15 Best House Episodes, Ranked

Summary House, starring Hugh Laurie, cleverly parallels classic Sherlock Holmes stories with a self-destructive, medically gifted main character.

The series thrives on deep character exploration, creating tension through relationships and pushing narrative boundaries for exceptional storytelling.

Standout episodes like "Euphoria: Part 2" and "Everybody Dies" offer gripping plots and emotional depth, showcasing the brilliance of House.

House had a spectacular 176-episode run over its eight years on FOX. Starring Hugh Laurie as the titular self-destructive, egotistical, medically gifted Dr. Gregory House, the series was an innovative twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories. Similarities such as the main character's last name, his best friend, Dr. James Wilson being a play on John Watson, and even House's apartment, 221B Baker Street were all obvious parallels and hints at House's connection to Sherlock Holmes.

Clever and introspective, the series boasts a main cast that displays a range of depth and emotion that drives the story forward and creates tremendous tension. House is a tortured genius who pushes those close to him to their limits and away to protect himself, but the best episodes come from the exploration of his character and the relationships he holds dearest. There are plenty of standout stories, but there were clear times when the writers pushed the narrative even further to create something exceptional.

Related Why House Ended After Season 8 (Was It Canceled?) Following House coming to a close after eight seasons, questions were raised about whether the Hugh Laurie-led medical drama was canceled.

15 "Euphoria: Part 2"

Season 2, Episode 21

There were a number of two-part episodes over the course of House's run with many of them standing out as some of the show's best. "Euphoria: Part 2" brings a close to one of the series' most gripping plots that raise the stakes of the show more than ever.

The episode follows the harrowing previous installment in which a patient was brought to House and his team with a variety of bizarre symptoms that the doctor could not figure out before the patient died. Not only did this present a rare moment on the show in which House was unable to succeed, but it sets up an even more tragic conclusion when Foreman (Omar Epps) begins to experience the same symptoms.

The episode is a thrilling race against the clock to save one of the main cast members. One of the things that happens in every House episode is that there is some mystery to the illness, but this episode brilliantly set House in a losing position and made it clear that he would lose someone dear to him if he did not figure this out.

14 "Under My Skin"

Season 5, Episode 23

There is a riveting case at the center of this House episode involving a ballerina who collapses during her practice. As the team looks into her case, it grows more gruesome by the minute. However, it is not that case that makes "Under My Skin" so exceptional but rather the things House is dealing with in his own life. As his hallucinations grow more severe, he ends up turning to Cuddy for help which leads to something unexpected.

It is always interesting to see the vulnerable sides of House explored in this series and this episode shows him finally admitting to a weakness that he cannot deal with on his own. However, the way in which the episode takes his relationship with Cuddy makes it an even more memorable episode that sets the stage for something even better between the two prominent characters.

13 Last Resort

Season 5, Episode 9

A hostage situation in a hospital seems to come up in every medical drama series at some point and can sometimes be a sign of the show running out of ideas. However, "Last Resort" uses this somewhat over-the-top concept to make a thrilling episode with some interesting ideas that link two beloved characters in the series. It focuses on a man who is tired of being misdiagnosed by doctors and his attempts to force House to figure out what is wrong with him.

The episode also features a number of great guest stars...

The notion of this man forcing House to use other hostage patients as guinea pigs in order to find his cure is a disturbing and intense one. The episode also features a number of great guest stars, including Zeljko Ivanek as the hostage-taker, Wood Harris as the determined SWAT leader, and Evan Peters as one of the hostages.

12 Control

Season 1, Episode 14

Hugh Laurie's performance as House usually dominates most of the episodes, but the episode "Control" in the strong first season of House is one of the rare moments in which a guest star steals the show from him. Sarah Clarke steps in as the patient of the week, a high-powered executive whose conditions are baffling. However, the truth at the center of it which House eventually reveals leads to a powerful moment.

House begins to understand that this woman's condition is a result of self-harming and an eating disorder which makes her ineligible for organ donations that would be needed to save her life. In a terrific example of how House is a rebellious doctor yet one with compassion, he has the ailing woman admit that she wants to fight for her life after all this destructive behavior and lies to get her the organ donations she needs.

11 Both Sides Now

Season 5, Episode 24

The idea of making House and Cuddy get together in "Under My Skin" was a somewhat risky decision that posed a lot of questions about how the show would deal with that decision. "Both Sides Now" is the following episode which opens the morning after and begins to reveal how things have changed. House is in a brighter mood, having sought help from Cuddy while also spending the night with her. However, he is annoyed to find her taking it in a casual way.

The episode explores how House can be a deeply frustrating character as he seeks to make Cuddy angry with him to make her acknowledge what happened between them. It shows him to be an immature and petty character. However, the realization of what really happened is a brilliant way of following up the previous episode with a heartbreaking revelation that takes House further as a character.

10 Everybody Dies

Season 8, Episode 22

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While the series had a number of ups and downs over the course of eight seasons, the fact that the series finale of House is one of its best episodes leaves the fans with a strong final note to end on. House season 8, episode 22, "Everybody Dies" is the perfect ending to an immaculate series. With symmetry from the name mirroring the pilot, "Everybody Lies," to the episode being directed by the show creator David Shore, it serves as a fitting send-off for the titular character.

House finally accepts a new life and moves away from the career that has been his purpose for so much of his life.

In a series that constantly features a character that rejects change and growth, House finally accepts a new life and moves away from the career that has been his purpose for so much of his life. How it uses House's experiences to bring him to his big decision helps make it a brilliant and satisfying finale.

9 No Reason

Season 2, Episode 24

The finale of the second season dug deep into House's psyche and became one of the earliest moments that revealed his humanity and his desire to leave behind his own hubris and pride. House season 2, episode 24 has House come face to face with a man who has been negatively impacted because of House's terrible behaviors and lack of bedside manner.

The rest of the episode happens largely in his mind with horrific hallucinations and House arguing with his attacker, except he isn't arguing with his attacker; he is arguing with himself, his biggest opponent. The episode is clever and thoughtful and helps to unpack the truth behind his leg injury, his ruthlessness, and his inner demons. In many ways, House is his own greatest enemy and this episode takes that idea in a very literal way.

Related House, M.D.: How House Injured His Leg House, M.D.'s Gregory House spent the entire series walking with a cane and popping pain pills - but what caused his addiction-inducing injury?

8 Help Me

Season 6, Episode 21

Like most medical procedural shows, House eventually started exploring other wild cases outside patients showing up in hospitals. This particular episode embraced the kind of disaster movie storytelling that can often pop up in these types of shows. Another season finale much later in the show, House season 6, episode 21 follows the medical team as they attempt to help a group of victims trapped in a building after it collapses in on them.

The episode is clever, heartfelt, and genuinely emotional as good people lay suffering and people do their best to make a difference. Ultimately, just trying to do good and be the best doesn't always do the trick and this episode drives that lesson all the way home. Incredible performances from the cast and especially from China Shavers, who plays the primary patient in the episode, lead the way in a stellar installment.

7 Three Stories

Season 1, Episode 21

An early example of the tremendous ability for storytelling and innovation that this show delivers comes late in the first season with House season 1, episode 21, "Three Stories." House teaches a lecture and relates three stories of patients with similar issues, as the stories unfold, things twist and turn unexpectedly and ultimately the audience and the cast are given a greater insight into what makes House tick.

This episode won an Emmy for its writing, and it's not hard to see why. Incredibly gripping and clever, this episode is a masterclass in storytelling and everything that this show aspires to be in its greatest moments. It also gives Hugh Laurie some of the best moments in the early days of this role, with him really letting the character shine as a truly unique and captivating protagonist on television.

6 The C-Word

Season 8, Episode 19

While House is sometimes lumped in with the safer network shows of the era which could not take as many storytelling risks as the cable shows in the wake of The Sopranos, he proved to be a complex and dark character. As the series was coming to its end, things appeared to grow increasingly bleak for House and his potential future. One such episode that highlights this is House season 8, episode 19, "The C-Word."

House cares for his dearest friend as he copes with his terminal illness and administers experimental treatment.

This episode was directed by the star, Hugh Laurie, and shows a soft side to House that rarely comes to the surface. House cares for his dearest friend as he copes with his terminal illness and administers experimental treatment. As reckless as the pair of them may be, the genuine friendship and camaraderie are on full display and House shows growth and compassion.

5 Birthmarks

Season 5, Episode 4

Digging deeper into the mind of Gregory House, season 5, episode 4 presents the vulnerability and obstinance that define House and his best friend Wilson. As is the case in many of the best episodes of this series, "Birthmarks" focuses on the relationship between House and Wilson through the lens of a road trip to House's father's funeral.

Wilson has quit working at the hospital and cut ties with his old friend, but in a moment of need, he puts himself on the line again. This turns out exactly how it always would with House causing trouble and being a brat, but the insights and symmetry between the main story and the B-plot of how parents can cause long-lasting trauma is beautifully played out. The dynamic between these two complicated friends was always one of the best aspects of the show and this is one of the best episodes to show why.

4 Detox

Season 1, Episode 11

Another early episode that helps to define the show, and its central character, House season 1, episode 11 is the first time House's relationship with his Vicodin addiction is effectively explored without being played off as something inconsequential. Cuddy and Wilson push House to prove that his pill use is not within his control and that he is a bona fide addict.

House is always so in control that it is interesting to see him struggling with his detox, still maintaining many of his mental resources and going to extreme depths of withdrawal. It is another example of linking him to Sherlock Holmes, especially some of the more modern takes on the character that explores his brilliant mind and the dangerous ways he self-medicates it. Given the genius of House, it is an essential episode to make it clear he is human.

This episode led to the first Emmy nomination for Laurie as Gregory House.

3 Broken

Season 6, Episode 1

Continuing the exploration of House's psychology and his Vicodin addiction, season 6, episode 1 launches the season in a deeply engaging and powerful way. Guest starring Lin Manuel-Miranda as House's roommate while he is interned at a psychiatric unit, Laurie again delivers an unparalleled performance. Although House entered voluntarily, aware of his issues, he resisted the change and refused to listen to authority, despite the risk of losing his medical license.

This was also the episode during season 6 to receive the highest ratings from viewers and worked as a two-parter. The development and growth in just this 90-minute episode's story arc is a highlight of the show's run. It's the kind of arc that might've taken another show an entire season to fulfill, yet House managed to get it just right in a short time.

Related The Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked The best TV shows of all time will be debated forever, but there are clear contenders. These are the very best TV shows of all time, ranked.

2 Wilson's Heart

Second Chapter of the Two-Part, Season 4 finale

The second chapter of the two-part House season 4 finale, "Wilson's Heart" delivers emotion, the most brutal challenge to House and Wilson's friendship of the entire series, and a heart-wrenching main character death. House struggles to recall the incident that led to Wilson's girlfriend's injuries, and he may well hold the key to helping her.

House is gritty and dark and can be deeply upsetting or emotional at times, and this episode delivers all of that in spades. House begins to take off the mask in a meaningful way to try and do all he can to save his friend's heart, but in the end, he comes up short and pays the price. There are times when watching the show that House's brilliance makes it seem like it is inevitable that he will save the day, but this episode keeps the stakes high.

1 House's Head

Season 4, Episode 15

Close

Not only is this the best episode of House, but one that is rewarding to look back on again and again. The episode prior to the season 4 finale, "House's Head," follows House in a foggy amnesiac state as he pieces together a mystery from the night before.

House was involved in an incident and upon waking up, he needs to recover the pieces in his own mind to effectively solve a puzzle and save a life. It's a storytelling device seen in plenty of other movies and shows, yet it is rarely done so effectively.

It is terrific mystery storytelling with a dramatic backbone which makes for an incredible engrossing experience. The writing and direction also come together to create something that is incredibly tight and keeps the bar high throughout. Though it feels like something new and challenging for House, this episode also defines the show, House's relationship with his colleagues, and his inner struggle in such a brilliantly clever way that only House can.