connie (and aileann),

okay put me in the dense corner...

I didn't think he cared one whit about hurting House's feelings

then why did Wilson say he didn't want to hurt House. Wilson said that he told House his reason for leaving was Amber's death and that he had avoided telling House the truth because he didn't want to hurt House. I took Wilson at his word. I didn't think he was deliberately trying to be cruel to House - he could have been far crueler, it seems to me - but that he knew House wouldn't accept his original "lie."

I thought this explanation fit with House's (and the show's) world view of everyone lies - especially to protect another.

I maybe wasn't clear... I think Wilson was "severing the tie" with House, trying to close the book on their relationship so that House would let him go. Though that could just be my interpretation. I don't know that Wilson is clueless enough to think that would actually work, rather than just making House more determined.

Fox is being coy and not putting House up until 8 days after broadcast. However, these new Old Spice ads with NPH are kind of funny.

BONES was pushing some serious "Old Yeller" type buttons tonight at the end. I guess them doing a dog-fighting episode was inevitable, but no fair going into Disney trauma territory with it.

Did Brennan say her dad could take the dog when she was out of town? I thought he was in jail. What was the final disposition of Max last season? I'm totally blanking.

Max was acquited when the defense put together a plausible case for Brennan being as likely to have killed the FBI guy as Max did. Booth was used as the lynchpin of that defense without warning to him. So Max is free.

This ep was well done. There was a plausible reason for a temporary assistant--I'm assuming all the grad students are getting cycled through--Hodgins and Angela still have attraction despite themselves, and they actually talked about Zach. And Sweets was effective and not so annoying. With Sweets tonight and Cameron last night on House, it's been the week of annoying people not being so annoying.

I quite like Sweets. It took me a little while to get used to him, but his sense of earnest helpfulness (reminds me of Zack) won me over. I loved Parker telling him, but not his dad, about the girl carrying him around.

I forgot House was on last night and my TiVo isn't set for extra time, so I missed the very last bit of Wilson's speech. At least you all were able to catch me up on it. I'm curious to see where they're going to take House emotionally with this. Wilson has been his primary adult relationship for years. I don't think House is going to cope very well.

Brennan needs to get a dog, now.

Max was acquited when the defense put together a plausible case for Brennan being as likely to have killed the FBI guy as Max did. Booth was used as the lynchpin of that defense without warning to him. So Max is free.

Right. I even remember that now, but for some reason I didn't think he went free; just avoided the death penalty.

Yeah, Brennan totally needs a dog. And I can't believe that they made me cry - those bastards.

I agree - Sweets was excellent this episode.

And that moment of connection and then awkwardness between Hodgins and Angela was good.

Given my mood, I came on here first and when I heard there were dogs involved and maybe not in a good way, I decided to forgo this ep. Sounds like it may have been a good plan for me.

(Even though it sounds as if Sweets was adorable in this one.)