House, M.D.: Season Six

It's always been a tricky balance to keep House, M.D. interesting while hewing to what has become a familiar formula: a medical mystery, failed attempts at diagnosis, followed by inspiration, insight, and cure—the whole flavored by the titular character's blend of insults and sarcasm. The 2009–10 season sixth season opens with the feature-length episode “Broken,” which shakes up the recipe: Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie)—TV's favorite Vicodin-popping, soap opera–addicted, misanthropic genius—is in a psychiatric hospital, which he sees as his last shot to kick his addictions and get his license back. Suffice it to say that, after initial resistance and a duel of wits with his doctor (guest star Andre Braugher), House returns to his old position a changed man … sort of. Some habits can't be broken, including his compulsion to solve seemingly insoluble cases (which is about the only thing that distracts him from the chronic pain in his leg) while manipulating others and displaying raging arrogance, all of which surface here as he bullies his old team into reuniting (breaking up a marriage in the process), along the way struggling with his demons and a complicated relationship with his boss, Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein). Costars Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer, Jennifer Morrison, Olivia Wilde, and Peter Jacobson are all back for more abuse. Compiling all 21 season episodes, DVD/Blu-ray extras include episode commentaries, an original short featuring Laurie, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is an interactive “Beginner's Guide to Diagnostic Medicine.” Recommended. (S. Axmaker)