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sick_wilson2012-06-13 08:40 am
srsly-yes.livejournal.com) wrote in sick_wilson2012-06-13 08:40 am
Entry tags:
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:
And don't forget to pass the bag of marshmallows to your neighbor.
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?
And don't forget to pass the bag of marshmallows to your neighbor.
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Wilson attempts to portray an image of stability and normality; a good and honest doctor, clean-pressed labcoat and tie, a good wife and a good home...I think it's in his intense desire to keep up this image, and the fact that we slowly and subtly see it crumbling over time, unexpectedly, that make him a prime candidate. House and Wilson been friends for awhile, and House had met the rest of his family before Wilson mentions Danny for the first time. It's not revealed that Wilson has depression until Season 3. Even though his marriages suck, he's never one to end them, he'd rather suffer the pain of misery than the pain of loneliness. Throughout the entire series we see him suffering by House's side through every reckless action House decides to take, seeing how much it pains Wilson. (Although of course we learn that House is willing to do the same...)
I think that House shakes up Wilson's image of perfection, and we see him in a constant state of stress, whether it's hands on the hips, gripping at his neck, pinching at the bridge of his nose...He's like a bomb waiting to go off and we all know House likes playing with explosives...
I think I first discovered Wilson was a prime candidate when I began reading these stories. It's interesting, but it seems as though the creative people at this comm picked up on something that it took TPTB longer to pick up on...an ailing Wilson really does bring House's caring side to light, often, as I've seen so beautifully (and IC) written, in a way that is gruff but no less sincere.
Was it unfair what TPTB did to Wilson...Well...cancer does happen. It can be rather abrupt and unexpected. It showed us different sides to both House and Wilson. (TBH, I'm just glad they didn't kill him. He may have been dying at the end, but he wasn't dead.)
Also...I think that another thing that makes him a prime candidate is the fact that we often see him suffering in silence, holding everything in until he can't take it anymore. Like when Wilson lies to House in "Cane and Able," and he says, "I was afraid you'd think you were God...and that your wings would melt." He doesn't break down until after House leaves. Or in the Season 4 finale. He breaks down in his office (where he tried to be alone), when he's alone with a dying Amber, and when he's entirely alone in Amber's apartment. And God, that scene where he leaves her coffee cup untouched still gets to me...And we also know that his anger often builds up and builds up until something ends up broken...
Wilson isn't boring. Wilson is a puzzle. If his sickness, whether physical or emotional, were obvious on the surface, House wouldn't find him interesting.
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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.
no subject
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.
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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.
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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! :)
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*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? ;-)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. :)
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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?
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I agree with you that Wilson's heart was always in the right place with House, even when his actions weren't wise.
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