the time, I couldn't figure out exactly what it was. He just seemed different somehow, like he wasn't as self-assured as he was in the first couple of seasons. But the more I thought about it, I figured that he was still pretty shaken up about House getting shot, and how close he may have come to losing him. And if so, then it would make sense that he'd feel even more protective of House, and do whatever it took to keep him safe, even if some of his efforts were a little misguided sometimes. I think his heart has always been in the right place. :)

Edited 2012-06-13 19:57 (UTC)

But the more I thought about it, I figured that he was still pretty shaken up about House getting shot, and how close he may have come to losing him.
Wow! I must check that out. It's insights like these that make me wish I could ask RSL directly [like that would ever happen], if he had worked up a subtext for the episode, or talked to the writers about his character.

Maybe the moment House got shot was to Wilson, what Wilson's cancer was to House?

I definitely felt that Wilson was different right off the bat in Season 3, as I mentioned to

srsly_yes above. With the combination of his divorce (especially finding out it was his wife cheating this time), the situation with Grace, then House getting shot, I guess it makes sense that he would change. Then the rift with House during the Tritter arc, and we get Wilson on antidepressants (I guess he just started using them around the time of 'Resignation' since House just started noticing the yawning side effect at that point).

I agree with you that Wilson's heart was always in the right place with House, even when his actions weren't wise.

To me that's key. He makes mistakes, as we all do, but what he does comes from love.

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Campfire Chat #1

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