honestly, that's why I have never, ever been in favor of a present-day relationship between House and Cuddy - her characterization as a strong person could only suffer when she allowed him that much more power over her. UST is awesome, but between them? I have always vastly preferred the less sexualized, more guilt-driven dynamic that was present in the early seasons. And that's why I enjoyed Thirteen a lot, when I was still watching - yeah, there was some UST, because titular character and hot younger woman. But she took no shit back then.

House and Wilson were much, MUCH more interesting before the show itself moved from explaining their actions towards excusing them.

yeah, I totally agree. For one thing, I wouldn't have met you! Or damelola! But we've all grown a lot, I think, and part of that was away from what the show has moved towards excusing rather than showing, and part of it was watching the virulent and tiresome attitudes of the people around us. I miss the show I used to enjoy, but I will never miss having to excuse the feelings it evoked in me or the ways in which my opinions were curbed by the general standards of behavior in the fan-spaces.