Broken (House)

Broken is the sixteenth episode of the sixth season of the American television medical drama series House. It originally aired on September 21, 2009. The episode was written by David Shore and Russel Friend, and directed by Katie Jacobs.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The episode begins with Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) in the Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital after being admitted for his Vicodin addiction. House is initially resistant to treatment and attempts to manipulate the staff and other patients. However, he eventually begins to engage with the therapy and forms relationships with other patients, including Alvie (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and Lydia (Franka Potente).

House's journey through the psychiatric hospital is marked by his struggle to accept his need for help and his efforts to regain his medical license. Throughout the episode, House's interactions with the hospital staff, including Dr. Darryl Nolan (Andre Braugher), reveal his deep-seated issues and his gradual path to recovery.

Characters[edit | edit source]

Dr. Gregory House - The main character, a brilliant but troubled diagnostician.
Dr. Darryl Nolan - A psychiatrist at Mayfield who oversees House's treatment.
Alvie - A fellow patient at Mayfield who becomes House's friend.
Lydia - A visitor to the hospital who forms a romantic connection with House.

Themes[edit | edit source]

The episode explores themes of addiction, mental health, and the process of recovery. It delves into House's character, revealing his vulnerabilities and the impact of his addiction on his life and career. The episode also highlights the importance of support systems and the challenges of overcoming personal demons.

Reception[edit | edit source]

"Broken" received positive reviews from critics, who praised Hugh Laurie's performance and the episode's handling of sensitive topics. The episode was noted for its departure from the typical format of the series, focusing more on character development and emotional depth.

Production[edit | edit source]

The episode was filmed on location at the Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey. The production team aimed to create a realistic portrayal of a psychiatric hospital, and the cast underwent training to accurately depict the behaviors and interactions of patients and staff.