If ever there was an episode of the Fox show House that reminded me why that show has joined my guilty pleasures list, it was the episode Airborne in which House is on an airplane when the dreaded words "is there a doctor on board?" are uttered.

The show managed to drive home the importance of not scuba diving in close proximity to flying while also making fun of the lavs with House sending half the plane's occupants to expel their meals from which he's sure they got food poisoning, and pointed out just how many people on board an airplane have prescriptions in the carry on bags. (I for one ALWAYS travel with ALL my prescriptions in my carry on bag these days, I've had bags delayed up to three days when I went on an international trip, and while I did have my medications on me, others did not, and the stories I heard of their trying to figure out replacements in a country where they didn't speak the language left a lasting impression. Oh, and a helpful note in that vein, when traveling over seas know the GENERIC name of your prescription meds, not just the brand name, as the pharmacists over there can look up the Generic name with greater ease. I learned that from a 80 year old man whose heart-medication didn't make it to Barcelona with him.)

The episode also poked fun at their own show, when House calls upon three passengers to "help" and gives each instructions on how to behave. Each is, one would assume, taking the place of Foreman, Chase and Cameron, though his instructions aren't highly specific, they are nonetheless entertaining. (No matter what I say you agree... you say you don't understand... and you act morally outraged.)

Two thumbs up for a very talented cast that speaks the medical lingo with shocking ease, or so it seems to me as a viewer, and teaches me things in almost every episode, things that have been relevant to my own life (such as people with metal in their bodies can't have MRIs) and things that were simply interesting (houses built before a certain time used to be connected for electricity to go from one house to another... which is why people in older houses might want to tell their neighbors when they have their house tempted by the exterminator, there is a reason after all that the occupants have to go stay in a hotel.)

I'm not convinced I'd want Dr. Greg House treating me, his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, but from the outside looking in the humor factor is not only high up on the scale, but is still funny when the episode reruns, as, if we are lucky, these episodes will continue to do for years to come. Along with newer and even funnier ones of course!

posted by Kay Tuesday, April 10, 2007