Login or register
TV
<-- Previous EpisodeNext Episode -->

House: Poison

A young high school male comes in to the hospital with a lethal poisoning, but neither House or the rest of his team can find out what has caused it. House decides to send Cameron and Chase to the teen's home to find the hot new drug House is sure he's taking. They don't find drugs, but do find something that would explain his symptoms. That is until another student comes in with the exact same symptoms. Meanwhile, an 82-year-old patient becomes obsessed with House who is trying to figure out the basis of her renewed fascination with her sexual feelings.


8.9/10 (10 Votes cast)

Episode Info


Episode number: 1x8
Production Number: HOU-108
Airdate: Tuesday January 25th, 2005

Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Matt Witten

Alternate Airdates:

FI (MTV3) Nov 09, 2006
Czech Republic Nov 22, 2006
NL (SBS 6) Jun 17, 2008

Guest Stars
Roxanne HartRoxanne Hart
As Margo Davis
Kurt FullerKurt Fuller
As Mark Adams
Andy MilderAndy Milder
As Bus Driver
McNally SagalMcNally Sagal
As Mrs. Miller
Shirley KnightShirley Knight
As Georgia Adams

Co-Guest Stars
Kenya D. WilliamsonKenya D. Williamson
As Nurse
Recurring
Jim LauJim Lau
As Chou-Young Ling
Linda WangLinda Wang
As Jen Ling
Molly MankiewiczMolly Mankiewicz
As Blonde Woman
Ulysses LeeUlysses Lee
As Chi Ling

Uncredited
Nina AvetisovaNina Avetisova
As Patient #2
Main Cast
Hugh LaurieHugh Laurie
As Dr. Gregory House
Lisa EdelsteinLisa Edelstein
As Dr. Lisa Cuddy
Omar EppsOmar Epps
As Dr. Eric Foreman
Robert Sean LeonardRobert Sean Leonard
As Dr. James Wilson
Jesse SpencerJesse Spencer
As Dr. Robert Chase
Jennifer MorrisonJennifer Morrison
As Dr. Allison Cameron

Recap

At an AP calculus exam, Matt Davis is among the students taking a test. A girl receives a text message sending her answers, and the teacher comes over to investigate. She demands the cell phone and Matt tries to get her attention to use his restroom. Mrs. Miller finally agrees to get him an escort, but Matt tries to get up, hallucinating what she's saying. The other students realize that he's sick and Matt collapses...

Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Organophosphate poisoning
The culprit in this episode was an organophosphate. Many of these compounds are toxic. They are used as insecticides, herbicides and nerve gases (the famous Sarin nerve gases are this sort of chemical). They work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Breaking this metabolic path prevents the neuron that is sensitive to the transmitter (called a cholinergic neuron) from returning to a resting state. This inhibits nerve impulse transmission and causes paralysis and eventually cell death. Many of these insecticides can be absorbed directly through the skin; organophosphate poisoning is an ongoing problem in rural areas.



Episode Quotes
Dr. Foreman: The kid was just taking his AP calculus exam when all of a sudden he got nauseous and disoriented.
Dr. House: That's the way calculus presents.

Dr. House: I want you to go to his house and find his stash. I'll bet you know all the good hiding spots.
Dr. Foreman: Actually, I never did drugs.
Dr. House: (to Cameron) Better go with him. In case he gets high.

Dr. Foreman: You know why House thinks I'm a druggie?
Dr. Cameron: This is going to be a racial thing, isn't it?

Dr. Cameron: You really never did any drugs?
Dr. Foreman: Now this is gonna be a racial thing.
Dr. Cameron: Deflecting a personal question with a joke. Gee, who do I know that does that?
Dr. Foreman: Yeah, I’m just like him. Except for the angry, bitter, pompous, cripple part.
Dr. Cameron: Maybe we should all pitch in and get you a nice cane. You already have the matching gym shoes.

Georgia Adams: I notice colors more. And music. I...I'm really hearing music. I'm eighty-two, and I'm supposed to be playing canasta with the other old ladies, but…now when I see a guy with a cute butt... I just can't stop looking at him. (ogles House) Or a sexy beard.
Dr. House: And you figure that enjoying cute butts is a sign of disease?

Georgia Adams: And now...I think about Ashton (Kutcher) all the time. (whispers) All the time.
Dr. House: Ah.
Georgia Adams: You remind me of him. Same bedroom eyes.
Dr. House: People are always mixing us up.

Dr. House: I assume "minimal at best" is your stiff upper lip British way of saying "no chance in hell"?
Dr. Chase: I'm Australian.
Dr. House: You put the Queen on your money. You're British.

Dr. Cameron: Are there any stronger treatments for the organophosphate poisoning?
Dr. House: Oh, damn it, you caught me. We went with the weak stuff. Just trying to save a little money.

Dr. Cameron: I'll check into it.
Dr. Foreman: I'll make the call.
Dr. Chase: I'll keep the kid alive. For a while at least.
Dr. House: I'll have lunch.

Dr. Wilson: (quoting Georgia's poem) "The healer with his magic powers! / I could rub his gentle brow for hours. / His manly chest, his stubbled jaw, / Everything about him leave me raw..."
Dr. House: Psych ward's upstairs
Dr. Wilson: "...with joy. Oh, House, your very name / Will never leave this girl the same." It's not bad for an 82-year-old. She asked me to give that to her true love.
Dr. House: What can I say? Chicks with no teeth turn me on.
Dr. Wilson: That's fairly disgusting.
Dr. House: And that's ageism.
Dr. Wilson: You better watch yourself around this babe.

Dr. Cuddy: (to House) Her only sign of mental illness is that she disagrees with you. Some would consider that a sign of sanity.

Margo Davis: Who are you?
Dr. House: I'm the doctor who's trying to save your son. You're the mom who's letting him die. Clarification-–it's a beautiful thing.

Dr. House: Would you step outside for a minute, Mr. Adams?
Mark Adams: Why?
Dr. House: Because you irritate me.

Dr. House: Well, you’re getting good at this God-like doctor racket. Why don’t you talk her out of this lunacy?
Dr. Foreman: She’s not really a big fan of mine.
Dr. Chase: Or mine.
Dr. House: Well, only one male left in the bullpen, and he throws like a girl.
Dr. Cameron: I hate sports metaphors.

Dr. House: I'm sorry--the fact that the sexual pleasure center of your cerebral cortex has been overstimulated by spirochetes is a poor basis for a relationship. I learned that one the hard way.

Dr. Wilson: Hey, I'm a man - I don't have time for laundry. I'm saving lives here!

Margo Davis: What makes you think you're right this time?
Dr. House: The same thing as last time.

Dr. House: Although there's a real good chance...
Margo Davis: What? Matt might kick off?
Dr. House: It's a little blunt. I was going to say "run out of time." Just kinda let my voice trail off...

Matt Davis: Who are those guys?
Margo Davis: Oh, they're the arrogant jerks that saved your life.



Episode Goofs
The students are seen taking the AP Calculus exam. Later, when Cameron is looking for poison in the garage, she is wearing a long coat and gloves. The problem is that the AP Calculus exam is only given (nationwide) in May which means it would be too warm to be wearing a coat and gloves in New Jersey at that time of year.



Cultural References
Dr. Wilson: Godot would be faster.

Wilson is referring to the title of Beckett's most famous work, Waiting for Godot. Beckett uses the characters' interaction to symbolise the tedium and meaninglessness of modern life, both major themes of the existentialists.



Other Episode Crew

CreatorDavid Shore
Executive ProducerBryan Singer  |  Katie Jacobs  |  David Shore  |  Paul Attanasio
Co-Executive ProducerJohn Mankiewicz
Supervising ProducerMatt Witten  |  Thomas L. Moran
ProducerGerrit Van Der Meer
Consulting ProducerPeter Blake (2)  |  Sara B. Cooper  |  Daniel Sackheim
Associate ProducerBruce J. Nachbar  |  Steven Heth  |  Marcy G. Kaplan
Production DesignerMark Hutman
EditorChristopher Nelson (1)  |  Marta Evry
CastingAmy Lippens
Unit Production ManagerGerrit Van Der Meer
First Assistant DirectorCarol Green
Second Assistant DirectorKorey Pollard
MusicJason Derlatka  |  Jon Ehrlich
Music EditorMichael Baber
Costume DesignerCathy Crandall
Key GripMarlin Hall
Camera OperatorSteven H. Smith
Set DesignerPeter Clemens
Set DecoratorCindy Carr
Location ManagerMichelle Latham
Transportation CoordinatorSteve De Leon
Property MasterMatt Cavaliero
Production Sound MixerBeau Baker
Script SupervisorIra Hurvitz
Production CoordinatorTammi Campbell
Script CoordinatorDustin Paddock
Assistant EditorJason Freeman
Post Production SupervisorJ.R. Nachbar  |  Allen Marshall Palmer
Supervising Sound EditorBarbara Issak
Re-Recording MixerRichard Weingart  |  Gerry Lentz
GafferThomas R. Barone
Director of PhotographyWalt Lloyd
Story EditorJoel Anderson Thompson
Art DirectorRobert Henderson (1)
Executive Story EditorLawrence Kaplow (1)
Costume SupervisorKaren Bellamy
Main Title ThemeJason Derlatka  |  Massive Attack  |  Jon Ehrlich
Visual Effects SupervisorElan Soltes
Production AccountantJane Williams (2)
Department Head HairKarl Wesson
Casting AssociateStephanie Laffin
Medical Technical AdvisorLisa Sanders  |  Harley Liker  |  Michael Giordano  |  Bobbin Bergstrom
Department Head Make-upVivian Baker
Executive In Charge Of ProductionAlex Garcia (2)  |  Brian Pines
Assistant To The Executive ProducerRachel Light  |  Jenny Paul  |  Matt Lewis  |  Jason Taylor (3)
Video CoordinatorMark L. Marcum
Video OperatorSteve Galloway (2)
Technical ConsultantDavid Foster (1)
 

Awake's Creator And Star Discuss The Series Finale

Last night saw the ending of one of the most creative new dramas of the last..

The Bachelorette Premiere Brought Out the Usual Suspects and a Few Good Men.

Last Monday marked the premiere of “The Bachelorette” in..

Pan Am To Continue On Amazon Streaming?

A couple weeks back, ABC officially canceled the freshman drama Pan Am after a short run of..
TVrage Footer